| Chris' POV |

Someone knocking heavily on my door was my wakeup call the next morning. I fell asleep waiting on Ricky to reply to my text, which he never did. This early, I knew it had to be one of the guys, so I didn't bother with a shirt. I opened the door to see Devin standing there with a mug of coffee.

"Hey, you getting ready to leave?" I sleepily asked.

"Yep." He responded. "I just came to get Ricky's things."

That woke me up. "What? Is he going back to PA with you guys?"

Devin shrugged. "Ryan said not to ask questions, so I didn't. I take it you two had a fight."

"Yeah, and I take it he's still mad. Come one in. I'll get his suitcase together for you." I held the door open and he stepped inside. He took a seat on the bed as I continued, "I heard from Shiloh last night."

He visibly tightened his grip on his coffee. There was obviously still a lot of distress where that area was concerned. "And how is he?"

"He really misses you, and he wanted me to make sure you know, he still loves you more than anything. He said he should be coming home soon, he thinks."

"I'm not sure I want him back." He scoffed.

"Devin, he's your husband. He raised your daughter for four years. I'd think you'd be happy to have him back."

"You just don't get it, Chris. How would you feel if Ricky just one day packed his bags and got up and left? And one of your friends knew where he was, but wouldn't tell you?"

"What do you think is happening right now?" I sneered, throwing one of Ricky's shirts into the suitcase. "The only difference is, I'm packing his bags for him! That's how pathetic I've gotten! But I'm letting him go, because that's the whole thing with love. When you love someone, you support their decisions. No matter how stupid they may seem."

"Love? If he loved me, he wouldn't have left me. He wouldn't have left Bella. In my eyes, love is about being there, no matter what. And yeah, part of that is supporting their decisions, but sometimes you also have to be the one to tell them when they're being a dumbass."

"Well, in that case, Devin, you're being a dumbass." I snapped. "You know I love you like a brother, and that's the only reason I say that. Just please be patient, and don't forget that Shiloh loves you. He's doing what he's doing because he loves you and Bella." I zipped up Ricky's suitcase and set it on the ground. "Please tell Ricky I love him."

He sighed and grabbed it. "Next time you talk to Shiloh, tell him... I do miss him, and I am bleeding without him, and... I love him."

~~~

| Ricky's POV |

"When does your flight leave?" Ryan asked me as we just got done going through security at the airport.

"In a half hour." I told him. "Yours?"

"An hour. Let me walk you to your gate. I've got time to kill." He laughed.

"Okay, we'll meet you at our terminal." Balz said. "I'm going to go take the ladies for some lunch."

"Did you just call me a woman?" Devin scoffed.

He snickered. "I might've."

Ryan-Ashley laughed. "You're the one that carries around a tiny dog."

"Babe!"

"What?"

"Don't help him!"

Ryan rolled his eyes. "I'll see you guys in a bit."

"And I'll see you... Probably when we hit the studio next week." I added.

"Don't get yourself in too much trouble." Balz teased me as he hugged me goodbye.

"No promises." I laughed.

Devin pulled me into a really tight hug. "Call if you need anything. Stay safe, and Chris told me tell you, that he loves you. I love you too, you know."

"I know, Dev. Thank you. Let him know, I love him too, but I need to do this for me." I replied.

~~~

My flight to Seattle was boarding in ten minutes. I thankfully have gotten over my fear of flying, but I also haven't been on a flight without Chris since that happened. I think I'll be okay though.

"You know, as much as I'm supporting you doing this, I'm also scared to let you go off on your own like this." Ryan told me.

"I'm a grown man." I replied.

"Ricky, you sleep with a stuffed cat in your bunk when we're on tour."

"It's my good luck charm!"

"It squeaks." He teased.

I just laughed it off. "Okay, we all have our childish moments. You're still afraid of the dark."

"I am not!"

"You have a nightlight in your bunk." I chuckled. "I know you guys are worried, but I promise, I'll be okay. I just need some time to untangle my thoughts."

"I understand. Have a safe trip."

I hugged him, replying, "You too."