Growing with J.A.C.I.E. (All Time Low Fanfiction | Jack Barakat)

Chapter 10

The tour bus rumbled softly as it cruised along the highway, carrying us to our next destination. Jack and I were nestled in his bunk, ready to get some sleep and wake up in a brand new place the next morning. The gentle hum of the engine provided a comforting rhythmic backdrop that usually lulled me to sleep. This time, however, we were still up, the small reading light casting a light glow.

"Hey, you feel that?" I whispered into the silence.

"What?" Jack asked, looking down at me.

We were in the same position as always when we shared his bunk. Jack on his back, shuffled up against the wall, and I was on my side, one leg over his. This time, Meerkat was also in between us, Jack's torso acting as a pillow for her.

"She's kicking." My hand went down to my belly to see if I could feel the sensation on the outside as well.

Ever since I felt the first flutters, the movements became more pronounced. I was no longer just feeling some sensations, there were actual jerky motions. So far, it seemed like Meerkat loved stretching out her little limbs and finding the boundaries of her little home.

Right against my fingertips, I could feel the little thumps of Meerkat begging to be let out. I quickly grabbed Jack's hand and put it in the exact same spot. "Here!"

He seemed to focus at first, but then his eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. "Woah... she's actually in there..."

This was the first time Jack could actually feel her. My bump was clear evidence, and we'd seen her move on the ultrasound, but this was the first time she was tangible. When I first felt her flutter, he couldn't feel it yet. But now, there were little shockwaves radiating through my skin.

"I think she realises when her dad's here," I smiled at him. "She was never this active when I was at home alone."

The grin that formed at my comment as he gazed at my belly was one I wished I could remember forever. "Hello in there, Meerkat. I'm here."

I put my hand over his, letting us revel in the shared experience. We could both feel the little kicks coming from our unborn Meerkat. It was a magical moment, one I was glad we could experience despite the fact that Jack was on tour during these crucial weeks. Unfortunately, the warmth did not translate into drowsiness.

"You know," I spoke up, poking Jack's chest gently, "we've never discussed names for Meerkat yet."

"True," he chuckled, wrapping the arm that was around me a bit tighter to bring me further into his side

"You got any ideas?"

"Actually... I do." He took out his phone and pulled up the note app, revealing a list he had made.

"Wow," my eyes adjusted to the extra light, taking in how Jack had actually started a list. "That's a lot."

He shrugged, scrolling up and down, making the note bounce back since there was nothing to scroll to. "Sometimes I think about it when I'm alone trying to fall asleep."

"Let's have a look."

Jack handed me the phone, and we both huddled closer, sharing the glow of the screen. The list was surprisingly extensive, showcasing a mix of traditional and unique names. Some were marked with stars, indicating Jack's favourites.

"Okay, you've put a lot of thought into this," I teased, scanning over the names.

"Well, I want our girl to have the perfect name," he replied.

His list wasn't half bad. The pressure to give somebody a name for the rest of their life was definitely big, though. It was a hard choice.

"I only thought about middle names," I admitted.