Chapter 28

Jacob lightly knocked on Erik’s bedroom door. "Yeah?" Jacob opened the door and went in. Erik was lying on his bed, his right arm in a sling. He didn’t look good.

"Hey, I heard about what happened. How do you feel?" Jacob asked. Erik looked at him and frowned.

"Like shit. Thanks for coming back, by the way," he said, crossly.

"Erik…"

"Save it. Go to Maria. You care more about her than the band anyway," Erik said, closing his eyes. Jacob tensed up.

"That’s not true. It was just unusual circumstances. I had to go," he told him.

"Whatever, Jake. I don’t really want to get into this right now. Does Maria know that one of her best friends lost her brother? Does she care or is she too wrapped up in herself?" Erik asked, opening his eyes and looking at Jacob.

"Look, Erik, I know you’ve been through a lot, but that’s no reason to take it out on Maria or me," Jacob said, angrily.

"You don’t want to start a fight with me right now," Erik warned.

"Fine, then I’ll leave," Jacob said as he started to leave the room

"Yeah, you’re good at that!" Erik called after him. Jacob stopped and turned around, re-entering the room.

"What the hell is your problem? Besides the getting shot thing, I mean. Why are you being such a pain in the ass?" Jacob asked. Erik sat up, wincing at the pain in his shoulder.

"You took off not caring at all how the rest of us would feel. You are in a group, Jake, like it or not. Even if Maria was having problems, that doesn’t mean that you should’ve just left! You put her before the group, which means that you’ll gladly do it again if you have to. Where does that leave us? We need you and if you can’t be here, we’d be better off finding someone else," Erik said. Jacob was furious, but he held his temper in check.

"I care about you guys and the group, you know that. But, I love Maria and if I have to put her before the band, I will. My leaving didn’t cause any major problems that I can see, other than pissing you off. You’d have done the same thing for Alex, I’m sure." Jacob turned to leave again. He looked back at Erik once more, "Oh, and the next time you put yourself into a situation where you might get shot, think about the band, Erik!" Jacob left, slamming the door behind him.

Erik sighed and lay down again. Maybe he was being too hard on Jacob and Maria, but the fact that Jacob hadn’t even called to let them know what was going on made him mad. Jacob’s mind clearly wasn’t on the band right now and it had to be. They had to write for the new album, continue filming the show, and practice for the upcoming tour, among other things. It was a lot of work and they all had to concentrate. How would Jacob do that with a baby on the way---and what about after the baby was born? It was a tough situation…for all of them.

Jacob quickly walked up the stairs to his room. He was surprised to see Trevor sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. Maria was fast asleep on Jacob’s bed.

"What’s up?" Jacob asked Trevor quietly so as to not wake up Maria.

"Nothing. Why didn’t you tell me?" Trevor asked. Jacob sighed. Did all the guys have a problem with him?

"You were in the hospital, remember? I didn’t call because I didn’t want to get yelled at. I had enough to deal with. I wasn’t even gone that long," Jacob said, defensively.

"Okay, dude, calm down," Trevor told him.

"I’m sorry, Trev. It’s been a shitty weekend," Jacob said, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"I understand. I didn’t mean to sound like I was jumping on you or anything."

"You didn’t. But Erik is pretty upset. He took it out on me," Jacob told him.

"Yeah, well, Erik had a rough night last night." Jacob nodded. He looked at Maria and pushed a piece of hair out of her eyes. "It’s strange, Jake. You’re going to be a dad."

"Tell me about it. I love her so much, but I’m afraid that this is going to change our relationship," Jacob said, worriedly.

"How?" Trevor asked.

"She’s scared. She thinks her career is over because of the baby. She doesn’t want a kid right now." Jacob looked at Trevor. "What would you do? If you were in my situation?"

"I’d be very happy. Maria is fine," Trevor said, smiling. Jacob shook his head.

"Trevor," he said.

"Okay, I’m kidding, sort of. So, if I was in your situation, what would I do? Man, that’s tough. Um…I’d want the kid, obviously. I think there are ways to have a career and have a kid. It’s, like, the thing to do these days. Almost every kid has working parents."

"But I don’t want my kid raised by a stranger. I’ll be away a lot, which will leave Maria to take care of the baby. She won’t like that at all. See how it could be a relationship ender?" Jacob asked.

"Dude, you’re thinking about it too much. You won’t always be on the road. You guys love each other. Together, you’ll make it work. Think about that and stop making yourself crazy," Trevor said. He stood up, slapped Jacob on the shoulder and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Jacob turned and lay down, facing Maria, who was lying on her back. He put his arm around her and settled down beside her, holding her close to him. Trevor was right, he was making himself crazy. He still had time to figure things out. He loved Maria and she loved him. Nothing would change that.

Two hours later

"Jake? Come on, man, you have to get up," Dan said, gently pushing on Jacob’s shoulder. Jacob opened his eyes. Maria was still sleeping beside him. He turned over.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"Almost eight. Andrew is here to go over the tour schedule. At this point, I think you have to make a conscious effort to be at every meeting and be interested in all of the group’s activities," Dan told him. Jacob sat up and slid off of the bed.

"I know. I’m aware that I’m in the doghouse these days. I’m interested in the group, dude, don’t make it sound like I’m not," he said.

"Well, come on, then. Everyone is waiting for you." Dan left the room. Jacob stretched and followed him.

Everyone was seated around the long table. The camera was there, filming their meeting. Andrew greeted Jacob with a smile. "Congratulations," he said, shaking Jacob’s hand.

"Thanks, I think," Jacob said, glancing at the camera. Erik wouldn’t even look at him. Ashley smiled as Jacob sat down beside him. Trevor was across from Jacob, his ankle up on another chair. Dan sat down next to Trevor. The Mikes were at the head of the table and Andrew was at the other end. He looked at each of them as he started to speak.

"Okay, guys, let’s go over some of the tour plans. We’re going first to Berlin where you’ll be shooting a spot on Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten, a German soap opera. Then we’ll head to the UK and do a lot of promotional spots, including SMTV: Live and CD:UK, a popular kids’ show. You’ll be included in an episode with Britney Spears and S Club 7, I believe. Then we’ll be going to Ireland, do a few shows and on to London where you’ll film the opening sequence for your ‘very special episode’ of Making the Band." Andrew smiled at the looks on their faces. "Remember how we took the footage from your Germany trip in December and put it together to make an ‘O-Town movie’ called Hamburg With Cheese? You’ll need to film some host spots for that, as well. It’s the funniest thing, believe me."

"This season is going to be bizarre, isn’t it?" Jacob asked. Mike C. smiled.

"There’s some funny and different stuff that’s gonna be shown," he said.

"What happened to the third season being about the music?" Jacob then asked.

"There are a few episodes that will deal with the second album. We haven’t gotten to that yet, though," Mike C. replied. Jacob nodded and didn’t say anything else.

"After the London shows and a few shows in the north of England and Scotland, we return to Germany. We have some dates in Switzerland and Austria as well. We then go to Munich and Stuttgart where you guys will perform in the Dome concert. On March 6^th, you will perform at the World Music Awards in Monaco before returning to Germany where you’ll perform at the Bravo Supershow on March 9^th. We return on the 10^th. There are interviews, online chats and other appearances that you’ll be making, but the ones I just mentioned are the major ones. It’s going to be a busy tour, so I hope you guys are ready," Andrew said, smiling.

"I think we’re ready for some time away," Dan remarked.

"Good. I have a copy of the schedule and the agenda for everyone," Andrew told them as he began passing them out. He gave two to Jacob, one for Maria. "Okay, if there are any questions, just call." Andrew gathered up all of his stuff and went over to talk to the Mikes.

"Can we go?" Erik asked, sleepily. His medication was making him drowsy, although the pain in his shoulder wasn’t as bad as it had been. As long as he remained still, he was fine.

"Yeah, go. Rehearsal is tomorrow at 9:30," Mike C. said.

"I thought it wasn’t until 10:30," Trevor remarked.

"Jake needs extra practice," Mike M. said, looking at Jacob, who shrugged. Erik sighed, got up and walked slowly to the stairs. Jacob watched him go.

"Don’t worry about him. He’s just tired and hurting," Trevor told him. Jacob slowly walked out of the house, heading for the guesthouse.

"We have to get our acts together by next week," Dan told Ashley and Trevor.

"Why is Erik so pissed?" Ashley asked.

"He’s been through a lot. We all need to talk before the seventeenth. Once Jacob practices with us again, though, I’m sure everything will be back to normal," Dan replied.

Jacob went to his room. He turned on a light and walked over to the bed. Maria must’ve felt someone looking at her. Her eyes opened and she looked up at Jacob.

"How long have I been asleep?" she asked.

"A few hours. You need your rest, though," Jacob told her. Maria sat up and smiled.

"I have to use the bathroom. Be right back," she said as she left the room. Jacob sat down on the bed. He looked at the schedules he was holding. The group would be working non-stop, which was good, but it left little time for other things.

Maria returned and saw the troubled look on Jacob’s face. She sat down on the bed and pulled her legs up underneath her. "What’s that?" she asked.

"Our tour schedule. This copy is yours," he said, handing her one of the copies. Maria looked at it. It was three pages of dates and places where O-Town would be performing, followed by three more pages of detailed appearances, interviews and other things that the guys would be expected to do. It looked like a lot of work.

"You guys are going to be busy bees," Maria remarked. "That’s okay. I’m going to have my own work to do."

"Are you sure you won’t mind?" Jacob asked. Maria gave him a funny look.

"No, of course not. You’ve got your job and I’ve got mine. This isn’t a vacation we’re going on," she said.

"The days leading up to the tour are going to be busy, too," Jacob told her. Maria put her schedule aside and pulled Jacob over, so that he was facing her.

"Jacob, I realize that you’re going to be busy. Don’t feel guilty, okay? We can’t spend every minute of every day together. It’s not possible and I don’t expect it. Relax, okay? I love you. We’ll find some time to be together, but right now, you need to concentrate on the group." Jacob lay back on the bed, pulling Maria with him. She gently landed on his chest and smiled at him. "I have to go."

"No, stay with me," he said. Maria kissed his lips lightly.

"I really should go," she said against his mouth. Jacob smiled and leaned into her, kissing her deeply. Maria slid off of him, and Jacob turned so that they were both on their sides, their bodies entwined on the bed. Jacob’s tongue slid along Maria’s lower lip. She moaned and became more aggressive, sucking on his lip, tasting him, wanting him.

"Maria, Emily called and…damn," Ashley said when he saw the couple on the bed. "Sorry." Maria and Jacob separated and looked over at Ashley. Jacob sighed. He had to remember to shut the door.

"What about Emily?" Maria asked, breathing heavily. She sat up.

"Uh, she called and wanted to know when you would be arriving back at the loft," Ashley told her. Maria got off of the bed.

"Now, if someone will take me," she said. Jacob shook his head. He wanted to ‘take’ her all right.

"Well, the Mikes are going. Maybe one of them can, like, give you a ride. I’ll go ask them," Ashley said, running out of the room.

"I’ll see you…whenever, I guess," Maria said to Jacob as she straightened her clothes. Jacob stood up and nodded.

"I’ll call you," he told her. Maria smiled and leaned in to kiss him again.

"I love you," she said. Jacob hugged her tightly.

"I love you, too. Come on, I’ll walk you down."

"Oh, ‘Jacob the gentleman.’ How sweet," Maria teased, poking him in the ribs. Jacob pinched her and she ran away from him, down the stairs. Shaking his head, Jacob chased after her.

Mike C. drove Maria back to the loft. He talked mostly about the tour, avoiding the ‘baby’ subject, which was fine with Maria. She was starting to get used to the idea, although she had a feeling that that would change when she began to show.

Maria walked to her loft and opened the door. Emily and Kathleen greeted her at the door, hugging her tightly. Maria frowned when she saw Kevin…and Geoff standing in the sitting area.

"Hi, guys," Maria said. Kathleen smiled at her.

"I can’t believe it. I can’t picture you pregnant," she said.

"Yeah, neither can I," Maria mumbled. "Hi, Kevin." Kevin hugged her and kissed her cheek. Maria glanced at Geoff.

"Hi," she said.

"Maria. You look good," Geoff told her.

"Thanks. I’m kinda tired, though," Maria said, still uncomfortable around him. It had been a while since their break-up, but she still didn’t like the feeling she got when she was with him. He made her nervous.

"We’re leaving. We just stopped by to see you on our way back from dinner," Kathleen said as she took Kevin’s hand. "Come on." Geoff stopped as he passed Maria.

"I can’t believe you let that little punk knock you up. You’ve changed," he said softly so that only she could hear him. Maria felt like punching him.

"Get out of here," she hissed. Geoff smiled. He looked at Emily.

"Maybe we can go out sometime. You seem saner than your cousin," he remarked. Emily rolled her eyes.

"Whatever," she said. Kathleen came over and pulled Geoff out the door. "I’m sorry, Maria. I didn’t know he’d show up."

"It’s okay. He’s just having a hard time getting over me. And he’s an asshole," Maria said. Emily laughed.

"So, tell me! Are you excited about the baby or freaked out? You seemed kinda freaked out when you found out on Friday."

"I was, but Jacob and I had a chance to discuss it and after getting lectured by our moms, we are determined to make it work. I’m scared, but I think I can pull it off," Maria told her. Emily hugged her.

"I will definitely help you," she said. Maria smiled.

"Thanks. I’m afraid I have to go again, though," she said, sadly.

"I know. The tour. I’ll miss Ashley, too. It will give me a chance to look for a job and hopefully get my life together, though. I’ve been a lazy bum for too long. It’s about time I do something to help you out. I feel like I’m living off of your kindness here."

"Don’t worry about it. You’re family and are always welcome here," Maria assured her. Heathcliff suddenly appeared, rubbing against Maria’s leg. She picked him up. "You’re not going to be my only baby pretty soon," she said to him. He bit her hand. "I see that upsets you." Maria laughed and put him down. She looked at Emily. "I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. I’m really exhausted." Emily nodded.

"Goodnight." She turned off the lights and went to her own room. She sighed as she began pulling the covers down on her bed. She would miss Ashley a lot…a lot more than she wanted to. Travis was no longer an obstacle; the only thing keeping her from being with Ashley was her fear of being in the spotlight and of ‘dating’ a pop star.

Wednesday, January 16^th

Maria arrived at Walsh Studios early. She wanted to make sure she had everything ready that she would be bringing on the tour. It had been a busy week. Alex was basically just ‘existing’ right now. She had managed to bury her grief and go on as if nothing had happened. She would have her dark, moody periods, but she was determined to go on the tour. Maria had spent most of the day after she had returned from Connecticut sitting with Alex and letting her cry on her shoulder. Carlos’ funeral had been the saddest thing that Maria had ever been to. Unfortunately, Erik and Jacob hadn’t been able to attend due to band obligations, which had upset Alex more.

Carlos’ shooting had been front-page news a couple of days after it had happened. Jacob had told Maria that he sensed the Mikes knew that Erik’s injury had something to do with what had happened, but they hadn’t questioned him. As long as Erik’s name wasn’t mentioned in connection with Carlos’ death, they weren’t worried. Alex’s name hadn’t been associated with that night’s events, either. She had just been mentioned as being the victim’s sister. Miguel had covered everything up to make it look like he had been the only one there with Carlos when the shooting had happened. Miguel hadn’t been charged with the shooting of the other man who had been found dead, since it had been established that Miguel had acted in self-defense. There were no signs of Alex’s fingerprints anywhere on the gun and Miguel had gotten rid of her things before the police had arrived. Miguel had been brought in for intense questioning, but he had stuck to his story and they had eventually let him go.

Maria hadn’t seen Jacob since the night they had gotten back. She had talked to him on the phone, but he was being put through rigorous rehearsals and vocal practices. The coaches were being hard on him, but Maria understood why. Jacob did, too, so he didn’t complain about it. He was mostly upset with the fact that he couldn’t see Maria.

Emily, Maria and Alex had made plans to all go to O-Town’s house that night. Maria and Alex had to be part of a ‘pre-tour’ meeting and Emily was going to see Ashley. Kristi would be there, too, since she was also going on the tour. Maria was glad that she’d be there in case she, herself, needed a doctor. Maria had been to see her OB/GYN, Dr. Ambrose, and she had been given a thorough examination. The baby was fine and Maria was healthy. Dr. Ambrose had sat with Maria for over an hour talking about anything and everything that had to do with having a baby. Maria had to admit, she felt better after the talk with her.

"Good morning," Susan said as she entered the lab. Maria had stuff all over the place, some packed, some ready to be packed.

"Hi. I didn’t realize I had so much shit," Maria said, looking around.