I Do / S.M/ ( sequel to Strings) *On Hold*

Chapter 13 Rumors

Zoë POV

"You and Shawn are back together?" Sophia asks as we walk through the mall. "Shh keep it down." "Oh like no one knows? You posted it on your Insta! Have you read any of the fan responses yet?" She asks quietly. "I should but I'm scared, of course, I'll get hate whatever but." I shrug as my phone buzzes. I pull it out of my pocket to see a text from my mom congratulating me on being re-engaged and one from Shawn. I  haven't checked my social media due to the fact that the fans know that were engaged and I'm nervous about their reaction. " "So what if someone says they don't approve? They  don't know you and Shawn." Sophia says. "I care because of my child's safety,"  I say and reply back to Shawn's text. "Open the post," Sophia says getting in the line for coffee. "Now?"

"Yes!"

"Um..." I open the app and click on the picture my eyes are half-closed. "Zoë.." "I'll do it after we get out drinks," I say putting my phone back in my pocket. I open the post and let out the deep breath I was holding and find myself smiling a little. "Positive comments?" Sophia asks trying to see my screen. "Yeah actually," I reply. "Hooray!  So... when is the wedding?" She asks looking at me intently. "Not anytime soon, Skye's still really young and I want  her to be a bit older."

"How much older?"

"Twelve or thirteen?"

"So you guys are waiting a while." She says raising her eyebrows. "I think it's best," I shrug and tuck my phone back in my pocket and pull my hair tie off. "You seem stressed," Sophia observes. "Just thinking, do you think it's a good thing Shawn and I are together?"

"100% you two go together and despite everything, your relationship has been through you still care enough to try and that's admirable." I look down at the table and smile a little. "Thanks, sometimes I wonder if we hadn't done that road trip and gotten together my life would be so different, but I'm not sure if that would be in a good way or a bad way." "Things worked out between the two of you and you have an adorable daughter and-

"Don't get sentimental on me at the mall," I say giving her a look. She laughs and shakes her head. "I'm saying you're happy with him and you're a great mom so things went how they were supposed to because you would have had a kid with him regardless. Also speaking of kids, do you think you would have another?"

"Maybe, this one will be planned."

"So you're not telling your kid she was an oops baby?" Sophia asks making me gasp."No way! That would break her, maybe when she's way older but even then."  I shrug.  "While we're on the subject of kids..." I nod and look at her. " So Beck and I have been dating and I didn't want to tell you cause things with you and Shawn were really rocky and I  didn't want to rub my relationship in your face. One thing led to another and... I'm expecting a little girl.  My jaw drops and I know my eyes must be huge. Sophia pulls the sleeves of her hoodie around her hand and looks at the table and then back at me. "I wanted to tell you sooner Zoë."

"Oh my god."

"Are you upset?" She asks her voice going up in pitch. "No! I'm happy for you two, Beck's a good guy."  "That's a relief! Now can we continue shopping? I've been sitting at this table for too long." She says. "Sure,"  I check my watch "Sure I have to pick up Skye in an hour."

"Sounds good."

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*The next day*

"Dad's coming home today right?" Skye asks. "Yep."

"Do you think fans will see us?"

"Maybe."

"Are they nice?" She asks curiously. "Yeah."

"How old are they?"

"Probably your age to my age."