Viva Las Vengeance

Love from the Other Side

** Brendons POV **

After a quick shower, I head back to the lounge area of our bus. Pete and Carlyn are deep in conversation. Patrick is reading the girls a bedtime story in their room. I can hear them happily giggling at Patrick's funny voices.
I say, reaching for Carlyn, placing a kiss on her temple.
"Hey, handsome," She replies, smiling back.
"Do you guys want a beer or something? I'm gonna make myself a tea.."
"No, you're not," Pete replies. "I'll make your tea and get our drinks. You're just out of ."
"I feel fine, Pete."
"Nope, Dr. said you need to rest and take it easy, and he's just off stage. I'll get the drinks. No arguing." he states, leaving the sofa.
"Babe, how are you really feeling?"
"I feel fine, much better than earlier. Sorry, I scared everyone."
"Carly, will you please stop apologising. I should have noticed how ill you were earlier. What are the Dr's orders? Have they changed anything?
"I've to take things a little easier, eat smaller and regular meals, they reduced the Chemo dosage and prescribed a stronger anti sickness medication. I'm good to go and will be reassessed in Nashville as arranged."
"From now on, I'll see to the girls. You look after yourself and Taylor, ok?"
"Bren, you can't do that and prepare for shows at the same time...."
"Carlyn, this is not open for debate.." I tell her sternly.
"What's not open for debate?" Pete asks, handing us our drinks just as Patrick comes into the lounge.
"Me taking care of everything whilst Carlyn looks after herself and Taylor."
"You need to listen to Brendon." Pete and Patrick tell her at the same time.
"Ok..OK...I surrender," she laughs, raising her hands in defeat.
"That's my girl," I say, wrapping my arms around her
"Are the girls asleep?" I ask Patrick
"Yep, they're both passed out sound asleep."
"Hey Trick, thank you for all your help with the girls tonight and you, Pete, for looking after Carlyn at the hospital."
"Yeah, sorry it wasn't the surprise you had planned, but we are so grateful to you both." Carlyn chimes in.
"Hey, it's our pleasure. You don't need to thank us. We are all family and family look out for each other." Pete states.
"Actually...... mmmhmm" Patrick says, clearing his throat. "Pete and I have been talking...."
"Oh yeah? What about?"
"Look, you have 13 shows till Vegas. We have nothing much going on, and we've spoken to both Meagan and Elisa. Sorry Carlyn, we explained your current situation. Dont worry, they won't say anything to anyone...."
"Christ, what Stumpy is trying to say is that if you're happy to let us ride along with you till Vegas, then we are happy to help out with the girls and whatever else you need."
Carlyn and I look at each other in disbelief.
"Look, guys, we really appreciate your offer, but you can't just take 2 weeks away from your own families to look after mine,"
"Brendon, in the nicest possible way. Shut the fuck up!!" Pete laughs. "What about all the times you both were there for us?" Pete asks
"Yeah!" Patrick agrees.
"Are you sure Meagan and Elisa are OK with this?"Carlyn asks.
"YES!!" They both answer. "They're both going to phone you tomorrow Carlyn. You can double check with them..."
"Bren, how do you feel about this?"
"Babe I'm happy for the guys to ride along if you are."
"Better get them crew T-shirts then." She laughs.
The spare bunks are all ready made up for you. You can fight it out between you, who goes where."
"Right boys, as much as it's lovely to see you, I'm gonna call it a night. I'll see you both in the morning. Bren, I'll see you when you come to bed."
I grab us another beer and sit back down sighing.
"How are YOU holding up, Bren?" Patrick asks, his voice full of concern.
"I'm OK. I'm trying to stay strong for Carlyn and the girls. We certainly never saw this curve ball coming. I've no idea how this is going to work out. Things are going to get worse before it geys any better. The side effects that her oncologist told me about sound horrible. Christ, the medication seems worse than the actual cancer just now." I say, rubbing the back of my neck. "Before she started chemo, you would never have known she had cancer."
"Has she told Josh yet?"
"No, she wants to tell him face to face."
"He's not gonna take this well."
"I know. Im gonna go to bed, guys. Im exhausted. Make yourself at home and thank you, for everything. I Love you guys."
"Love you to Bren." they both say in unison.
I check on the girls on my way to bed, and they are both snoring their little heads off. Entering our room I can't help but stop and state at the sight in front of me. For the first time in weeks, Carlyn is actually sound asleep. I can see Taylor moving around in her belly. Getting into bed beside her I gently kiss her bump
"Hey little dude, can you do daddy a favour? Do you think you could go to sleep and let Mommy get some sleep tonight?" I can't help but laugh at the sight of myself having a conversation having a talk with our unvorn son. If anyone saw me, they'd think I was mad.
I gently kiss Carlyn before spooning her, wrapping my arm around her bump. This seems to sooth both myself and Taylor as we both seem to settle and fall asleep.