"Okay guys I'm here, ready or not we're needed at the studio." Kelly Wainwright said as she entered the Palm Woods lobby, the limo waiting outside. She was bright and cheerful like normal, if not a bit impatient today; Griffin has been busting Gustavo's chops about cranking a third album out, and the pressure's being affecting her just as much.
Even though most of the songs for the album have been covered, the gray-haired, llama-owning "genius" wanted it ready before the end of the month.
No pressure or anything!
The tall, willowy woman watched as a pair of elevator doors slid open, out popping out the boys ready to get some singing done. "There you guys are, okay the limo's waiting outside and Gustavo will flip if we are-"
Kelly stopped herself there, big coffee brown eyes now wider than dinner plates.
Something was...different with this picture she was seeing.
The boys were up, showered and dressed and looking like their normal, dorky but cute selves. They smiled big for her, expressions normal too.
So in general, it wasn't really them that seemed odd today. Well it was them, but also not them at the same time.
It was the fact Kendall was carrying a stroller. And that Carlos was carrying a bag of toys. And Logan a stuffed baby bag. And James...a two year old baby boy.
A baby boy, who had his eyes. The same shade of hazel-green eyes, plus the shape of his soft mouth and button nose. The baby had curly dark hair and rich, caramel skin, decked out in a sky blue shirt with "Mommy's little angel" on the front in curly, black letters and a pair of dark-washed jeans.
He was currently gulping down what looked like his morning formula, the boys' "normal" expressions suddenly looking nervous yet excited.
"Umm, who this is?" Kelly asked. Unlike the man she worked with, she didn't throw mean accusations at them of a babysitting gig train wreck or something like that. She kept her voice light, gentle so not to startle the tiny (and just very adorable) baby cuddled in James's arms.
Said brunet blushed a bit in embarrassment, something Kelly thought she'd never see happen in her life. James oozed confidence, social skills and "swag". To see him so jumpy, yet so happy, made her relax her stiff posture a bit more. If just a bit.
"It's kind of a long story, but we have a long road to the studio so I'll fill you in on our way there." James finally replied, the guys all giving him pats on the back.
"Come on, 'Los. Let's get Royce's toys and stroller in the limo. Loges, you sit next to Jamie so in case the champ needs something he's covered." Kendall said, Logan nodding back with a smile as his boyfriend and dirty blond best friend trekked for the purring limo ahead.
"Is he done with his morning bottle?" Logan asked in that clear, crisp doctor tone of his. Kelly watched this go down with a curious expression playing with her features, James rolling his eyes but smiling and handing over Royce's empty bottle.
"Yeah, you know he likes to drink the vanilla-flavored formula more than the strawberry one we tried after he turned two. Looks like he's like me that way too." Logan chuckled and pulled out the small tub of formula from the baby bag and a bottle of water.
"I'll start on his afternoon formula, have it ready for later. So all set to go, Roy? Your first day at Rocque records, yay!"
The child, who had stayed quiet while downing his formula, smiled a toothy grin at the smart boy and clapped his hands.
For some reason, Kelly felt her heart melt at the little boy's beautiful, toothy smile. And his voice, his adorable voice even if he only said two words and they were in Spanish.
"Gracias, tio Logan!" He wiggled out of James's arms, wanting to be held by Logan.
"Mind taking him, I'll carry his bag." James said, Logan opening his arms almost immediately.
"Dude, I'm his uncle. Why would I mind taking him? Come here, little guy...yes that's it, aren't you a big strong man? Huh, yes you are! Oh yes you are!" Logan cooed over the little boy all the way to the limo, Kelly putting a hand on James's shoulder to keep him from going.
"You said you'd tell me while on the road, but can you at least let me know his name?" She asked, tilting her head to the side.
She sure didn't want to call him "little boy", in her head, the whole time. It would feel wrong, not to mention rude of her.
James bit his lower lip, still scared of a bad reaction, before he sighed, another small smile touching his lips.
"His name is Royce, Kelly. Royce Hayden Diamond-Reynolds."
'Royce, hmmm..it suits him.' She thought with a smile at the brunet boy's retreating back, baby bag secured over his right shoulder. She pressed her clipboard between her thin, long fingers and followed suit.
She was actually eager to learn more about this mysterious Royce.
Maybe the more she learned about him, the easier it would be keep Gustavo in check at the studio.
-Page Break-
Gustavo Rocque was mad.
No, he was beyond mad. Griffin's been putting the heat on him for a new album and his dogs weren't even here yet for rehearsal! Traffic or not, they were going to get it when...!
He soon heard the slams of car (limo) doors and feet, he stomping down the long, red carpet hallways to meet the boy band halfway. His face was red, beet root red, steam practically coming out of his ears.
"DOGS, YOU'RE LATE! I DON'T CARE IF ALIENS TRIED TO ABDUCT YOU OR WHATEVER EXCUSE YOU HAVE, I'M SERVING YOUR BUTTS ON A SLIVER PLATTER TO GRIFFIN IF WE DON'T GET THIS-"
"Gustavo, shush! You'll scare the baby!" Kelly scolded him, approaching him as fast as she could in heels. Her arms were crossed over her chest, clipboard gone and a sharp look in her eyes.
"I DON'T CARE IF I'M RED RAGING MAD, KELLY! ARE THE DOGS READY OR-wait a second, did you just shush me? And baby, what baby?!"
"This baby." The two turned to see the boys standing there, Kendall carrying the stroller again, Carlos handling the toys. James was checking through his son's baby bag, making triple sure he didn't leave anything in the limo while Logan held said baby.
"You shouldn't be so loud, Gustavo. You can have a stroke or something and scare little Roy here." Carlos said, the little boy with curly dark hair and hazel-green eyes staring right at Gustavo from on top of Logan's shoulders.
Said bling-bling wearing, sunglasses addict producer took off his shades and had his dark, almost beady eyes meet the child's. The little boy squirmed, looking uncomfortable under the heated glare, and buried his face in Logan's gravity defying hair.
"What. Is. That?!" Gustavo barked, making the child jump and finally burst into tears,
"Now look what you did! Oh Roy, it's okay. The big, fat turd is just being a bully. Remember what I told you, carino? Huh, do you remember? Bullies just want to get to you but they're not worth your time, it's okay amor ya no mas lagrimas. Shhh todo esta bien, todo esta bien amor..." Logan handed the sobbing boy over to James, who cupped the back of his head and began rocking him. Carlos pulled out Royce's favorite squishy ball and handed to him, Logan making funny faces to get him to laugh.
Kendall's now hard green eyes met Gustavo's pudgy face, thick eyebrows angry arches. "Why did you do that?! He's a baby for Pete's sake, he didn't do anything and you just went and freaked him out! What the heck, Gustavo?!"
"Don't back talk me, dog! Why the heck did you guys bring a snot-nosed brat to my studio?! This isn't a daycare, if you broke something at the Palm Woods again then fix it but on your own time!"
"First off, he isn't a 'snot-nosed brat'! Second off, we didn't break anything ANYWHERE and lastly, he's not some neighbor's kid we're babysitting!" Carlos exclaimed, not at all happy Gustavo had spooked his little playmate.
"Then what is it?!"
"HE, is my son." James said through gritted teeth, lips in a thin line.
He's managed to keep his temper in check despite Gustavo calling Royce an "it" over and over, usually soft hazel-green eyes now a smoldering golden-red though.
A sure fire sign he was holding it all in.
A silence fell over them for a few minutes, Gustavo going pale in the face before his anger began to resurface.
"YOU KNOCKED UP SOME GIRL?!" Logan was quick to cover Royce's ears so the yelling wouldn't scare him again. Kendall took Royce from James and began singing to keep him calm, the brunet balling up his hands at his sides.
"I didn't 'knock up' anyone, Gustavo. Royce is my son, I gave birth to him." He explained coldly, Kelly finding this the perfect opportunity to jump in and save the boys.
"Royce is James's two year old son with an ex-boyfriend. He's kept him a secret to avoid dragging Royce into the mess of Hollywood, but now that he's eighteen he's going to work to get full custody of him. His ex-boyfriend and Royce's father is at the Palm Woods, he hopes to talk to him about getting full custody later today. They brought him here because they couldn't leave him home alone, and he's a good boy and he won't cause trouble. He happens to be a big BTR fan." Gustavo glared at his assistant, her words not seeming to sink in.
"I don't care if James gets full custody or not over his little problem! We have an album to get done and I'm not having a snot-nosed, loud obnoxious brat stay any longer in MY studio! If he's anything like James, I'll end up tearing the roof off this place! Why the heck did you have to go and screw up your life already, DOG?!"
That was it, Kendall couldn't take anymore of Gustavo's crap.
Handing Royce over to James, he got up all in the producer's face, jaw set and eyes in flames. "Now listen here, Royce did NOT screw up James's life! Yeah, a lot of teenage parents don't plan on getting pregnant so young but unlike some James had the maturity and heart to take care of him! Royce is a happy, healthy baby who loves his Mommy with all his heart, and you have NO right to call him out for it! James can be a bit of a diva sometimes, but he's changed for Royce! Not just for him, but for his SON too! He's a great friend, an awesome singer and amazing parent! We wouldn't be here in L.A. if it wasn't for him, it was HIS dream to become famous and we're living it and Royce is too! YOU don't know anything about being a parent, so quit acting all tough and admit James has more guts than you ever will!"
Gustavo's dark eyes narrowed dangerously, face going red again. "Why so sensitive, Kendall? You're not even the kid's father."
Carlos, Logan and James gasped, the tall brunet eyeing the dirty blond. Kendall swallowed hard but didn't back down, a smirk touching his pale lips. "You're right, I'm not Royce's father but I am an uncle. I'm one of his uncles and I'm not going to stand idly by and let you insult MY nephew. He's not a 'snot-nosed' whatever else you called him; he's a great kid, we all love him and if you want us to get in that booth and spare your ribs from getting busted by Griffin then you'll keep your nasty comments to yourself and leave Royce alone. I don't play nice with those who trash talk my family.
'K-Kendall...' James thought in awe, torn between crying and smiling as big as he could.
As if hearing the brunet's thoughts, Kendall turned to Royce in James's arms, the little boy rubbing at his puffy, red eyes.
"Hey champ, you feeling better? Hey it's okay, everything's okay now. Don't cry anymore okay, we got you..."
"T-tio Kendall..." Royce whispered, arms up. Kendall smiled as he carefully took him back into his arms.
"Yeah, that's me. And me and Uncle Carlos and Uncle Logan are always going to have your back, you hear me? We got you, everything will be okay."
The boys smiled when Royce broke out in his signature toothy grin and nodded back, Carlos and Logan crowding around the blond while James met Gustavo's gaze.
A few minutes of bitter silence returned, before...
"Just get your good-for-nothing butts to the recording booth."
Ha, boys: 1. Gustavo: 0.
-Page Break-
"Okay dogs, we need to get five more songs done for the album! We have left: 'Run Wild', 'Amazing', 'Untouchable', 'Young Love', and 'Picture This'. We're starting with 'Young Love'." Gustavo bellowed, directing the boys from behind the glass.
The guys got ready at their mics, James and Kendall sharing one while Carlos and Logan shared the other, they shooting grins and winks to a giggling Royce sitting on Kelly's lap.
"Actually, I think we should start with 'Run Wild'." Carlos pointed out, eyes twinkling when Royce pulled his helmet over his messy hair.
Oh yeah, hockey was definitely in his blood!
Logan caught on to his boyfriend's plan, expression fond as Kelly (Royce's now godmother) tickled the child under his chin. "You know 'Los is right, James did write that song and it would be the first time Royce hears it..."
Kendall wrapped an arm around James's waist. "You heard the majority, Gustavo! Let's run wild and never look back!"
James blushed under all the praise, meeting his son's bright eyes.
"Well carino, it's up to you. Wanna hear Mommy's new song?"
"Canta, canta!" Royce chanted, clapping his hands.
Gustavo rolled his eyes but let the tune for 'Run Wild' roll, James blowing Royce a quick kiss before taking the mic.
"Listo, amor? This is for you!"
-Page Break-
"Big Time Rush! Big Time Rush! Amo a Big Time Rush!" Kelly giggled as Royce cheered again and again, as if at a live concert.
The boys walked out of the booth and crowded around the little boy, James getting on his knees to meet his son's eyes.
"Did you like it, mi'hijo? I dedicate it to you!" James asked cupping Royce's chubby face. The little boy smiled back, nodding his head.
"Fue muy cool, Mami! Amo a Big Time Rush, the best band ever!"
"Ha, glad to hear we made our number one fan happy!" Carlos said, taking back his helmet and ruffling Royce's hair.
"Speaking of our number one fan, you must be hungry! Want a snack, Mommy packed some cheesy crackers and apples slices just for you!" Logan said, digging through Royce's baby bag. Kelly bit her lower lip, looking up at James.
"Mind if I feed him?" She asked a bit shyly, Gustavo eyeing her oddly. James laughed and nodded, it not a bother to him in the slightest.
She was Royce's godmother after all.
She smiled back and pulled out an apple slice from the bag Logan handed her, Royce opening his mouth wide.
"He likes everything, doesn't he?" Kendall asked, he and James in one corner while Carlos and Logan moved to another.
"Yeah, I try to make sure he tries all types of foods. He doesn't have any allergies that I know of, plus he's always curious so.." James trailed off, soon turning towards the blond.
"And Kendall?"
"Hmm?" The dirty blond mused, bottle green meeting hazel-green.
James smiled softly, a heavy blush across his cheeks. "Thank you...you know, for what you said back there. You didn't have to, but you did."
"No James, I did have to. I don't like it when people put down those I love. Royce, I've only known him for two days but I already love him you know? And he's your son, what's not to love about him?" Kendall said, looking away to watch as Royce fed Kelly a cracker, the willowy woman smiling between small bites.
James felt a bit confused at what Kendall said. He bit his lower lip, thinking it over.
'My son, what's not to love about him? I wonder what he meant by that...'
-Page Break-
Mau plopped ungracefully down on a lounge chair, the Palm Woods pool up to the brim with action as usual. Kids splashing, teens playing volleyball or chicken, adults reading while sipping from coconut cups.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He wished his son was here with him, James too.
'I hope I get the chance to talk to him about marriage again later today. Royce deserves to grow up with both of his parents; I don't want him to have the same childhood James had, growing up without a father.' Mau thought solemnly, pulling his legs up to his chest.
He was on break right now, had still about fifteen minutes before he was due back with Hawk.
'What to do, what to do...?'
"Hey there." Mau looked up to see a slender, rather attractive blonde girl with dark eyes and a perky nose, smiling down at him. She was wearing a red shirt with a flower pattern and dark skinny jeans.
The Brooklyn boy looked at her oddly, wondering why a stranger had come up to him. He didn't have any friends here at the Palm Woods and kept to himself most of the time, which got some to think he was anti-social.
He's seen this girl around before, but usually when she was in the same room as the BTR boys they'd split as if their pants were on fire.
'Who is she?'
"Hola, umm do you need something? Am I in your seat?" He asked politely, she laughing his questions off though with a shake of her head.
"Nah, you're alright! I just wanted to see why a cute boy like you is sitting here by yourself. I'm Jo Taylor by the way, nice to meet you."
Mau couldn't see that behind the girl's pretty face was a scheming, devious mind.
He but his lower lip but soon smiled, seeing no harm in acknowledging the girl. "Nice to meet you too, señorita Taylor. I'm Mau, Mau Reynolds."
Author's note at the bottom this time! Hoped you enjoyed this new chapter! Tell me what you think, really helps out and see you in the next one! Drama will start to pick up real soon, will it lead to Kames or Jau? Stay tuned! :) Disclaimer: I don't own Big Time Rush! All I own is the plot and the OCs that are Mau and Royce!