A Do Or Die Situation (Sequel to To Offset The Shakes) // Andy Hurley/Trohley

Offset The Shakes (Libbie's POV)

**Libbie is now about eight months along

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"Gage, listen to me!" I shouted.

"I am, what do you want?!" he asked.

"Why are you shutting down?" I asked.

"Because nothing is wrong between us! You're jumping to conclusions again!" he shouted.

"If nothing is wrong with us, then why the hell are we screaming at each other?" I asked.

"Because you're fucking jumping to conclusions!" he repeated.

"Well, I'm sorry I've noticed you're being distant. I'm sorry I've noticed you're not yourself lately. I'm sorry I've noticed that you're probably going to leave me," I said, lowering my voice.

"Where on earth did you get that idea?" he asked, rolling his eyes. "Yes, okay, I have been distant, I haven't been myself, but fuck Lib, I'm not going to leave you!"

"How can I be sure? You can tell me that all you want, but your actions say otherwise," I said.

"I'm not going to leave you," he said, his voice suddenly calmer. "I could never leave you. I couldn't hurt you like that."

"T-Then what's going on?" I asked.

"Listen, we need to talk," he sighed. "Come on," he said, taking my hand and leading me into the living room where Joe and Andy were sitting. All Gage did was simply nod at them, and they seem to have taken whatever hint that was.

"Listen Lib, we've all kind of been on edge lately, and I'm sure you've noticed. Babe, I'm not sure how to tell you this, but H-"

"Halle's back," Gage cut Andy off.

"W-What? No, she's not! She moved away!" I said, beginning to panic.

"Libbie, hun, calm down, it'll be okay," Joe said, taking me in his arms.

I tried my best to calm down, but it was difficult. The girl who decided to ruin my life was now back, and I'm sure she had every intention to try to get to me, Gage, and our baby. There's no way I would let that happen, no way in hell. Joe gently stroked my hair, talking calmly to me. I eventually calmed down, and though it was still difficult, it was easier to calm down than most every other time. Since I was now supporting another life, I had been working on managing my anger and my attacks better.

"Now do you understand why we've all been on edge lately?" Andy asked, I nodded. 

"Is that why you haven't really let me go anywhere alone?" I asked, suddenly realizing how everything had changed in the past few months.

They all nodded, and I stood up and wrapped my arms around Andy, then Gage, and then back to Joe. They were all confused, but I explained how appreciative I was of everything they did for me, even if I didn't know it. I had come to realize in the past year how lucky I truly was to be living with Joe and Andy, and now I had come to realize how lucky I was to be with someone as caring and protective as Gage. This is something I never would have gotten back at home. Natalie probably would have made me get rid of the baby, or made me give it up when I had it. She didn't want to deal with me, let alone deal with a newborn. 

-

As the day progressed, things felt like they were getting back to normal. Since we all understood each other from our talk, we didn't feel the need to hide anything anymore. I felt truly blessed for the first time in my life.

"Guys, since I'm almost nine months, I think now would be a good time for you guys to give me your journals so I can see everything that happened," I said, sitting up on the couch.