Carli's POV

"Do you know where we're going yet?" I ask while following Hope down the hallway to the elevator. "I don't want Mexican again. That last place we went made everybody sick, remember?"

She laughs and hits the button, "Yeah Car I remember, but that's what happens when we let Squirrel choose." I chuckle as we both walk onto the elevator. Once I get on I hit the 'L' button for the lobby. "I really think Cap picked so probably some Italian place like always."

"You're probably right." I sigh pouting. "I wanted steak." She shakes her head while grinning and lightly shoves me in the arm.

"You're such a child." I smile and stick my tongue out at her making her erupt in laughter. "You're worse than Jules."

I fake gasp and bring my hand up to cover my mouth, "Am not! You take that back!"

"Yeah yeah whatever." she jokes smiling and walking out. "C'mon they're waiting for us." I laugh and follow after her to outside.

"Hey speaking of a child," I start while reaching around in my purse for my phone, " ours came down with Ashlyn right?"

"Mhm." she nods walking onto the bus. "There she is." I look over to where she's motioning and smile. JB's sitting on Ali's lap giggling with her. I wish I could make her happy like that. She's just so carefree when she's with Ali, Moe, CP, or any of her other friends. She's even like that with Hope! I make her tense I guess.

"Hey love bug." I wave as I get closer to their row. She sits up a little straighter and stops laughing after noticing me. "Are you and Aunt Ali having fun?"

Ali smiles softly and kisses her cheek, "I think we're having a great time. Aren't we pretty girl?" Julie shyly nods and hides her face in Ali's shoulder making me frown. "Hey that's not very nice." gently scolds Al moving her head so that she has to look at me. "Use your words please sweetie." I notice her look down at her hands before glancing back at Ali sadly. She looks up at me concerned.

"Jules, love, are you alright?" I question nervously. Is she sick? I don't what to do if she's sick! How do you take care of a sick kid? Well she's not technically a kid, right? I mean I know she's like my kid, but she's an adult. Does she just take care of herself? JJ hasn't gotten sick since I've become her mama so I really have no idea how it works. Hope will probably take care of it.

"Car? Carli?" calls Ali sounding worried and motioning down to Julie. JB shakes her head no before shoving her head back in Ali's chest.

"Love bug? Baby what's the matter?" I ask softly picking her up. I step into the row that they were sitting in so I don't continue to block the aisle. I kiss her forehead before furrowing my eyebrows and looking back at her. "You're not warm princess. Do you feel okay?" She squirms uncomfortably in my arms so I try to readjust her but she continues to wiggle. "Lovie what's wrong? Do you want me to put you down?" She continues to struggle for a minute before finally settling down with a huff.

"I want Mom." she pouts laying her head on my shoulder. I frown but nod my head.

"Alright baby girl. I'll take you back there." I say trying not to sound sad, but I'm pretty sure Ali caught it in my voice because of the look she gave me. "Tell Aunt Ali you love her and we'll go see Mommy." Jules doesn't respond. I sigh and look back at Ali, "Thanks for letting her sit with you in your room. Hope and I just-"

"It's fine Car." she says dismissively. "Now take that baby back to her Mom before she gets upset."

"Alright, alright." I smile softly before starting to the back of the bus with Julie on my hip. "Hope?" I call a few rows ahead.

"Huh?" she ask still glued to her phone.

"JJ wants you." I say starting to have trouble holding her up. "Can you get her please?"

"Get her? Why doesn't she just-" she questions before finally looking up. "Oh." she says standing up and taking her. "JB, honey, why didn't you walk? You know Mama can't carry you." I roll my eyes at her comment.

"Mom I don't feel good." mumbles Julie into her hair. Hope looks around her at me confused. She was fine a few minutes ago.

"What's wrong JJ?" she asks kissing her head. "Baby you don't have a fever. Does your tummy hurt?"

"And my back." Hope rocks her while thinking before her eyes go wide in realization. Should I have gotten something out of that? That could mean Ebola for all I know.

"You have stuff for it right? Are you good right now?" questions Hope sitting down with her.

"Yeah it started right after the game, but I don't have my meds for it. I didn't get them refilled after last month." Meds? Julie takes medicine? Why does she only take it once a mo-oh. I get it. She's on her period. Duh. How did I not know she took special medicine during hers? I've been her mama for at least nine or ten of these things by now.

"Babe," sighs Hope pushing her hair behind her ears, "you know you have to do that. I have some regular ibuprofen, but that's it."

"Can I have some please?" pleads Jules starting to tear up. Hope gives her a sympathetic smile before giving her two pills from her purse.

"I don't have any-" Hope gets cut off by Julie popping the pills back and swallowing them dry. "Nevermind."

"Mommy do I have to eat tonight?" she asks while poking out her bottom lip and doing her famous puppy dog eyes. I nod my head quickly behind her. Girl issues does not make it okay to not eat and Hope knows that, but she always gives in when it comes to baby Jay. "Mommy my stomach really really hurts." I see the compassionate look starting to form in Hope's eyes so I step in.

"JJ you still need to get something in that belly of yours, baby. It's not good not to eat; especially after you just played in that game." I say causing her to groan. "Julie Beth don't you dare start. I know you don't feel well but you are fine. Every single one of us on this bus, except for Jrue, goes through this every month. You're not special so drop the attitude and go sit in your seat like the big girl you are and stop whining." Julie looks at me scornfully and cuddles closer to Hope wanting her sympathy. 

"Carli you don't have to be so mean. She doesn't feel good." explains Hope kissing her head. 

"Aitch she's over reacting." I say exasperated. "She's okay. It's natural." I tell her before looking harshly at the girl on her lap. "If you don't wipe that look off your face I'm going to take your phone again. This time I'll keep it for a few days." I warn. "Now go get in your seat up there by Morgan. We're about to leave." She huffs but does as I tell her. Thank God. 

"You didn't have to do that you know." sighs Hope. "She's going to be even worse than she was."

"If she is then she'll find herself with that notebook of hers writing me some sentences." I say plopping down in my seat. "She'll get that attitude in check real quick."

"Car." she says sighing again. We sit silent for the short ride to the restaurant. When we get there, we're last to get off the bus as always, we find Julie wanting for us by the entrance with a nervous look on her face.

"Mama?" she ask sheepishly looking down at her shoes.  "I'm sorry I looked at you meanly." I stare at her sternly, but gently.

"Julie Johnston." I say lowly picking up her chin. "I forgive you, but I want this behavior you've had today to stop. Do you understand me?" 

"Yes ma'am." she nods sadly. I softly kiss the top of her head.

"I love you Julie B."

"I love you too Mama." she says with a little smile. She quickly pecks my cheek before skipping around me to give Hope one too. She grabs Hope's hand and drags her inside with me following. The three of us catch up with our group just as they're all getting seated. Hope sits first and then Jules with me on the end across from Jrue. "Mama can I just get a salad or do I have to get something big?" she whispers so no one else will know what's going on. I hope she realises we're all girls and Jrue has both Lauren and Moe so he's mature about this whole thing.

"You can have a salad, as long as you eat it, it's fine." I say back quietly. Amy gives us a questioning look from the other side of the table. She's sitting between Jrue and Lauren. After Lauren there's Moe and Tobin. On our side there's me, JJ, Hope, Ashlyn, and then Ali. The rest of the team fills in on down the table. 

"You alright there Julie?" asks Amy concerned. Jay looks at me embarrassed.

"She's got a little stomach ache." I say patting her thigh. Amy nods and goes back to looking at the menu while Julie rest her head on my shoulder. I lean my cheek on the top of her head still trying to decide what I want to order. "Jrue what are you getting?"

"Uh um..." he trails of before leaning behind Arod to hit Cheney in the arm."Baby what are you getting?"

"The fettuccine alfredo with shrimp. What about you?"

"I don't know yet." he mumbles chewing on his lip and flipping the menu over. "What's the little one going to eat?"

"Dad." says Morgan leaning around Lauren to glare at him. "I'm not little."

"Mhm sure. Keep telling yourself that Little Tyke." teases Jrue sticking his tongue out at her. Moe does it back making us all laugh. 

"You two cut it out." laughs Laur opening back up her menu and pointing at something. "What about the chicken parmesan honey?" Jrue nods and tells her thanks while sitting back in his seat. "Miss Trouble have you picked what you want yet?"

"Yes Momma, for a matter a fact I have." says Morgan primly. "I want the four cheese ravioli with alfredo sause."

"Moe that's a lot of cheese." says Tobin looking at her weirdly. "I don't think you're going to like that."

"I know that Toby!" exclaims Morgan while stacking the salt a pepper shakers. Lauren swats her hands away and puts them back in their place. "Momma nothing bad was going to happen!"

"Lower your voice sweetie." directs Cheney calmly. "Let's just not play with those, okay?"

"Alright." sighs Moe pouting. Julie snickers at her friend so I lightly hit her leg under the table and give her the look. The waiters come and take all of our orders and shortly after they bring out all our meals and drinks. We all eat and enjoy each others company without, luckily, a problem with either of the kiddos. As we all get up to head over to the bar I notice JJ holding her lower stomach. 

"Mom?" she whimpers pulling on Hope's arm. "I don't feel good." I see Hope's face fall. I know she was excited about getting to go out and now Jay's hurting so she obviously wants to take care of her. Hope hasn't been able to have have fun in a few weeks because of all the recovery she's been in, and I'm not going to let her pass this up. 

"I'll take her back." I say putting my arm around JJ. Hope looks at me unsure.

"Car you've never stayed with her when she's like this. Do you really want to? I don't mind I promise."

"I got her." I say reassuringly. "And don't you lie to me. I know you want to go drink. Go. We'll be fine." Hope finally gives in and kisses the top of Julie's head.

"Be good for Mama. I love you."

"I love you too." Hope looks at us one more time before sighing and going to catch up with the others. The bar's only a block and a half away so they're walking. As for Julie and I and a few coaches we head back to the bus.