I'm really sorry. I know it's been a month since I last updated. I just lost my way with the story a little and needed to figure out where I was going. That's why the infernally long time to update.

Dedicated to suburbs my beta. She lsitens to me whine and even gives such wonderful advice. she's all kinds of awesome. :)

Playlist - Dil Gira Dafatan- Delhi-6. I implore you to check this song out. It's a Hindi one but it has to be one of the most melodious tracks I have heard in a long time. Seriously, do look it up on youtube or wherever. :)

Disclaimer - I do not own Camp Rock or Heidi Klum or Good Housekeeping magazine.


Tess smiled when looking into the mirror. Despite the heartburn and constant ache in the soles of her feet, pregnancy had its advantages. She had boobs. For the first time in her life she had cleavage, that hadn't been created by a push-up bra. She grinned widely as she examined her chest. It's was juvenile to feel this happy but she didn't care. She had boobs!

Jason walked into to the bedroom to find Tess…handling her chest. Those were the only words he could think of and they sounded decidedly perverted, even if they were only in his head.

"Tess, what are you doing?" he asked tentatively.

"I have boobs," Tess said brightly turning towards Jason.

"I've been noticing," Jason said grinning slyly.

"So you've been observing them all the time?" Tess said, her voice going deadly calm.

"Uh…I…I mean no…that would mean I'm objectifying you…and that would be wrong," Jason swallowed nervously as Tess's gaze sharpened, "geez, Tess, I'm only human and a guy. How am I not supposed to notice if my girlfriend's chest is increasing day by day. I can't help it. I tried not to look you know…but I couldn't…" Jason finished off, coloring under Tess's steady gaze.

He didn't know how exactly to react when Tess dissolved into giggles.

"Jason, I was kidding. I don't mind you looking at my chest. I'd rather you did. Cause how else is a girl supposed to feel special and all if her own boyfriend tries not to check her out when he supposed to be doing exactly that." Tess said as grabbed hold of Jason's collar and she drew him near for a kiss.

Jason grinned goofily as Tess' soft lips pressed against his; this was one of the many reasons why he loved Tess - her ability to make him feel goofy yet special at the same time.

"By the way, that totally sexist comment is only a one time occurrence, okay?" Tess said as she drew back.

"Tess? Zip it." Jason said as he pulled her close again to kiss. Really, she sometimes picked the most inopportune times to talk.

--

Tess looked at the dress she was wearing with satisfaction. She looked nice, even though she was wearing flats instead of heels. It was a simple shift dress. And as for the shoes, well not everyone could be Heidi Klum and wear sky high heels while being pregnant. Heels only made her arches ache more. Heartburn had a remedy but there was only so many time a day she could soak her aching feet in water. And as of now she'd choose comfort over beauty hands down.

She looked over to the podium where Jason was sitting with Nate and Shane answering questions about their new album. Earlier when all of them had been standing together, the tension between Shane and Jason was so evident it could be cut with a knife. And Nate didn't look too happy about it. He never was comfortable when people were fighting, especially his own band mates, who happened to be his best friends. It was like being pulled in two different directions.

Now they were out on the podium answering questions like nothing had ever happened. Jason warded off any questions about the pregnancy with alacrity. They had only sent out a press release to announce the pregnancy and had consented to an exclusive interviewed by Good Housekeeping magazine. There had of course been a flurry of attention at the news. Music's former bad girl and music's present good boy had gotten together and had a baby on the way. In terms of entertainment gossip, it was epic. And reporters were stunned at how long the pregnancy had been kept from the press.

Many a reporter did try to word the question differently, hoping it would catch him off-guard but Jason refused to be baited. At last they gave up and concentrated solely on the album.

Meanwhile Tess had been joined backstage by Caitlyn and Mitchie. She greeted them with a warm smile to which Caitlyn responded enthusiastically and Mitchie a lot less enthusiastically. Tess sighed inwardly, not everyone could be won over. However she could make her peace with that. She didn't care what anybody else thought. Mitchie's phone rang and she excused herself from the gathering. Tess felt relieved when Mitchie left; not that she had anything against Mitchie but she didn't feel very comfortable around her.

"Hey there foxy mama," Caitlyn said winking at Tess.

Tess giggled at Caitlyn's bit of inappropriateness. It was something she had missed.

"I've been waiting to use that for like ever," Caitlyn said.

"So how's everything going? Nate tells me that Jason and Shane are this close to having a throw down," Caitlyn said as she perched herself on the edge of some black trunks.

"That would be one way to describe it," Tess said dryly. She wouldn't be surprised if they did come to blows. Whenever Shane was near, Jason went really calm but his eyes balzed in a very unlike Jason way and whenever Jason was near Shane's lips twitched uncontrollably like he was itching to mouth off. Clearly it was killing them to behave like gentleman.

"By the way, don't give Jason any more ideas about sticking my parents in a closet. If they drive him mad he's going to do exactly that and the house is going to resonate with sounds which will make me want to wash my ears with soap and also require years of therapy to forget." Tess said smiling slightly.

"Ah but secretly you do want to stick them in right, even if you won't openly admit it?" Caitlyn asked with a knowing gaze.

Tess colored, "Of course I do. Just not in my house. That would be…" Tess broke off shuddering a bit with disgust. Sex was a natural act no doubt and there was nothing wrong with it but somehow the thought of one's parents doing it always made a child feel like gagging. And it didn't matter how old the child was. The gag reflex was always there. It was one of those unexplainable things.

"I understand. Don't worry; we'll stick them together somewhere secluded." Caitlyn said putting an arm around Tess and gently shaking her.

Caitlyn smiled at Tess. The Tess she had known back at Camp Rock hadn't been the same - that Tess had been harsher and more unforgiving. The current Tess looked more relaxed, even though there was still that air of coolness around her when she was with someone she didn't know very well.

It looked like Jason had brought the real Tess to the forefront. Suddenly feeling spontaneous and also happy for her former best friend Caitlyn hugged her. To her surprise, Tess accepted the hug with a lot of warmth, making Caitlyn smile. Maybe she had never really known the real Tess at all.

Tess was surprised by Caitlyn hugging her but she accepted it anyways because it made her feel happy. It was like even if there was all that nonsense with Shane, Caitlyn would have her back.

At that moment, the three guys came backstage. There was going to be an album signing later on. Jason immediately gravitated towards Tess and Nate went towards Caitlyn. Shane however didn't even stop to greet Caitlyn who was one of his best friends, instead stalking off to find Mitchie.

Caitlyn however wasn't going to be ignored. Giving Nate a quick peck on the cheek she called out to Shane, who stopped at the sound of her voice. Caitlyn stomped up to him, her intent and Nate knew it would be really mean to snigger but when Caitlyn ticked off Shane, it was always worth watching. Sure enough even though Caitlyn was speaking very calmly, it only took a few moments for Shane to look like he wanted to curl up and cry. When she was done Caitlyn sauntered back to them while Shane trailed behind them.

"Jase, I believe Shane has something to say," Caitlyn said smiling mysteriously. Tess watched all of this with interest. Truthfully speaking, Caitlyn's efficiency was a little scary. And it seemed like Nate's thoughts mirrored her own. He looked a wee bit intimidated by Caitlyn. Mitchie who had come back at that very moment watched the whole scene with trepidation.

Jason looked Shane in the eye and Shane looked like his resolve was going to crumble but he slowly straightened himself and faced Jason and Tess.

"Guys, I'm sorry for the shitty way I behaved. It's just that, I was afraid I'd lose Jason because you'd change him into something else," Shane said mumbling a bit.

Jason blinked in surprise while Tess was a little confused.

"But Shane, nobody can change a person unless the person themselves decides to change," Jason said bemused.

"I know. I guess it was hard for me to believe that Tess had changed. So it was just easier to believe that she hadn't changed and that she would make you…bad," Shane said, feeling everyone's disbelieving gaze on him. He was also beginning to feel pretty sheepish. In hindsight, his behavior seemed almost childish and spoilt.

" Um, Shane, just so you know, I would never ever change Jason no matter how evil I become, he's too much of a nice person. And don't worry; I'm not going to break his heart or anything. I mean, I do love the guy and we're even going to have a baby. That should be proof enough, that I not going to dump him like a sack of potatoes. And hopefully he won't dump me either." Tess said with much gravity as she could muster.

"Nonsense Tess, I'm sticking to you like glue," Jason said seriously. He found it little hard to believe that Tess thought he would leave her. He loved the woman for god sakes. And despite the disturbing vibes her parents gave off when together, he was still with her. That alone should have told her how much he really really loved her. Living with TJ and Wilson was no cakewalk in the park.

"I was kidding Jason," Tess said smiling. She had been kidding but it was always nice to get a confirmation. Jason grinned in response.

"I'm sorry Tess, for calling you names and all. And yeah, I know you won't break his heart." Shane said with a small smile.

"I hope you'll forgive me Jason for being such a crackpot," Shane said hopefully turning towards Jason.

Jason stepped towards Shane and hugged him tight. And over the course of a few moments the hug mutated into a giant group hug and Tess smiled as she found herself squished between Caitlyn and Jason. She was glad the stalemate was finally over and she only hoped that there were more group hugs on the way because strangely enough, she found herself enjoying this one a lot.


So there you go. Hope you liked it. :)