*Mallory*

"So, have you decided what you're gonna do about your mom's funeral?" Vince asked as he tucked Skylar in.

Thankfully she's sleeping after that biopsy. She looks a little better, and doctor's say there's a chance the chemo is helping a bit.

Nikki was out running errands, as well as figuring out about the missing crib we have yet to have delivered to us, and Mick was at home resting. His surgery has already been scheduled in a week.

I'm almost 8 months pregnant and thankfully things are still looking positive and well.

I sighed as I watched Skylar sleep, Sharise sitting next to me.

"I don't know.... I mean.... I don't want to pay for anything either, really, I just want to forget it and get past it.... That woman ruined my life, and I had already cut her off my life and my family and everything, she's literally nothing to me anymore.... Yet...." I said, deep in thought.

Sharise looked at me curiously. "What's on your mind, hun?"

I took a deep breath, and looked down at Jelly Bean. "I can't help but keep thinking.... What kind of example is that setting for my child?" I said, running my hand over Jelly Bean. "A good or bad one?"

Sharise seemed to understand as she pursed her lips. "You got a point.... That is a tough thought...."

I sighed and just rested back on the chair, looking back at Skylar.

"I mean, don't get it wrong," I said. "We've all definitely done a lot of bullshit in our time, but.... This is a lot different from snorting 10 grams of cocaine we stole in Dallas from some cowboys, a bar riot in Atlantic City, cat fight on a bus, throwing a bottle of Jack in a bullet train, or anything like that.... This is different.... This is something that sticks to your conscience way more than stupid drunk decisions."

"Did you two ever have that thought when expecting Sky?" I asked.

Sharise and Vince looked at each other and Vince looked down a bit.

"A few times.... Honestly, the one thing I can say that my parents told me is that...." Sharise said, then sighed. "There's no such thing as being 100% perfect parents."

I looked at her curiously.

"You know, MJ, you just gotta do whatever you think feels right," Vince added with a bit of a shrug.

"That's the thing.... My parents did the same exact shit.... They thought their decisions benefited me somehow, and it all almost cost me my life..." I said, getting up and pacing a bit.

"Your parents only cared about themselves, M," Sharise said. "You said it yourself, they even tried to pay bail for that bastard's bail after he almost killed you....."

I sighed. "I... I don't want to be like them.... I rather die than ever fucking up my kid..."

"Okay, MJ, you are not your parents at all," Vince said in a stern voice. "Hell, for all we know, you were probably adopted."

"Vince!" Sharise scolded him in a hushed voice, as not to wake Skylar.

"What? It's true, Sharise," Vince said.

"Well, he could be right, I wouldn't put it past me if they bought a kid just to torment into adult hood," I sighed.

"Look, MJ, you are not going to be like your parents, you never were to begin with. You're actually a good person, who cares so much for others, even puts others before yourself. Hell, you're almost about to pop a kid you could have lost a third time and should be in bed or something, yet you're right here with us..... Does that sound like something your mom would have ever done for anyone?"

I thought about it and sighed. "Truth... No..."

Vince nodded a little before speaking.

"I know you and Nikki had fucked up childhoods and caring, good parents aren't exactly a thing you two know much about, but.... You now got the chance to give the complete opposite to your own kids...." he said. "I think you will do the right thing because unlike them, you do know what's right and what isn't... Maybe you did debate it a few times before, but you still made good choices in the end."

I couldn't help but smile at him.

"Except for that body shot you drank off that sweaty stripper girl in Miami you made out with on stage during the Theater of Pain tour after drinking a tequila worm, now that was ehh...." he smirked, making me laugh and Sharise scoffed as she smacked Vince's shoulder.

"Vin, her baby can hear that, damn it!" she scolded at him, obviously trying not to laugh.

I know he was trying to cheer me up, just like he always did when I was feeling upset.

"That was a crazy night," I scoffed.

"Vince is right about one thing, though, honey... You just got to have faith in yourself with everything, same with Nikki," Sharise said. "My opinion on the matter, what you decide to do in regards to your mom won't change you or your character, especially for your baby... Like he said, just do what you think is the right thing."

I smiled and reached over and hugged her.

"Thank you," I said. "I'm really glad to have you guys still in my life."

"Always. You're family, MJ," Vince smiled as me and him then hugged.

We then pulled back and I laid back, when I felt a strong kick at my side and gasped.

Vince and Sharise immediately went still and looked at me worriedly.

"What happened?" Vince asked. "Please don't say your water just broke...."

"No no, its alright," I said, letting out a deep breath before giving my baby bump a slight glare. "JellyBean here just starts kicking field goals with my organs whenever he/she gets bored, that's all."

Sharise chuckled softly as Vince also laughed, now relieved.

"Can I feel?" Sharise asked.

"Yeah sure," I smiled as I felt around my side before I motioned for her to put her hand on that spot.

She carefully felt around, giggling softly as JellyBean nudged her hand.

"Hey there, you," Sharise greeted. "You acting up on your momma already?"

I laughed softly. "Oh trust me, this one mostly enjoys aiming for my spine, bladder and kidneys... Got one hell of a freaking kick, too."

She giggled as she felt around and I watched Vince relax, seeing as there wasn't any emergency.

"He's getting pretty big," she said.

"Yeah, well," I sighed with a small smile. "His daddy is a big guy... Probably gonna be taller than any of us, too."

She giggled as she looked up at me. "You still have hope?" she asked me.

I thought about it. "....Is it bad if I do?"

She shook her head. "Its good to have as much of it as you can... Believe me..."

I smiled as Vince watched with a soft smile.

"You wanna feel, too?" I asked.

He seemed surprised. "Really?"

"I mean, you are still gonna be Uncle Vinnie," I smiled.

He smiled as he walked over, kneeling down as I took his hand and placed it where Sharise had her's while she got up and sat at Skylar's bedside.

He laughed as he felt a kick to his palm.

"You're right about that kick, little guy's an athlete," he laughed "Or little girl... What are you having, by the way?"

"Well, we kind of decided to keep it a surprise until he or she is born," I said.

"Oh, okay... But what do you want? Boy or girl?" Sharise asked curiously.

I pouted my lip as I thought about it. "Huh.... I'm not sure... I mean... I never really considered it...."

"Well, what did you always imagine?" Vince asked curiously as he got up and claimed the seat next to mine.

I tried thinking. "Well.... I almost had a son with Razzle..... but then.... I almost had a daughter..... Honestly, I would be happy with either one, and so long as the baby is happy and healthy and all, it doesn't matter to me..."

They smiled at me. "That's a good way to think about it..."

I smiled and then noticed the time on my watch. "God, look at the time," I said. "I have to get dinner started."

"Thank you again for staying. It means a lot," Vince said as he helped me stand.

"Anytime. I wish I can stay longer, but I don't want anyone to worry now that I'm almost at 8 months," I said as I hugged him.

Sharise nodded as then we hugged.

"You ever need anything, we're a phone call away, okay?" she said.

"Of course," I nodded.

I say bye to them both before getting my bag and heading out.

***

I sighed as I parked and struggled to climb out, but JellyBean was being too heavy right now.

I huffed as I sat there, looking at my bump.

"Seriously? You can't do this when we're on a couch?" I argued to JellyBean.

In response I get a small nudge to the front and I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"God... Already you're being stubborn... Just like your father," I grumbled under my breath, earning me a strong bump to my rib. "Ow! Hey!"

"Need some help?" A voice said, and I turned, surprised to see John standing there, Ian behind him.

"Oh, hey," I said, sitting up a little. "Uhh, hehe... Yeah... I'm stuck..."

He chuckled as he walked over. "Here, grab on," he said, holding his hands out.

I took hold of them as he hoisted me up and helped me out of the car.

"Easy... I gotcha," he said as I was finally able to get out and steadied myself. "There we go."

"Thanks," I said with a soft laugh. "Little one here's getting really heavy..."

He laughed. "I hear ya. Valerie was the same way when she was having Ian here."

I chuckled. "Oh, uhh, Nikki's not home, by the way, he's at a tattoo appointment, and Mick's asleep. Is there anything you need?"

"Oh, uhh, its fine," he said. "I... I actually wanted to talk to you."

My eyes widen. "Me?"

"Yeah, I mean... I should be going to Nikki about this, but... I don't know," he shrugged.

I thought about it, but looked up.

"Well, why don't we head inside and talk?" I suggested.

"Sure, yeah. Anything you need help with?" he asked, motioning to the car.

"Just the groceries, if its not too much trouble?" I asked.

"Not at all," he shrugged, and went to get the two bags of groceries I had in the backseat.

"Miss Mallie, can I pway in the playgwound outside?" Ian asked politely.

I giggled softly. "Aw, honey, of course you can. You can also play with Jack, too, if you want," I smiled, stroking his soft, dark hair.

He smiled happily and before we headed inside.

***

"So.... You really want to leave?" I asked him as we sat at the dining table, sipping some iced tea and eating some snacks, Ian playing with Jack outside.

Around more or less the time I was in the middle of my second trimester, Nikki was getting nervous with the pregnancy, and he decided to build a playground set for our baby, mostly help him keep his mind off any worries.

He stubbornly worked through some stitches and an almost broken finger for more than a week (him being how he is, didn't exactly read the instructions), before finally caving and paying someone to just build it for him.

Despite that chaos, though, it was really sweet of him to try and it cheered me up, too.

Even if the baby won't exactly need it until he/she is about 2 years old, of course, Ian has definitely taken advantage of the playground when he's visiting.

"Just like you say you're thinking it, I want what's best for my family.... And right now, I don't think its with the Crüe," John said as we looked out, seeing Ian had started playing pirate with Jack outside.

After sitting down, John had told me he had decided it was best he parts ways with Mötley Crüe, but he was a little nervous of talking to the guys about it, so he wanted to talk to me first, and ask for my advice.

"I understand..." I said. "Things are hard, and... You got your son to think about...."

He nodded and looked out the back glass door as Ian ran around with a stick in his hand, Jack playfully chasing him for the stick.

"You once said you almost had a son, right? How old would he have been?" John asked as we looked outside, seeing Ian was I assume playing Pirates with Jack.

I thought about it. "More or less around the same age as Vince's daughter... 7, 8 years old.... I only really saw him in a dream, unfortunately, but.... I just feel sure, you know..." I said.

He smiled sadly and nodded. "I get it... What was he like? If I may ask...."

I smiled, feeling some tears. "He looked so much like Razzle.... Down to the last little freckle on his nose...... Even had his accent, believe it or not," I chuckled, wiping away a stray tear. "He was such a sweet little boy... Everyone would have loved him... Him and Ian probably would have been thick as thieves..."

John chuckled a bit before he gave me a sad smile. "I'm really sorry you went through that... Twice... No woman deserves going though something like that..."

I sniffled and wiped my tears. "Thank you, John... I'm just glad Nikki and I are getting this chance.... If we lost this baby, too, I.... I can't even imagine what could have happened..."

He nodded. "I really do hope things work out for you two on this."

I smiled. "Are you gonna be okay?"

He shrugged. "We'll see.... A lot of bands out there will need a singer, but I rather just spend some more time with my family before I pick up a microphone again."

I nodded. "You're a good person, John...."

He nodded. "Thank you... So, question is... Will the Crüe be okay?" he asked.

I sighed as I thought about it. "Despite everything... I wouldn't underestimate my guys," I said. "All of them, they've each been through their own personal hell one way or another, in a way they still are.... Yet.... At the end of the day, they're still who they are.... With a few changes and cracks here and there, of course.... But somehow, we're still us...."

He nodded in understanding.

"Do you think the guys would be upset?" He asked.

I pursed my lips in thought. "Well... They'll be disappointed on seeing you go........ But even they know things are difficult.... Nikki is a kind man.... He won't hold it against you, I know it. There's nothing to be nervous about."

He nodded. "Okay..."

"There will be some trouble finding a new singer, of course," I sighed. "The band might have to go into hiatus or something until then... There will probably be some turmoil amongst the fans, and Elektra will definitely rip us a new one, but.... We'll survive.... We always do in the end...."

He nodded as he seemed to be thinking something, and then spoke.

"You know... Maybe you guys can talk to Vince," He suggested.

I looked up in surprise, then looked down.

"Things were left in a tight spot when he quit...." he said. "He and I made amends, but... I don't know if it'll ever be possible for the guys to even make peace between themselves... Plus, he needs to be with daughter now more than ever....."

He shrugged. "We never really know the outcome of things until we try them, won't we?"

I sighed and and nodded. "I supposed so... We'll have to see."

He nodded in agreement.

"Hey, umm, have you decided what to do about your mom?" he asked.

I sighed. "Well.... Honestly... I just want to do good by my child.... That's what matters to me most....." I said.

He nodded as I continued.

"I'll pay to have her cremated, but my family decides what to do with the ashes from there," I said. "I'm going to call my uncle to further discuss the details, but... That's the very least I can do to let go of that part of me...."

He nodded. "That's good... You know, no matter what, you'll be a good mother," he assured.

I couldn't help but smile and then placed my hands over his.

"You take care of yourself, John... Take care of your family as well.... And if you ever need anything, do not hesitate at all to ask us," I said. "You are always welcomed in my house with open arms. Same with Valerie and Ian."

He smiled, patting my hand with his free one. "Thank you for everything, Mallory.... Honestly, I can't imagine how this band could have ever survived without you around."

I smiled as them the front door opened and Nikki walked in.

"Oh hey, guys," he said as I got up, smiling as I walked over and greeted him.

"Hey babe," I smiled as we kissed and then John stepped up.

"Hey Crab," Nikki smiled. "Everything okay?"

"Uhh, yeah, ummm..." he said, and I nodded in assurance at him.

He took a deep breath. "I actually wanted to talk to you," he said as Mick came downstairs. "And Mick, too..."

"Hm? What did I miss?" Mick asked, looking sleepy.

"Its band stuff, which I'm going to leave to you three," I said. "Meanwhile, I'm gonna go check on Ian, make him something to eat."

They both gave us some questioning looks, but then nodded as Nikki kissed my cheek.

"Let's all go to the studio room, then," Nikki said, and the three men headed there.

I nodded reassuringly at John as he passed me and then I took a deep breath before heading to the backyard.

I wonder what this will mean for us all now....

~~~~~

Decided to post this chapter since I finished it last night pretty late. 🌻

Also, the timeline here is gonna be a liiiiiittle off in some parts, but it'll just be for this story. 💁🏻‍♀️

I am gonna work on trying to make it as accurate as I can. 👍🏻

🎹 Currently in Sapph's playlist:

Adam Lambert
"Another Lonely Night"

♡~ sapphire.