***COMPLETED*** Around the World and Back [A Patty Walters Story]

Chapter 9: "Are you okay, baby?"

A/N: Had to write one more cutesy little fluffy one before stuff hits the fan in the next few chapters! ;) We're only 9 chapters in and well past 100 views. That's impressive; thanks for all the love!

June 30, 2018
Salt Lake City, Utah

I wasn't sure what it was, but I was feeling more off today than usual. It hadn't really gotten any hotter than it's already been outside, and I've been drinking 6-8 Gatorades plus water bottles every day, so I wasn't sure why I was feeling so dehydrated like I didn't know what water was.

Somehow, I made it through watching the boys' set, which normally I loved watching, but today, my head was spinning, and I couldn't seem to get into it.

I usually liked watching the meet and greet, seeing the way the boys were so kind and gentle with every fan warmed my heart, but I needed to get to the bus.

My knees gave out after my feet hit the top step and I groaned loudly when I hit the floor. I laid there for a minute before getting back up and crawling to the bathroom where I vomited a short time later.

"Ugh, gross," I groaned again when I saw the vomit in my hair. "Let's see if I can get up," I said to myself as I pulled myself up on the counter, standing up and looking at myself in the mirror.

When I got a closer look, I noticed that I was breaking out, which only meant one thing ... my period was either here or coming very, very soon.

"Ouch," I said when my stomach pressed against the sink. I also noticed that I was bloated. Great.

Slowly, I got dressed, and when I saw a small spot of bright red blood in my panties, I knew Mother Nature was out to get me.

"Great, I can't wear those shorts until I get them washed," I muttered as I stepped in the shower mainly to wash my hair, but I quickly washed my body, too.

After I got out of the shower, I checked my phone to see a few texts from Patty.

Patty: Are you okay?? You looked pale during our set.

Patty: Where did you go???

Patty: I'm coming to the bus as soon as this meet and greet is over.

I peaked my head out of the bathroom and saw that nobody was on the bus, so I quickly ran into the lounge and grabbed a pair of yoga pants, one of Patty's t-shirts, a pad, my sports bra, panties and a pair of socks before running back to the bathroom to get dressed.

My breasts felt like they were on fire, so I didn't really want to put a bra on, but I was on a bus full of boys, so I felt it was necessary.

After I got dressed, I went to the fridge and grabbed an ice cold Arctic Blitz Gatorade and grabbed my Midol from the medicine drawer. Slowly, I crawled up in my bunk and closed the curtain.

I plugged in my phone and decided to text Patty back so he wouldn't worry.

Me: I'm okay, I promise. I just got a little sick and went back to the bus. Don't worry, take your time. <3

I pressed send and locked my phone, laying it under my pillow before closing my eyes. The meet and greet line was really long when I left, so I thought I had enough time to take a nap.

The curtain to my bunk flew open a short time later, and I squeezed my eyes shut when the light hit my eyes.

"Are you okay, baby?" Patty asked softly as he stood there, running a hand through my slightly damp hair and resting it under my chin. "I was so worried about you."

I rubbed my eyes as I looked up at him. He had taken all of his makeup off and changed into something more comfortable. That's how I knew I couldn't convince him to go spend the rest of the day outside.

"I'm fine," I said as I gave a small, sleepy smile. "My, uh ... my period came, and I have endometriosis, so the first two days are like, brutal. But I'm okay, really. My stomach is just cramping, and my back hurts," I said as I blushed. I didn't want to gross him out, but I also didn't want to lie to him.

He frowned as he kissed my forehead before pushing me slightly to make room for himself. He closed the curtain behind him.

"I'm gonna make you all better," he said with a smile as he got comfortable next to me, propping himself up on his elbow.

He grabbed the tv remote from the little cubby indent in the wall and turned on SVU, which brought a small smile to my face.

"I see that I've made an impact on you," I smirked as I leaned up and kissed his stubbly cheek. "Thanks for coming to check on me, but I'm okay. You should go help the other merch person."

He shook his head, placing the remote back in the cubby and looking down at me.

"I wanna make sure my baby girl is okay," he said, which made my heart flutter. "I'll try to make you as comfortable as I can."

He slipped his other hand under the covers and under my shirt, placing his hand on my warm stomach as he added a little pressure and started to rub small circles on my abdomen.

"Does it always get this bad? Your period," he asked as he looked at the screen, watching the episode as he continued to rub my stomach. "Is there anything you can do for it?"

"Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't," I said as I started to relax under his touch. "Usually in the week leading up to it, I can tell how bad it's gonna be, but it caught me off guard today. And not really, the pain medicine doesn't help as much as it should, and I'm already on the maximum dose, so there's not much more my doctor can do for me.

He placed a little more pressure as he continued rubbing small circles, his thumb running across my belly button which made me shift slightly and giggle.

"Right," he smirked as he kissed my nose. "I forgot how ticklish you are, sorry," he laughed. "But I won't be mean today. I'll be nice."

I laughed quietly as I scrunched up my nose, running a hand through his hair.

"Aren't you being sweet today?" I smirked as he stuck his tongue out at me. "You give the best massages."

"Is it going to hurt you to flip over so I can rub your back?" He asked, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. "If so, I don't want to hurt you."

I shook my head slightly as he pulled his hand away from my stomach. Slowly, I rolled over and got as comfortable as I could.

He kept himself propped up on one elbow as he slipped his hand up my shirt, starting to rub my back gently.

"Where does it hurt the most, love?" He asked as he leaned down, kissing my shoulder, which made me melt.

"My lower back," I muttered softly as I closed my eyes, starting to relax under his touch again.

He moved his hand, adding a little pressure as he began to rub my lower back in the same pattern that he rubbed my stomach. He did that for a little while, and I started to fall asleep until he talked to me.

"Avery," he said softly. "Flip back over, and I'll rub your stomach again so you can take a nap."

I groaned and rubbed my eyes as I flipped over, running a hand through my hair as I stretched.

"You don't have to take care of me," I reminded him. "I don't want you to be cooped up in here all day."

"Hush," he chuckled as he slipped his hand under my shirt again. "It's like almost 5 anyway. We're done for the day, and it's usually when people start winding down."

"Well, you're the best," I said as I brought his head down so I could kiss him, laughing as his hair tickled my face. "I love you."

He grinned as he kissed me again, keeping his hand on my abdomen. "I love you, too, my darling. After you nap, I'll make you something to eat."

"Oooh, I'm so lucky," I laughed as I turned slightly on my side, resting my head on his shoulder.

The gentle rubbing on my stomach put me to sleep within minutes, and I fell asleep against him as he continued to watch SVU.