"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Lucy's scream just about knocked James off the stool he was sitting on in an awesome black suit with a maroon dress shirt with the collar unbuttoned waiting for his girlfriend to get ready so they could make their appearance at the Music Video Awards that night along with the rest of Big Time Rush and their girlfriends and fiancée as Kendall always reminded them.
"Are you okay?" James rushed into Lucy's bedroom almost running into a doorjam to find her standing in front of her full length mirror with a black leather dress half on-half off.
"I can't wear this," she moaned.
"I think it looks beautiful on you." He walked over and reached for the zipper. "Just need to—"
"No." Lucy took James's hands and led them away from her dress. "Look at me." A tear escaped down her cheek. "I have a pooch." She jammed her palm into her eye. "Dammit, stupid emotions."
"It's okay. You're hormonal."
"I. Am. Not. Hormonal." She emphasized each word with a punch to James's chest.
"OK, you're not hormonal."
"No, I'm just…showing." She pointed to the previously complained about pooch.
"You're not showing. No one can tell you're pregnant."
"Are you saying I'm fat?" She punched James again this time on the bicep.
"No, no, you're not fat. You're beautiful. You're gorgeous. You're—"
"Shut up."
"Where's my tough little Lucy who doesn't care what others think about her?"
Lucy turned to look at James.
"You really think that?"
"Lucy, tonight's going to be hard. It's your—our first public appearance since E! started the rumor."
"D-don't say anything."
James wrapped his arms around Lucy. "I'm not going to. I hate this as much as you do."
"What? Having a baby?"
"No, paparazzi." He nestled his chin into her hair.
"You're messing up my hair." She had gone earlier that day to get red extensions put in since her original dye job was growing out. She had read from a few places that dying one's hair while pregnant was a no-no. Other sources said it was okay. She didn't know what to believe so she went with the safe alternative.
"That's supposed to be my line," James joked. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "We're meeting everyone in five minutes. Think you can be ready?"
"Zip me up." She sucked in her stomach as James worked on the zipper. "Just gotta fix my makeup and put on my shoes." She already did her makeup before she got dressed, but now with the tears…
"I think you look fine."
"Don't argue with a woman about the state of her makeup." With that she disappeared into her bathroom.
Ten minutes later she walked into the living room with fresh makeup, the leather dress, and her black leather boots.
"You are one hot…whoo…"
"Stop trying to flatter me."
"Fl-flatter you? You are the hottest thing in the world."
"I certainly don't feel like it right now." She adjusted the tight dress around her stomach. "Let's just get this over with." She grabbed James and pulled him out the door.
"Well, this is going to be a fun night," James muttered.
The ride to the Nokia Theater was a loud one with eight of them crammed into a stretch limo. James noticed the only two who weren't being loud were Carlos and Alexa. He elbowed Carlos, who sat next to him, in the side.
"Are you all right?"
"Fine," Carlos replied not looking at James.
James shrugged him off and turned back to everyone else who was having a good time. They passed around wine glasses filled with ginger ale. With only two people old enough to drink and one of them being pregnant, they weren't allowed alcohol. Even with the tension regarding paparazzi there was a definite party atmosphere in the limousine.
The limo pulled up to the red carpet at L.A. Live. Flashbulbs were going off everywhere. Well, they weren't technically bulbs anymore, but you get the idea. James reached for Lucy's hand.
"We'll go first," Kendall said. The door to the limo opened and Jo stepped out with Kendall right behind her. They were immediately swallowed up by reporters and cameras undoubtedly asking them about their engagement and hopefully (James crossed his fingers) not about Lucy's pregnancy. Jo flashed her left hand showing off her engagement ring.
Logan and Camille exited the limo next. The media wasn't as interested in them, but they should be curious about Camille's web series. That left Carlos, Alexa, James, and Lucy in the car.
"They can't possibly know," Alexa whispered to Carlos loud enough for James to catch it.
"Know what?" James asked.
"N-nothing," Carlos replied. He and Alexa timidly reached for each other's hands and stepped out leaving James and Lucy alone.
"This is it," Lucy said with a nervous laugh.
"Just grin and bear it," James said with an equally nervous smile. He took his right foot and placed it outside the limo. "OK," he said to himself, "just get the left foot out." Slowly, his left foot followed his right foot and he scooted himself out of the limo. Before he did anything else he leaned back into the car and reached a hand to Lucy. Anxiously, she took it.
"There they are!" Someone exclaimed as soon as Lucy's head emerged from the limo. Flashes came left and right along with microphones and tape recorders.
"Is the news true?" A woman asked. "Are you two on your way to becoming parents?"
"Your fans are dying to find out," another woman added.
James shook his head. He was planning on not even acknowledging those questions. Did shaking his head count?
"How do you feel?" the first woman asked Lucy.
"Fine?" She responded.
"I hear you two are up against each other for an award tonight," she continued.
James waved to the camera that was for some network entertainment show.
"We are?" He asked.
"Yes, that would be your band's nomination. Your performance at the 2013 Tween Choice Awards is up against Lucy Stone's performance at the 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."
"I hope you win," James said.
"I hope you win," Lucy repeated. "Oh my gosh," she whispered as they walked away. "Do we really sound that cheesy?"
"Lay on the cheese, Babe, if it gets their attention off you know." James squeezed Lucy close to his side.
More pictures were taken and questions were asked. Most reporters asked if Lucy was pregnant but when it appeared the couple wasn't going to answer they switched to other topics like Jo and Kendall's engagement, which that couple was happy to talk about, as well as the upcoming performance with the Backstreet Boys and anything coming up for both the band and Lucy's music, which included the tour she was still scheduled to go on. Finally, they made it to the band's dressing room.
"Phew," Lucy let out as she unzipped her dress.
"Hey!" Kendall exclaimed waving his arms at the dress.
"I'm not taking it off." Lucy made a face. "I just need to breath."
"Why did you wear something so tight anyway?" James asked sitting next to his girlfriend on the rough black leather couch. "I mean, not that you don't look hot in it or anything."
"This is me. If I wear something flowy and giving with room they'll talk."
"But if you wear that they see the 'pouch' and talk," James said with exaggerated air quotes.
"Pooch," Lucy corrected. "I'm not a kangaroo."
"Whatever."
"Why don't you just tell them?" Jo suggested. "They're going to talk either way."
"When you get pregnant you'll understand. It's not their news to know. It's something private and…I like keeping it just among close friends right now." Lucy shrugged. "You know what it's like not having any privacy."
"Let's go get our seats," Kendall said to Jo. He looked at James and Lucy before leaving the room. Carlos, Alexa, Logan, and Camille hadn't come to the dressing room so that left them alone.
"Are you okay?" James rubbed Lucy's shoulders.
"I'm fine." She turned to look at him. "We made it through our first batch of paps."
"I think we should do it."
"Do what?"
"What Jo said. Maybe if we get the news out the paparazzi won't be so bad."
"Of course not. It's not your belly they'll be taking pictures of." Lucy glared at him.
"OK, OK, it was just a suggestion." He laughed when Lucy's stomach gurgled. "Would you like something to eat?" He pointed to a table full of food Carlos requested like corn dogs and chicken nuggets. Real healthy stuff, you know.
"If I eat I think I'll be sick." Lucy's morning sickness had really subsided, thank heavens, but there were still traces lingering here and there.
"Well, if you do need anything we can always come back here during the show."
"If we don't get up from our seats," Kendall said to the group after Lucy and James had arrived at their seats in the Nokia Theater (with Lucy's dress zipped up!), "we will have no drama like last time. So, you hear me? Stay put. No going to look for secret rooms of goo or crazy men wanting to take revenge on the world through macaroni."
"But, what about when we have to change for our performance?" James asked with a sly smile earning a bop in the arm from Kendall who had to lean over Jo and Lucy to do so.
"You know, the last award show was pretty special," Alexa said to Carlos. "You know, when we first met and all."
"Yeah, and this one is…"
"Is what?" James asked leaning closer to Carlos, who sat on his other side.
"N-nothing," Carlos clammed up.
Big Time Rush was up for three awards and Lucy was up for two, Best Pop Female Artist and Best Pop Live Performance. Only two of those awards would be given out before BTR's performance: Best Pop Music Video and Best Pop Female Artist.
"And the winner for Best Pop Music Video is…" Cameron Boyce said as Nick Merico ripped open the card.
"One Direction for 'Story of My Life!'" They both read causing our group of eight to groan loudly.
"We still have two categories," Kendall informed them.
"I wanna win a rocket man," James whined. He looked over at Carlos who would usually whine it with him, but Carlos and Alexa were discussing something softly.
After a few awards and a performance by Imagine Dragons Lucy squirmed in her seat.
"Are you okay?" James whispered.
"I have to use the bathroom," 'she informed him.
"Can you hold it? Your category is…" James began but was interrupted by
"And the winner for Best Pop Female is…." Pitbull opened the card in front of him. "Lucy Stone!"
"Now, I have to go onstage and give a thank you speech while trying to hold my pee," she whispered to James. She smiled when he poked her in the cheek to remind her she was on camera.
James laughed as Lucy made her way to the stage hurrying up the stairs and taking the rocket man trophy from Pitbull.
"This is for the fans!" She exclaimed. "Thank you so much. I also want to thank my boyfriend, James Diamond, for being my rock, and my producer/manager for well, being my manager and helping make my music better. Thank you all!" And then she hurried off stage presumably to the restroom.
"She should be thanking me," Kendall jokingly grumbled earning a harsh glare from Jo. "I mean, uh, um, go Lucy! No, um…" Jo shook her head and playfully slapped Kendall on the backside of his head. "I love you?"
"Darn right."
"Lucy?" James called out once the group ended up backstage to get ready for their performance. "Answer me!" He began to panic. She hadn't returned to her seat after visiting the restroom.
"Dude, it's Lucy. She's all right," Logan said putting a hand on James's shoulder.
Kendall opened the door to their dressing room to reveal Lucy Stone with her dress unzipped asleep on the couch. Her trophy lay haphazardly on the floor as if it fell from her grasp.
"Luce?" James shook her shoulder gently.
"Mmm," she mumbled.
"Ugh," someone moaned. James looked up to see Carlos turning green at the sight of the food table.
"Are you okay?" Kendall asked when Carlos ran to the garbage can and threw up.
"He—we kinda went a little overboard last night. He was really depressed about the dress rehearsal and he's underage so we couldn't drink his sorrows away so we ate them away," Alexa explained. "Well, he did most of the eating." She rubbed Carlos's back.
"I'm…okay…" he sat down and took his head out of the can. "I can perform. I promise."
"Oh gosh!" Lucy jumped up from the couch and stole the garbage can from Carlos emptying her stomach into it. She sat down next to him looking apologetic and holding her nose. Alexa rubbed her back, too, since she was sitting right there.
"I can stay back here with the sick kids while you guys go on stage," Alexa suggested. Lucy rolled her eyes.
"I'm not sick. The smell of Carlos's puke makes my stomach churn."
"I can perform!" Carlos insisted.
"Well, we can get this out of here." James grabbed the garbage can and placed it outside the room, closing the door behind him. "Smell better?"
"Thanks, Babe."
"You can't leave," James said sitting down beside Lucy and taking over the back rubbing. "If you win again how do we explain why you suddenly left?"
"Rumors will be rumors," she muttered. "I wasn't planning on leaving. I'm fine, really."
"Me, too," Carlos said.
"Five minutes," a stagehand announced sticking her head in the door.
"We've got plenty of time," Kendall said.
"OK fine." Alexa stood up and offered a hand to Carlos. "I'm not gonna argue with you. If you get sick on stage that's your own fault."
"Thank you."
Brian, Logan, AJ, Carlos, Howie, Kendall, Kevin, James, and Nick stood on stage in a straight line with their left fists pumped in the air as the final note of "Everybody" rang through the theater. They ran off stage giving each other high fives and fist bumps.
"How was it performing together?" the same woman who first interrogated James and Lucy stepped up with a microphone and her cameraman.
"It was fun," Logan said.
"We should do it again sometime," Brian added.
"Any confirmation on the rumor that both groups will be touring together this summer?"
James paled. He certainly hadn't heard that before.
"We haven't heard anything like that," Kendall said. The Backstreet Boys shook their heads.
"I think for now, it's just a rumor," AJ cleared up. "Maybe sometime in the future, though?"
"How are you feeling, Carlos?" She asked
"Wh-what?" He looked around nervous.
"We heard Alexa Vega's going to be spending the next few months in Europe."
"Wh-what?"
"Didn't you say she was filming a movie?" Kevin asked.
"Oh yeah, that. Yeah, well, obviously I'll miss her."
"With one band member engaged and another expecting a baby,"
"What?" James interrupted. "That's—that's—you have no confirmation—you can't just—"
Kendall put a hand on James's shoulder to calm him down.
"Have you or Logan given any consideration to taking the next step?" the interviewer went on ignoring James.
"M-me and C-Carlos?" Logan wagged his finger back and forth between him and said friend.
"Not together, not that there's anything wrong with that. With your girlfriends?"
"No!" Carlos exclaimed. "We're not ready for that just yet."
"Are you okay?" Logan asked Carlos as they parted ways with the reporter and BSB on their way to their dressing room to change so they could go back out and sit through the anticipation of the two remaining categories they were nominated for.
"Why does everyone keep asking me?" Carlos threw his hands in the air.
"Because you were sick before we went onstage," Kendall answered.
"Oh yeah."
The rest of the night, surprisingly, went as planned. They didn't win Best Live Performance. But, they did win Best Tour!
"We're actually pretty surprised at that since there have been so many amazingly awesome tours this year," James said snuggling with Lucy in her bed later that night. Both were invited to the Pop Tiger After Party, but Lucy didn't feel up to attending so she and James went back to her apartment while Kendall, Jo, Logan, and Camille attended the party. Carlos was still feeling queasy from overeating the night before so Alexa took him home.
"I saw one of your concerts. It was…thrilling. Not to mention all the screaming fans."
"Yeah, we do have a lot of those don't we," James sighed.
Lucy laughed.
"Hey, you got yours, too."
"Yeah, yeah." She snuggled into James's chest. "Not like you."
"I don't need screaming fans." He placed his hand over her tiny belly. "I have you."
"Cheeseball," Lucy muttered. She put her hands on top of his slowly running her fingers over his.
Closing his eyes, James thought about the events of the day. It was exciting and the couple braved their first real bout with paparazzi. They had to encounter paparazzi at their studios, but it wasn't the same. Lucy won a rocket man for best pop female artist and Big Time Rush won one for best tour. Things looked good for both careers. But, what was up with Carlos and Alexa?
Thank you, Rusher-Driver, for your review!
Curiosity wins out. In Big Time Hollywood Fever what did they put on James to make him orange?
There is a lot of throwing up in this story. I promise it won't be like this forever. I don't even intend it. It just writes itself.
In Big Time Blogger to some question in preparing for Deke James gives the answer "Golden Shoes." They get golden shoes in Big Time Cartoon. Maybe the question was what does Carlos want the most or something like that, lol.
