Welcome To The Family (Second HeartBeat A7X Sequel)

30 The Truth Hurts

We didn't have to wait too long at all before it was time for us to begin the tour. Our first stop would be San Francisco, which was about a 6 hour drive meaning we would arrive at about 2pm. The roadies and tech crew left a few hours before us, and would already be setting up by the time we arrived. For the majority of the other shows that we were joining them for, most of the travelling would be done at night. Alexia and Harmony were having great fun playing on the wii console with Jimmy. Thank god he was always full of energy, someone needed to be to keep up with them both.

"I'm glad you decided to come along" Matt said as I took seat opposite to him after grabbing myself a bottled water.

"It's got to beat being stuck in the house bored out of my mind. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys perform later. It's been years since I've watched a show. I'm letting down the Sevenfold family fan club." He chuckled,

"I'm enough of a fan for us both. I'm keeping the side alive."Steph grinned.

"Well I suppose it helps that you're sleeping with the drummer."

"Hey, a groupie has to gropie. You're a fine one to talk anyway, didn't you used to have both of the guitarists to yourself." She teased in jest. I looked over to Matt who winked. At that I nearly choked on my water which I had decided to take a sip of at the wrong time.

"Can you truly blame me. Have you seen them. Even now they are still as hot."

"You have weird taste, what can I say. But then again they both have to like you" I gave Steph a shove making her fall off the sofa, laughing as she landed on her butt with a bang. "Meanie" She childishly stuck her tongue out before joining Jimmy and the girls.

"Can I ask how you actually persuaded the others that it was a good idea for me to come along?"

"I didn't need to do any. I suggested it, after I invited you and there was no protests. Emz, babe, honestly you need to get it out of your head that everyone is against you. Zack and Brian don't support your decision to keep the baby, which is their choice, that doesn't mean they have stopped caring about you. It's just hard. They both love you, they have put up with each other loving you to make you happy. If you want me to be honest Zacky hurts, you lost a baby with him before and I think that in his heart you would have another chance for another. Brian obviously has Alexia with you, but not having you with him as a family is hurting him. It's not the fact that you pregnant, you have to remember that, it's because of the circumstance of the pregnancy and who's it is. We all saw what a state you were in. To see you tied up on that bed covered in blood." Matt sighed rubbing his hands over his face "It affected us all." I reached over and took one of his hands in my own.

"I'm sorry Matt, I really am." I fought back the tears that were stinging my eyes. "I honestly didn't think of it everyone else's way, when you say it like that."I rested my other hand on my bump.

"No, don't be sorry. You didn't deserve what happened but at the end of the day it happened and here we are now. Just try talking to them, it'll make you feel so much better. Anyway come on, let's lighten the mood a bit." He smiled sitting back "How about we all watch a movie?"

The Journey was over before we knew it. It hadn't felt like 6 hours. We played some games and watched a few dvds. The girls napped. That's about as interesting as it went. Not long after we pulled up at the venue the tour managed came onto the bus with our passes that would allow access in and out of the backstage as and when we pleased. The guys left to help the roadies with some of their personal gear.

"Shall we go explore?" Steph asked the girls as they put their shoes on. They nodded with excitement. "Are you coming along?" She looked to me.

"Would you mind if I caught up with you? I'm feeling a bit queasy from the travelling."

"Of course I don't mind. If I don't see you soon I'll come back in a bit to check on you. Make sure you drink loads."

"Thanks Steph." She saluted as she ushered the girls off of the bus. I went and got myself another water before laying down on the couch. I briefly closed my eyes to have a snooze when the door opened and someone came running up the steps.

"Shit, sorry I didn't know anyone was on here. Did I wake you?" It was Zacky. I sat up rubbing my eyes.

"Huh, no you didn't. I was just laying down." I looked to Zacky who was looking at me, it felt awkward.

"Are you alright?" I nodded.

"Yeah, just feeling a bit icky from the travelling." I smiled. "It'll pass."

"You'll get used to it after a day or two. The first few days are normally rough until you get used to the motion." Zacky was still just stood there as we fell silent.

"What is it you're looking for?"

"Oh, yeah, erm, Jimmy said he left his laptop on here. He had some plans on it he wanted to show the sound techs so I offered to come get it for him."

"I'll go fetch it for you." I got up from the sofa and made my way to the back lounge area, picking up Jimmys laptop. I passed it to Zacky.

"Thanks." He smiled. "Why don't you come out and get some fresh air. I'll walk you to where we are hanging."

"That'd be nice. Thank you." I slipped on my converse before following Zacky off the bus, he waited for me outside the door. "How's the set up going?" I asked trying to make casual conversation as we took a slow walk towards the venue.

"Good. We have some of the best teams on the job. You'll be amazed how quick they get the stuff sorted. We'll be sound checking before long." I nodded.

He stopped before we walked through the door. "Emma, I'm sorry ok."

"For what?"

"For how things have been. I know I was wrong to walk away from you, and that I hurt you." He looked down to the floor.

"Zacky," I lifted his chin so he looked at me, his eyes, I could have got lost in them for days, "I'm just as sorry. I had no intention of hurting anyone. I've missed just being able to talk to you." Zacky took hold of my hand.

"Not as much as I've missed you. I've missed our late nights and your laugh. Just you in general." I couldn't help the smiled that spread over my face. Zacky almost mirrored my own expression.

"Friends?" I asked hopeful.

"Always." Zacky pulled me into a hug. Oh how much I had missed him. He held me tightly and I held back just as tight not wanting to let him go. "You look good by the way." I blushed.

We finally parted and to my relief went on talking as if nothing had ever happened, Zacky started to tell me about every ones antics in the recording studio. I couldn't help my loud audible laugh. I felt so relieved. I was still laughing as we entered the hall where the others were sat about doing various things. They looked over shocked to see my laughing with Zacky, well probably more shocked to actually see me laughing.

Zacky left me to go join Rev with his laptop I went to sit with everyone else, but with no one in particular. Brian was sat on the side of the stage playing one of his guitars, I did notice his gaze kept looking in my direction.

"Mind if I join you?" I looked up to see if was Matt from the bullet guys. I nodded as he took a seat. "I just wanted to apologise if we made things awkward for you earlier asking about the baby daddy."

"Don't be silly. It's nothing new. It's confusing for anyone on the outside looking in." I shrugged.

"And it was wrong for any of us to assume anything about a stranger before asking."

"What's up Chickens?" Jay came bounding over after seeing us talking.

I giggled. "Can I just say that I adore your accents."

"You'll be fed up of hearing it by the end of this tour, trust me" Jay grinned a somewhat menacing grin, before wiggling his eyebrows. I couldn't help but let out another laugh. I looked behind Jay to see Brian staring daggers in my direction, I shrugged before talking to them both again asking them about themselves.