Blame It (Of Mice & Men)

#babyAshby

As tour strolled along, I began to look like I had shoved a balloon up my shirt. It was such a drastic change that I even had to make Alan take me to the mall so I could buy maternity clothes. We got back to the car and I sat in the passenger seat, my belly too big to drive anymore.

I groaned as Jellyfish kicked my ribs. "Are you okay?" Alan asked, concern on his face. I nodded. "Jelly's been kicking my ribs a lot lately. They just kind of hurt," I said, rubbing my tummy. I looked at my phone and saw where a fan had tagged Alan and I in a photo on Instagram.

"@bekkaaYDG: Just saw @AlanAshby and @April_Arteaga in a maternity store!? #babyAshby"

"Uh oh," I said, my eyes widening. "What?!" he yelled, slamming on the brakes. "I'm not going into labor, Jesus Christ, Alan!" I said, laughing. He'd been really protective and nervous about the whole pregnancy thing and it was cute.

"Oh, well what is it?" I handed him the phone and he looked over the picture of us holding hands, my belly obviously impregnated, and Alan holding the bag of clothes for me. "At least we're smiling," I said, trying to humor him a little.

"Alan, we couldn't keep it a secret forever," I whispered as he handed me back my phone. He nodded and stayed silent the rest of the way back to the bus. When we got back I took my bags to the room, and pulled out a tight black dress that actually made my baby bump look really cute. I tossed on some low all black vans and sat between Alan and Tino who automatically began talking to Jellyfish.

"April, why don't you come side stage today. I don't feel comfortable with you being near rowdy people now that Jellyfish's presence is more, um, noticeable," Tino said as we all made our way into the venue. I nodded. Alan's hand found mine as he kissed the top of my head making me smile. "Hey! Alan! April!" We turned to see some fans running towards us, smiling. "It's true! Aw! You guys are going to be the best parents ever!" one of them said, making me grin.

"Thank you," Alan said, smiling a bit. "Have you found out what it is yet?" another fan asked. "No, Alan wants it to be a surprise," I said nudging my boyfriend who smiled at the girls. "Can we get a picture with you guys?" I looked at Alan who nodded. I took the camera and snapped a picture of the girls with Alan and then traded the phone for the girls as they posed with me.

"Thank you!" they said, happily. "I better see you in that crowd!" Alan called as they ran off. We made our way to the stage and I rested my hands on my belly as Alan gave me a kiss before running out with the rest of the band. Halfway through the set, Austin came off stage and grabbed my hand, pulling me in front of an insane crowd who cheered.

I waved a little before looking up at Austin in confusion. "This is April! She's Tino's sister and Alan's girlfriend! They're having a baby soon! Say, 'Hi baby Ashby!'" The fans chorused in a "HI BABY ASHBY!" causing Alan and I to both break out in smiles.

"April can sing!" I shook my head before yelling, "No April can't!" Austin rolled his eyes before bringing out two stools for Alan and I and handing me the microphone.

"I'm gonna kill you," I said as he handed me the microphone, earning a few laughs from the audience. "Alright, hi, I'm April Arteaga. This is Alan Ashby and we'll do an acoustic cover of... What do you guys want to hear?"

"O.G. LOKO!" a fan screamed. "O.G. Loko? Okay. I can do that. Ready, Alan?" He hit the pick on the body of the guitar three times before beginning the song.

"I'm coming in hot, I'm coming in fast, take a breath it's so damn hard, I'll make this last, I'm the artist, paints in white, your skin canvas, I'll leave you gasping, scratching, screaming, screaming," I began, patting my legs to keep my rhythm.

"My friend, my love, my life, my truth be told I would set my whole world on fire, just to watch it burn in your eyes, meet my dedication, inspiration, it may be smothering you, but you know it's the truth," Alan's fingers roamed over the frets, making all the right chords come to life while slinging his hair around.

Once the song was done I stood and did the best curtsy a woman can do whilst pregnant before attempting to walk offstage before a hand pulled me back. "Guys what is going o-" I turned around to see Alan on one knee, smiling up at me. The fans went wild as the words left his lips.

"Will you marry me?"

My mouth couldn't form any words so I nodded violently as he put the ring on my finger and stood up, kissing me as Jellyfish rolled inside my tummy. "I love you, Mrs. Ashby," he said in my ear. "We love you too, Mr. Ashby," I whispered back, kissing his lips once more.