Chapter 27

“Shit! Are you ok?” he screamed, jumping out of his chair and going over to her, trying to help her up. “Are you having the baby?” he said, as she looked up at him, and she started laughing harder.

“No, I’m not. But you’re killing me, stop making me laugh, you ass,” she said, as she stood up. “I think I need to lay down, too much laughing,” she said with her hand on her stomach, as he helped her over to the couch.

“God you scared me to death,” he said, a few minutes later as he was sitting in the recliner and she was laying on the couch listening to him. “I thought I was going to have to take you to the hospital or some shit.”

Samantha started to laugh again, but then groaned as she felt a pain in her stomach. “Uhhh, stop,” she said, holding her stomach.

“You know what?” she asked him.

“What?” he replied.

“The best thing about you is that you make me laugh. Stuff that wouldn’t be funny to anyone else, makes us both crack up. When I’m with you, I feel like all I do is laugh all the time. I’m just…..happy,” she said, as the doorbell rang.

Nick just smiled at her in response. “Damn, now who could that be? I’m getting all sorts of visitors today,” he smiled, as he got up to answer the door.

Nick opened the door to see Jake standing there. “Go away,” he snapped, as he tried to shut the door, but Jake’s foot was in the doorway blocking it.

“I need to speak to Samantha. Sammy? You in there?” he yelled into the house.

Samantha sat up and walked over to the doorway. “It’s ok Nick,” she said, as Nick rolled his eyes and opened up the door o let him in.

“What do you want?” she snapped at Jake, who came over to her.

“Sammy, I’m so sorry, I just lost my temper. I was just in a bad mood because I went to work today, I didn’t mean to take it out on you. Please forgive me,” he said, as he brushed her face with the back of his hand.

“You know how much I’m looking forward to us having this baby and being together as a family, please come home,” he said, as he hugged her. “I didn’t mean it, any of it,” he said, looking like he was about to cry.

“She’s staying here,” Nick snapped at Jake who just looked over at him with an evil look on his face.

Samantha looked in between both of them, realizing this is exactly what she didn’t want to happen. “Jake, will you wait outside for me?” she asked, looking at him.

“You’re coming right?” he asked, making sure.

“Yes, I’ll be there in a minute,” she said, as Jake and Nick stared each other down before Nick shut the door.

“Sammy, you don’t have to go. Stay here with me….” he started, as she hushed him.

“Nick I do,” she replied.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I love him,” she replied.

Nick just looked away, and Samantha walked up to him. “Listen to me,” she said, turning his face so he was looking at her. “Thank you,” she said, as they were looking at each other.

“For what?” he asked.

“For the cereal, for making me laugh, for always being there for me. And thanks for understanding,” she said, as they hugged.

“Call me if you need anything,” he said, “Anything.”

“I know,” she replied, smiling at him.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” he said, as she grabbed her purse and opened the door.

“I have a lot to be thankful for,” she replied, as she turned around and smiled, and gave him one last quick hug before she headed out the door.

Nick shut the door and leaned his forehead against it. He banged his head against it, muttering the same word over and over. “Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.”

A few minutes later, he walked over towards the window, and saw Samantha and Jake driving off in his truck. He sighed as he closed the curtains, and lay back on the couch, deciding to go back to sleep.

Since Thanksgiving, Jake had been on his best behavior and Samantha was getting him into the Christmas mood. They had started planning the nursery in their new apartment for their little girl that was going to be there in less than two months. Jake had been keeping his temper under control and Samantha was glad because she wanted them to be a family when the baby came.

Nick was still worried about Samantha though. He now knew that Jake hit her and it took ever ounce of will power not to go and kick his ass. He just didn’t want to make Samantha made at him because she was in love with Jake and they were having a baby. Every time they were on the phone together, Nick would continuously ask if Jake’s hit her again and she would tell him the truth; no he hadn’t.

Christmas came and Jake and Samantha spent Christmas there in Tampa where both of their families got together. Nick was in California but didn’t miss the chance to send Samantha a present. He sent her a diamond pendant on a sterling silver chain that matched her tennis bracelet and her earrings. She wasn’t so much in shock this time, and explained to Jake that he just liked buying people he cared about, big expensive presents.

The beginning of January came and Samantha was having problems dealing with the anniversary of Megan’s death. Especially since the guys were doing another New Year’s Eve show in Orlando. It brought back all of the memories that were still fresh in her mind. She didn’t let that stop her though. Her little girl was going to be here any day and she couldn’t wait.

Nick stopped by to see Samantha the week before his birthday and her due-date, but he couldn’t stay long. Him and the guys were flying to Sweden to work on their next album that they were hoping would come out that April or May. He told her that if she needed anything to just call him, not like they wouldn’t talk every night anyway. She tried not to talk to him as much when Jake was home because he would get jealous, so they mostly talked in the daytime, while Jake was at work.

It was now January 28th, Nick’s 19th birthday and the day after Samantha’s due date. She hadn’t gone into labor yet but she was ready. Jake had taken the next few days off of work so that he could be there when she went into labor.

“Jake….” Said Samantha as she sat there on the sofa with her feet propped up as Jake walked into the room, leaving over the back of the sofa.

“Yes….” Said Jake as Samantha started to laugh.

“Is there anymore ice cream?” asked Samantha as Jake looked around.

“Nope, you ate it all about….. a hour ago.” Said Jake, “You want some more?”

“Yes please..” said Samantha as he leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

“Alright, let me run to the store.. I’ll be right back.” Said Jake as he grabbed his jacket and keys, walking out the front door of their apartment as Samantha laid there.

“Damn.. About time..” Samantha thought as she picked up the phone, dialing Nick’s number.

“Sam?” asked Nick answering the phone out of breathe.

“Hey yeah I’m here, Jake left to go get ice cream… I haven’t went yet.” Said Samantha as Nick sighed.

“Damn I thought something was wrong. I haven’t heard from you since last night…” said nick.

“I’m sorry..” said Samantha laughing, “This baby just won’t come….”

“You decided on the name yet?” asked Nick as Samantha smiled.

“Yep.. well.. either Megan Nichole or Megan Danielle…” said Samantha.

“Well I like the first one but Jake won’t have that.” Said Nick.

“Well… it’s my baby.. I’ve giving birth and… my two best friends…” said Samantha as Nick smiled, “And by the way… happy birthday.”

“Aww thanks baby.” Said Nick laughing, “You just now realize it…”

“I knew it baby..” said Samantha joking, “I know it… they said that if I haven’t gone in labor in two days that they are going to induce me.”

“Make you have it, man I so wish I could be there.” Said Nick, “I want to so bad…”

“I know but you’re off making that next hit album..” said Samantha as Nick smiled when she felt something, “Nick I better go…”

“Jake back?” asked Nick.

“No.. I think my water just broke.” Said Samantha, “I’ll call you soon.. I’ll get Jake or my mom to call you.”

“Oh my god.. okay good luck.” Said Nick.

“Thanks.. bye.” Said Samantha as she hung up the phone and leaned over in pain when Jake walked in.

“I got chocholate chip and vanilla because…” said Jake as he looked over at Samantha and dropped the ice cream, “You okay?” as he walked up to her.

“Ohh.. umm yeah.. yeah.. no…” said Samantha, “I was on… the phone with Nick and my water broke.”

“Ohh… damn maybe you should have talked to him sooner..” said Jake laughing as Samantha smiled, “Come on.. let’s go get our baby.”

“Get, we .. we gotta get her out.” Said Samantha as Jake laughed, grabbed her bag that they had sitting by the door and they walked out.