Paradise {COMPLETED}

Chapter 18

"Alan! I'm hungry!" I whine. He shrugs, "Too bad." I pretend to be hurt, "Do you want me to starve to death?" He shrugs, "I don't know, maybe." He flashes a mischievous grin.

I rummage through the cupboards in the bus kitchen, and don't see anything. "CHAD!" I exclaim, really loudly.

"WHAT IS IT MIA?" He calls from the TV room. "DID YOU EAT ALL THE SNACKS?" I ask him. He enters the kitchen and glares at me.

"Why would you assume I did that?" He asks. "Because you did!" I shout. He shakes his head, "I did not!"

"Your face says differently!" I point to his face which is covered in Oreo crumbs. Chad reaches up and wipes his face, "Darn you crumbs!" He exclaims.

I giggle, as I approach Caleb. "Jumping Bean, we need food!" I say desperately. "We just basically bought out a gas station," he says bluntly. "Well Chadwick was hungry," I sigh.

Caleb rolls his eyes, "I'll have to ask Jeff when the next stop is. You'll have to wait until then." I stick my lip out, "But I'm hungry." He claps a hand on my shoulder, "I'm so sorry for your loss, Mia."

I nod, wiping away nonexistent tears, "Thank you, Caleb. I just miss them so much." He smiles, "It's okay, Mia. They're in a better place now." I laugh, "Chad's stomach is that better place." Caleb shakes his head, "I don't think that place would be that fun."

I jump onto Caleb's back, and he sighs, "Why do you always do that?" I laugh, "Cuz I can!" He sighs, "Have I taught you nothing in the grammar world?" I shake my head, even though he can't see me, "No! You haven't taught me a thing, dork!" He smiles, "Hey watch it, kiddo!"

Caleb walks, with me on his back, to the front of the bus where Jeff is. "Hello Caleb, hello Miss Mia!" His big voice booms.

"Hey Jeff, when are we making the next stop?" Caleb asks. "We just made one, so probably in the next four hours," Jeff says. "You heard it from the boss, Mia," Caleb says. I sigh, "Stupid Chad."

"Is somethin' wrong, Miss Mia?" Jeff asks. "Chad ate all the snacks," I say glumly. He laughs for a bit, and pulls out a box of cookies from the floor next to him. My eyes get huge, as he hands the box to me.

"Well Mia, now you can't starve," Caleb says. I nod, "Thanks Jeff! Caleb, to the Batmobile or the kitchen!" Caleb laughs and runs into the kitchen of this bus where Alan is facetiming his girls.

"Come say hi, girl!" He calls to me. I jump off of Caleb, who leaves the room, and sit on Alan's lap, because there isn't a seat. "Hi guys!" I say happily. All the girls smile, including the newest addition, Baby Rowe, she was born right before we left.

"How's the tour life, hun?" Brycie asks me. "Pretty good. Chad ate all my snacks though," I answer. AJ and Presley giggle at my statement.

"And how are you girlies?" I ask them. "We miss you!" Presley says. "When are you coming home, Mia?" AJ asks. I shrug, "I don't know when I'll be home, sweets. But I miss you kiddies too."

"We'll be home in two months, darling," Alan says. "Daddy, that's a long time," AJ whines. "I know. Don't worry, Daddy'll see you soon as he can honeybee," he says sweetly.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Presley calls. "What lovebug?" He asks. "I want you to sing to me!" She says. Alan smiles, "What song girls?"

"Let it go! Let it go!" Their excited voices squeal. Alan nods, and sings the Anthem Lights version of Let It Go for his girls.

They clap as he sings the last note. "Thank you daddy! I love you!" Presley says. "I love you more, lovebug," he says. I watch as Presley comes up to the computer and makes a kissy face. Alan blows her a kiss.

"Bye daddy!" AJ says. "Bye honeybee, love you," he says. She blows him a kiss, "I love you too!" Alan pretends to catch the kiss and put it in his pocket, it's quite adorable.

"Bye Rowe. Daddy loves you," Alan coos to the beautiful baby girl in Brycie's arms. Rowe gurgles with excitement.

"Bye baby, I miss you," Alan says. "You too, babe, be careful," Brycie says. He nods, "I will. Love you." She blushes, "Love you too."

He blows multiple kisses at his computer, and hits the end call button.

I look up at him from my seat on his knee, and smile. "Hey smily girl," he says. "Alan, you're the sweetest father there is. Those girls absolutely adore you, and I do too," I tell him. He grins, "Thanks pretty girl, I'm glad you're staying with me for a while." I nod, "Me too!"

He kisses my hair, "Keep fighting, girl, you'll win this battle!" I smile, and nod, "I will fight forever!" I jump off of his leg, and begin dancing like an idiot.

"Okay, you, young lady, could use some dance lessons," Alan laughs. I shake my head, "I already got dance lessons."

"With who?" He asks, raising an eyebrow. "Caleb and Joey!" I exclaim, happily. Alan, on the other hand, face-palms. "Mia, dear, I'm telling you this because I care about you; they're not qualified to teach dance."

"I think they taught me some pretty insane moves!" I exclaim, dancing again. Alan shakes his head, "Yeah, they're insane alright. Never change, Mia, never change." I give him a thumbs up, "You got it, dude!"

I quickly grab some cookies and run to where Joey and Chad are playing the Alphabet Game.

I sit between them, which could be the best or worst choice ever, and look out the window. "Hey! Where'd you get those cookies?" Chad asks. "THAT INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL!" I exclaim. "Gees, you don't have to be so mean," he cries.

I ignore him, and turn to Joey, "What letter are we on?" Joey shrugs, "I think we're on F."

I lay my head on Chad's chest, and he doesn't seem to mind. I yawn, "Kentucky Fried Chicken." Joey nods, "That'll work. Now G." As the game goes on I can feel myself getting more&more tired. I slept pretty well last night, so this is weird.

"You okay, Mia?" Chad asks, looking down at me. "I don't know, Chad, I'm tired and feeling kinda achy." He places his hand on my forehead.

"Oh Mia, you're burning up honey!" He exclaims. "I'll be back with Alan and a cool towel for your forehead, love," Joey says jumping up.

"You just stay here with me, Mia. Alan'll be here soon," Chad whispers. I nod, "Thanks Chad."

A few seconds later, something cool and refreshing is on my forehead. "You okay, Mia?" Alan asks. "I don't know. I just felt really tired and achy all of the sudden," I reply. He nods, "I know honey, Joey told me. You need the rest," he says.

He lifts me up, bridal style, and carries me to my bunk. He lays me down softly. I feel him kiss my forehead, "Call if you need anything, love you." I nod as he leaves. Each of the other guys tell me good-night too, and Caleb, who saw me last, pulls the curtain closed. "Get well soon, kiddo," he whispers.