Alive and Breathing (Adopted By Alex Gaskarth)

Chapter Eleven

Morgan
As Rian said we made a pit stop to Sara's home before we continued to the next stop. I hooked up to my portable machine and went upstairs with Sara to help pack her while the guys sat downstairs in Sara's foster home. "So how ya feeling?"I asked her, short breathed. I took a seat on the bed and folded her clothes to put in the duffel bag. "Terrified. Excited. Happy. Shocked. There's just so many emotions right now I'm not sure which one is which,"Sara told me as we began packing up her life.

I grabbed a photo frame from her nightstand. "Woah is this you?" I asked. Sara nodded. "That's one of the only pictures I have of my whole family. I'm the little baby in that one. There's another of me and my brother. One more of me and my mom. It's all I have of them,"she spoke softly. "Do you miss them?" I asked. "Every day. I wonder if they would be proud of the girl I've become,"she said. "Sara, I don't know how anyone couldn't be proud of you. You're strong and beautiful and amazing!"I said as we continued to pack her things.

*******

Back on the bus, what felt like hours later but had probably only been an hour, Jack was bouncing off the wall from too much Red Bull. Sara was drowning him out and writing in her journal with her earbuds in. I knew Jack had questions as did all of the guys but having been adopted, everything is overwhelming at first. We got a new phone for her before we left to go to the next venue. Personally, I was exhausted. I was sitting with Zack and Alex as they watched a movie. I missed Andy already but I knew they had band matter to handle and I'll see him in a few hours. I leaned my head against Alex's shoulder. He put an arm around me and began stroking my hair. Slowly but surely I fell asleep. I woke up around 3 am. Zack was on one end of the couch. I was still leaning on Alex. It was dark.

I was so sweaty and thought maybe I had to pee so I got up. I got tangled in my oxygen tube and fell down. "Fuck!" I whispered. Surprisingly the guys didn't wake up. I knew they too must be tired. The guys spend so much time taking care of me. I handled my business. I heard a loud booming crack. There was a flash of light. I jumped but realized we were in the middle of a thunderstorm. I made my way back into the lounge. Alex was awake, wide eyed and obviously panicked. Once his eyes adjusted and settled on me, I saw the calm appearing.

"What's wrong, Morgs?"Alex asked. "I just had to pee. I don't like storms,"I mumbled. "Come here. It's okay. I got worried when I heard the thunder. I couldn't find you,"he said. I sat back down beside him. He kissed the side of my head as I curled up beside him and he grabbed a blanket from beside him somewhere to cover me with. "Go back to sleep. It's too early. I'll keep you safe from the storm,"he smiled. I nodded and dozed back into oblivion. Loud talking woke me later in the morning. I peeked out and saw Sara and the guys were at the table.

That led the question of who I was leaning against. I moved my head a little. "Good morning sleepyhead,"that low, deep beautiful voice said. A kiss was placed atop my head. It was Andy. I wrapped my arms around his midsection, my head resting in his lap. "Are you gonna get up?"he asked. I shook my head no. Andy began tickling me in response to which I called out stop admist my laughter. A camera click caught my attention. Sara had her phone held up. "DUDE I LOOK SO BAD!"I exclaimed jumping up. I immediately got head rush and fell back down beside  Andy a bit winded. "You looked cute all cuddled up with Andy. I figured it may be something you'll want,"she said. She turned her phone around and I must admit, the photos taken when I'm not paying attention turn out well despite my pajamas and messy hair.

"So what's for breakfast?"I asked suddenly craving eggs and bacon and pancakes. "Girlfriend, I hate to break it to you but you slept through breakfast. It's like 10 am,"Andy said, booping my nose. "But I'm hungry. I really want pancakes, eggs and bacon,"I said with puppy eyes that I immediately turned on Alex. "Fine, go get dressed. We'll go to IHOP cause I think there's one nearby,"he said. I hopped back up to go find my clothes for the day. I settled on one of Alex's pink shirts and some denim shorts. I brushed my hair and did my makeup before I hurried out. As promised, the guys were ready to go. We Ubered to IHOP.

It wasn't too crowded or busy which was good because we didn't want the guys to call too much attention. Granted Sara and I do that on our own. "Hi, my name is Lisa. How may I help you?"our waitress asked as she looked in her apron pocket for her notebook and pen. I noticed Alex looking at her, he seemed flustered. This ought to be fun. Lisa looked up then and froze for a moment as she recognized the guys. "Holy shit!"she exclaimed. "Well damn that's a new reaction!"Jack blurted. We all got a laugh including the waitress, Lisa.

"So can I get y'all some drinks?"she asked. We all ordered except Alex, he was last. "Uh can i get a chocolate milk? Wait no I want a coffee? Or do I?"he said blushing. "He'll have a coffee, cream and sugar on the side please,"Jack ordered for him to which Alex shot him a grateful look. "What's the deal, dude? I've never seen you so flustered and worked up,"I whispered in his ear. "Nothing,"he whispered back. "You like her,"I mouthed which caught Andy's attention so I just coughed cause one my lungs felt full of pressure and my throat itches but I wanted to cover up what I said to Alex as he was blushing bright red.

Lisa returned with our drinks then took our food order. She too appeared to be blushing Every interaction she and Alex had. I took a napkin and asked to borrow a pen. I wrote my number and Alex's on it. "Lisa, do you mind showing me to the bathroom?"I asked when she brought our food out. Everyone at the table gave me a weird look. "I have to pee,"I said. Lisa nodded. Luckily the bathrooms were out of view. I had my small oxygen tank on my shoulder.

"Okay listen, my dad, Alex, I think has a huge crush on you and I think you like him to. So I'm gonna give you my number and his cause he's too shy. Honestly don't deny me my dying wish. Between you and me, my health isn't exactly super great right now if you can't tell. I don't want Alex forever alone so I'm stepping up as wing girl daughter,"I said. "Text me, come by the show later and I'll show you around,"I said, handing her the napkin. "Thanks,"she mumbled. Then I went back to enjoy my food. Believe it or not, I ate every last bite of my food and managed to keep it down along with my meds. It was the most food I'd had in awhile cause I usually only eat small meals. I hoped Lisa would follow up. Alex left a big tip and I was hoping he didn't blow this cause it was gonna be my little secret.

A/N: hey y'all! It's been a hot minute. Life is chaotic but I'm alive. So here's an extra long chapter. Hope you enjoy! Much love!

B