Unsung Heroes

The next five days at the apartment were pure torture. I had a hard time sleeping without Ash – I love Killer and Tokyo, but they weren’t the same.
On the Saturday following leaving Warped Tour, I woke up feeling sick. My stomach felt like it was churning, so I decided to make some tea and go back to bed. When I left my room, though, I saw that Maya was in the kitchen, cooking… something. Whatever it was, it must have been meat, because as soon as I smelled it, I felt my gag reflex kick in, and I clamped a hand over my mouth as I turned and ran to the bathroom, dropping in front of the toilet and spilling my guts into the bowl.
“Indy?” Maya appeared in the doorway. “Are you sick?”
I spat into the toilet and flushed. “Maybe. Whatever it is, you’re cooking made me throw up, so I’m going to stay in here until the smell goes away.”
Maya’s eyes widened. “Should I open the windows in the living room?”
I nodded weakly and stood on shaky legs so that I could rinse my mouth out with water and then brush my teeth.
“Yeah, and shut the door, please.”
When Maya shut the door, I sat down on the edge of the bathtub and put my head on my knees.
What could have made me sick? Maybe being on Warped Tour with everyone’s grossness for so long gave me some sort of illness, or something, and it didn’t hit me until now.
There was a knock on the door. “Indy, the windows are open and I turned on the vents. It doesn’t smell like turkey bacon, anymore.”
“Okay,” I called. Slipping quickly from the bathroom, I ran back into my room and shut the door, quickly opening my window and then throwing myself onto the bed face down, moaning as my stomach made contact with the mattress.
There was a soft knock on the door and then it opened slightly.
“Indy, would you like me to call into your work and tell them you’re home sick?” Maya’s voice was soft like she thought loud sounds made my ears hurt.
“No, I’ll be okay,” I groaned. “As long as I don’t smell cooking meat, it’ll be fine.”

Turns out, it was as NOT okay as it could possibly get. The store itself wasn’t too bad, but I couldn’t go into the break room because there were people in there with all kinds of takeout, including a variety of meat. I just went out to a nearby Veggie Grille to avoid using the break room for lunch. When I needed to use the bathroom I plugged my nose and ran through the break room to the single-stall bathroom.
By the time my shift ended, I was ready to get the hell out. Thank God my Saturday shifts end earlier than my weekday ones.
When I got home, I could smell more meat cooking through the fucking door! Covering my nose and mouth, I ran through the apartment and into my room.
“Indy?” Maya called.
“Maya, the smell of cooked meat is making me sick, can you not do that right now?!”
“I’m sorry, Indy, I thought you were going to be home later, so I was going to make my food now and air the kitchen out!”
“Yeah, well, I think it’s gonna make me throw up, so PLEASE do something about it?”
“Sure, Indy.”
I heard her walk away and then I heard the heavy sliding noise of several windows opening in the house. Taking a chance, I left the room quietly, plugging my nose, and I went into the kitchen. Maya had turned on the vent on the microwave that sat above my stove, and was fanning whatever it was she was cooking in a saucepan.
“What are you making, anyway?”
“Lean beef and barley soup. I was hungry but didn’t want anything that heavy, so I figured soup was a good option. I’ll replace the ingredients I used.”
I waved my free hand at her. “Don’t worry about it. If anything, I might just go vegetarian with the way meat has been smelling to me all day.”
Maya’s head shot up, suddenly, and she looked VERY scared. “Meat’s been smelling gross to you all day?”
I nodded. “Yeah, and I’m a meat eater so I’ve been kind of worried all day.”
She nodded slowly. “Yeah, you should be. Indy, you do know what that’s a symptom of, right?”
I raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Food poisoning?”
Maya snorted. “Indy, if it was food poisoning, you’d be on the ground, in pain, not able to move, and you’d be either throwing up or shitting yourself uncontrollably.”
My eyes widened. “Okay then…”
“Indy, the smell of meat cooking making you nauseous is an early symptom of pregnancy.”

Two hours later, after a sudden panic attack, I was sitting on the couch, a cup of hot tea in my hands and a throw blanket around my shoulders. Killer and Tokyo were on my legs, looking at me with confusion. Tokyo moved to my side and curled up into a puffball.
Maya left twenty minutes ago to get me a pregnancy test. She sat with me until the panic attack past, and instead of getting me a drink, just in case, she made me hot tea and then pulled me onto the couch, telling me not to move until she got back.
I was still reeling from the idea of actually being pregnant. How ironic that it happened right around the time when Ash asked me about kids. It almost felt like he had some sort of premonition that I could possibly be pregnant.
Setting the tea on the coffee table, I clasped my hands together and looked down at them.
I could be pregnant. At this moment, there could be another life growing inside of me, and not just any life – one created by Ashley and me. That thought was… daunting, to say the least. Ash and I could have conceived and we didn’t even live together! Well, at least we were happy, and we knew that we both wanted kids. But what would I do with Ash on tour all the time? I couldn’t raise a kid on my own. I had work to do, and Ash promised me that he would be the dad the baby needed. I set my hands on my lower stomach, almost like I was cradling my stomach. I hoped Maya got here soon, I had had several cups of tea, by this point, and my bladder felt like it was going to explode.
The door opened, suddenly, startling me and my hands flew off my stomach as Maya walked in, holing a Target bag in one hand and her purse in the other. She took off her sunglasses, and looked at me, and then Angel burst in behind her, looking worried.
I looked at Maya like “what the hell, you called Angel?”
Maya held her hand with the Target bag up in self-defense. “Hey, she was in Target and saw me get the tests and pestered me until I let her come.”
Angel looked at me seriously. “If you have a Purdy baby in there, I wanna fucking know about it!” She looked at the Target bag. “Why the fuck did you get so many tests?”
“Well, I didn’t know which one to get, so I got several different kinds just to make sure. The cashier looked at me like I was crazy and I told her that my wife and I didn’t know if we were expecting or not.” She laughed and walked over.
Rolling my eyes, I stood, crossing my legs slightly and I held out my hand for the tests. She just handed me the bag, so I took it and went into the bathroom, Maya and Angel close behind me.
I took out four different tests, including one of those ClearBlue ones, one were you pee in a cup and put dye in it, and two other pee sticks.
“Eh, might as well do all of them,” I said shrugging and unpacking them all.
“Are you just gonna pee in the cup and stick the sticks into them?” Angel said.
I nodded and took the cup from the dye one.
“Girls, let me pee in private, and then I’ll let you guys back in.”
They looked reluctant, but stepped back enough for me to shut the door. Locking it, I unbuttoned my pants; I grabbed the pee cup and moved quickly over to the toilet. Sitting down, I grabbed the box just to make sure I was going it correctly.

If you suspect that you may be pregnant, this test has a 99% accuracy!
To do the test correctly, urinate into the cup either halfway or three-quarters of the way. In the second bag in the box is a liquid similar to what is used in the pregnancy test sticks often used. If you are in fact pregnant, the dye will turn your urine blue in five minutes. If not, it will turn your urine pink.

Okay, easy enough. I stuck the cup between my legs and watched the cup fill until it was about halfway full, I stopped and held it to pull the cup out and finished going, unpacking the pee sticks as I did. I uncapped all three and stuck them into the cup quickly and then recapped them and set them aside. I took out the dye and put into the cup. Finishing up and buttoning my pants, I washed my hands and then opened the door. Angel and Maya hadn’t moved.
“Jesus, you guys weren’t listening to me pee, were you?” They didn’t answer me.
I rolled my eyes again and moved to close the toilet lid and then sat down. Maya sat on the ground next to me and Angel leaned against the door.
“How long do we have to wait?” Angel sounded impatient.
I looked at me phone. “About four more minutes.”
Maya groaned. “I hate waiting!”
I scoffed. “You’re telling me, I’m the one who could be pregnant!”
Angel raised an eyebrow. “Indy, when was the last time you had your period?”
I pursed my lips. “Like a month ago? If I was to have it again, it would have started in maybe a couple of days.”
Maya sighed. “Indy, what will you do if they’re positive?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I obviously have to tell Ash, but I want to go to a clinic even if these are negative, because I wanna know why meat is grossing my out like that, and just make sure that I’m actually pregnant or not.”
They nodded in agreement. “Good idea.”
Angel made a squeak noise and pointed at the cup. Whipping my head around, my jaw dropped.
The dye was blue.
I snatched the pee sticks and saw that they all said pregnant or had two lines.
I dropped them and looked at me hands, feeling my face grow hot.
“Oh my god!” Angel and Maya were screaming in excitement and jumping up and down, and then they pulled me up and hugged my tightly between them.
I couldn’t react; I just felt their boobs against my face and them screaming in my ears.
I was pregnant. Oh my God. Oh. My. God. I… I’m gonna be a mom. Ash is going to be a dad!
I instinctively tightened my arms around the girls and held them closer to me.
How do I tell Ash?
The next day I went to the clinic by myself, just to make sure.
The doctor came in, smiling brightly while I sat on the examination table.
“Hello, Indigo, how are we feeling, today?”
I crossed my arms. “I’m alright. Yesterday, I took four pregnancy tests that came out as positive, and I just want to know exactly how far along I am.”
Her smile got bigger when I told her I was pregnant.
“Congratulations, Indigo! Does the father know?”
I shook my head. “No, he’s out of town and he’s very busy and haven’t had the chance to tell him, yet. I want to know how far along I am so that I can tell him when we conceived.”
She nodded. “Okay, that’s fine, and I understand. After we find out would you like to set the next appointment?”
I nodded.
“Okay then, we’re just going to go set up and then get the ultrasound ready.”

After the appointment, I set an appointment for six weeks from that day because I was almost four weeks pregnant, and left carrying photos from the ultrasound that contained the image of a small black dot that was mine and Ash’s baby. She told me that I was due on December 12th. The doctor also gave me a bunch of prenatal vitamins and told me to take them daily so that my body was giving the baby the nutrients it needed. Ash and I conceived one night after a dinner and drinks and then getting busy in a bathroom stall.
I decided to make telling Ash a big deal for the next time I saw him, which was this Friday. If Ash really wanted to have a kid, then he better be fucking prepared for me to make a big deal out of it. I would film the whole thing, take him out to eat somewhere, and surprise him.
I went to an alternative clothing store that sold baby clothes, and bought a baby onesie that said, “My daddy is a rockstar!” The cashier congratulated me on the baby.
I went to Target and bought a black gist bag and silver tissue paper and a card.
When I got back to the house, I saw a giant trash bag outside the door, which was open. Confused, I walked in to see that Angel and Maya were cleaning the apartment. I’m not a slob, I do clean the apartment, but apparently it wasn’t clean enough, because they were getting everything out of every nook and cranny they could find.
“Um, hi?” I set the bag down on the couch.
Angel stood up and saw me, a rag in one hand and lemon pledge in the other. “Hey there, Mama!” She said brightly. “What did the doctor say?”
I went into the kitchen and took a water bottle from the fridge. “Well, I’m obviously pregnant, and apparently I’m about four weeks pregnant. I know when Ash and I conceived, but I’m not going to tell you when that was because I don’t need you two creeping on us.”
“When are you going to tell Ash?” Maya stood up and detached the dusty swifter brush into the trash.
“I’m gonna tell him this weekend. I’m going to surprise him with this.” I took out theonesie I bought and showed it to them.
They both awed. “That’s so cute!” Maya cooed.
“How’re you gonna do it?” Angel took it from me and started to examine it.
“We’ll go out to dinner or something, I’ll wrap it up and give it to him, and film his reaction. Maybe I’ll make it my first YouTube video or something.”
Maya looked at me. “If you’re going to do that, wait until you complete your first trimester and then tell people because you don’t want to miscarry after telling people. Tell Ash, and we only know by coincidence, but tell other people after you’ve finished two more months.”
Nodding in agreement, I took out the prenatal vitamins from my bag and set them on the counter. They all had iron and calcium and potassium and different vitamins in them to keep from accidentally falling short on a necessary vitamin for the baby to grow healthy. The doctor also gave me a list of foods to avoid.

Congratulations on your new baby!
We want to make sure your baby is the healthiest he/she can possibly be, so there are a few foods necessary to avoid while expecting.
There are also some habits you should avoid, and it’s vital you get as much rest as possible and don’t overwork yourself so that you can’t provide for the health of your baby.
The foods that aren’t allowed under any circumstance include:
Hot dogs
Luncheon Meats
Unpasteurized Dairy Foods
The above foods could contain Listeria monocytogenes, which is a bacteria that can cause listeriosis, which can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or other serious health problems. But if they are heated until they are steaming, then they are safe to eat.
Also avoid deli ham or turkey or bologna and salami and other processed meats and seafood.
Refrigerated pates or meat spreads
Refrigerated Smoked seafood – safe when cooked into other foods
Avoid raw milk and dairy products from unpasteurized milk, like Brie, feta, Camambert, Roquefort, blue-veined, queso blanco, queso fresco, and Queso Panela.
Large fish like swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel, contain high amounts of mercury, which can cause damage to the baby’s brain and nervous system.
You may eat up two 12 ounces of weekly seafood low in mercury, which includes salmon (farmed and wild), shrimp, canned light tuna, Pollock, sardines, tilapia, and catfish. Albacore has more mercury than canned light tuna, so it’s recommended you stay away from it, or limit yourself to no more than six ounces. Don’t eat fish caught in lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams.
Raw sprouts – alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts
Bacteria is almost impossible to wash out raw.
Alcohol
Unpasteurized juices like cider
Avoid unfiltered tap water
Caffeine – coffee, some teas, soft drinks, energy drinks, etc.
While you are eating for two, you don’t need to double your calorie intake. At most, add 340 calories.
Activities to avoid:
Amusement park roller coasters
Bicycling
Contact sports
Downhill skiing
Gymnastics
Horseback riding
Post-sport tubs and saunas
Running
Scuba diving
Snowboarding
Surfing
Tennis
Waterskiing
Smoking – increases the baby’s chances for asthma
We do recommend you stay active, but do safe activities like walking and attending a Lamaze class.
We wish you and your baby all the best!

I sighed and went to my fridge and peered in. Thankfully I don’t buy deli meats or processed meats, but I threw out my albacore tuna and the unpasteurized milk and cheese in there. And I threw out all the booze – poor Ash will just have to deal – and I threw out my sodas and coffee beans.
“What are you doing?” Maya said. “That’s wasteful!”
I dropped my feta cheese in the trash. “I know, but I want my baby healthy, and I can’t have this in the house because it will just tempt me to eat it. Oh, and Angel, you’re going to have to give me a ride to work until I get a car of my own, or take Ash’s.”
Angel frowned. “Why don’t you just sell your bike?”
I made a noise of disgust. “Because I love that thing. It’s sexy and it’s love!”
“But Indy, you’re going to be a mom. You’ll have to make sacrifices for your baby.” Angel said.
“I know, that’s why I’m not gonna ride it while I’m pregnant or with the baby. I’ll use Ash’s car.”
At that moment, Tokyo and Killer came bounding out of my room, yipping excitedly.
“Will they be a problem for the baby?”
Maya looked at the dogs warily but picked up Tokyo at the same time that Angel picked up Killer. “If they’re going to be an issue, I can watch them for you.”
I shook my head and sat on the couch. “No, they’ll be fine. I’m not allergic or anything, and plenty of people have had dogs and babies at the same time.”
Angel nodded and set Killer down on the couch next to me. “Alright then. I’m going to go home, now, but let me know if you need anything.” She pointed a finger at me almost in warning.
I held my hands up in defeat. “Okay, Angel, I’ll let you know, but I’m going to be fine. I just need to figure out my next move with Ash, and I have a week to do that.”
Angel smiled and gave over and gave me a careful hug. “I’m so happy for you, Indy. I’m gonna be an aunty!”
Maya grinned from where she stood in the kitchen. “That’s right! We’re gonna be aunties!” She clapped excitedly.
I laughed and pushed Angel off of me. “Alright already, I get it.” I picked up Killer. “Now go home! Maya and I will be fine!”
Angel suddenly looked solemn. “What if Mitch comes snooping around, again?”
Maya’s smile disappeared in a matter of moments. It would be one thing if Mitch came for Maya, but if he found out that I’m pregnant that could mean serious trouble. My stomach fluttered, almost as though the baby could sense my concern, even though currently it was little more than a clump of cells.
“If he comes around, I’m going to lock the door and phone the police,” I told them seriously. ‘”I don’t need him here causing more trouble.”

The following week was harder than I thought. I talked to Ash every day and skyped him as often as possible. But it was difficult not to just tell him, and now I was five weeks pregnant. My stomach hadn’t grown or anything, but there was a small hard bump between my pelvic bones. I stopped wearing really tight skinny jeans and opted more to wear sweats, instead, or jeans that weren’t so tight.
I told Barb on Monday that I was pregnant. She was excited for me, and then she started to ask me all sorts of questions about maternity leave and breaks and stuff. I told her I could still work, but that I would need to take more frequent breaks so that I wouldn’t overwork myself.
I started taking the prenatal vitamins and eating differently on the same day, which started to make a difference almost immediately. I guess I was one of those few lucky women who didn’t get morning sickness, but I did feel nauseous and tired every now and then, and the smell of certain foods made me puke.

By the time Friday rolled around, I’d packed the onesie into the bag with the card that held the ultrasound pictures with the words: Coming December 12th – you better be fucking ready Daddy!
When Maya and I got back to the tour – which was now in Colorado – we took a taxi by ourselves. When we pulled up to the front, we could see Jinxx and Ash waiting outside. There were fans around them filming, giving them about twenty feet of space. When we pulled up, Ash pointed at us and their smiles grew huge.
When the taxi stopped, Ash flew towards us. I was on the side of the cab facing the sidewalk, and Ash yanked the door open and tried to pull me out. I stepped out faster than that and let him pull me into a hug, but was careful to keep my stomach away from him.
Jinxx moved around us to Maya who climbed out and he pulled her into a back-breaking hug.
“Oh my fucking GOD I missed you!” He said into my hair. I breathed deeply into his shoulder, taking in his unique scent of cologne, sweat, and heat.
“I missed you too,” I whispered, tightening my arms around his neck.
“Ma’am, what should I do with your bag?” I let go enough to turn and see that the cab driver had set our suitcases out on the sidewalk.
“That’s fine, we’ll take them from there.” I was told not to do a lot of heavy lifting, so I was going to act like my bag was too heavy so Ash would carry it.
Ash seemed to be ahead of the game, moving to take all but my backpack, which I picked up.
When I put my bag over my shoulder, Ash took my hand with his free one, and then looked at me funny, like he was trying to figure me out. He used to do that a lot when we first started dating.
“What?” I feigned innocence.
“I don’t know… you look… I don’t know… different, somehow.” He was studying me like he didn’t know what to expect.
I shrugged. “I don’t know; nothing’s different.” And that’s the biggest lie I’ve ever told to anyone ever.
I couldn’t wait to tell Ash the big news. I guess it’s the moment of truth, and we’ll find out if Ash is truly okay with the idea of having babies.

Notes

dun dun duuunnn :)

Haha I'm pretty sure it was pretty obvious where i was going with this :)
Either way, here it is! Let's hope Ash is as happy about it as Indy hopes he is.

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