"Don't forget to call me, okay?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around Jack's narrow waist. It was already the last day of April and the day before the first day of the guys' tour.
"I won't forget, I could never forget you." Jack said as he stroked my hair.
I buried my face into his chest and Jack leaned his face into my hair. Don't cry Josie I told myself as I squeezed him tightly. "You won't do anything stupid, right?"
"I'll try not to. I'm gonna be back in time to see you little guy, okay?" Jack said leaning down to my stomach. He kissed my belly and I hid my face in my hands as the tears began. I felt his hands leave my belly and then he wrapped his arms around me again. "It's okay." He said softly into my ear and I nodded.
I forced myself to stop crying and then wiped away the tears. "Have fun, okay?" I hiccupped.
"I'll try. I'm gonna take my stuff onto the bus and I'll be back to give you one last kiss." Jack said before grabbing his suitcase and running onto the bus. To my right an older woman was ruffling Alex's hair while Lisa and Alex held hands; to my left were Rian and Kara, then a little farther down Zack and his parents.
I wiped away my tears again and took a deep breath, "He won't be gone for long." I heard someone say and I turned to see Matt behind me.
"I know but I feel like he's missing out on a lot. I'm gonna miss him too." I sniffled and Matt gave me a sympathetic look.
"It'll be over before you know it."
"Just take care of him Matt? I worry about him."
"He'll be fine. Zack, Rian, me and the rest of the crew keep a good eye on him and Alex."
I twisted my fingers together and turned to see Jack coming off of the bus. Jack wrapped his arms around me and then leaned down so he was mouth was right beside my ear. "I love you baby, I'm gonna miss you."
"I love you too."
"Good, think of some names while I'm gone and maybe by the time I'm back we'll have a name for little man."
"Okay."
"I know you don't want me to go and I don't want to go either but try to be happy Jos, have some fun." I nodded dumbly and Jack sighed before pulling me back to his chest.
"Time to go guys!" Matt shouted as he hung out of the door and I wrapped my arms around Jack tightly, I never wanted to let him go.
"I love you Jack."
"I love you Josie." he said and I let my arms fall to my side. Jack kissed me deeply and then backed away to the bus. I was watching all of the guys get on, Rian stopped to hug me, Zack smiled and Alex squeezed me tightly all before they walked on.
"You'll get used to it eventually." I turned my head and to my surprise saw Lisa was standing beside me. I didn't know what to say and then she looked over at me. "I'm sorry for being a bitch. I know you love Jack, I just get scared. Alex has cheated on me before but I shouldn't have taken it on you. We're All Time Low's girls, we gotta stick together." she said as the bus drove off.
"Yeah, I mean who else understands what we're going through better than us? We know what it's like to have to kiss your boyfriend goodbye and not see him for a month or more." Kara said as she came around my other side.
"I am sorry, I understand if you don't wanna be friends though. Here's my number, call me if you need me, okay?" Lisa said before slipping a piece of paper in my hand. She turned to leave but I caught her hand.
"Thank you. Why don't we go grab some food?" I questioned and Lisa smiled widely before nodding.
"Do you mind driving me home after? Alex's parents drove me here, they're actually waiting." Lisa said and I nodded before she ran off to their car.
"I'm surprised." I said turning to Kara.
"She's a sweetheart, just a bit of a worry wart which turns her into a bitch. Alex was a dick in high school and when they first started touring but he's grown up a lot, she's gotta learn to trust the kid a bit more."
"I don't blame her, I worry too."
"You don't make people cry Josie."
"Okay, let's go." Lisa said as she jogged back.
"Where's your car Kara?" I questioned as all three of us made our way over to Jack's car that Jack insisted I used until he got back. Mine was old and Jack was convinced it was going to break down on me.
"I live around the corner so I walked over here." she told me and I nodded as I slipped into the car. I had to mess with the mirrors and the seat because Jack drove over here but once I had everything adjusted I pulled out of the parking lot.
"Where am I going?"
"Don't care, I just want breakfast." Kara groaned as she let her head lean back.
"Alright, Jack took me to this little place the other morning." I said as I began driving towards the small diner. Once we reached it I pulled into a spot and we climbed out. Kara led the way inside and we were all seated in a booth before the woman went to get us utensils.
"So how often do these goodbyes happen normally?" I asked while I toyed with the menu.
"About four or five times a year, sometimes more." Lisa answered and I frowned.
"Oh."
"It gets easier Josie." Kara said in an attempt to make me feel better but I just shrugged.
"I don't really care about me, it's the baby. I know I'll miss Jack but I'm a big girl but I don't want him missing his daddy." I said while rubbing my belly. The baby kicked inside and I couldn't help but smile, "I don't think he likes it either, he just kicked." I told the girls who smiled.
"Have you thought of any names yet? It'll be May tomorrow." Kara said and I nodded knowingly.
"I actually have thought of a name." I said and Kara squealed.
"What do you like?"
"I like Noah. Jack said he wanted Alex to be his godfather so Noah Alexander. It has a wonderful ring to it, doesn't it? Noah Alexander Barakat."
"I love it." Lisa chimed in and I smiled gratefully at her.
"What does Jack think?"
"I haven't told him yet, I hope he loves it. I haven't been able to think of any other name but Noah. It's been on my mind for two weeks, I just can't think of any other name I like as much."
"I think he'll like it, so will Alex. He was trying to convince Jack to name him Alex the other day when he came by." Lisa told me which made me laugh.
"I'm gonna tell him tonight when he calls." I said before I began to flip through menu. It felt nice to have girlfriends again; with them maybe I could actually make it the month and a half without Jack.
I laid in my bunk and stared up miserably at the ceiling. I was already missing Josie beside me, the way she let me wrap my arm around her and rest my hand against her belly, the way her body would fit perfectly against mine as we laid on our sides, her back against my chest. I rolled onto my stomach and shoved my face into the pillow only to find it smelt like Josie's favorite shampoo.
"Jack!" Alex shouted and I pretended not to hear him. I just wanted to be alone and sulk but when Alex barked my name again I knew that was going to be impossible.
"What is it Lex?" I yelled back.
"Come out here and drink with us." Alex said once he ripped back my curtain.
"No."
"Jack, come on. You can't pout in here the entire tour."
"Watch me."
"Jack! Josie said to have fun, so come have some fun."
"I miss her Alex." I said pitifully and Alex frowned before nudging me gently.
"Scoot over."
I did as he said and he jumped into the bunk before sliding the curtain shut. "Alex, I just wanna be alone."
"I'm not letting my best friend be miserable by himself." Alex said while he threw his arm around my shoulders.
"How do you do it Alex?"
"Do what Jack?"
"Leave Lisa?"
"I don't know. At first it was hard and you know how I got over it. I regret it a lot and I regret hurting Lisa. Don't make the same mistakes, okay Jack?"
"I wouldn't do that Lex." I said. I could never hurt Josie like that but it was kind of scary. Alex was one of the sweetest guys I knew so if he could cheat on his girlfriend, could I?
"I know Jack, you deal with your problems more maturely then I did."
I snorted, "Me? Mature?"
"Well you and Josie are more mature than me and Lisa. We fight, we throw stuff, we say mean things, and we do mean things. I don't think I've seen you and Josie seriously fight since you've gotten together."
"Cause there's no point to it Alex, I love Josie. Yeah sometimes I get so mad at her I just want to scream but I walk away. I know I drive her crazy sometimes but we walk away. We talk to each other when we're calm."
"See! There you go being all mature again, when did you decide to grow up on me Jacky?"
I chuckled, "You sound like my mother." I told him while pushing him away.
"Guess it's all the time I've been spending with her." Alex said while winking at me. "But seriously Jack, you have grown up a lot."
"I just have a lot on my plate now Alex. It's not all about Jack and the band anymore. I have Josie to worry about, I have a baby that'll be here in two months, and I just can't be that carefree teenager anymore."
"I never thought I'd see the day where Jack Barakat grew up."
"Hey, don't take it all too seriously. I still like dick jokes, think farts are funny and all that good stuff but I can just be grownup now too."
"Still weird Jacky."
I stuck my tongue out at him just as my phone rang and I fished it from my pocket. Josie's name was flashing across the screen and I quickly answered it, "Hey baby."
"Hey Jack! So I went out to eat with Kara and Lisa-" she started but didn't get to finish because I started choking on my own spit.
"You what?" I coughed out.
"I went out to eat with Kara and Lisa." she repeated, this time slower. Alex was giving me a curious look and I put the phone on speaker so he could hear her too.
"Repeat that one more time for Alex babe." I instructed and she groaned.
"I went out to eat with Kara and Lisa, now can I finish my story Jack?"
"I'm curious; you went out to eat with Lisa?" Alex questioned.
"Yes! She apologized; we went out to eat and then did some shopping."
"Wow, so are you guys like BFFs now?" I asked.
"I don't know, we're friends. She's nice, we had fun. We have plans later in the week."
Alex and I stared at each other in disbelief over the phone; we thought we were going to have to deal with them not liking each other for forever. "That's nice baby, so what do you have to tell me?"
"I have a name. I like it and both of the girls like it."
"What is it?"
"Noah."
I thought for a moment and then decided to try the name out, "Noah? Hm, I like it." I said.
"Alright, am I still on speaker?"
"Yeah, one second." I said as I fumbled with the phone to take it off speaker. Once I hit the correct button I brought it back to my ear. "Okay, you're not on speaker anymore."
"Okay, well I didn't know if you told Alex and I know you wanted to tell him but you know how you wanted Alex to be his godfather?"
"Yup." I answered while I pushed Alex away with one hand as he tried to hear the conversation.
"What do you think about Noah Alexander Barakat?"
"It sounds perfect. I love it babe." I said as I watched Alex pout.
"Oh I'm so glad you like it! I told Kara and Lisa not to say anything to the guys so you could."
"Thanks. I'm gonna go tell the guys now. I'll call you to tell you how they like it, kay?" I asked.
"Yeah, if I don't answer then I'm in the shower, okay?"
"Okay, love you."
"Love you too Jack." she said before she hung up.
"Move." I said to Alex who frowned but slipped out of the bunk. I followed after him and then poked my head into the back where most of the guys were.
"Go get Matt and Danny." I told Alex who was behind me. He made a face at me and I shoved him gently.
"Do it or I won't tell you what we're naming the baby."
Alex scrambled to comply and within seconds he came back with Matt and Danny trailing behind him. "Thank you." I said to Alex as they all pushed past me and sat down on the floor.
"So what are you gonna name him?" Alex questioned as he bounced around on the floor.
"Well I have two things to say, one is Alex will you be his godfather?" as soon as the words left my mouth Alex shot up and attacked me. He tackled me to the ground and I looked up at him as he straddled my hips.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" he squealed excitedly.
"Alright, you sound like a five year old girl." I said as I pushed him off of me.
"I'm excited."
"I noticed. Number two, we finally agreed on a name."
"What is it?" Matt asked from the floor.
"Noah Alexander Barakat." I said. This time I expected Alex and I was able to catch myself before I could crash back to the ground.
"I get to be the godfather AND you're naming the baby after me? This is awesome!"
"I don't think she meant to name the baby after you, I think she just liked the way it sounded, you were already here and she didn't feel like searching for another one that sounded right." I said and Alex shook his head.
"Don't lie; you guys just love me so much." Alex said while he ran into the front. He came back a couple seconds later with a bottle of something. "To me being a godfather and to a healthy little Barakat." he said raising the bottle and then taking a swig of it.
"I'll drink to that, hand me the bottle." I instructed and Alex handed it to me. "To my little guy, I can't wait to meet him." I said before taking a large sip.
I smiled as I handed back the bottle to Alex. I was so excited for Noah to come now. It seemed that picking out his name made me realize how close he actually was to coming. When I got back halfway through June we would only have a little more than a month to get everything ready. I took a deep breath and let myself lie back on the ground; I couldn't believe there was going to be a little boy who would be the perfect mix of me and Josie in the world…
