Unfaithfully

Fame

Fame makes a man take things over...

Lacie sat at home enjoying some time completely alone. The kids were at school, Patrick and the guys were finishing up on their new album and Billie was at work. She was still always around, even now that Lacie had moved in with Patrick. Sipping her tea, Lacie was scrolling through news on her phone when she caught an article headline that made her double take. It read 'Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump finally dating again?'
"Shit!"
"What's wrong sugar?" Lacie hadn't even noticed that Patrick had come home.
"Well there's an article about you dating again. I haven't read it yet, but I bet there's a fucking picture of us attached to it."
"So what? We knew that this would happen sooner or later Lace."
"What if they make you out to be a bad guy since you're dating the woman that helped to destroy your marriage?"
"We will deal with this all together. I told you Lacie, I'm not ashamed of us. I want to tell the world, but I'm going on your timetable because I respect your feelings on this. Now, let's see what this article says."
The pair read the article together. It was genuinely favorable, but when they got to the 'sources' of the article, Lacie was furious.
"You went and spoke to my parents?!" She yelled.
"It was more of me telling them what kind of shitty parents they were for treating you like they did. I was mad and they needed to know that their actions were deplorable. I guess they figured out that I'm famous."
"I guess that explains why I had a cameraman follow me the other day when I walked the kids to school. I just assumed that it was because I had Declan with me that day."
"That must be why we had that photographer stalking us the other night on our date."
Lacie scrolled down farther and found a picture of her and Patrick from the previous Saturday, holding hands at a diner and talking. She turned the phone to face him. "Does this answer your question?"
Patrick looked at the picture and smiled. He actually fucking smiled.
"What the fuck is there to smile about Patrick?" She asked in a frustrated tone.
"Look at us Lacie. We look happy and in love. We look like teenagers discovering love for the first time."
Lacie looked at the picture again. Patrick was right. They looked so happy together. Lacie could see pure love in Patrick's face. The lines of worry weren't evident on her face, she just looked content. "Maybe you're right. Maybe it's not such a bad thing that we've been found out. I just want to keep the kids out of the spotlight as much as possible. They deserve to just be kids."
"I couldn't agree more Lace. That's why the press has precious few pictures of Declan."
"As long as we have an understanding Trick." She conceded.
He looked at his watch. "Sugar, it's almost time for the kids to be out of school for the day."
"We better go then. Drive or walk to get them?"
"How about a walk? Let's go out loud and proud."
Lacie smiled as they walked out the door of the apartment to go get their children.

The paparazzi stopped them once. Patrick had to promise them an interview soon just so they could continue on their way to the school. Surprisingly that made the press stop following them for the rest of the day, or so they thought.

The next day as Lacie was at work, a teenage girl walked into the store and asked for her autograph.
"Why on Earth would you want my autograph?" Lacie questioned the girl surprised.
"Because you're dating Patrick Stump. I saw the article this morning." She pulled up the article and handed Lacie the phone.
Lacie couldn't believe it. The first picture was of her and Patrick the day before when they were walking the kids home from school. Prue was on Patrick's shoulders while Max and Declan had their fingers interlocked in Lacie's. Everyone was smiling and having a good time as they walked. She read the article quickly and paled. She wrote down the website and handed the girl her phone back.
"So where were we on that autograph?" She asked Lacie.
"I uh really still don't understand why you want my autograph."
"How about a picture with me then?"
"I-I uh guess I could so that." Lacie stuttered.
The girl smiled and got next to her, taking the picture before Lacie could change her mind.
"Thanks so much!"
"Uh you're welcome." Lacie said as the girl exited the shop.
A few moments later she heard the ding of the door being opened.
"What the fuck is up shorty?!"
Lacie looked up to see Pete's smiling face.
"I'm having a weird mother fucking day Wentz." She replied.
"What's wrong Lacie?" He asked with concern.
"I just had a Fall Out Boy fan ask for my autograph."
"I take it they saw the article about you and Patrick from this morning."
"Yeah. Pete, I'm not sure I can deal with this. I've never wanted fame."
He hugged her tightly. "You will be fine. It's one of those things that you are going to have to learn to deal with."
Lacie sighed, "I know. I just never expected it I guess."
Pete tilted her chin up and kissed her nose. "You'll get used to it. They'll find something else to write about sooner or later."
"You making moves on my girlfriend Wentz?"
Lacie and Pete turned to see Patrick grinning at them.
"No way bro. She was putting the moves on me!"
Lacie chuckled and slapped Pete's arm. "Don't you know it. Who can resist the Wentz charm?" She said rolling her eyes.
Patrick walked up to them, pushing Pete out of the way and wrapped his arms around Lacie, kissing her full on the mouth. She was breathless when he pulled away.
"Now that's how you put the moves on a girl Pete." Lacie said smirking.
Pete frowned. "Damn. I guess I'm undermined by Stump again!"
"Sorry dude, he's got something you don't have." She said chuckling.
"What's that shorty?"
"Me."
Patrick threw his head back and laughed.