Coming Home

-(Marigold's POV)-

"I told him just to go." I said sadly, picking at my food on my plate that was going cold."Well look, come to my house for a BBQ today, you can meet my girlfriend finally and my parents miss the hell out of you." Matt offered which made me smile.At least people actually missed me.

"Ok I'll be there.Thanks for listening to my rants Matt." I laughed slightly, looking over at the clock on my nightstand.It was already 1 so I figured I could start getting things ready before I asked Brian to pick me up."Anytime doll.See you in a while." He said before hanging up.

I slowly got off my bed and headed downstairs to see what my mom was up to in the kitchen."Mom, what are you making?" I asked curiously, peeking to see what she was doing by the stove.She turned around and gave me a wink, motioning for me to come and see for myself.

"Oh yes! Chicken soup!" I squealed excitedly giving my mom a kiss on the cheek.Her homemade chicken soup was the best thing ever in the city.She would always make it for me and the guys whenever they would come over for dinner or when one of us was sick with a cold.“You can have some in a minute, let it cool down first." She smiled warmly at me before setting a bowl down on the small kitchen table.

As I sat down to eat I noticed I had a text flashing on my scree.Thinking nothing of it, I decided to see what it said.Big mistake.

" Hey, Marigold.Want to apologize for what I had said.We really need to talk.-ZV"

"God!" I groaned loudly, throwing my hands up in defeat.My mother eyed my suspiciously before gently patting me on the back."Let me guess, Zacky?" I nodded and placed my phone beside me on the table.

"I got to go talk with him."

-(Zacky's POV)-

"She's coming isn't she?" Gena huffed, putting her hands on her hips.I shrugged slightly before simply nodding."Yeah, so what? Matt invited her, his family wanted to see her.I didn't tell her anything." It wasn't like I was lying, but I did tell her that I wanted to at least apologize to her for acting like a complete prick the other day.

"Well I'm going with you.I need to talk with Val and Michelle anyways." She said with a smirk.I raised an eyebrow at her suspiciously."Um I guess so? I didn't even know you two were friends?" She gave a sarcastic laugh, shaking her head at me."Shows how much you've been paying attention to me Zack.Anyway I'm going to get ready." I snorted but agreed to wait for her.

I decided to send a quick text again to Marigold, informing her that my girlfriend would be accompanying me, and that our talk would have to wait until she left my sight, if she ever did that is.Sometimes I didn't really get why she was always attached to me, but then again I'm assuming its because had a jealously problem.

Marigold: Just wonderful.Thanks for the warning.

I couldn't help but chuckle slightly."Lets go babe!" Gena announced from down the hall.I put my phone back in my pocket and drew in a deep breath.

Lets see how this works today.

-(Marigold's POV)-

When I first arrived at Matt's I already knew that all my friends from high school would all be there, shocked and surprised to see me as well."Hey Marigold, wow it's been years! How are you?" Matt's dad smiled before greeting me with a warm hug.I smiled back "I'm good thanks, Mr.Sanders.Glad to be back home." I said happily, waving over at Matt who was by the pool with his girlfriend Val.

"Great, go have fun." He chuckled then headed back into the house to help finish up the food with Matt's mom.I casually strolled over towards the couple, feeling my stomach twist and turn nevoursly as I smiled and waved politely as I could as I passed by."Val, this is my best friend that I've been telling you about.Mari this is my girlfriend Val." He stated proudly.I shook her hand and grinned.

"It is so nice to finally meet you! Matt never shuts up about you, I love your hair! Very punk rock." She exclaimed excitedly, sounding genuinely sincere and not fake, which made me even more ecstatic to get to know her better."Oh wow thank you, you're very pretty, you did great Matt!" I laughed, wiggling my eyebrows at the two which made Val burst out laughing.

I gladly accepted the beer that was passed my way, roaming around the backyard and making light conversation with everyone that crossed my path.I even met Brian's girlfriend Michelle who oddly enough was Val's twin sister and Johnny's girlfriend Lacey who was quiet yet really nice.

That's when I spotted the star of the show, my oh so cheerful looking best friend, Zacky with his girlfriend or should I say mother, Gena at his side.I gritted my teeth as they started walking towards me.I prayed I didn't claw her eyes out at the first chance that I got."Wow you must be Marigold.I've heard SO much about you.How did you like Florida? How's your journalism going?" Gena asked curioisly, way too much for my liking.

"Um well I actually haven't gotten any offers yet but-" Suddenly Jimmy jumped into the conversation and saved me from answering anymore of her nosy questions."Actually she's gonna start interviewing us before the tour.I personally referred her." He winked, giving me a coy smile.I was so grateful for him during times like this.

"Oh well that's lovely.I'm sure your happy to be back near the boys.But just make sure you keep your distance, especially from Zacky.He was really heartbroken over you but I've fixed it so don't worry about him hunny." She stated matter-of-factly.I couldn't help but snort and roll my eyes tremendously at her childish side comment.

"Yeah well nice meeting you." I chuckled before walking over to where Johnny was sitting by the pool.He smiled, patting the spot beside him for me to sit.I rested my head on his shoulder, looking up at him with an annoyed pout."Somethig you have on your mind buddy?" He asked with a slight smirk.I groaned loudly, nodding my head.

"It's Zacky's stupid girlfriend! She told me to stay away from him and that she fixed his heart that I supposedly broke." I grumbled angrily.I didn't mean to cause Zacky any sort of pain in those years that I was gone but I was here to make up for lost ground whether Gena liked it or not.

Johnny laughed heartily, rubbing my shoulder gently."I know you mean well Mari but look on the bright side.No matter what Gena says, Zacky's excepted that you're back and he's not making a huge deal out of it like she is.Honestly, I don't even really like her." He said truthfully.I grinned at his words, instantly making me feel better about the whole situation.

Well that was until, Queen Gena decided to make an announcement that ruined the whole evening, for me at least.

"Everyone! I have something to say! Zacky, I'm having your baby." She exclaimed happily, kissing him on the cheek while I stood there, stunned beyond words.