How My World Changed Forever...Again

Preparation and Presshandstands

Annie's POV
"I already packed all your clothes. I packed you and Hayley together in that one giant bag we have. You just need to pack your gym bag; 5 leos, 5 sports bras, 5 pairs of spandex, 3 pairs of leggings, and 3 scrunchies. There is no way to avoid checking a bag because you simply need too much stuff. So you are going to carry on your school backpack and your gym bag. One will be considered a carry on and one a personal item. You can put your purse inside one of them. Hayley is just carrying on one backpack.  Annie!  Are you listening to me?!"
     I jerk my head to face my mom from facing out the car window.  "Yeah, yeah, I got it," I say, completely distracted.
     Earlier at gym, all of our parents hung around and told my teammates and me that Katie is getting worse. The bone marrow transplant didn't work. Her body rejected Brennan's cells, which didn't make her worse but didn't help at all. Now she's just hanging in there with chemo and radiation. They are getting Ryan to Philadelphia who also matched Katie. In a week, they're gonna try again with Ryan instead.
I just worry this is gonna turn out like Caleb. It's different because we didn't know Caleb was sick. It's the same because he's the only person I've lost in my lifetime. I don't want to loose Katie.
I feel so weird posting on Instagram about Katie and vlogging with her. I feel like it's something I should be hiding, even though they vlog about it daily. Nobody talks about hard things that happen to them. We don't talk about Caleb. There are probably people who we worked very closely with in LA that never even knew Caleb existed. It makes me wonder if my parents don't tell people cause they don't want them to feel bad or cause they want us to seem perfect.
Back at home, I pack up my gym bag. I have to ask my mom four more times how many of everything to pack because I keep forgetting. Eventually, I get everything straight, just as we need to go. We have to be at the airport two and a half hours in advance since we're flying alone.

Erik's POV
"Hey, Rachel. Colleen needs you to come over now. I knew she would be sick this morning, but she was convinced she would be able to get ready and stuff for the girls."
"Yeah, I'll be right over. Don't let her get up and try to do to much. She needs to lay in bed, or it's gonna get work. She tries to do too much. I'll go get food and you keep her in bed. I'll see you soon, thanks Erik."
"Bye, Rach."
Thank god for Rachel. Colleen was planning on getting up today, getting ready, and going to the store to shop for the girls. There is no way. She threw up twice already and it's not even 10 o'clock. Usually morning sickness wouldn't be an issue because I feel like typical pregnant women would rest until they feel better. Colleen is not the same. I know her, and I know she would overdo it. So solution, call Rachel.
Within the hour, Rachel is at our house. Colleen has showered and is now downstairs. "You okay?" I ask, kissing her head before opening the door.
"Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better," she says, not looking up from Twitter.
Rachel sits down next to Colleen and says, "okay, what do you need me to do?"

Rachel's POV
"First of all, we need to coordinate that picture in those shirts Katie sent with us at some point. That doesn't need to happen today though. Anyway, we need food. I talked to Katie about what they eat and stuff. She sent me a list. I added some things. I'll send it to you," Colleen says.

Her list is as following
-frozen pancakes
-frozen pizza
-chicken tenders
-tater tots
-chicken breast
-asperges
-lettuce
-tomatoes
And it goes on

"I also wanted to do something kinda cute for them. You know, to make them feel more at home. I haven't put any thought into this at all, but I was thinking we could get two cute bins and fill them with cute toiletries stuff for them. And maybe a pair of pajamas. I don't know, just girly things. I told Katie not to worry about shampoo and stuff like that, so I was thinking we could get some fun things for them. Okay, I want to get Hayley a whole bunch of pink stuff and I want to get Annie blue stuff. And I want the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash to be purple. It sounds really dumb, but I think it'll be so cute!  Something else we need to talk about, are you going to stay over here while they're here?"
     "I mean, I think it would be a good idea.  Matt is going to stay at home.  I want to be able to be here to help you, but he just wants to stay at home so we don't have to get someone to watch the dogs and stuff.  Colleen, did you tell Katie you're pregnant?"
     "Yeah, it was fine.  She didn't care.  I also told her that Erik is living here.  It only seemed fair.  Another thing, Katie set it up with a gymnastics center for Annie to go a few hours in the morning Monday through Friday I think.  She's been training again, and I guess it's been really hard for her to get back to where she was.  I can imagine that a couple weeks off could really mess up training.  Somebody will have to take her to that.  Let's see, what else..."
     "How about for now, I go to the grocery store and get what's on your list.  Then I'll come back, out everything away, and if you're up for it, you can go back out with me to Target.  While I'm gone you need to rest!  I know you can't avoid morning sickness, but if you're less tired, you'll feel better.  We'll get the stuff for their "presents" then.  Maybe while we're gone, Erik could straighten up enough just to make the house presentable.   What time did you say their coming?"
     "They fly out of Maryland at 6 PM.  It's about a 6 hour flight but they'll gain three hours.  They should be here around 9 PM PST but Katie is going to text me their exact itinerary."
     "Okay then, after everything is ready, maybe we'll call Chris and Mom to see if we can get everyone together and do the picture tomorrow late afternoon.  Is that good?"
     Colleen says, "yeah, okay."
     I stand up, saying, "Okay, I'm going to get groceries now.  See you in like an hour."
    
Colleen's POV
     While Rachel's gone, I lay on the couch and Erik vacuums and does dishes.  I feel bad for not helping him, but every time I try to get up, he makes me go back and lay down.  I'll admit, I fall asleep for a few minutes while he works.  I guess I never really knew how tired pregnancy truly makes you.
     By the time Rachel gets back, I'm awake and active on twitter.  Everyone is spazzing because I told them Annie and Hayley are coming back.  I quickly realize that the fandom doesn't know I'm pregnant yet. 
     Rachel says, "are you going with me?  To Target?"
     "Yeah, sure.  I feel a lot better."
     We head to Target to get stuff for the girls.  I have a long list of little things that will hopefully put a smile on the faces.