Chapter 26:
I arrived at the hospital and rushed into the emergency room. Zac was sitting there his head in his hands. He looked REALLY bad.
"ZAC!!" I called rushing to his side and brushing his hair away from his face. "Are you ok?"
"Fine" I said groggily.
"Ok" I said picking up on the fact that something was definitely wrong here "What happened?" I asked.
Zac didn't answer.
"Zac!" I said firmly "Tell me!"
"I had a couple of drinks" he finally admitted "Just a few though. Maybe one more then usual"
"Make that 3 and you'll be a little bit closer" Taylor said.
"So you were driving drunk?" I asked angrily.
Zac just nodded.
"Why didn't you stop him?" I turned to Taylor.
"I didn't see how much he drank!" Taylor pointed out "And we had different cars. I had no idea he was drunk! I'm sorry Mary-Kate" He apologized.
"It's not your fault" I finally admitted. I turned to Zac, forcing myself not to yell at him "Come on!" I said dragging him from his seat and out of the hospital. I saw Taylor shoot Zac a sympathetic look. Sympathy was something he'd definitely need now.
I got into the car and turned to Zac not saying anything. He just sulked there.
"I can't believe you did that!" I said angrily "How selfish can you get? Driving drunk!?!" I yelled.
He just winced "I'm sorry" He said quietly.
"Sorry isn't going to heal your arm is it? What if it had been worse?"
He didn't answer so I just started the car and drove back to my apartment.
---Zac---
Yup! She was mad. And I guess with reason. I don't know what I was thinking. I usually never drink, I don't even like to that much. But for some reason tonight I just couldn't stop.
"I'm going to postpone the wedding" she said startling me out of my thoughts.
"What?!" For some reason I couldn't remember the difference between postpone and cancel. "Why?"
"I don't want to get married to a person with a hangover" She said "And by the looks of you now you're going to have a really bad one tomorrow"
"Oh" was all I could manage to say.
~*~
Mary-Kate took me back to her apartment, I kind of got the feeling she didn't trust me anywhere on my own. I didn't really care though, as soon as I got there I passed out on the couch.
---Mary-Kate---
I walked into the lounge the next morning and opened the curtains. Bright light flooded the room.
"Ow!" Zac said covering his eyes with his blanket "Close them! Close them!"
I just walked over to him and snatched the blanket off him "Get up!" I said angrily.
He looked like he was just gonna lie there, but he saw the expression on my face and decided against it.
He got up.
"I have to call everyone about the postponement" I said "And you're going to sit up and listen. Since it's all your fault."
He just nodded looking very scared and very sick.
Chapter 27:
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Ok I think I can say for sure that I've learned my lesson. If I want to Mary-Kate and I's relationship to survive, never get drunk again. There were a few moments when it seemed like she was going to cancel the wedding instead of postponing it. It was the scariest time of my life. And I don't think I'd ever felt that sick.
But that was a week ago. A thing of the past. Right now I couldn't feel happier. I was standing at the front of the church watching as Mary-Kate walked up the aisle. I was wearing the biggest smile in the world and so was she.
---Michael---
Mary-Kate and Zac's wedding was great. They were truly the perfect couple and it was so great they were together.
I just wished Melanie could have been there. Though I knew for a fact that right now she was in the middle of a concert.
Probaby dancing in Malcolm's arms as they did one of their slow songs.
Stop thinking about that!
---Mary-Kate---
Zac and I got back from our honey moon and came home to our 'dreamhome'. Zac was really happy about it but I wasn't. I didn't let it show though, I didn't want to ruin it for him. Besides... fixing the place up can definitely be fun. I smiled as I remembered last night.
We'd finished fixing up the lounge and had been painting it.
"You've got some paint on your nose" Zac informed me.
I swiped at my nose "Is it gone?"
He shook his head "No, it's still there"
I wiped my nose again "Now?"
"Nope" He walked over to me, paintbrush in hand. Before I could stop him he quickly brushed it across my nose. "Got it!" He said.
I touched my nose and my finger was covered with peach paint "Hey!" I said.
He just grinned cheekily and backed off a little. I moved towards him menacingly. On the way I dipped my paint brush into the paint to get it ready.
"Now, Now!" He said backing up "Lets not get violent!"
"Who's talking about violence?" I grinned bouncing the paint brush a little. A few drops of paint splattered on the floor, which was covered with newspapers, and splattered on the wall.
He continued to back up "I don't like the look in your eyes!"
I reached him and wrapped my arms around him from behind. "I love you!" I said resting my head on his shoulder.
He relaxed a little, giving me the chance to quickly wipe the paint brush all through his hair.
"My hair!" He yelped leaping away.
I shrugged "It'll wash out" I said.
He just glared at me "It's not fair!" He said. A light came on in his eyes. "Unless..." He moved towards me and before I could run away he wiped his brush through my hair.
"HEY!" I yelled. I quickly dipped my brush into the paint and flicked the paint at him. He did the same and we continued 'fighting' until we were covered in peach paint. As were the walls and floor.
It was quite a nice effect we decided to keep it that way.
I sighed. I could definitely survive living in this house, if we had more moments like that!
---January came and went. Same with February. And March was suddenly upon them---
Chapter 28:
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---Melanie---
"Michael!" I called happily, waving to him.
"Melanie!" He ran over to me and hugged me tightly "I missed you soo much!"
"I missed you too!" I said.
The tour had felt like forever but now it was finally over. Well sort of.
"So how about seeing a movie tonight?" I asked with a smile.
"I'd love too" Michael said "But Zac and Mary-Kate invited us to dinner at their place. Ashley and Aaron are going to be there too"
"GREAT!" I said happily "I can't wait to see Mary-Kate!" We got my bags and then went outside to his car "So how are they doing?"
"As far as I know they're doing great. Happy newlyweds"
"That's great!" I said happily "And Ashley and Aaron?"
"I don't know. Ashley and I don't really talk that much. I still prefer the Ashley and Josh couple"
"Me too" I admitted sadly.
"He and Amy are doing really well though" He said.
"Oh" I said even more sadly. Of course I was happy for them I just *whining voice* want Ashley and Josh to be together!!!
---Mary-Kate---
"Zac!" I whined "Could you hurry up and get ready! They're going to be here any minute!"
"I'm almost finished!" He said quickly swiping the sandpaper over the windowsill he'd just finished stripping of paint.
"Good" I grumbled, taking another pile of plates to the table.
The door bell rung and I raced to answer it.
---Ashley---
"Hey Mary-Kate!" I said hugging my sister.
"Hey" she said happily. I noticed she looked kind of tired.
"How are you doing?" I asked her?
"Great!" She said putting on a slightly forced smile.
Weird!
***
"So you must be really happy to be back from touring" Zac said to Melanie.
"Yeah I am" She said quietly, playing with her food.
"And you won't have to go on tour again for months" Michael said grinning happily.
"Um,... actually I have some news.." she said quietly.
"What is it?" Michael asked.
"Well,... the first tour was so successful... we're going on tour again."
Michael looked really pale "When exactly?" He asked quietly.
"A week" Melanie said sinking down into her chair a little bit.
"WHAT?!"
Chapter 29:
In all the confusion that followed no one noticed Mary-Kate rush out of the room. No one that is except for me. I was kind of worried about her so after a few moments I got up and followed.
Leaving Aaron and Zac to the joy of listening to Mel and Michael argue.
"Mary-Kate?" I asked knocking on the bathroom door she'd disappeared in to.
"Come in" Came the faint reply.
I opened the door and stepped inside. Mary-Kate was sitting on the floor. Her knees drawn up to her chest and her head resting on her knees.
I closed the door and sat down next to her "What's wrong?" I asked gently touching her shoulder.
"N-Nothing" She said in a shaky voice.
"Come on Mary-Kate. You can tell me" I said using my big sister voice.
She looked up at me and her face was streaked with tears. "I'm...I'm pregnant" she sniffled.
"What? Oh, Mary-Kate! That's great!" I hugged her.
"You.. You think so?" She asked. Her face brightening a little.
"Of course!" I said happily. "Have you told Zac?"
"Not yet"
"Well, why not?" I asked.
"I don't know. I guess I've been kind of scared of his reaction"
"Mary-kate I know Zac. He's from a big family and he adores kids. He'll be happy about it! You two did decide to have kids anyway didn't you?" I asked.
"Yeah" She said.
"Don't worry Mary-kate. He'll be happy" I encouraged
She nodded and sniffed a little "You're right" She decided, brushing away her tears.
I smiled
"I guess I'm kind of scared too" She admitted.
"It'll be ok" I said. "I'll be here for you any time you need me" I said happily.
She smiled "Thanks Ashley. You've really helped. And I'll tell Zac as soon as I get the chance"
That chance came sooner then she'd expected. Cause just then there was a knock at the door
"Mary-kate?" Zac's concerned voice asked.
"Yeah" She said "I'm in here"
I gave her a quick hug then opened the door. I smiled at Zac then slipped past him, leaving them alone. I shivered with happiness as I walked into the other room.
I was going to be an Aunt!
Not even the angry scene I came upon could wreck my good mood.
Chapter 30:
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"I'm sorry, Aaron, Ashley" I said to them "We have to go. Could you explain to Zac and Mary-Kate?" I asked. The two had vanished off somewhere.
Ashley nodded and I got up from the table. "Come on" I said to Melanie taking her arm.
She got up reluctantly and we walked out to the car.
"I can't believe you're leaving again" I said starting the car.
"I'm sorry" She apologized "But I can't do anything about it!"
"Of course you can! Just say no!"
"It's not that simple!"
"They can't tour without you! They'll just have to cancel. I'm sure everyone else would like a break. And what's a month going to do?"
"Affect sales majorly!" She said starting to get angry.
"What's more important to you? Album sales or me?"
"You know the answer to that" She said "Your more important to me! Hands down decision!" She insisted.
I pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to her. I took both her hands in mine and looked her straight in the eye "Then stay!" I insisted quietly.
For a moment she looked like she might consider it then she shook her head "I can't Michael. I'm sorry!" She looked like she was going to cry.
I felt anger coursing through my veins and I felt like breaking something. And that's what I did. I broke something irreplacable "I think we should break up" I said quietly.
"What?! No!" She insisted tears streaming down her face.
I just looked ahead "It's the best thing" I said.
"No it's not!" She put a hand on my shoulder but I shook it off "Please Michael! Don't do this!" She begged.
I didn't answer and the car was filled with silence, only interrupted by her quietly sobbing.
"Fine" She finally said.
She leaned over to me and I turned to face her wondering what she was doing. The question was soon answered as she gently pressed her lips against mine. I knew what this was and it made me feel like crying.
Our good-bye kiss.
I gently kissed her back, running my fingers through her long hair, one last time. The kiss ended too soon and I found myself second guessing my decision. But it was too late now. My pride wouldn't allow me to take it back. My lips felt cold as she stepped out of the car and walked away and out of my life.
And at that moment my entire world fell apart.
---Zac---
"Mary-Kate, what's wrong?" I asked walking into the bathroom and sitting down next to her.
She was outlining the tiles on the floor with her finger.
"Mary-Kate?" I asked again, gently taking her hand.
She glanced up at me and I realized she looked like a timid animal hiding.
"Oh Mary-Kate what's the matter?" I asked softly drawing her into my arms.
"I'm fine" She sniffled then pulled back a little so she could look in my eyes. "I've got some news" She said. She took a deep breath "We're going to have a baby."
At first I was just totally in shock. And then, though I hate to admit it, I was kind of upset. I'd had Mary-Kate to myself for a small two months. And now I'd have to share her with someone else. Then I remembered my little brother and sisters and how much I loved them and how great kids were. And I couldn/t contain my joy. I couldn't say anything either I just pulled her back into my arms again and hugged her tightly "I love you" I finally managed to say.
"I love you too" She said crying with happiness.