Chapter 16

“Welcome home Maddy” Joey and Chris held up a small homemade banner they had made out of paper towels for her. They had reached the arena parking lot where the guys were playing around the buses. Everyone was talking about the day off they had had and loading up for the next part of the trip. Lance and Madison had already said hello to most of the crew on the way in and now they were with the rest of the group.  “I knew you’d come back.” Justin whined dramatically as he ran up to her with a basketball in one hand.

“Hey man,” she said and gave him a big hug like a long lost friend. Then she walked over to thank Chris and Joey for the sign. “JC here is the book I promised you thanks for looking out. I’m sorry to be so much trouble.” He knew what she meant. He had been distant with her since the day in the hanger and it showed. Madison didn’t want to start anything between the guys but at the same time she wanted to settle what ever it was that was going on with him.

“No trouble, and I mean that. Things have just been so crazy.” Madison shushed him when Lance came towards them.

“We’ll talk about it later.” Madison assured him and let Lance pull her away to board the bus.

On the bus Madison took a seat next to Lance in the media room. The small space was filled with two sofas and a loveseat built into the wall. The entertainment center consisted of cabinets containing video game, DVDs, and a few CDs, in the middle sat the television. They would not reach Denver before the wee hours of the next morning.

“So what’s it gonna be people? Memento or Joe Dirt?” Chris asked the group.

“It’s gonna be me kicking your ass if you don’t pick another movie.” Justin said before a few choice words with him were said. They finally decided on Fast and the Furious. After the movie Lance got some work done on his laptop and Madison had a private conversation with Gwen on her cell phone. Around eleven O’clock Johnny ordered for lights out. JC was already asleep and Joey was well on his way. Madison and Lance turned in while Chris and Justin tried to bug Johnny until he forgot about the bedtime.

“Those two will be the death of him yet.” Lance joked as they adjusted in the bed.

“They remind me of Jazz and Court.” Madison smiled faintly.

“Are you ok baby?”

“Yeah I think I might be getting a cold or the flu. I’m so tired, am I hot, do I have a fever?” She put her forehead against his and then shivered like she was freezing.”

“No you feel normal, we can get you some medicine when we stop, ok?"

“Ok baby, sweet dreams.”

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The next day she woke up alone. Slowly remembering Lance kissing her goodbye around six that morning, she didn’t question being solo. “Work” she mumbled as she stretched out into the empty are of the bunk. She had a bad taste in her mouth and a sick feeling in her stomach. This must be what was making her feel sick the night before. She stood up slowly and made it to the bathroom. On her knees the vomiting was only stopped by a knock on the door.

“Are you ok?” Melinda opened the door a crack in the small quarters. Madison finished and took the wet washcloth that Melinda offered. Madison flushed and opened the door the rest of the way, but didn’t stand. She leaned up against the wall and wiped her face.

“I don’t know I just woke up and felt really sick. I think I may have the flu or a virus.”

“I was up front and I heard something back here and I wanted to check on you.” Madison stood up and rinsed out her mouth and washed her face, before brusing her teeth.

“Thank you Mel,” she said as she helped her back to her bunk.

“Let me grab ya another shirt, sit still.”

“Alright,” Melinda returned with a clean shirt and bottled of water.

“Are you ok, sweetie?”

“Yeah, thanks again.”

“Do you want me to get Lance or a doctor or something?”

“No, please don’t fuss over it. I’ll be fine. Ok.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. All theses different climates get to me after a while, I’m sure that is all it was.”

“Well try to get some rest I will check in on you later.”

“Thanks, but really I’m fine.” Madison assured her as she changed the shirt and she drank some of the water. Melinda left and Madison went back to sleep.

********************

At two O’clock Lance woke her up with a little nudge. “What’s wrong?” he asked her with concern.

“Nothing,” she sat up and tried to hug him from where he sat on the edge of the bed.

“But Melinda said…” Madison placed a finger over his lips.

“Shhh… Mel worries too much. I told you I felt sick last night, well this morning was the end of it. I’m fine now, see.”

“Well ok, I guess.” He said as he finally gave into the hug she offered.

“Do you feel like having lunch with us?”

“Sure thing! Give me five minutes?”

“Okay,” he answered and stood up to leave she shot him one more smile to show him she was fine. Madison got up slowly as Lance left the bus. Once well on her feet she changed her clothes and brushed her teeth. Quickly brushing through her hair she slid on her sunglasses and went outside. They piled into two escalades and went to lunch.

“So are you going to eat that or just stab at it?” Lance leaned close to her inquiring about her lack of appetite.

“Oh I’m just a little queasy from this morning.”

“I thought you said you were alright.”

“Yeah I’m fine, but I just… I’m a little afraid to eat. I would hate to get sick in front of all these people.”

“Well do you want some soup or something?” Lance tried to make some sense out of the deal.

“Sure that would be great.” She tried to play it off because she didn’t want to worry him. When in fact she was terrified at what could be wrong.

Back at the Venue

“Are you going to watch the show?”

“You bet, are you going to throw your dirty pop shirt to me?” Madison poked making lovesick preteen eyes at him.

“Yeah I’ll try, but if not I could always spray you with silly string.” He retorted and pulled her into a hug.

“Lance need ya on stage,” Joey yelled walking by with Darren.”

“Duty calls,” he said as he squeezed her one last time. “So are you going to stay back here until the show or what?”

“Well no actually I need to run to the store for some things, but don’t worry I will be back before the show.”

“Alright then, be careful and I love you.”

“I love you too… now get to work.” She smiled after a quick kiss and pushed him into the hall.

Later that night she lay next to him in the bunk. Almost asleep they talked softly. “You guys put on a great show.”

“Thanks baby.”

“Are you excited about your break?” She asked him.

“I’m excited about you moving in with me over break.”

“Yeah, we’ve been through a lot… huh?”

“We have a lot more to do ya know. I can’t wait to start the rest of my life with you. The next chapter…”

“Yeah, what will happen in the next chapter?” Madison asked seriously.

“What do you want to happened?” Lance looked down at her.

“I was thinking about taking some time off from work for a while…”

“To travel with me?”

“Yeah for a while, until…”

“That sounds pretty good idea.” He said as he kissed her. “Maddy?”

“What?” She whispered.

“What brought all of this on? I thought you couldn’t stand to be away from work.”

“Things change, and now I need to change a little too.” Lance started to see where the conversation was going.

“Is that why you got sick today?” she pulled back and looked at him.

“What do you mean?” as if he already read it on her face.

“You don’t ever have to go back if you don’t want to,” he said.

“Lance…” she said as he felt a tear run off her nose onto his cheek. He propped himself up on his side.

“Madison, are you pregnant?” She closed her eyes and paused.

“Yes,” tears started pouring out of her eyes. “I’m sorry, I never meant for this to happen.” He wiped away some tears and pulled her close to him.

“Don’t be sorry, it will be ok.” She slid her arms around his neck and cried into his chest.

“What am I’m going to do?” she cried. He felt every emotion he could feel at one time, his mind raced. His skin crawled as his insides tried to come out. Later he told himself, she needed him to be strong. She needed him to be the man that Brett wasn’t.  She cried out. “I know we’re not ready and I’m sorry.”

“I’m ready to take care of you, and that’s all that matters.” He hushed her and held until she felt safe.

“I love you, Lance.”

“I love you more.” All he could think to do was comfort and protect her, from anything and everything that posed a threat to the love of his life and unborn child.