Just One Night

Chapter 4

Demi: 

"Are you sureeee you have to go to Texas?" Joe pleaded, "You could always just call them! Then you and I could have some... alone time..." He flashed a mischievous grin as he grabbed Demi's waist and pulled her into his chest. She breathed in the smell of his body, it was fresh, and enthralling, she didn't want to let him go. Then she thought better, "No, Joe this is something I should tell them in person." Joe faked a gloomy frown, giving him the appearance of a lost puppy. Demi giggled at his reaction, loving the fact that, though he was joking around, she knew he'd actually miss her.

"Fine," he permitted, "but when you get home there will be a LOT of cuddling that you'll have to make up." 

Demi smiled up at him and kissed him lightly. She was really going to miss Joe, even if she was only gone for a few days. She wished she could take him with her, but she knew that if there was to be a bad reaction to her news, having Joe there would only make it worse. Dallas could throw a good punch if she wanted to. Demi turned around in Joe's arms and attempted to continue out the door where a car was waiting for her, they hadn't gone public yet and they didn't need any suspicion. But Joe refused to let go and pulled her back for another kiss. Their lips fit perfectly together, and Demi's heart skipped about three beats when Joe's tongue began moving its way around the inside of her mouth. Even though he'd done this same thing hundreds of times before, it never ceased to make the skin prickle all over her body. She moved her hands up his chest and through his curly, thick hair. "You need a haircut," she whispered. He chuckled softly, then suddenly pulled her up to him so that her legs were straddling his waist. He deepened the kiss and she pushed up on his shoulders so that he began kissing her neck, nibbling slightly. He closed his mouth on her skin and kissed his way back up to her lips. She wanted to stay in this moment forever, but she really did have to go. She pulled away and smiled again, "I love you." She stated it clearly, there was no question in her mind now about her feelings towards him. "I love you too Dems," he replied. And with that she walked into her car, and began her most nerve-racking journey yet.

Madison:

Madison felt like she had thousands of butterflies fluttering around her stomach. Today Demi was coming for a visit! And she had a surprise, which was always good. Her trip had been really sudden, but Maddie didn't question it. All she cared about was seeing Demi again. They could watch movies, and get IHOP, and listen to their music way too loud, and fall asleep cuddling in Demi's bed, where she secretly slept when Demi was away. This weekend would be just about them. 

*** 

Demi:

"Hi baby girl!" Demi exclaimed as she dropped her bags in the foyer and prepared to catch Maddie, who was excitedly running into her arms. Maddie managed to slow down just enough so Demi wasn't completely tackled. Just then Dianna strode in and smiled at the sight of the two sisters. 

"Alright Maddie, that's enough. You're hogging her!" She laughed to herself and went to embrace Demi. It was such a happy reunion. Demi only hoped that the mood wouldn't change. 

"Where's dad?" Demi questioned.

"Oh, he's just out and about with Dallas. They'll come home for dinner though! I'm making your favorite." At that, Demi's mouth slipped into one of her famous wide grins, one that took up her entire face and made the world wary of a facial explosion. "I knew you would like that!" Dianna responded, "Maybe at dinner you can tell us your surprise!" She smiled again, but now Demi faltered. 

"Definitely." She replied, but her family couldn't her the worry in her voice.

***

"Girls! Dinner's ready!"

Maddie and Demi ran from Demi's room and into the kitchen, where they were instantly slammed with the delicious smell of a grilled steak. Everyone's mouth was watering, and after they all sat down and said grace, the family was ravenous and dug into their food immediately. Her mom always made the best steak, it was tender, and seasoned to perfection. She had missed this. Eating all together in their warm kitchen, not for a holiday, and not with a bunch of other family members, just them. Just the five of them all together. It was the best feeling in the world. Demi was so absorbed in it all that she nearly forgot her "surprise". That is until Maddie looked up and questioned,

"So Dems, how's Joe?" She said it like the typical best friend. Drawing out her words so that Demi blushed, then laughed it off. She had told them that she was back with Joe, just not exactly how and why they got back together. To them, it was something that had been rebuilding for a while.

"He's really great, and that's kind of what the surprise is about..." She was careful with her words, she didn't want this all to come off as unimportant because that would only make the reaction worse. 

Dallas dropped her fork and knife and looked Demi directly in the eye, he expression was skeptical, but it almost seemed like she knew exactly what Demi was going to say. She looked around the table, and saw that the other three were quizzical as well, though Eddie was holding his steak knife unusually tight, as though he was prepared to use it, and not on the steak. 

Demi continued, "Please just promise me you won't get mad." The table remained silent, which Demi took as a cue to keep going. "It was an accident, and a mistake, but I'm-" Demi's throat suddenly got dry. She couldn't finish that sentence. She had never actually said it out loud. All the happiness and excitement she'd felt when she had shared this news with the crew was gone, and in it's place was a massive ball of fear, sitting in the pit of her stomach and waiting to explode. But she must go on, she knew she had to. One word Demi, it's just one word.

"Pregnant." She finally finished. She looked up from the table at her family. Say something, she thought, please. But no words were spoken. It was as if someone had just turned off everyone's voice, and Demi's words were left to hang in the air. She could only hope that one of them would reach out and catch them.