Linkin Park Fan Fic #2

1 – January 04

She knew he was sneaking up behind her; the familiar hush of his khakis brushing together as he walked gave him away. He leaned over the back of the couch and gave her a long, slow kiss on the cheek. Sophie closed her eyes and smiled at the touch of his lips.

“What was that for?” she asked as Mike climbed over the back of the couch and snuggled up next to her.

“No reason,” he replied, hugging her.

Linkin Park was home for a few weeks, having returned from Europe a month earlier. When he stumbled into the airport terminal in Los Angeles, tired and lost in his own head, Mike was startled to see Sophie standing there, hold a single red rose and eagerly scanning the crowd for passengers for his face. He hasn’t seen her in three months, when, at the same airport, he had begged her not to leave. All the while he was in Europe with the band, he wondered what she was doing, why she wouldn’t answer his calls. She had hugged him when they reunited and hadn’t let him go since.

“What are the guys up to today?” Sophie asked.

“I think Rob and Dave are still camping in the desert somewhere. Chester and Sam have been inseparable since we came home. I have no clue where Brad is. At his parents’ maybe,” Mike replied, coiling a few loose strands of Sophie’s hair around his fingers. “Are you going in to work later?”

Sophie sighed and snuggled deeper into Mike’s embrace. “No way. I’d never get any work done. I’d be staring at the murals the whole time.”

She smiled, thinking of the murals Mike and Joe had finished a few weeks after she left for New York. There had been an unveiling ceremony in late September, which Sophie was invited to, but she opted to stay in New York. When she finally returned to Los Angeles in November and saw the finished murals, as well as the new WebLoser logo in the center of each, she cried. Because of her reaction to them, as well as the memories she associated with them, Sophie decided to work out of her apartment and e-mail all her work in to Margie until she felt strong enough to go back to the office. As an escape, Sophie, who finally confessed her feelings to Mike when he got back, found herself needing to frequently get away from her apartment, and too refuge at Mike’s at least twice a week.

Mike kissed the top of her head. “So I’ve got you for the whole day?”

“Acourse. You’re not going into the studio or anything?”

Mike shook his head. “We all agreed to take two weeks off and just be ourselves, a temporary disbandment of the Linkin Park Empire, if you will.”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Oh please! ‘Empire’? Ha! Y’all get a little fame and suddenly you’re an empire?” she playfully jabbed Mike’s ribs with her elbow. Mike shifted his weight so that Sophie rolled and was now laying next to him on the couch and he began to tickle her.

“That’s right, little girl. We are an empire! And you will obey the Almighty Emcee!” Mike teased.

Sophie giggled and gasped for air. “Okay! Okay! I give! Geez!” She pushed him away long enough to sit up and compose herself. “You’re crazy. Been spending too much time with Chester.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Mike said, jokingly. His expression softened suddenly and Mike took Sophie’s face in his hands. “At least the chaos with us is now gone.” He kissed both her cheek and her forehead lightly.

2 – February 08

The point of the “game” was to get the usually low-key Rob to lash out, however minor. It was Monday night, Phoenix’s birthday, and the guys were celebrating and relaxing in Sophie’s living room. Rob glared at his band mates and sunk deeper into a corner of the couch, refusing to give in.

“C’mon, Robbie. Humor us,” Chester said, shooting his band mate his most innocent look. Rob rolled his eyes.

“Face it guys, he’s not cracking,” Brad said, lounging in Sophie’s hand-me-down armchair. WebLoser might be successful, but Sophie’s employees had this nasty habit of wanting to be paid for their services and bill collectors wanted anything that was left, and that didn’t leave Sophie with room to be frivolous with her spending.

Joe wasn’t having any of that. He sat next to Rob on the couch and put his hand as close to Rob’s face as possible without touching him. “Can’t get mad, not touching you,” he repeated. Phoenix found this insanely funny and rolled around on the floor laughing.

“Earth to Dave! Come in, Dave! You need a reality check!” Chester mimicked a radio transmitter. For good measure, he kicked him. Phoenix glared at him and kicked back but missed and hit Brad instead.

Brad frowned. “Pissing off the wrong person, Dave. Do I look like Rob to you?”

Phoenix sat up on the floor, leaning against the coffee table. “You have your moments,” he replied.

“Okay guys, you’re guests here. Behave yourselves,” Mike said in a fathering tone.

“Yeah you guys. Grow up,” Joe said, faking sincerity.

Through all this, Sophie had been in silence, Mike just now noticing she had not been paying attention. She seemed fascinated with her socks.

“Are you okay hun?” Mike whispered to her.

“Um, yeah. I’ll be right back. Bathroom” she said, distractedly.

Sophie stared at her reflection in the mirror over the sink in her bathroom. She could hear the guys muffled talking and laughing in the other room. Everything’s going to be fine. You have an appointment in the morning with Dr. Simpson. She’ll tell you if you are, Sophie reassured herself.

She finished washing her hands and quietly crept into her bedroom. She reached under her bed for the book she stashed there that morning. She had tensely entered the bookstore and paid for it with a shaky hand, never taking off her dark glasses and looking around her to see who was present. She had immediately tossed the book under her bed when she got home, and just now was cracking the binding.

Skimming the index, Sophie found the page she wanted and read quickly. All the symptoms listed in the chapter were relatively consistent to how she was feeling. She shut the book and tossed it back under her bed.

She was just in time, as Mike had come looking for her. “There you are. Is everything okay?” he asked, sitting next to her on the bed.

“Yeah, I’m just a little tired is all. I think I want to go to bed actually. Can you tell the guys to keep it down?”

3 – February 09

Sophie paced around the small living room. Mike wouldn’t be home for another hour. She had already cleaned the entire apartment, bought groceries and put them away, organized his CD/DVD/VHS collections, did their laundry, and began planning dinner. Oprah and Dr. Phil were talking in the background, their faces alternating with the audience on Mike’s tv. Sophie barely noticed them.

She jumped when the phone rang.

“Hey sweets. You okay?” Mike asked when Sophie answered.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just got caught up in Oprah.” Sophie hoped her excuse didn’t sound thin.

“Oh, her,” Mike teased.

“So what’s up?” Sophie asked, eager for a change of subject.

“Just wanted to see what’s going on. We’re staying another hour to practice cuz the time slot after up opened up.”

“More practice? You guys could be in a collective coma and pull off an awesome show!” Sophie said, thankful for more time to herself.

“I know, but it’s not everyday you’re handed free studio time. And Chester wants to start tracking The Morning After, see how a studio cut would sound,” Mike reported.

When they hung up, Sophie ate a quick dinner and hunted around for anything resembling an address book. She finally found a few names, addresses, and phone numbers scrawled on a sheet of paper Sophie assumed was Mike’s version of an address book and scanned it for Chester and Samantha’s number. She found it at the top and dialed.

“Sam? It’s Sophie. Can we meet for coffee before the show tonight?”

***

“How many of you remember when we were Hybrid Theory?” Chester asked the crowd, who promptly went nuts, nearly drowning out the intro to the remix of High Voltage.

The venue was small. The owner of the club was a friend of Rob’s dad and agreed to host the band occasionally when they were home. Gratis. Mingling among the club’s usual patrons – mostly people in their later 20s that had jobs they loved to hate – were teenagers and the younger half of the 20-something set. Sophie, Margie, and Samantha sat at a small table set off to one side where they could see the stage but were out of the way of the moshing crowd.

At the end of the song Margie excused herself, giving Samantha the chance she had wanted all night to talk to Sophie.

“So how are you?” Samantha asked, leaning in close to be heard above the crowd and Joe’s scratching as they went into a brief intermission.

“Overall, not too bad. The big deal right now is trying to figure out a way to tell Mike. I can’t hide this forever. If I even am. I can’t get in to a doctor until March something.”

“Just be honest with him. You have nothing to lose.”

“That’s right. You listen to her,” Chester said, coming up to the table. “What are we talking about?” He bent over to kiss his wife.

“Get a room!” Phoenix called to Chester from across the room.

“It doesn’t concern you,” Samantha replied. Chester pouted.

“What’s the matter with Ches?” Brad asked, coming over to the table, his infamous earphones around his neck.

“Sam’s being a meanie!” Chester replied.

“I see,” Brad replied, sensing Chester’s exaggeration.

“Hey Ches, why don’t you go get me a beer? And get one for yourself, on me,” Sophie said, sliding a few bills across the table. Samantha’s eyes took on a look of alarm. Chester, forgetting his troubles, got up and practically skipped over to the bar.

“Brad, go with him. Make sure he doesn’t get hurt,” Samantha said. As an afterthought, she added, “Or anyone else.”

Brad nodded and hurried after his spastic friend.

“Sophie!” Samantha scolded when Brad was out of earshot.

“You can have it. I just didn’t need them asking questions,” Sophie replied, glancing over to the bar where the guys were. Her eyes met Mike’s and they exchanged smiles.

4 – February 10

“Where are we going again?” Sophie asked, shifting uneasily in her seat.

“Road trip,” was all Joe said, a devilish grin on his face, Remy clearly in control.

“C’mon guys! Where?”

“You’ll  see,” Rob replied, giving the other guys a conspiratorial look.

“Are you feeling alright?” Mike asked in a low voice, massaging the back of Sophie’s neck subconsciously with one hand.

“Yeah. Great,” Sophie replied, gazing out at the quickly passing scenery.

“You just look tired.” He leaned over and kissed her temple.

“I am, but I’m okay, really,” she answered, smiling for proof.

“Aight Soph, blindfold time!” Phoenix said suddenly, leaning forward and tying a scarf around her head.

“What? Why?” Sophie protested.

“So the surprise stays a surprise,” Chester said, his grin as devilish – if not more so – than Joe’s earlier.

“I don’t like this,” Sophie complained.

“Tough!” Chester shot back.

Joe’s Denali slowed and left the interstate and eventually rolled to a stop outside their destination. Mike helped her out of the vehicle and led her along. She heard at least two of the guys run ahead and just as she was beginning to worry, they stopped.

“We’re in a crowd?” Sophie asked.

“Sorta,” Mike replied, getting eager to take her blindfold off.

“I smell fried dough. Where are we?”

“Think she’s suffered enough?” Brad asked, glancing at each of his band mates for approval to take off her blindfold.

“I know I do!” Sophie said.

“Do it! Do it!” Chester said, bouncing around.

Brad untied the scarf and let Sophie take in her surroundings.

“Disneyland?” she asked, confused.

“Let’s go! Let’s go!” Joe urged, taking Sophie’s hands and pulling her toward the attractions like an anxious little kid. The other guys laughed and followed.

***

“It looks too high. You guys go ahead. I’ll wait here,” Sophie lied, taking a step backward.

“Fine,” Chester said, running to get in line. “You guys comin’ or not?”

All but Mike followed him.

“Why don’t you want to ride?” he asked, taking Sophie aside.

“I just don’t feel like it,” she replied, looking out of the corner of her eye at the list of conditions a person could have that should go on the ride. Pregnancy was near the top of the list, beat out by heart conditions.

“Are you sure everything’s alright?” he asked, slipping his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him.

“I’m fine.” She gave him her most fantastic smile.

***

All day long, Sophie did her best to not get on any rides faster than a ferris wheel. The guys gave up trying to get her to join them and let her do as she pleased. She readily snarfed down whatever snacks she was presented with, and beamed with delight when Phoenix won her a stuffed Pooh.

On the way home, she and Mike stretched out in the back, Sophie cuddled up in Mike’s arms. Joe drove and Rob slept shotgun, his feet up on the dash. Chester and Phoenix discussed the pros and cons of amusement park booze, and Brad listened to them, amused, throwing in his two cents when necessary.

“Have fun today?” Mike asked I n a low voice, twisting strands of Sophie’s hair around his fingers.

“Yeah,” she replied, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Never a dull moment with you guys.” Her voice sounded far away.

5 – February 11

“You went where?” Samantha asked the next day. She and Sophie met for lunch and Mike and Chester were going to join them shortly.

“It’s aight. I didn’t do anything stupid,” Sophie replied, feeling a slight twinge of guilt at having gone at all, even though they had surprised her with the trip.

“So you haven’t told him yet,” Samantha said, getting right to the point.

“I will. It’s just not easy to find a tactful way to turn someone’s life upside down. It’s not like Hallmark has the appropriate greeting card for this,” Sophie said, picking at her salad. She chased a cherry tomato around the dish and smirked triumphantly when she finally pinned it down with her fork.

“Just promise me you will tell him.” The look on Samantha’s face was stern.

It instantly changed when she spotted Chester and Mike coming around the corner. Chester ran the rest of the way to the table, bear hugged his wife and patted Sophie on the head before he took the empty chair next to Samantha. Mike smiled at his band mate’s wife and kissed Sophie’s forehead. A waiter, seeing the additions to the table, came over and presented them with menus. They ordered quickly and the waited disappeared.

Chester was fidgeting in his chair, clearly excited about something. Mike had a silly grin on his face.

“What’s up guys?” Sophie asked, sensing imminent news.

“We’re going on a mini tour!” Chester answered, nearly shouting.

“What?” Samantha asked, giving a quick glance to Sophie.

“It’s just a quick romp around the country. Two months at most,” Mike said casually. He looked at Sophie, smiling. :you can come with us, make a special section for our site”

Sophie’s throat went dry. She quickly thought of an excuse. “I have to stick around here. Interscope has a band they want me to meet.” It wasn’t a total lie; there was a band at Interscope that had put in a bid for WebLoser to design their site. But she was sure they were losing the bid to an upstart from Sacramento, so she wasn’t pursuing it whole-heartedly.

“Too bad, we could’ve had a bus to ourselves,” Mike said, feigning a pout, understanding her commitment to her business.

***

Sophie stood in the bedroom of her apartment, the walls of which had become a small shrine to Linkin Park. She stood in front of her favorite poster and rehearsed how she would tell Mike she was carrying his child. Nothing sounded right. Well, I’ll definitely have to tell him when he comes home from this tour, she reasoned. I’ll be showing by then.

Sophie picked up one of the small pillows on her bed, arranged it under her shirt, and studied herself in the full length mirror. In a matter of weeks this would be real. Mike doesn’t need this, she thought, resting her hand on her exaggerated middle. The band is doing so well. I know they want to do Family Values in the fall and Mike won’t do it because I’m due near the end of the tour. He won’t give his all because he’ll be worried about me and I can’t go with him because WebLoser is taking off so well. She put the pillow back on the bed.

She wandered toward the kitchen but stopped in the hall when she remembered there was no food to be had in the apartment since she spent most of her time at Mike’s. Sophie sat on the floor, against the wall, and hugged her knees.

***

“What is all this?” Mike asked when he entered her apartment later that evening. Sophie had pushed the furniture out of the way and spread out a blanket, set for dinner for two. All around the room were lit candles and soft music drifted from her stereo.

"It’s called your birthday dinner,” Sophie said, kissing him. Mike swept her up in his arms and carried her over to the blanket.

While they ate, Mike filled her in on the details of their upcoming tour, the venues they were playing at, and the rotating roster of opening acts.

“I really think you should come with us. Sam’s been out with us before and she didn’t think it was rough living at all,” Mike coaxed.

“I just have a lot going on here. Between trying to woo that band at Interscope and taking care of TAP and trying to get anyone in Animus to come in to help us revamp their site, I just can’t afford to take that time off right now.”

“Bet you never thought WebLoser would be this busy six months ago, huh?” Mike said, feeding Sophie a forkful of chicken parm.

She shook her head while she swallowed. “It’s bigger beyond my wildest dreams. And you’ll never believe this: we’re actually getting walls and carpet!”

Mike smiled, remembering his first visit to the offices. The floor plan was wide open, and the tile floors looked very worn. All of WebLoser’s employees had made makeshift walls out of whatever they could find – boxes, mobile corkboards, bookshelves, and Sophie’s quick fix, ficus trees.

“Maybe Chester won’t flip out every time he comes in once we get the place more organized,” Sophie giggled, remembering how crazy he had been over the untidiness of her workspace.

“Speaking of flipping out, you seem really on edge lately. Is WebLoser bothering you that badly?” Mike asked, concerned.

Sophie’s internal panic alarm went off. Convenient set up, Shinoda, she thought. “Actually,” she began. Mike sat up and leaned closer to her. His dark eyes were so warm and trusting, radiating love and support. It’s not hard, Soph, she thought as she tried to organize what she wanted to say.  Just say, “Mike, I’m pregnant.” See? Not complicated at all. And he won’t flip out a tenth as much as you have lately, cuz Mike is an intelligent and responsible guy. She sighed.

“Soph?” Mike asked, getting concerned. It must be something big if it’s taking her this long to tell me, he thought, trying to read her face. She’s not looking at me. Uh oh.

“It’s nothing,” Sophie finally said. “I’m just really overworked, but can’t slow down until my obligations are met.” Way to go Sophie, she thought. What in the world is keeping me from telling him?

***

Sophie stared at the ceiling in Mike’s bedroom.

It was some time in the early morning hours, she wasn’t sure; the alarm clock was on the opposite night stand and hidden by Mike. He was sleeping blissfully, unaware of Sophie’s insomnia and preoccupation. She had watched him sleep for a long while and eventually grew tired of it. Her mind was restless.

How am I going to tell him? she wondered for the billionth time. He’s so sure things are finally calming down for us and I really hate to be the one to upset that.
She lightly put a hand on her middle and sighed.

6 – March 18

“Hey babe! How’s everything? Joe behaving himself? Ches staying fully clothed?”

“Peachy great, sweetie. Joe’s kept Remy and whoever else he’s got in that head of his in check. Ches has… well…” Mike paused for effect.

“Naked often?” Sophie guessed.

“Yes, but not a lot by his standards.”

They both laughed.

“So what’s good in L.A.?” Mike asked, kicking off his shoes and leaning against the head board of his bed in the room he shared with Joe.

“Good question,” Sophie laughed. “Actually, things are coming up daisies for WebLoser.”

“Don’t you mean roses?”

“I like to be different.”

“I see. Go on.”

“That Interscope band fell through, but we got an even better gig.”

“Gig?”

“Just follow me, huh?”

“Fair enough.”

“So I’m sitting at my desk, writing a letter to MCA to woo them into letting us do sites for some of their bands…”

“Woo?”

“Yes, woo. Quit interrupting.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s aight. Anyway, I get a call from some Trevor who says he’s with the promoters for Family Values and they want WebLoser to design the site for this year’s tour!”

“No way!” Mike was ecstatic. Now he wouldn’t have to figure out a way to get Sophie to come on tour with them; she would already be there.

***

“When?!”

Sophie was stunned. Her doctor had predicted had mid-October due date – right as the tour would be starting to wind down. Her thoughts from the day she tried on a pillow in her bedroom came back to her and she couldn’t figure out what she was thinking to accept the Family Values project.

You were thinking that maybe the guys wouldn’t do it or Mike would know or you’d find a way to tell him and you’d be okay, she thought.

October 12th was the date the doctor predicted. Yes, it’s okay for her to travel but to stay closer to home in the 3rd trimester. Congratulations and good luck.
Yeah, right, Sophie thought, leaving the doctor’s office. I’ll need it to tell Mike.

***

“All these words they make no sense. I found bliss in ignorance.” Chester’s voice filled Sophie’s ears as she walked along the beach. She switched her discman from on hand to the other and sat down to watch the other people strolling by. A young couple and their child, about 2 years old, walked by and Sophie smiled. In a couple years that could be her and Mike. Not if I don’t tell him, she thought. The little boy, who was a shorter version of his father, picked up a shell and ran with it back to his parents.

“Well kid, it’s just you and me for now,” Sophie whispered to her tummy when the family was out of earshot. “Daddy will know about you soon enough. I won’t let you down.”

***

“Sophie!” Samantha exclaimed upon finding out Mike was in the dark.

“I have my reasons,” Sophie said, frowning.

“What are you so afraid of? That he’ll step up and take care of his kid?”

Sophie’s frown deepened.

“Can I at least tell Chester? I hate keeping things from him.”

Sophie consented.

***

“Come again? Chester asked, not sure he had heard right.

“Would you lower your voice? Soph was adamant that she be the one to tell Mike.”

“Wow,” was all Chester could think of to say. Two of his friends were going to be parents. How long has she known, he asked. About a month and a half. Why hasn’t she told Mike yet? Samantha didn’t know; Sophie kept making excuses.

“Ches, you absolutely cannot tell anyone about this, okay? Not Rob, not Brad, Dave, Joe, and certainly not Mike. Let Sophie deal with this,” Samantha cautioned.

***

“So I suppose you’re gonna try to make me tell him, too,” Sophie said.

“I’ll do nothing of the sort. But you should. Mike loves you. It’s amazing how he can’t shut up about you.” Chester replied, pacing around the hall outside his hotel room.

“Where is he now?” Sophie asked.

“Fiddling around with one of Brad’s guitars. He told me to say he’ll call you after the show tonight.”

“Do not tell him anything, Ches. Please.”

7 – March 30

“I miss you. When will ya be home?” Sophie asked, reclined on Mike’s couch. She pushed the buttons of the tv remote that was easily balanced on her expanding belly. She was still small since this was her first pregnancy. No one at WebLoser suspected she was pregnant. She silently blessed her baggy wardrobe every day. In fact, one of her employees had complimented just a day or two ago on how good she looked. It’s that glow, she thought, remembering.

“Three weeks. Out last show is a homecoming, so I’ll be able to come home to you after,” Mike said, beaming at the notion.

Sophie got a sinking feeling but it didn’t show in her voice. “Fantastic!” She had three weeks to think of a reason to sleep in her own apartment.

***

“Hey L.A.! We’re ho-ome!” Chester screamed into his mic as the band launched into One Step Closer.

Sophie smiled from her spot at the edge of the stage, but away from the dangers of the moshing crowd. It paid to be the girlfriend of one of the emcees. Brad looked in her direction and smiled. She waved and blew him a kiss.

Samantha was with Sophie at the side of the stage. They sang along with the songs, all long-familiar to them.

When the show ended, the guys went into the crowd to met and greet their adoring fans.

“Great show, Hahn,” Sophie said, pulling Joe aside as he passed.

“Hahn? Who is that?” Joe replied, clearly in full Remy mode. He smiled impishly and headed toward an unsuspecting group of fans.

“Don’t lie to them, Joe!” Samantha called after him, knowing she said it in vain.

***

Sophie managed to hug Mike without letting her middle touch him. She repeated this with the other guys as well. No one suspected anything. When no one was looking, Chester quietly asked to put a hand on her tummy. She permitted it briefly.

The guys gathered up their things off the tour bus and loaded up two vans that were nearby, hired to bring Linkin Park home. Sophie helped Mike bring his things into his apartment when their van dropped them off.

Mike tossed what he was carrying in the general direction of the couch and went to grab Sophie. She deftly dropped what was in her hands and intercepted his hands so that he wouldn’t discover her secret. Mike made no motion to show he thought her actions were shady or unusual. He kissed her a long while.

“I missed this,” he whispered near her ear. “It’s a good thing you’ll be with us for Family Values.”

Sophie said nothing, worry on her face.

***
“I don’t think we should,” Chester said. The band was discussing the possibility of playing selected dates on the Ozzfest tour. They would join the tour in mid-May and run till mid-June, when they had planned to start work on a new album. “And besides, we’ve done out stint on Ozzfest before, we have our fame; no sense rubbing it in.”

The others were confused at his nonchalant, matter-of-fact manner.

“This would be like our chance to say thank you to the fans,” Brad reasoned.

“Every time we’re on stage we say thank you, Brad,” Phoenix said, building a tower of Starburst candies. Mike stole a strawberry one and Phoenix glared at him. “And we just spent the last two months thanking them. I want a break.”

“But it’s never the same audience,” Mike said, wishing Chester hadn’t made an issue out of it. He saw an opportunity for Sophie to join them on the road. He wanted so badly for her to share this part of his life. She had been distancing herself from him since the band came home and this worried Mike. She spent overtime at WebLoser and had started spending nights alone in her apartment. He hated himself for thinking there could be someone else. He tried not to think about it.

***

“You’re what?” Sophie sighed, not knowing whether the news was good or back luck.

“Ozzfest. We’re doing it,” Chester replied. He tried to read Sophie’s expression but was unable to. “I know you haven’t told him yet. I just can’t figure out why.”

“Aight, look. I didn’t plan this to happen. There are too many good things happening in both our lives. You guys have been offered spots on tours and WebLoser is booming. Having this baby,” this was the first time she ever said that word, especially aloud, “will mess all that up.”

Chester furrowed his brow, trying to understand. “Mike loves you, Soph. We all do. But you gotta understand, this baby won’t be the end of Linkin Park, or the end of WebLoser. Mike won’t leave you and neither will anyone else in the band. If we have to pull off Family Values early, fine. There are always going to be tours. As for designing the Family Values site, bring Kiersten with you so when you do have the baby there will be someone to finish the site that’s known how since the beginning.” The look on Chester’s face was pleading but loving.

Before Sophie could answer, the phone rang. She picked up the extension gratefully. It was Mike. Sophie felt cornered.

“Tell him,” Chester said just loud enough for Mike to hear when he realized who it was.

“Tell me what?” Mike asked.

“Chester says hi,” Sophie replied, wishing to be anywhere else.

“How does he rate? Why can he come over but I can’t?” Mike asked, a little hurt.

“I didn’t invite him and he’s leaving now,” Sophie replied, grabbing Chester by the wrist and dragging him to the door. Before he could protest, Sophie shoved Chester out the door.

***

“What’s wrong?” Brad asked as the bus pulled away.

“It’s nothing,” Mike replied, staring at the table.

“Sophie didn’t show up to say good-bye,” Chester supplied, worry on his face.

“Is everything okay with you two?” Brad inquired.

“I don’t know. She’s been acting strange ever since we got back from that mini tour. She won’t let me touch her, she moved back into her own apartment, I’m not allowed over there anymore,” Mike’s eyes misted over and her fought the stinging in his eyes. He looked at Chester accusingly. “You know something,” he said, glaring. “Tell me, Ches, what the hell is going on?”

***

Mike wasn’t feeling it. The stage lights overheated him and the roar of the adoring fans added to the pressure in his head. But Mike didn’t let the crowd see how awful her felt. He ran around the stage, hit every rhyme with deadly accuracy; no one would ever have suspected he was troubled.

At least no one that wasn’t in the band. Brad noticed Mike stayed on his side of the stage and Joe noted Mike rarely looked at Chester. And Phoenix was certain he saw Mike flinch at the line “I found bliss in ignorance”.

Mike dashed off stage as soon as their set was over. He grabbed his cell phone off the table he left it on in the dressing room and went outside. It seemed ages before she picked up.

“Hey you,” Sophie said brightly, happy to hear his voice.

“How are you?” he asked, putting way too much emphasis on the words.

“Fine,” she replied hesitantly. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, just came off stage,” he replied, justifying to himself that his suspicions where probably all in his head. “Soph, listen. I’m sorry I’ve been so critical or whatever.”

“Huh”

“I guess I just got crazy cuz you’ve put your energy into WebLoser and not me and that’s just dumb of me. You’re so understanding when I have to be on the road or all but move into the studio. You understand that this is what I do and I forget sometimes that WebLoser is still taking off and is just as big in your life as Linkin Park is in mine.”

Sophie was confused. He’s apologizing to me? What the…

“I know the last few months have been crazy with me on the road and your business expanding. When we get off Ozzfest in June we start rehearsals for Family Values.”

“That’s silly. You’ve been on the road already. How much more prepared do you need to be?” Sophie asked.

“Exactly. Let’s go away for a while.”

“Where is all this coming from, Mike?”

“I was thinking during the show and really listening to the words me and Ches were singing and I realized how much I love you, Sophie.” He was near tears. “I’ll never question your motives for working alone again.” He looked up to see Chester watching him. I gotta run but I’ll call at the next venue.” He hung up before Sophie got a chance to question him further. He flashed Chester his trademark grin.

“Everything okay?” Chester asked slowly, curious to the motive behind Mike’s 180 personality change.

“Very good. I finally got my head out of my ass and got my act together,” Mike said, still grinning.

He has no friggin clue, Chester thought as he told Mike he was happy for him. He’s lost his mind, he thought as Mike told Chester what he told Sophie.

8 – May 20

“Hey Joe! Or is this a different personality?” Sophie teased.

“Funny. How are ya?” Joe smirked.

“Never better.”

“Liar. Ches told me.”

“Told you…?” Sophie started to dread what Joe would say.

“About the baby,” he said in hushed tones.

“I see.”

“Congrats! Now tell Mike.” His tone turned serious.

“Ease off, Joe. Where’ she at anyway. He won’t answer his cell.”

“He and Ches and Rob are off wandering around the venue somewhere. There was a note on the table in our dressing room. ‘Gone roaming. Got Mike and Rob with me as witnesses… just in case. Ches’,” Joe read. He and Sophie giggled. Joe got serious again. “So does this mean you’re not coming on Family Values with us?”

“I’m working with Kiersten and Trevor right now on the format. I’m teaching Kiersten all I know and she's going to webmaster the whole thing,” Sophie answered.

Joe frowned. “I don’t get it, Soph. Why won’t you tell Mike?”

“To be honest, I really can’t figure it out. I’ve had, what, a million opportunities to tell him and each time I chickened out. I almost told him on his birthday but bailed at the last second.

“It’s not that I think he’ll leave or will be upset, cuz I know Mike’s not like that. I really couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend. I just…” she trailed off. “We haven’t been together very long. Hell, I’ve barely known him a year now…”

“And now you’re gonna have his kid,” Joe finished for her.

“Exactly. And he’s been so busy – we both have, really. I haven’t even met his family yet!”

“Really?” Joe was shocked. Apparently Mike was unsure of the relationship, since Joe always remembered Mike introducing past girlfriends to his family early in the relationship. “But you’re right; Mike has been out straight since we got back to the States. Maybe we should bow out of Family Values.”

Sophie chuckled. Family Values. How ironic. “You won’t have to back out. When you guys come off Ozzfest I’ll tell him.”

“You promise?” Joe asked. He looked up from his sketch pad when Mike walked in to the dressing room. He nodded hello.

“I swear. I’m just about half way now. I owe it to the baby to tell his or her daddy he or she exists,” Sophie replied, hoping she would stick to her promise.

“That’s my girl!” Joe said, grinning.

***

There was no answer at Sophie’s. He tried his own apartment. Nothing. Mike tossed his cell on a nearby table and sunk into the corner of the couch.

Where is she? he wondered to himself.

“What’s  up, Shinoda?” Rob asked, sitting on the other end of the couch.

“Nothing.”

“Sure?” Rob knew he was lying.

“Yeah. Wanna play Street Fighter?”

As Mike and Rob battled each other, Mike wondered if Sophie was seeing someone else.

***

“How was your doctor’s appointment?” Samantha asked later that evening. She passed the bowl of popcorn over to Sophie.

“Good. We’re a-okay,” Sophie replied.

“And Mike?”

“On Ozzfest for 3 more weeks.”

The silence that followed annoyed them both.

“So tell me more about Junior.” Samantha said, referring to the baby with the nickname she dubbed it several weeks ago.

Sophie laughed and subconsciously put a hand on her very noticeable middle. “Junior’s fine. Right on schedule and no apparent problems. Got a quad marker screen and find out those results soon.”

“Know if it’s a boy or a girl yet, or do you want to know?”

“It doesn’t matter to me so I see no point in finding out.”

“Fair enough.” Samantha had to bite her tongue to keep from reminding Sophie to tell Mike. She was over half way along now and Samantha saw no reason to keep bugging her; if she hadn’t told Mike by now, she never would.

“Ooh! C’mere!” Sophie exclaimed, motioning for Samantha to come closer.

“What’s wrong?” Samantha asked.

Sophie put Samantha’s hand on her middle and they both grinned wildly with excitement.

“Is this the first?”

“Yep. Junior just kicked.”

9 – June 06

Sophie’s desk was a disaster. Ches will hate this, she thought, rummaging for a folder. When she finally found it she kissed it triumphantly.

“Want me to meet you half way?” Margie teased as Sophie made her way over to her assistant’s desk.

“Very funny. This goes with the Animus files. Chris is coming in at two to approve the new layout. Make sure he signs off on the changes this time, huh?” Sophie said.

“Fine, fine. So when does Mike get home?” Margie’s question was innocent.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Just what I said.” She gave Margie an “I don’t want to talk about it” look. “I’ve got work to do.”

Back at her desk, she stared at her computer screen several minutes before she realized Margie had IM-ed her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just have a lot to do, okay Margie?”

“R-i-g-h-t. I know you’re just sitting over there. Kiersten called in sick so I know you’re not working on the Family Values site.”

“Don’t you have work to do?”

“In a minute… look, I know the baby’s Mike’s but he doesn’t know, right?”

Sophie ignore her, sick of having the same conversation over and over.
Margie took Sophie’s silence as a yes.

***

Joe’s conscience bothered him. Tomorrow’s show was the last date they would be on Ozzfest and he knew there would be news for Mike when he got home. And Joe was sworn to keep quiet. As one of Mike’s closest friend he felt he had an obligation to look out for Mike and tell him the truth. At the same time, he felt an obligation to Sophie to keep her confidence. He layed back on the bed in his hotel room and closed his eyes.

Chester walked in from his adjoining room and noticed the look on Joe’s face mirrored how he felt.

“Where’s Mike? Chester asked, scanning the room. It wasn’t all that messy but he internally cringed.

“He and Brad went for food,” Joe replied, not opening his eyes or getting up.

Neither said anything for some moments, both thinking about the same thing and neither wanting to bring it up. Chester broke the silence.

“What do you think is gonna happen?”

“I don’t know. I just hope it all works out.”

“Yeah, exactly.” Chester stopped when he heard a key at the door.

“Food’s here!” Mike called. He was followed into the room by the other guys. He put the two large pizzas on the table by the windows and immediately grabbed a slice before the boxes were mauled.

“PIZZA!” Chester growled, attacking the box and nearly knocking it on the floor.

“Okay, who’s turn was it to feed the Chester? Cuz he’s acting like he hasn’t ate in a long time,” Phoenix said, rummaging in the mini fridge for a soda.

“I don’t know, but I’m not walking him later,” Rob said, ducking as a pillow sailed across the room.

“If he piddles on the bus, I’m holding you responsible,” Phoenix said, pointing his slice of pizza at Rob.

“Don’t point your pizza at me, David.”

“Don’t take that tone with me, Robert.”

“Boys! Please! If you’re gonna act like three year olds, take it outside,” Brad scolded, suppressing a laugh.

“Fine,” Rob said, glaring at Phoenix.

“Yeah, fine,” Phoenix echoed, turning away from Rob.

“Anyway…” Mike said, his voice raised, giggling.

“Right. So, uh, Mike, how’s Sophie?” Joe asked. Chester kicked him, but no one else noticed.

“Fine I guess. She wasn’t home when I last called her, but I know she’s had all kinds of meetings and stuff lately.” Or so she’s telling me, Mike added internally.

“Has anyone checked the site lately? It’s badass! Did you guys see the little things she threw in there for us?” Brad asked.

Mike beamed. “Yeah. I bet the fans think we’ve lost it or something.” He was referring to the hidden links, six total, that brought up a plain white screen that had a funny quote from each of the guys and a goofy-looking picture to illustrate the page.

“Oh c’mon, Mike. They already know we’re a half a bubble off center,” Chester said, giving him a knowing look.

“Just half? Be realistic here. You’re being way too generous,” Phoenix said, leaning back in his chair and sipping on his soda.

The guys laughed at themselves.

“Uh oh, looks like we talked about Sophie too much. Mike looks like a lost puppy,” Joe said.

“I miss her,” Mike said, a far away look in his eyes.

His band mates gave a collective “awww”.

Just then, Joe’s cell rang.

“It’s next to you, Shinoda. Toss it to me.”

When Mike picked it up, he noticed it was Sophie on the other end.

10 – July 01

“Well, that took forever,” Sophie muttered as Samantha led her out to the car. “I’m sorry to ruin your day like this.”

“Don’t be silly! This is what friends are for, right?” Chester said, opening the passenger door of his car and helping Sophie inside. She smiled.

“So?? Tell us!! Everything okay?” Samantha asked.

“We’re fine. Glucose levels are perfect. The doctor said it read like a textbook,” Sophie said. She had gone in for her gestational diabetes test and, since several blood samples were taken, her doctor had suggested that she have someone drive her in case she was woozy after the test was completed.

“Fantastic! So what’s next for you two?” Chester asked from the back seat, referring to Sophie and the baby.

Sophie sighed. “Astronomical weight gain, more aches and pains than I’m willing to comprehend, stretch marks, and possibly Braxton Hicks.”

“What are those?” Chester asked as they came to a stop at a light.

“They feel like contractions, but they’re not. They’re like sound check for the uterus,” Samantha said.

Chester shot her an alarmed look that she caught in the rearview mirror.

“Oh, calm down, fraidy cat,” Samantha said, laughing. “I’ve been reading Sophie’s pregnancy lit.”

“Panic attack adverted,” Chester said, mimicking a computer voice. “Telling Mike today?” he asked in his regular voice.

Before Sophie could answer, Chester’s cell phone rang.

“Hey Ches, where ya at?” Mike asked on the other end.

“In the car, on my way to Sophie’s,” Chester replied, his face contorting into a d’oh! expression at his slip.

“Sophie’s? For real, how do you rate?” Mike asked, becoming frustrated. He had called Sophie the night before and she had refused to see him.

“Is that Mike?” Sophie whispered, turning around as best she could. Chester either ignored her or didn’t hear her.

“I don’t know, Mike. Guess I have the magic touch or something.”

“Excuse me?” Mike asked, incredulous at what his friend has just said.

“It’s just an expression. Geez, lighten up, huh?”

“Is that Mike?” Sophie asked again, this time a little louder. Chester nodded this time.

“Is Sophie with you?” Mike asked, now pacing around his apartment.

“Yeah, want to talk to her?”

“Please.”

“Hey sweetie!” Sophie said brightly.

“How come you’re with Chester today?” Mike’s previous suspicions that Sophie was cheating on him were returning. It hurt twice as much this time to think that she was cheating on him with his married band mate. It didn’t help his suspicions any that he had seen her name on Joe’s cell phone two weeks earlier.

“I had a doctor’s appointment and asked him to drive me is all,” Sophie replied, deciding that she wasn’t entirely lying. She had asked him to drive her. And since I’m planning on telling him the truth anyway, I may as well start now.

“Doctor? Is everything okay?” Mike asked, becoming concerned. He stopped pacing.

“Everything’s fine, Mike. I promise you, I’m fine.”

“When can I see you?”

Sophie glanced at Samantha and she took her hand for comfort. Chester put his hand on top of theirs for added support. They both knew he had asked about seeing her.

***

The conversation had bothered him. A doctor’s appointment? Spending time with Chester? A phone call to Joe?

Mike stood at his small kitchen window without really seeing what was on the other side. They know something I don’t, he thought, agitated. When he had asked Sophie when he could see her, all she said was “soon”. She’s always saying “soon”. Well, when the hell will that be? He shook his head and walked into the living room.

“It’s been months since I’ve seen her,” Mike said into his phone. “I don’t even feel like I have a girlfriend anymore.”

“Well, be real about this, Mike,” Brad counseled. “We had that one tour that lasted two months.”

“Yeah, and were home for almost three weeks after that.” Mike replied, disgusted.

“But then there was Ozzfest,” Brad reminded.

“And we’ve been home for two weeks. I stop by WebLoser and Margie tells me she ‘just stepped out’. I call her apartment and on the rare occasion she is there, I hear either Joe or Chester’s voice in the background. Something’s going on with them, Brad. I just know it.”

“Don’t go rushing to conclusions, Mike. There has to be a logical explanation.”

“Hold on, got another call.” Mike clicked over to the incoming call. “Hello?”

“Hey Mike. Are you busy?” Sophie asked.

“Just talking to Brad.”

“I need to talk to you. Do you want me to call back?”

“No that’s okay. I’ll hang up with him. Just give me a second.” Mike clicked back over to Brad. “Soph’s on the other line,” he said.

“Remember what I said, bro. Just be cool, okay?”

Mike clicked back over to Sophie.

“Hi.”

“Hey babe. I have something to talk to you about. I don’t want you to get mad or anything, so just hear me out, okay?” Sophie prefaced her news.

“I already have an idea.” Mike said, his voice even. He felt numb inside.

“You do?” Sophie was confused.

“I know something’s going on with you and Chester or you and Joe. Hell, it’s probably with both of them, isn’t it?”

“What? No! Mike…” Sophie began.

“Sophie, you know I love you. I love you so much it hurts. But I can’t share you. Especially not with them.”

“What? Mike, just listen to me…”

“You don’t need to explain anything, Sophie. You’ve been seeing them over me. I can’t for the life of me figure out why. So I’m stepping back.”

Sophie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “No, Mike, really. Please, don’t do that.”

“I thought you loved me, Sophie.”

“I do! I do so much. Mike, you’re everything to me. If you’ll just let me explain…”

“You don’t need to,” Mike cut her off again. “I’ll always love you, Sophie Melyssa.”

“Mike…”

“Good-bye, Sophie.”

***

“He what?!” Joe asked, unbelieving.

It was the night before Linkin Park was scheduled to leave for Family Values and Sophie had called him over to spend time with him before he left. She also needed one of her favorite counselors.

“He said, ‘Goody-bye, Sophie,” and hung up,” Sophie sniffed, reaching for another Kleenex.

“What a little rat! Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Joe asked, putting an arm around her.

“You have to put up with him on this tour. I didn’t want to worry you.”

“Soph, I’d worry anyway.” He smoothed down her hair. “Were you going to tell him?” he asked, remembering her promise.

“Yeah. He wouldn’t let me get a word in edge-wise. He was being really irrational. Said that you and me or Chester and me have something going.”

“He thinks you’re cheating on him?” Joe couldn’t believe it. He held Sophie for several minutes. “So what are you going to do now?”

“What is there for me to do? He won’t listen to me. I’m sure you and Ches aren’t going to be his favorite people, so good luck on the tour.”

“You’re not going?” Joe knew there was no point in asking, only for the sake of saying anything.

“Kiersten is.”

“I wish I could make this better.”

“So do I.”

11 – September 02

Family Values was proving to be just what Mike needed. Being out on the road, playing to sold out audiences lifted his spirits, and meeting the fans was always something he enjoyed. It made him forget about Sophie, if even temporarily.

What he couldn’t get away from was Joe and Chester. On the bus and in dressing rooms, Mike kept to himself or would spend time with Brad or with members of the other bands on the tour. When he was forced to spend time with Joe and Chester, Mike put up a convincing façade. Only Chester, Brad, and Joe knew it.

“This is unreal,” Brad said one night. Chester and Joe had decided to fill him in
on what was going down and held a meeting in the hall of the hotel they were staying in, one floor up from where their rooms were to ensure privacy. “So this is fixable. Right?”

“In some perfect universe maybe,” Chester said, tapping his fingers on the wall behind him nervously. “He won’t talk to her.”

“Has she called?” Brad asked.

“His cell, my cell, Chester’s cell, Dave’s. I’m surprised she hasn’t tried you yet,” Joe said, tracing the pattern on the carpet with his shoe.

Recognition crossed Brad’s face. “She did. Two weeks ago. She thought Mike might have had his cell off or something and asked to talk to him. When I told him who it was, Mike said he had somewhere to be and left.” He shook his head.

“So now what?” Chester asked when no one said anything for a while. He looked at Joe and Brad for answers. No one had any.

***

“Are you sure? Are you really sure?” Chester asked, worried.

“Completely fine. It was just Braxton Hicks contractions,” Sophie explained. “Man, those suckers can hurt!”

“Is Sam with you? I don’t want you to be alone.”

“Yes, and Margie’s here too. I’ve got good support here. Of course,” her voice turned sad, “my best support won’t talk to me.”

“He’ll come around. Me and Joe and Brad are working on him.”

“Brad knows now?” Sophie sighed.

“He and Mike are best friends. If anyone can reach Mike, it’s Brad.”

“Do you guys have any time off soon?” Sophie asked, switching the phone from one ear to the other.

“Just a day here and there until the 24th. Then we’re home for a three-day weekend. Why?”

“Do you think you guys can convince Mike to talk to me before then? I really miss my boy.” Sophie did her best to suppress her tears. Stupid pregnancy hormones, she thought.

“We’ll do our best,” Chester assured.

***
“C’mon you guys! Let me go!” Mike protested.

“Not until you hear us out!” Chester replied.

He, Brad, and Joe had locked Mike in their tour manager’s room. Joe had retrieved Mike’s cell phone and turned it off. They had the door barracaded and were prepared to stay in the room all night if necessary.

“What is all this about?” Mike demanded.

Brad sat him down on the end of the bed. The other guys made a semi-circle around him.

What the fuck? Mike thought, feeling frightened and curious all at once.

“We know you’re not talking to Sophie anymore, but for no good reason,” Chester began.

“No good reason? Jesus, Ches! I know she’s got something going on with you,” Mike shouted, pointing at both Chester and Joe.

“And what proof do you have of that?” Joe asked. “What concrete proof do you have?”

Mike was silent, not looking at any of his captors.

“Look, Mike. Sophie wants to talk to you. All she wants is for you to listen to her. She loves you,” Chester said, emphasizing the last word.

“And she wouldn’t keep calling all of us if what she has to say wasn’t important,” Brad added.

Mike looked up. “You three know something. Tell me,” he demanded.

“It’s not our place. You need to hear this from Sophie,” Brad replied.

“Brad’s right, Mike. Just hear her out,” Joe said.

No one said anything for a long time.

“Can I go now?” Mike finally asked.

***

“Oh my god, Mike. Hi,” Sophie said when she answered the phone.

“Hi. Are you busy?” Mike asked, turning his coffee cup in front of him.

“No, no. I’ve got time. What’s up?” Sophie asked, readjusting the pillows under her feet.

“Joe, Ches, and Brad talked to me the other night,” he started. When she didn’t say anything, he continued. “I’m sorry I haven’t been taking your calls.”

Tears slid down Sophie’s face, but the stress didn’t show in her voice. “I really wished you had talked to me, Mike. If it was to get back at me for shutting you out, I’m sorry too.”

Mike watched a tear fall into his coffee and waited until the ripples it made stopped before he answered. “You mean the world to me, Sophie. You are my world.”

Another tear fell into the coffee.

“I’d like to see you. Do you have any days off soon?” Sophie asked, unable to keep her composure.

Don’t cry, baby, Mike thought, hating that he couldn’t be there to comfort her that second. “Not for a few weeks. We have a long weekend coming up on the 24th. Can I see you then?”

“I’m booked up on the 24th. Can you meet me at the Sombrero near WebLoser on the next day?”

“Can’t, visiting my parents.”

“What about Sunday?”

“Sure thing. I gotta get to a sound check so I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Of course,” Sophie answered. “Hey, Mike?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

“I love you more, babe.”

12 – September 24

The Group B strep and pelvic exam turned out fine. Sophie eased her way out of Margie’s Celica and gratefully took her arm as they made their way up the stairs to Sophie’s apartment.

“Are you nervous about seeing Mike?” Margie asked, guiding Sophie to the couch.

“Look at me, Margie! The last time I saw Mike face-to-face was the end of April some time. Five months is a long time, don’tcha think?”

“But weren’t they on Ozzfest for part of that? And now they’re on Family Values…”
Sophie cut her off. “That’s still no excuse for not telling him. I’m due in about four weeks. Four weeks! I’m almost through this pregnancy and the father doesn’t even know. He’s accusing me of cheating on him. With Chester and Joe, no less!” Sophie rubbed her temples. “There’s definitely going to be fireworks when he sees me.”

***

“Renovated? Really?” Mike sounded uneasy.

“Yeah. I went by there yesterday cuz I had a craving for a cheesy quesadilla,” Sophie said. “They won’t be open for another two weeks. Do you want to come here instead?” No witnesses in case he spazzes out, but might be more comfortable for both of us, she thought.

“Sure. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

***

Sophie turned on the shower and took her robe off. Studying her profile in the mirror she decided being pregnant wasn’t so bad. She peered at her protruding belly button and lightly poked it with an amused grin on her face. Bet it’s like a turkey thermometer, she thought. Pops out when it’s ready. She stepped into the shower and readjusted the water temperature. Trust me, kid, she thought as the wet her hair down, I’m not quite ready for ya yet.

Sophie didn’t hear Mike come in.

“Sophie?” he called, the sound of the tv muffling the noise of the shower.

She thought she heard someone call her name, but rationalize it must’ve been the tv she left on.

Mike looked around and as he started down the hall, heard the sound of the shower. Following the sound, he quietly opened the door to the bathroom. He was greeted with steam and the scent of fruit, something he couldn’t place; melon maybe. He stepped lightly inside.

“Hey you…” he began.  The light over the shower cast a silhouette on the shower curtain. “Holy shit!” he exclaimed as Sophie screamed and dropped her bath puff. Mike left the bathroom, went into the living room, and sat on the couch and the remote, accidentally turning the tv off in the process.

“What the hell are you doing?” Sophie yelled, running into the living room in her robe, hair dripping wet.

Mike sputtered, making random gestures and looking from Sophie’s face to her very round middle and back again.

“Great, Mike. Some lyricist. Can’t even get a coherent word out.”

Mike just stared at her, dumbfounded.

“It’s yours, aight? I was gonna tell you, I’ve been trying to tell you, but then you broke up with me and wouldn’t talk to me.”

Mike just sat and stared, no words coming to him.

“I have no problem raising it on my own. You can see he, she, or whatever, whenever ya please. It’s your baby,” Sophie said. She stood in front of him, waiting for a reply.

Without realizing, Mike stood up and gave her a long kiss. It was Sophie’s turn to be confused. He took a step back to get a good look at her.

“May I?” he asked, wanting to touch her belly.

Sophie nodded.

Mike delicately put a hand on her middle, then bent down and kissed it. He stood up and kissed Sophie again.

“Mike, I don’t understand,” Sophie said, still confused.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.

“I tried. Honestly, I really did. I just didn’t know how. And you were on the road so much, and I didn’t want to tell you over the phone. This isn’t exactly something you want to hear on a voicemail or something. ‘Uh, hi, it’s Sophie. Just wanted to tell you I’m pregnant with you child. Call me back’,” she said. She hesitantly touched his cheek. “I wanted to see your face when I told you. But the longer I waited, the more obviously pregnant I got and I got scared.”

God, I’ve missed her, Mike thought. “Of what?”

“I don’t know. Irrational fears I guess. That you’d leave me or something.” She looked away. “And then you did.”

Goddammit, I’m an idiot, Mike berated himself. “I’m so, so sorry, Soph. You’re the last person in the world I want to hurt.” He put his arms around her, not caring that her bathrobe was soaking wet. He laughed when he found it cumbersome to hold her like he use to.

“Yeah, kinda gets in the way, huh?” Sophie laughed. “Not like I can suck it in or anything.”

“When are you due?” Mike finally thought to ask.

“A few weeks.”

“I’ll call Bob and tell him we’re backing out.” Mike said, getting out his cell phone.

“What? No! Don’t back out because of me.”

“Hey, Bob. It’s Mike. Listen, I gotta talk to you about something.”

13 – October 11

“Hey Mike,” Sophie whispered loudly. She propped herself up on her elbows and shook his shoulders lightly.

Mike muttered something incomprehensible.

“Mike!” she was more insistent.

He rolled over. “What’s wrong?” he asked, yawning.

“I can’t sleep,” Sophie said.

“So does that mean I can’t either?”

“I’m sorry sweetie. I just getting sick of this, ya know? I feel like a hippo.”

“Come here,” Mike said, scooting over.

Sophie snuggled up next to him as best she could. Mike put his arms around her.

“Ya know what?” he asked, glancing at the bedside clock. 4:15 a.m.

“What’s that?”

“All the baby’s stuff is at your apartment. I’ll call the guys up in the morning and we’ll move it all over here.”

Sophie smiled, getting drowsy again. “Really? We can move back in here?”

“On one condition,” Mike said, yawning again.

“Anything.”

“You won’t wake me up cuz you can’t sleep anymore.”

***

“I can’t figure out these directions,” Rob said, handing them to Phoenix.

Phoenix scanned them, then looked at the parts that were scattered on Mike’s bedroom floor.

“It’s not looking like the picture yet,” Phoenix commented.

“This shouldn’t be hard. We’re competent adults. How hard should putting a crib together be?” Rob asked, sitting on the end of the bed.

Sophie stood in the doorway and laughed.

“Oh yeah, go ahead. Laugh it up,” Phoenix said, smirking.

Out in the living room, Samantha and Margie were folding baby clothes.

“Look at this, Ches. How adorable!” Samantha cooed, holding up a tiny outfit.

“Don’t get any ideas, Sam. I’m not quite there yet,” Chester said.

“There or not, you can still have an opinion on the adorableness of this outfit, Ches.”

“Unless it’s for my kid, I have no opinion.”

“Remind me not to let you babysit, Ches,” Sophie said, swatting at him with a t-shirt.

“I still can’t believe you don’t want to know if you’re having a boy or a girl. What are you gonna do with all the extra clothes?” Margie asked, admiring an infant-sized sun dress.

“I’m not really sure. I’d save them but I don’t want to take up any storage we might need. I guess I’ll give them to Good Will or something,” Sophie replied.

“Have you decided on names?” Brad asked.

“Not yet,” Sophie answered. She eased herself into the arm chair and tried to put her feet on the coffee table. Joe hopped up to assist her. “Thanks,” she replied, clearly in discomfort.

“Everything okay, Soph?” Mike asked, worried.

“Ever since I couldn’t sleep last night I’ve felt blah,” she replied.

“How blah?” Samantha asked, reaching for one of Sophie’s pregnancy books.

“Blah? What’s ‘blah’?” Brad asked.

“Could it be contractions?” Mike asked, trying to remember where he put his car keys.

Sophie nodded.

“Are they at regular intervals?” Samantha asked.

“Started to be in the last hour or so. It hasn’t been too bad, but now,” she gritted her teeth for a moment, “not so much.”

“I’ll call the doctor,” Mike said. “Ches,” he tossed his keys to Chester, “go start my car. I’m gonna be a daddy soon.”

~ FIN ~