My Heart Is Open

One More Night Part Two

*Lacey's pov

I smiled, I loved watching him perform. I caught his eye and he smiled singing right to me. I blew him a kiss and his smile got wider as he belted out maps. It's crazy how easily we fell for each other. My hand started to go to my stomach and stopped pulling it up to brush my hair back before falling to my side again. Tomorrow we'll be on a plane home, and I'll have him to myself for a little bit. School starts back up and I'll be just as busy as he is grading assignments and making up tests. It'll be good I guess. I sighed to myself, the thought of going back to work is tiresome. Maybe this will be my last year for a while, it'll be too much to work and have a baby with a husband that's so busy. Adam finished singing and I clapped smiling brightly. They bowed and walked off stage heading back toward the dressing rooms. I ran to catch up slipping my arm around Adam's waist for a change. "Hey beautiful" he said kissing my hair. I smiled leaning into him. "Hey" I said softly savoring the moment knowing it would be short lived. "You okay?" He asked. I nodded, "just tired is all" I shrugged. "Do you want to go back to the hotel?" He asked. I shook my head, going back meant being alone and remembering all the teacher stuff I still had to finish before school started next week.

He rubbed my arm lightly, "I don't want you over exerting yourself" his voice full of concern. "I'm not, I just don't want to be alone" I admitted. I realized then I was being silly I would be alone soon enough. "Lacey, can I ask you something?" He asked softly. I nodded, "why don't you just say you won't be going back this year and take the time to adjust to being a wife and now mother" he said. I shushed him, "because I like working" I said. He bit his lip, "I just think it's too stressful on you and well..." I eyed him. "You think I can't handle it?" I asked. He shook his head, "no I didn't say that" he insisted. "You just want me home, barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen!" I said my voice rising. "No I just think maybe a career change would be good, less stressful" he said. "Adam!" I groaned. He kissed me silencing me. "This is not over" I grumbled. "I didn't think it was" he whispered. I sighed, who am I kidding he's absolutely right. I love teaching but I'm not feeling it anymore. Teaching is stressful. Most importantly though, I don't want to be a half assed mom always handing off her kid to do work. Damn it. What am I going to do? We met up with the guys and Adam was lost in conversation. My head was spinning in thought. "Lace?" Rachel asked. I looked up "yea?" I asked. "You okay?" She asked. I nodded "yea I was just thinking." "About?" "Adam being right" I sighed.

She laughed a little, "oh no don't let him hear you say that!" I laughed, "he wouldn't let me live it down" I said. She nodded, "I just realized that teaching is stressful and that I want to be there when this baby grows up" I whispered and looked around. We fell back more leaving more space between the guys and us, "I don't want to be handing him or her over to a sitter all the time to get work done and I don't want to be too busy grading papers to help them with their homework when they're older" I said. "I didn't realize how much work it would be with kids" I sighed. She slipped her arm around me, "have you talked to Adam about it?" She asked. "Not really, but he sort of said he wants me to quit and stay home" I explained. She nodded, "talk at home then find time to relax and celebrate" she said. I nodded, "I can't wait to tell everyone, but I don't want to tell everyone too soon." "I can't wait to celebrate for real with you." I smiled, "thank you." She looked at me, "for what?" She asked. "For being an amazing friend, I don't know what I'd do without you" I said hugging her. She smiled, "always Hun, you have us all" she said. "Come on, they'll be looking for us" I laughed and we ran ahead catching up with them again.

We met the guys at the car and climbed in. "What took so long?" Adam asked his eyes filled with worry, a familiar look lately. "Rachel and I were talking" I said stopping there. He nodded and I sat silently, listening to the guys as we headed to the next interview. I signed, 4 more before I can be alone with him. The same routine played out, Adam was interviewed and then they played Maps. The same thing at the next two interviews. We pulled up at the last interview and were ushered in. Rachel and I were brought backstage and the guys, all of them, were brought on stage. This interview was the longest of all but the most informative. They talked about the band, the cd, life, family, and what they would be doing if this all ended. "Honestly" Adam said when they ended the question with him. "A couple years ago I would've said I'd be a hobo living on the streets of LA begging for food and water. Now, I have faith that I could fall back on my clothing designs. And if that ends too, well I guess I better get good at something so I can support my wife. Because if I can't support her, my life is worthless. If I'm so bad off I can't support her then my life isn't worth anything. I can't do much, but I'll find something because that would be the ultimate failure" he said. I stared at the screen, which now was filled with his face, and the worry and concern that filled his eyes and made that worry line across his forehead so much deeper.

I knew then it didn't matter if I worked or not, he wants to support me and our child above all else. He's not asking me to quit to be demanding and full of control he's doing it to prove that he loves me wholeheartedly and wants to support me 100 percent. Nothing else matters. He doesn't want me supporting us if something happens, it's not my job in his eyes, he has to do it. I sighed and bit my lip. I love this man more than anything in this world. Any doubt has flown out the window. This man is my life. They took a break then and I knew the guys were setting up their equipment to play Maps before they could go on their way. "You okay Lace?" Rachel asked, she seemed as concerned as Adam. I nodded. "Can I ask you for a favor?" I said nervously. "Anything" she said. "When they tour next year will you keep an eye on me, just a simple hand now and then, maybe be on speed dial in case I go into labor and Adam's not around" I asked. She nodded, "I'd be honored Lace" she said. I smiled, "thank you, I think you're my only friend" I admitted shamefully. "Good, I was hoping I wasn't the only one thinking we were friends" she laughed. I laughed too and hugged her. The guys played another amazing set of Maps and headed back to us. He kissed me instantly. "Take me home" I begged. He obliged and wrapped his arms around me.