You're probably not going to like Riker, because yes, he's an ass in this. But I promise you, he'll be lovable by the end of this story. He has a few points though and he wasn't really trying to be a complete ass, but that's all I'm saying. You just have to read it to know what I mean. This also takes place the same day as the last one, so it's a pretty hectic day for everyone in this story, hah.
Enjoy, I don't own anything :]
"Rydel! Come on out! We have to have an emergency band meeting!" Riker knocked on his younger sister's door. It took a few moments, but she opened it, glaring at him as soon as the door opened. "Whoa, what happened to you?"
"Like you care, Riker," She snapped at him, running her fingers through her hair, she fixed it up a bit.
"Why would you say that? Of course I… care." He looked at her concerned, "what's wrong?"
She held her hand up, "don't act like you give a shit, seriously. You totally took dad's side last night, especially after everything he did, why would you do that?" Her tone got louder and Riker backed up. "You're such an idiot!"
"Whoa, Rydel, something's not right…" Riker was studying her, noticing her eyes were red and puffy, her hair was messy and she hadn't bothered to take off her make-up, so her eyes were dark as well. "You're not yourself right now."
"How would you know who I am?" She demanded, stepping closer to him. He couldn't help but think she resembled an angry raccoon. "Just because you grew up with me, you think you know me?"
"Rydel, stop it." Riker stared hard at her, "just calm down, take a deep breath and relax."
Rydel looked like she was going to scream and yell, but instead, she just shook her head and spun around, going back into her room, she slammed the door as hard a she could and locked it, sinking down to the ground.
"What the hell was that?" Ryland asked, rushing up to Riker, "she just shook the entire house!"
"Dude, something's not right with her," Riker said, "I don't know what it is, but there's something going on. I don't know if it's mental or intentional, but she's… screwed up."
"What do you mean?"
Riker shook his head, "I don't know, but I'm not going to give up until I figure it out."
"I'm so comfortable, I don't want to move," Laura whispered, her chin on top of Ross' chest as she stared up at him, the movie they were watching playing in the background. He played with her hair and smiled, his eyes on the movie.
"Yeah, I don't really feel like moving either."
Laura tucked her head back onto Ross' chest, getting comfortable again. "How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Feeling? What do you mean? I'm good."
"No I mean… about your…" She bit her lip as she lifted her head again, "about your father, I know we sort of talked about it earlier, but I just want to make sure you're okay."
Ross smiled softly at her, "you're sweet, really. But I promise, I'm okay." He shrugged, "I figure if he's not in my life then he cant impact it in any way."
"I guess that's true…and after everything he did to you, I understand." Laura stared at the movie for a few moments, but something inside her told her it wasn't right for Ross to shut his father out like that. "Look, I don't want to sound like a broken record, or annoying, but… he's still your father and he raised you. Maybe don't be so mad at him?"
As soon as she said the words, she wished she hadn't. But to her surprise, Ross didn't blow up on her like he would've in the past. Instead he just shook his head and stayed silent.
"Just something to think about okay? I'm not making you do anything or decide anything. It's a hundred percent up to you, but honestly, I'm just thinking about your baby sibling. I wouldn't want to be hated before I was born because of something my father did. That's not fair."
Ross was silent, realizing she had a very good point. He couldn't hate his sibling over something that was his father's doing. She sighed and finally looked at Laura.
"Yeah, I get your point," He finally said. "I wouldn't want that for myself either." A grin spread across her face and she moved her body so that she was sitting on his waist, bouncing a bit. Ross couldn't hide his smile, putting his hands on her waist. He looked at her amused. "You remind me of a four year old, sometimes, you know."
Laura wrapped her arm around his neck as he sat up. "I'm going to try and not be offended by that statement."
Ross laughed.
"But seriously, just… think about it okay? You don't have to give me, yourself, or anyone else an answer right away. Take your time." He nodded, and then leaned in give her a chaste kiss on the lips. He pulled away, but Laura shook her head. "We're barely wearing anything…" She bounced on his lap again and he felt that familiar twitch in his pants. She smirked, "we're not done yet."
"You're already pregnant," He murmured against her lips, "I don't want to scar that baby for life."
"What are you afraid of, poking it's eye out?" She joked, but Ross suddenly stopped kissing her and she realized it was exactly what he was afraid of. She couldn't help it and burst into a fit of giggles. "Oh my god, Ross Lynch, I love you. So, so fucking much." With that, she kissed him, this time deeper and rubbing her lower body against his.
"Wait," Ross pulled back, giving her a look. "We don't have to actually do anything do we? I mean…" He blinked, "I must be crazy." Laura laughed again, "turning down my girlfriend, what is wrong with me?"
"I don't know…" Laura trailed off, "but I think I can help you make the right decision." She lowered her eyes and then pressed her lips against his again, her hand going into his hair as she pushed him against her more, leaning back a bit as he kissed her deeper and harder, his hands squeezing her waist. Her body jerked as she felt him beneath her and she tried to moan, but Ross shook his head, kissing her harder.
They continued to make-out, fighting for dominance, Laura's hands, pulling on the strands of his hair, as his hands kept her in place, one of them traveling lower, underneath his shirt she was wearing.
She broke the heated kiss and panted, whispering his name. She felt him twitch beneath her and moaned again, her forehead going onto his shoulder as he was just about to touch her.
"Holy fucking shit!"
"Oh god!"
They both heard the shouts and abruptly he pulled his hand away, Laura lifting her head to see Rocky and Vanessa were standing in the doorway of their apartment, their eyes wide, mouths dropped open.
"Goddamnit Rocky!" Ross closed his eyes, his forehead falling onto Laura's shoulder, catching his breath as Laura just stared at her sister and Rocky in disbelief.
"Seriously," Laura finally blurted, "you two need to start a damn cockblock business!" She tried to move away from Ross, but he just held onto her tighter.
"Maybe if you ignore them, they'll leave," He whispered against her shoulder.
"Doubtful," She whispered back and he lifted his head, sighing and realizing she was right.
He looked at his brother, "why are you two even here? No offense."
"Yeah," Vanessa nodded, going over to the kitchen counter, she dropped her stuff on it. "None taken." She was still in shock over what she'd seen.
"How did you even get inside?" Laura demanded, "you need a key to get inside and the last time I checked… we didn't give either one of you one of those."
"You bozos left the door unlocked, it was really actually kind of easy." Rocky shrugged and joined Vanessa's side. "But as for why we're here, I was looking for you Ross, because we have an emergency band meeting and you weren't answering your phone."
"I was just coming here to check on you, since you weren't answering your phone either," Vanessa added. "We just happened to run into each other in the lobby and since the security knew who Rocky was, he just let us in."
"You couldn't wait to come, maybe like an hour later or something?" Ross was very annoyed, not that anyone in the room blamed him.
"Yeah, blue balls, that kinda sucks," Rocky commented, giving him a look that he understood what he was going through. Ross just turned his head to look at him in disbelief again. "Just saying."
"Dude, when was the last time you had sex?"
Rocky didn't say anything.
"My point exactly." He grumbled and then Laura lifted his head so that they could look at each other.
"We should get dressed."
"I don't want to," He mumbled.
"I know, I don't either, but now that we have unexpected company," they both pointedly glared at their respective siblings. "We have to."
"Oh yeah, and did I mention, everyone else will be up here in…" Rocky's phone went off and he took it out, "oh wait, nevermind, they're here."
"Seriously?" Ross whined.
Rocky nodded, shutting off the phone, "I gotta buzz them in and get them. It's your fault dude, if you would've answered the phone, we wouldn't be in this mess right now." Rocky chastised him as he left the apartment, his eyes on his phone.
"Fuck you," Ross groaned to his back, his head falling back as Laura fell on top of him, her ass sort of sticking up in the air a bit, enough that Vanessa could see her underwear.
"Yo, sis, love you and all, but your ass is most definitely something I don't need to see." Vanessa covered her eyes, and motioned for her to get up and change. "Both of you, go in the other room, take care of your… needs, and come out ready to work."
"She's so bossy," Ross pouted and Laura giggled.
"Come on, let's go get changed and then later, we can have some alone time, okay?" She winked at him and he smiled.
"Oh god, it's really happening. My baby sister is talking to her boyfriend about the next time they're going to have sex. This is… really something I was hoping to avoid at some point in my life." Vanessa was blinking her eyes, looking anywhere but where Ross and Laura were.
"More so than what you just walked in on?" Laura asked as she sat up, pulling Ross up with her, she got off the couch and pulled him up again. Ross, instead, just wrapped his arms around her, her ass against him. She turned, raising an eyebrow, but he pointedly looked down. She nodded and turned around so that he could carry her, her legs wrapping around his waist.
"Honestly, I don't know which is worse, but go. Get changed, for the sake of everyone else, go get ready."
Ross rolled his eyes and Laura just gave her sister a look as Ross carried her into their room and closed the door shut on Vanessa, who then breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Do I really have to work?" He whined, pressing his forehead against hers as he gently pushed her against the door.
"Yes," She answered, leaning in she gently kissed him. "I promise you, you'll get a reward later if you cooperate."
He blew air out and it hit Laura's face. She giggled, "fine, but one last kiss." He pouted and she leaned in giving him a deep kiss. She broke it before he could kiss her back.
"Later," She breathlessly reminded him and he nodded, almost robotically. She unwrapped her legs from around him and fell to the ground. He let her go and she hurried off into the closet to put on a sundress. Ross stood there for a moment, before he started thinking of things to calm himself down, and then grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He also grabbed a hoodie and put it on, just as Laura came out of the closet, she went into the bathroom, fixed her hair and then came out again. "Your hair needs to be fixed," She said and then fixed it herself.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror before returning to her, "wow, you're just as good as my mom." He joked and she playfully knudged him.
"Come on, let's get your meeting over with."
He nodded and followed her out of the room and back into the living room where his family was waiting for them.
"Okay, this better be like the biggest and best news I've ever heard in my life," Ross muttered as he sat down in the living room, Laura sitting on his lap. Rocky, being as observant as he was, noticed Ross put his hand on Laura's stomach and rested it there. He smiled to himself.
"Oh, trust me, it is." Ryland assured him.
"Right." Ross sighed and looked around the room, "wait, where's Rydel?"
"She…" Riker trailed off, but looked at Ross, seriously. "She's not coming."
"Why? She's apart of this band, isn't she?"
"Yeah, but she wasn't down to leave her room and nothing we did was going to make her leave, so…" Riker shrugged, looking at Ratliff who nodded in agreement.
"Take it easy, I'm right here," Rydel said as she walked into the apartment, Stormie right behind her. She ignored Riker and Ratliff and sat on the couch beside Ross and Laura. Ross turned to look at her.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, can we just get this meeting started?" She asked, rudely as she uncomfortably adjusted herself. Ratliff went over to her and sat down beside her, his arm on the back of the couch. She leaned against it, but didn't make eye contact with him.
Laura noticed this and shared a look of concern with Ross.
"Okay, well, now that everyone is here, let's get started." Ryland sighed. "So, you know you guys have started to become more and more popular, right?"
"Yeah," Ross nodded, "it's pretty cool."
"Well, I got a call from the label this morning and I was gonna tell you but then the shit with dad happened, but anyway, you guys have the opportunity to go on another tour."
"So? We've done that before," Rydel said, "we went to Canada and around the US."
"It's not just any tour," Ryland kept eye contact with her. She just gave him a look to get on with it. "It's a world tour."
Everyone's mouths fell open at once. Rocky's hand went onto Vanessa's arm in disbelief. Rydel turned to Ratliff and he saw a smile on her face, she leaned in and kissed him, giggling and clapping excitedly, the first sign of happiness she'd shown in the last few hours.
"Holy shit, are you serious?" Riker was the first one to speak.
"Dead serious." Ryland told him and Stormie's eyes filled with tears as she hugged Riker.
Ross and Laura turned to each other, both with smiles on their faces.
"You're going on a world tour!" Laura squealed and then hugged him. He hugged her back and she pulled back to kiss him. But then the realization of what she and Ryland had said sunk in and their smiles dropped.
"What?" Riker asked, noticing it first. Rocky looked up and then he realized the issue, realization passing over his features.
"I can't—we can't do that." Ross sighed, "I mean, I still have the show and we're going to get news of a fourth season soon, and I also have Teen Beach Movie to promote and—" He shared a look with Laura, she nodded for him to say it. They had no choice. "I can't leave Laura's side."
"I get that you guys love each other and all, but it's only for a few weeks," Riker told him. "I know what happened the last time we left and I think now you two are in a place where something like that wont happen again."
"No, dude, you're not getting it," Ross shook his head. "It's got nothing to do with that."
"Then what does it have to do…with…" Rydel trailed off as she the realization hit her and her eyes widened slightly, her mouth dropped open. Behind her, Ratliff also seemed to realize it, because his hands went to where Ross' were.
"Oh, shit." He said.
Ross nodded and then looked at his mother, Vanessa, Riker and Ryland.
"We wanted to wait until we were ready to say anything," Ross started to say, making eye contact with his mother first, "but um…" He trailed off for a moment.
Ryland was confused, "what, you're engaged?"
"Nope." Laura shook her head, "but pretty damn close."
"Laura's pregnant," Ross finally said and that was the moment the atmosphere in the room completely changed.
"No fucking way," Riker was the first to speak and he looked pretty pissed off. "You're pregnant?"
Laura nodded, "yeah, I am."
"With what?" Riker asked, and Ross could tell he was about to freak out.
"A fucking alien, Riker, what do you think? A baby, you idiot." Rydel snapped at him. Riker looked taken aback by her outburst, but didn't acknowledge it.
"So, what you're telling me is that you're will to fuck us all over because you knocked up your girlfriend?" Riker demanded.
"Whoa, Riker, take it easy." Rocky jumped him, stopping him from going further. "Don't you dare do anything."
Vanessa looked at Laura, finally coming back to earth, "you're pregnant?" She asked quietly and Laura nodded. Ross let her go and she got up to stand in front of Vanessa. She flattened her dress a bit and then moved to the side and there everyone could see her small, but still seeable bump.
Vanessa didn't know what to say. So, she did the next thing she could think of doing and pulled Laura into a hug. Laura hugged her back.
"Mom?" Ross lifted his head to look at her, "please… say something."
"I… I don't know what to say." Stormie finally said, "I want to scream and yell at the two of you, but I can't. It was a decision you two made and I have to respect that."
"What?" Riker blurted. "Are you kidding me mom? They just barely turned eighteen, they're not ready to have a kid!"
"Maybe you aren't," Ross snapped at him, "but I moved out, remember? If I can take care of myself and Laura, I'm pretty sure I can take care of a baby."
"You don't know the first thing about taking care of a baby, come on, Ross, be realistic." Riker argued.
"I haven't had the best example," Ross pointed out, his tone sharp. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to suck as a father." He looked at Riker, pissed off. "And you know what? A little bit of support from you would actually be nice for once."
Riker shook his head, "sorry, but I'm not supporting this. You're too young, it's a fucking baby, think about it. What are you going to do when you have to change it, stay up all night, feed it, and then go to rehearsals? You're not even going to spend more than a few hours at a time with it!"
"Okay, first of all, it's not an it," Rydel spoke up. "It's a baby, so fucking call it that."
"Fine, whatever." Riker shook his head, "but you're acting like you have the maturity to actually do this."
"I know I have ten times more maturity than you do." Ross glared at him, staring at him hard. "Laura and I can do this. You just have to believe in us, but since you wont, then we don't need your help or you in this baby's life at all."
"What's going to happen to your show?" Riker demanded, "are you just going to pull a Jamie Lynn Spears and cancel it? Are you going to get married before the baby is born? Better yet, what's going to happen to this band, Ross? It's not just you, you aren't Austin in real life. In real life, you're a part of a band and if you fuck it up, we all get fucked over."
"I know that," Ross told him, "I know what's at risk here, but that doesn't mean you have to be an ass about it!"
"Sorry, but I refuse to support this," Riker held his hands up.
"But you'll support dad and that slut he's going to marry's child?" Ross demanded, "after everything dad put us through, you're taking his side and that is the most pathetic thing I've ever heard."
Riker stepped closer to him, glaring at him, "so is moving out to live with your pregnant girlfriend."
"At least, I have someone who cares about me and loves me." Ross snapped back.
"If I'm not mistaken, Ross, she hated you not even half a year ago. Wasn't it because you fucked her and then left her behind for six months?"
"Riker, stop." Rocky ordered, but Riker kept going.
"You left her because you were afraid to admit you were in love with her, what kind of guy… whether he's a cheater or not, has sex with the girl he's in love with, lies about it and then leaves her for six months?" He knew he had made a point, because Ross wasn't saying anything. "I'm pretty sure she just dealt with you for the sake of the show. Because in the end, there wouldn't be a show without you or Laura, right?"
"Riker, seriously, stop it. Back off." Rocky got in between them, but Ross shook his head.
"Get out," He snapped at him, his tone low, almost scary. "Get the fuck out of here!" His tone became louder.
"You can't tell me what to do. I'm older than you, genius."
"This is my apartment, that I pay for with my own money. Same thing I told dad about my car, you cant take that away from me and you can't tell me what to do anymore. I'm eighteen, idiot. Get the fuck out of here before I call the police."
"You wouldn't call the police on your own brother," Riker said, but Ross didn't say anything. "But hey you know, that just proves to me that you cant handle the truth."
"What truth?" Ross yelled at him, "yeah, I fucked up, okay? I'm well aware of what I did all those months ago, but you had no right to bring that up. We're happy now. We're doing great and you just brought up shit that we both agreed to keep in the past! Why hold it against me? Especially since it was something private, something in between Laura and I, that had absolutely nothing to do with you."
"How do you know if you do this world tour the same thing won't happen again?" Riker challenged him, knowing he was getting dangerously close to Ross flipping his shit on him. "How do you know you wont cheat on her, after all, you are dad's son."
"Riker, if you don't back off, I swear to god," Laura finally jumped in, she gently pushed Rocky out of the way and stood in front of him. She noticed Ross was clenching his fist, but put her hand on top of his. "Get out of here, you're only making this worse."
"Oh and now Ross can't even stand up for himself, wow."
"What are you doing?" Rydel demanded, getting up she stood beside Ross. "You know how he gets, you're asking for a black eye."
"Fine, you want to bring up shit, then we will. Starting with your jealousy. What are you jealous of me for now, Riker? I'm the lead on a very successful tv show, I'm the lead in a movie, oh and I have an amazing girlfriend who loves me, and I live on my own. Anything else I forgot?" Ross asked. "You think you're so much better than me, Riker, don't you?"
"Fuck off, Ross. When it comes down to it and you know it will, you aren't much better than dad is."
"No, see here's the difference in between you and I," Ross began, "I know I'm much better than dad, because I wouldn't do the things he did. I have way more respect for myself and my family. You, I'm really not so sure about."
"Guys, seriously, step down," Ratliff spoke up, "this is pointless."
"No!" Riker suddenly shouted. "Ross has to know that what he's doing is a mistake!" Laura put her hand over mouth in shock and Ross just stared at him angrily. "He's fucking everything up because he's selfish! He knocked up Laura, great. Regretting that now?"
"No, I'll never, ever regret being with her. I love her, Riker, why don't you see that?"
"She's not going to stick around for long, Ross, and the sooner you see that, the better."
"Riker!" Rydel yelled, pushing him away, suddenly so angry she couldn't see straight. "Get out of here!"
Laura had gotten over her shock and was feeling just as angry as Rydel, she stepped in front of him. "You are not allowed back here, ever again. Get out of here or I swear on my life I will call the police and they can deal with you. I don't care anymore." Her tone was cold. Riker didn't look afraid of her though.
"It's a mistake," He tried again, "you having that baby, it's going to ruin everything, not just for you and Ross, but for the band too!"
"If you feel so damn strongly about that, then fine," Ross snapped angrily, "then how about this—"
"Ross, don't—" Rocky tried to stop him but he shook his head.
"I quit."
Rydel turned to him, her eyes wide, thinking things over for a few moments, before she turned to face her older brother.
"You quit? You quit what?" Riker demanded.
"It's not like I can quit being your brother so… I quit the band, good luck trying to find another lead singer, one that will help make you as famous as I have. Bye, Riker." And with that he turned, storming off into the other room.
"Ross, wait," Ryland jumped off, running after him. Stormie shook her head in disbelief, and Riker just stood there, breathing heavily as Rydel, Rocky, Vanessa and Ratliff all shared a look of disbelief.
"I can't believe you just did that!" Rydel suddenly yelled, turning on Riker. "What the fuck is your problem? Look what you did!" She was almost screaming she was so pissed off.
"Rydel, come here," Ratliff grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her as she struggled against him for a moment, before she just shook her head and turned away from Riker. "Calm down," He whispered into her hair, running his fingers through it, which he knew calmed her down.
"I think we should go," Rocky said as he walked passed Riker, "And I mean you, Riker, come with me, now."
"You can't tell me what to do. I'm a grown adult."
"Yeah, you're such an adult," Laura scoffed, "telling your own brother his baby is a mistake because all you care about is your damn band. Maybe he made the right decision quitting, all you are is an ungrateful ass."
Vanessa was surprised to hear her sister speak like that to anyone outside of their family or even back when she and Ross used to fight all the time. Laura was normally very respectful.
"I'm not going to tell you again, get the fuck out of here," Laura's tone was cold as she just turned around.
"We're leaving, don't worry," Rocky told her and then gave Riker a look. Riker just shook his head and slammed the door open, storming out of it. Rocky followed him and Vanessa walked up to Laura, who was looking at the ground, thinking over everything that just happened.
"Go talk to him," She whispered, "he really needs you right now."
Laura slowly nodded and Vanessa squeezed her hand, comfortingly.
"I'll still be here when you're both ready to come out and talk, okay?"
Laura nodded again.
"We're not leaving either," Ratliff said and Rydel nodded, his eye caught Stormie's who just nodded in agreement.
Laura gave them another nod and with that, she walked into her and Ross' bedroom. Ross was sitting up on his bed, listening to what Ryland was saying.
"You can't quit dude, I know Riker just pissed you off, but I have to be honest about something." Ryland looked at him and Ross nodded for him to continue as Laura sat down beside him. His arm immediately went around her waist and she lay her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her and she looked back at him, before they focused back on his little brother. "You're not going to like what I have to say, but listen to me, okay? Like actually, listen to me." Ross nodded for him to continue. "Some of the things Riker said was out of line and were most definitely fucked up things to say, but he has a point. He was trying to be an ass, not the way I saw it, he was just trying to get you to see what you two are doing. You're going to have a baby, and a baby is a lot of work. It poops, cries and wants food every five seconds. You two are kind of young for that responsibility, you know? So, I saw where he was coming from with that, but as for the bringing up past shit, I'm not okay with that at all and I saw where it began to piss you off. But seriously, you two are on a major tv show on a major company's network and the fact that you're willing to give all that up to have this baby is kind of crazy if you think about it, but you're not the only two on the show. You've got Calum and Raini and then the crew who are working on it as well." He paused, letting his words sink in, Ross surprisingly not fighting him.
"And you also have the band, Ross, one that you decided to be apart of almost six years ago. Okay, you cant let them down, forget your anger towards Riker for a second and just realize that it's not just you both in it. That would be different, but you've got Rocky, Rydel and Ratliff who are also apart of it too. Do you want to mess things up for them just because you're pissed off at Riker?" Ryland asked him and Ross slowly shook his head.
"You're as much as part of it as we are, dude." Ross said, his tone soft.
"Exactly," Laura spoke, understanding where Ryland was going with his lecture. "You can't let your family down by quitting because of Riker."
"Yeah I get that, but its either him or me, dude. I'm not going to be around him if he's going to treat everything I do like it's the end of the world."
"Think about what you just said out there," Ryland started to back away, knowing it was best to let him think for a while on his own about everything. "Don't let all those people down for something that's been between you and Riker for years now."
Ross nodded.
"And for the record, I'm happy for you guys," Ryland said and with a small smile in both their directions, he left the room, giving them privacy.
Ross turned to Laura and let out a sigh, falling on his back on the bed, he stared up at the ceiling for a few moments. Laura fell down right beside him, resting her head on his chest.
"What am I going to do?" He asked her, "I sort of quit the band because I was pissed off at Riker, but Ryland has a point, I can't let them down." He looked at her, "and we can't let down anyone on the show either."
"I know," She said quietly, "but I'm not… I wont… I refuse to…"
"I'd never, ever ask you to do that," He assured her, he put his hand on her stomach. "I think we can do this, we just have to figure it out."
"We don't even know if we're getting another season yet so…" Laura trailed off.
"But the show isn't your only job you've got going on, you still have UNICEF, school, and your singing career. I'm not going to let you give those up. It's your dream, Laura."
She smiled at how sincere he was being, "Ross, I couldn't ask you to do the same. Your band is everything to you."
"Maybe at one point it was," Ross agreed and Laura gave him a look of confusion. "But things have changed since then. Right now, you and this baby are my priority and Riker may or may not want that but it's not his decision to agree with or not."
Laura nodded, agreeing. "But some of the things he said was sort of true, not about the past bullshit that we've both gotten over and let go of, but we're young you know? I think that he was just trying to be an older brother figure, not an asshole, at least not when he was saying all of that."
"I agree with you, surprisingly." Ross said, "but the way we approached it, it was almost like he was…"
"Your father," Laura finished.
Ross nodded, "and not my brother."
"That's not what you want is it?"
Ross shook his head, "he's my brother, I just want him to be my brother. But I don't know, maybe he feels like he has to be the father figure now that my dad's fucked everything up."
She was happy Ross was coming to a sort of understanding about Riker. "Maybe you just need to talk to him."
"I'm sure I do, but right now, I really want nothing to do with him."
Laura knew better than to argue with him, so she just nodded, sitting up. He looked up at her.
"Come on, let's go out there and talk to everyone else. You need to un-quit the band, okay? You said it out of anger, I get that, but I know you better than anyone else, Ross and I know you didn't mean it."
Ross sighed, "Alright, I'll go out there." He sat up and they stared at each other for a few moments before Laura leaned in and softly kissed him. Then without another word, they both left the room, walking back into the living room to face what was left of their family.
"Hey… Ross." Vanessa was the first to see them, it got everyone else's attention and they all looked at him and Laura.
"Where's Rocky?" He asked.
"He took Riker home," Rydel answered. "I really don't believe Riker right now. There's something… ugh." She looked away and Ross saw for the first time ever, the dirtiest and most bitchiest look he'd ever seen on her face.
"Some of the things he said was sort of out of line and fucked up," Ross began, "but he was right."
"I'm sorry, repeat that." Ratliff said, doing a double take.
"He was right." Ross stated firmly, "and at the end of the day, whether or not he's jealous of me, or whatever, he's still my brother and I think he was just looking out for me and Laura. But it doesn't change anything."
"What do you mean?" Ryland asked him slowly.
"We're still having the baby and if you guys don't support that, then fine." Ross looked at Laura for a brief moment, she nodded for him to continue. "But I sort of quit the band out of anger and… I'm un-quitting because that was out of line and I can't let you guys down." He tried not to notice the sigh of relief that came from everyone else in the room.
"Ross," Stormie spoke up for the first time since getting the news of the pregnancy. "I know how hard it's going to be to have a baby, I don't think that with your busy schedules, right now is the best time."
"Yeah, the timing's shitty, we understand that, but—"
"No, wait," Laura spoke, she looked at Stormie, "what exactly are you saying? That we can't handle it? Our careers are much more important? Or that you want me to…" She trailed off, not bringing herself to being able to say the words that were on her tongue. "I'm not going to do that."
"No, I'd never ask you to do that, not in a million years." Stormie assured her and Laura nodded. "I didn't finish. It's not the best time, but if you need help, I'll be more than happy to help out, and Laura, I'm sure once your mother gets over the shock, she'll want to help as well."
"Oh crap, I totally forgot about telling my own mother," Laura put her head in her hands and shook her head. "I'm not looking forward to that."
"I'll be right there with you when you tell her," Ross assured her.
"Yeah, I'll be there too," Vanessa said.
"And if you'd like, I'd be more than happy to be there as well," Stormie assured her and Laura lifted her head to look at her. "But really, if this is really what you two want, then I can't stop you. You're old enough to make your own decisions, but just remember you have support if you need it. I just don't want you to give up on your dreams and all you've worked hard for okay? Promise me."
Laura and Ross exchanged a look before nodding, Ross' arm going around Laura's shoulders, "we promise." He said.
"It's going to be tough, but I know you two can handle it." Stormie smiled at them and Ross let out a sigh.
"We can do it." He said to Laura who smiled up at him. He hugged her and she giggled. He wrapped both arms around her and held her tight. "We're unstoppable, I swear."
"Yeah, we really are." Laura sighed into his chest, closing her eyes. "We are," She whispered again, more to herself, the words bouncing around in her head as she realized they were true and that together, they could do anything.
After another hour of hanging out with Ross and Laura, Rydel decided she wanted some alone time with her boyfriend. So she whispered in his ear and he nodded, standing up, they said their goodbyes and then left the apartment.
"That's insane," Ratliff said as soon as they reached his car. "Ross is gonna be a father."
"Yeah, it is kind of crazy." Rydel agreed, "but I mean, Ross and Laura are meant to be together and I know they'll take care of the baby no matter what."
"What about us?" Ratliff suddenly asked her and she snapped her head in his direction to look at him from over the roof of the car. "Do you think we're meant to be?"
Rydel thought for a moment, she wasn't entirely sure about it, but something inside her told it was true so she nodded her head. "Yeah, I honestly and truly do think we're meant to be."
Ratliff smiled, "I think so too."
She scrunched up her nose and smiled, giggling as they both got into his car. He started it and then he pulled away, Rydel's hand going into his. He soon pulled up in front of his house, knowing that taking Rydel back to her own probably wasn't a good idea and then led her to his room where he just lay on the bed, with her on top of him.
He ran his fingers through her hair for a few moments, silently before speaking. "I'm sorry about earlier," He told her. "I didn't mean to turn you down like that."
Rydel shrugged, "it's okay." She whispered, "I understand why you did it."
"I just… I want your first time to be special you know? Like you deserve it to be."
Rydel lifted her head up to look at him, "I know it will be, no matter what. We could be in your room, my room, or wherever, but as long as it's just you and I, I know it'll be perfect."
He smiled at her and then she lay her head back on his chest. It was comfortably silent for a few moments, until Rydel felt her phone vibrating in her back pocket. She pulled it out and saw that Rocky was calling her.
"Hello?"
"I wasn't… interrupting anything was I?" Rydel rolled her eyes, of course he'd ask that. "I mean, I walked in on Ross and Laura earlier and let me tell you, I think I'm scarred for life now."
"Yeah, so you've said a few times already. I'll be home later, okay? I'm with Ratliff."
"Oh, yeah. I knew that, of course. Talk to you later, bye!" He hung up before she could say anything and she just stared at the phone in disbelief.
"Today has been a strange day," She said and then Ratliff nodded agreeing.
"That it has." She lay her head back on his chest and closed her eyes.
"I don't want to go home yet," She told him, "So can I just stay here with you?"
He smiled down at her, "of course you can." Then, Ratliff picked up the remote and turned the tv on to a movie. As she settled in to watch it, she thought of everything that had gone on and wondered if her family would notice a change in her. She wasn't entirely positive they would with the news of Laura's pregnancy out now, but she wasn't willing to back down.
It was time to become her own person now.
And there it is... next chapter is soon. It's going to focus more and Rydel, Maia and Laura and their friendships. Vanessa will also most likely be in it too... but they won't be telling anyone else about the pregnancy for a while. As for when the world knows about Ross and Laura's relationship... well, that's coming soon too. Stay tuned :]
And thanks again for all your support, you're amazing! I heard yesterday that Don't Let Go was nominated for best story I think, last year, but because I didnt finish it until January first, it was disqualified. Still, that's amazing and I'm honored, so thank you, thank you to whomever nominated it and for all your support. Love xx
