Morning light shines in through the upper floor of Josh's home, illuminating the fresh white linens in a soft glow. It was dim enough that she could see the outline of Josh's figure cuddled up with a pillow on just the other side of the bed. He was a hugger, apparently. Holding tightly onto one of the many pillows stacked above his head. He was precious. Evie still couldn't believe she wasn't dreaming. Rolling over just a bit, she pulled her phone off the nightstand and opened up the camera app to snap a candid photo of her boyfriend, passed out asleep in bed. Admiring the photo, Evie wondered if this was something she could post. Not the whole picture, obviously because that was rude, but maybe just his hand. She still hadn't asked him how she was going to reveal their relationship.
Sitting up in bed, Evie opens up Twitter to see if anyone has said anything yet. It was 7am so she doubted there'd be anything interesting online besides the news. And, she was right. There was nothing really, thankfully. Some chatter about how a few fans were concerned about their show with Metallica, but nothing too crazy. This wasn't too bad. Evie wasn't exactly sure what she was expecting to feel. Did she want people to know who she was or did she want to be the girlfriend that remained hidden? There was the chance they wouldn't get very popular, then she wouldn't have to worry too much. The morning nausea starts to settle in and Evie's reminded that she's pregnant again. Rubbing her belly a little bit, she gets up out of bed and decides to head downstairs. Hopefully, she could make coffee uninterrupted this time.
Josh stirs a bit in bed just as Evie disappears down the steps into the kitchen area. There, tucked in the corner of the kitchen nook was the trusty little coffee pot that Josh had used yesterday. She found his coffee, in the cupboard just above where the machine actually sat. It was a brand she'd never heard of before. Organic. Evie chuckles to herself, how very on brand of him. In the silence, Evie prepares the coffee and hits the button to start the coffeemaker. Propping herself against the counter, she pulls out her phone once more to read the texts she'd gotten from Kelsey. "Soo, how was your first night in your new home with your hot famous boyfriend??" the first one read. Kelsey had sent that text just about 30 minutes ago, meaning she was probably already up. No doubt, her parents were very likely on their way. It was the only reason Kelsey would get up early. "It was fine," Evie texted back, "No disturbances this time, thankfully."
Though she still cautiously cranes her head past the hall's threshold to check and make sure there weren't any shadows lingering at the door. There weren't, thankfully and Evie carefully pushes herself up onto the kitchen island. Opening up Instagram, Evie scrolls through some of the more recent posts of some people she'd followed. Greta van Fleet accounts that seemed to be incredibly dedicated to posting pictures of Josh and his bandmates. The tag for his band was littered with edited pictures of him wearing dazzling, bright clothing while he sang on stage. A jumpsuit, she thought it was called. Clicking on one of the videos, she's brought to a video of her boyfriend at the edge of a stage. He's wearing a dark blue full body outfit with what looks like the gradient of the sun going down the collar. The volume on her phone was set low, but she could still hear him singing. Evie sends the video to Kelsey with a text, "Call me crazy, but I would never have imagined hearing that voice come out of him. He sounds so different when he talks."
Any normal girlfriend dating a musician would have probably heard some of their music now but Evie still couldn't bring herself to listen to the band he was in. For the most part, she'd been so busy with other things to actually sit down and have time to do stuff. The pregnancy, work and even this pandemic thing had taken up majority of her thoughts and it was so much to the point that listening to her own playlist wasn't even on her mind. Maybe that's what she'd do today. Listen to Greta van Fleet. She knew Josh had a record player here and he'd definitely have his band's own vinyls. He'd also have to have a really nice pair of headphones around here somewhere. Some fancy studio ones.
A creak from the hallway startles her and for a second, she thought maybe his brothers were at the door again. However, Josh's figure appears at the bottom of the steps and their gazes meet. "D'ya know why the bed got cold suddenly?" Josh asked, approaching Evie with a grin, "I could have sworn I fell asleep with a beautiful woman next to me." It was corny and she couldn't help but return his smile. He was still without a shirt and pants, but had a long necklace of beads that draped down over his chest. The only covering he had was a pair of loose boxer briefs which didn't leave much for the imagination. But that wasn't what she cared about right now. "I couldn't sleep anymore," Evie slides off the counter and almost into Josh's open arms where she's given a soft kiss on the cheek, "Stomach's just tossing and turning."
"Sounds about right," Josh turns his attention to the steaming coffee pot behind him, "Are you feeling up for breakfast? I was thinking about having something delivered." Evie hadn't really been thinking about food. At the moment, she wasn't particularly nauseous but she knew it would hit her the instant that food touched her mouth. But free food. Nobody turned down free food. "Did you have something in mind?" Evie asked curiously. Josh turns around, two full mugs of coffee in hand, and passes one to Evie. "I was thinking Starbucks, but if you have a preference, I can get you something else," Josh replied, beckoning Evie to follow him into the living room area. They both sit on the couch, Josh pulling a blanket out of the basket on the floor and is sure to make sure that Evie is covered with it. "Starbucks does sound good but I already made coffee, are you sure you want it twice?" Evie grinned, brushing some hair behind her ear bashfully "... I mean if my coffee sucks you can just tell me."
"Your coffee is absolutely wonderful," Josh reassured her warmly, "I've just got a busy day ahead and I don't feel like busting out the pots and pans– if you catch my drift. I've got some stuff I prepped already to take with me today but I wanted to make sure you were fed too." The TV turns on and Evie's greeted with the quiet banter of the hosts of Good Morning America. Also very on point for him. She'd almost forgotten he was totally vegan. "I'll warm up more to vegan food eventually," Evie chuckled, "Are you going out today?"
"Yeah," Josh had his phone out now and Evie could see that he was swiping through options on a delivery app, "A lot of the stuff we have planned has been canceled. There's talk that the show we're supposed to open for in a few months might be postponed. The studio we were using is probably gonna close so now we're gonna have to set up shop elsewhere, maybe make a private studio. I just get the idea that these next few weeks are going to be nothing but meetings and I hate meetings," he passed Evie the phone, "Here, put your order in."
"Are you... sure it's okay?" Evie felt that odd, uncomfortable feeling in her gut, "I can just order it later myself."
"Don't worry about it," Josh takes a sip of his coffee, reaching out his free arm to let it drape on her shoulder, "I'm gonna be gone for most of the day, I wanna treat you. I mean– you're free to eat what I have here but, I'm just afraid you won't like it as much. I could have someone bring you some groceries later today too." Josh pondered out loud. The last part startled Evie a little bit. Delivery? She furrows her brow, "Josh, I'm not completely feeble. I can go get my own groceries..."
"That's the thing..." Josh puts his coffee down and adjusts himself in his seat so he's facing Evie, "I don't want you leaving the house." The look of fear and concern on her face must've scared Josh because he quickly grabs for her hands, "A-And I'm not saying it to be like– you're forced to stay here. I mean you can leave anytime you want, I'm not gonna lock any doors or anything it's just this pandemic thing... the news... it's concerning. I don't want you to get sick. You're pregnant and it's just not safe." His explanation was both reassuring but the lingering feeling of discomfort still wouldn't leave her body. She didn't have a job anymore but she still had money to take care of herself for the time being. Evie glanced back at the screen that was in her lap and then to Josh once more. "Listen, I don't mind doing any of this for you. Pregnant, not pregnant, I'd still treat you like royalty because I can," Josh's eyes were gentle as he spoke, "I've got people in my team whose job is solely to go pick up stuff for us if we can't and I imagine it's going to be utilized a lot here in the next few months. So, they'll bring us food, and maybe later they can bring you some groceries."
"There's no arguing my way out of this, is there?"
"Nope."
Evie finished placing the order and handed his phone back to him. "Hmm," he scans the screen curiously, "You're a white mocha girly?"
"Are you judging my Starbucks order?"
Josh snickered, confirming the order, "Yes. Jake likes this one too, oddly. But he gets that strawberry foam on top."
"Oh, ew!" Evie cringed, "I mean, to each their own but I've never liked coffee with fruity flavors. Just doesn't taste right to me." Josh tosses his phone over onto the coffee table and stretches himself out with a long, low groan, "Hmm, well then I guess you'll hate to know I'm the polar opposite and love black coffee."
Evie frowned, "Isn't he your twin?"
"Yeah, identical. Popular culture has the idea that identical twins are exactly alike but Jake and I do have our differences," Josh explained, "I mean we share lots of ideas for things creatively, but he has his own tastes and I have mine. His being– sickeningly sweet coffee."
Cradling her mug closer to her, Evie couldn't help but let her eyes drop curiously down to her stomach. She hadn't thought about it until now, mainly because she'd only met Jake once since their relationship started, but the reminder of Josh's second half made her both excited and nervous of the future. "Josh?" Evie asked, "You don't... think it's possible that we might have twins, do you?" The look he gave her didn't change much but eyes very obviously widened as he processed Evie's question. "Well," Josh nodded his head, "I guess I hadn't thought of that either but, yeah it's possible. Twins run on my dad's side of the family. I've got a pair of cousins that are twins but they're fraternal."
Why was it making her feel better? Giddy, even? They hadn't really talked in depth about any of this since Evie had found out. "What... what do you wanna have? Or like, hope to have?" Evie pushed on, excitement growing in her voice. "Oh um... hmm," Josh took a thoughtful sip of his coffee, "I hadn't really thought much about it honestly. I still... kinda feel like I'm dreaming sometimes."
"You too?" Evie's expression softened. She almost felt relieved to know she wasn't the only one feeling so worried about it. His initial positivity had kinda worried her a little bit. Josh shrugs a little, his lips pursed together tightly, "It's not that I'm not excited. I've always known being a dad was in my future at some point but, I guess I just wasn't expecting it to be so soon. And we also have a pandemic happening and not only do I have to get to know you but I have to get to know a baby too. I haven't even told my brothers yet. Or my parents." Silence followed for a moment while Evie gathered her own thoughts and Josh let his head come to rest on her shoulder, "Sorry, I didn't mean to sour the room."
"No, you're okay. You just... took the words out of my mouth," Evie whispered, running her fingers gently through his hair, "I've always wanted to be a mom too. I also just didn't expect it to happen so soon and with someone who's like... kinda important. I don't even know how to like, post photos of us or figure out how open I want to be. If I want fans to know I exist or if I want to be private." Josh turns his head upward a bit so that he's look up at Evie and the worry in his face had turned into a smile, "You can be as open or not open about us dating if you want too," he reassured her, "Jake's girlfriend is incredibly private but Danny's girlfriend is pretty open on social media. Sam's girlfriend is a model. It just depends, there's no right or wrong way."
"So, you don't care if I post photos of us together?"
"You can post whatever you want," Josh chuckled, "The only thing I'd say is keep on the down-low about the kiddo. Just for now. I still have to break things to the guys and my family. But I get the idea you feel the same way too."
"I do," Evie nodded, "Do you think they're gonna take it okay?"
"I'll let you know later today if I still have a job," Josh chuckled, pushing himself up into a seated position, "Better to get it done sooner than later. But, I get the idea they'll probably be really happy."
A small knock at the door interrupted the flow of conversation and Josh quickly got up off the couch, grabbing for a long sweat to cover himself with. Evie turns around briefly to catch the small exchange, and Josh shuts the door and turns around with a little brown Starbucks bag in hand. "That was fast," Evie commented, taking the bag from Josh, "Isn't the Starbucks a little drive from here?"
"You'd be surprised," Josh snorted, "I'm gonna go upstairs and get dressed. Good talk though, we should do that more often." Evie unwrapped her nice cold coffee from the bag, shaking her head with a sheepish grin, "Seriously," Josh continued before disappearing up the stairs, "Don't feel afraid to talk to me about things. Communication is so so, sexy."