Raising His Baby

One by One

Jackson was laying down when I got to my room and turned to face me when I plopped on the bed. "You alright man? You were a little on edge during dinner." I sighed for the millionth time today and nodded. "Well whenever you're ready to talk I'm here." I gave him a thumbs up and he went to shower. I had so much on my mind and didn't know what to think anymore. I looked through the photos i took of Jae and Lyra and smiled. There were a few with Joey in them, and they really did look like a family. Maybe it is better if she stays with Joey. Joey would be around more and would be able to do more with Jae. Having an idol as a dad would be tough. Jae would rarely see him and wouldn't be able to have a normal life. People would follow him around and he could get hurt. I began to see and understand why Lyra hid. I made the picture I took of Jae and I my home screen and then let sleep take over.

I could barely keep my eyes open. The other members talking and the background music was keeping me awake. "Come on hyung wake up! You can't possibly be sleepy after that performance!" I groaned as Youngjae pulled me up. I heard my phone go off and couldn't contain my smile when I saw the message from Lyra. "You did great uncle Mark! We miss you! Xoxo" There was a picture of Jae and my gotoon doll and both in a I ❤️ GOT7 shirt. Joey must have sent them a video of the performance. I didn't notice Jackson sneak behind me and jumped when he spoke. "Cute kid. Whose is it? Wait, he looks familiar!" I shoved my phone in my pocket and stared at him. "Hyung let's go!" Bambam pulled him away but everyone else looked at me waiting for my response. "It was nothing guys let's go!" I ran to the van and saw Bambam whispering to Jackson. Jackson stared at me with wide eyes and I hit Bambam for telling him. "We'll talk about it later please just hush for now." The ride to the hotel was quiet, and Jackson rushed to the room when we got there. Bambam followed us to the room. When I was getting ready to explain there was a knock on the door. I was surprised to see Joey holding some drinks. "Sorry I didn't call I wanted to surprise you. Where are the others?" I pulled him inside and locked the door. "Joey Bambam knows everything and now we're telling Jackson." His eyes widened and I could tell he was nervous. "Everything?" Bambam nodded and Joey gave him a half smile. "Is someone going to fill me in or are y'all going to continue to leave me out!" I was about to speak but Joey beat me to it and began explaining everything. I was nervous the entire time. Jackson is the closest to him and helped him cope after she left. Jackson kept his head down the entire time and when Joey was done he shot his head up. "Can I see him? I want to know what he looks like." Joey showed him a picture of Lyra and Jae with our gotoon dolls and his face softened. "You're not his dad Joey! Don't pretend to be." Joey's face got red and he glared at Jackson. "I know I'm not his father! I don't want to replace him! I just want to be there for both of them because I love them. I'm all Jae knows and I'll be there for him no matter what." Jackson stood up to face Joey and Bambam got between them. "Well if SHE would have told him then he would be there for Jaeyoung not you! SHE took that away from him and you helped her!" I was torn because I understood both sides of the argument. "That's enough! Joe I think you should go I'll handle this. Please." He hesitated but left. Jackson glared at me and pushed Bambam off of him. "You knew! You knew this whole time and you watched him suffer! You kept her and his baby a secret Mark! How could you?" Bambam moved between us and tried to space us apart. "I just found out a few days ago! Besides you heard Joey she's going to tell him soon. Let her be the one to tell him!" He stared at me with angry eyes and clenched his fist. "She's had plenty of time to tell him." I didn't know what to say I agree with him and understand why he's mad. "You know Mark you weren't the only one hurt when she left. Just because you knew her longer didn't mean we hurt less than you. We all loved her for various reasons and we all missed her just as much as you did." He walked out and I couldn't help but cry. "Hyung he's upset let him cool down. You can take my room and I'll stay here." I didn't want to fight with him, but he wasn't going to ease up anytime soon. The next few days felt like years and we didn't speak. Bambam tried to talk to him but I think it made things worse. The others tried to figure out why we were fighting, but neither of us said a word. The only thing that kept me going was the messages and photos Lyra sent me. My best friend is finally back in my life and I'll protect her and Jae at all cost.