Two days after giving birth to Sutton Blaine Carter, Presley and Nick were allowed to bring their little boy home. Unfortunately for Presley, Nick and the rest of the boy’s are right in the middle of their Unbreakable tour, so she is going to be spending the next couple of months as a single mom. Not that she really expected it any other way. She had only been back together with Nick since the birth of Sutton, so she was fully prepared to raise him on her own. Presley knew that she had a lot of making up to do with Nick. She knew that she had to prove to him that she loved him more than her had ever loved anyone else, and that her past relationship with AJ was over, they were completely one hundred percent over each other.

The tricky part was going to be getting Nick to believe it. It isn’t hard to understand why he is so insecure about AJ being a part of their life, after all Presley and AJ always seemed to find their way into one another’s bed. But that was over now. It wasn’t going to happen anymore. Presley was going to show Nick everyday that she loved him, that she wanted him for the rest of her life. Having Sutton made her want to try even harder to make sure that she didn’t fuck everything up. She wanted to make sure that her baby had a strong solid foundation to grow up in. She wanted him to have both parents around, and both parents happy and in love. She wanted Sutton to have the family that Nick and her never got to have.

Presley sat in the hospital bed waiting for Nick to return with the carseat. She was about to bring Sutton home for the first time. She kept going over all of the things in her head that he had already done. He had his first shots, his first bath, his first poopy diaper, and now he was about to get his first car ride. It is crazy how all of these trivial things seem like such a big deal to a new mother. It was like she wanted to suck up every detail of every move or sound that he made. She was a mother now. And Nick was a father. A smile slide across her face as she day dreamed about walking along the beach with Nick and Sutton holding their hands and walking between them.

“What cha’ smiling about?” Nick asked as he walked into the room holding on to the carseat.

“About us…” Presley replied. “I was thinking about walking along the beach with you and Sutton.”

Nick smiled down at Presley. He was happy to see that she seemed much happier, and that she wasn’t looking nearly as frail as she had the day that she went into labor on his bus. He was still a little apprehensive about going forward with their relationship, but he knew that he would regret it later on if he didn’t give it one more try. He really did love Presley, and that is exactly why he was afraid of her. She had a power over him that no woman had ever had before. He had made up his mind though, that if this relationship was going to work that he was taking over. He was going to be the dominant one. It seemed to him that she always had the upper hand, that it was always him begging her do give in, to do something for him. Now he wasn’t going to be, he was going to demand it. She was going to treat him right and he was going to treat her right, he just needed to make sure that he let her know that he wasn’t playing a game here, and that AJ did not have a place in their personal life.

“So are you ready to get out of this place?” He asked bringing himself out of his thoughts.

“I can’t wait. Three days in a hospital bed is plenty.” She replied.

“What about our little guy, is he ready?”

“Yep, he is all bundled up and ready to go. All we are waiting for is the final paperwork.”

“Are you sure you want to go back to the condo? I mean you could stay at my place while I am gone. It is in a gated community and there is plenty of security.” Nick offered again. He wasn’t sure if he like the idea of Presley staying at her condo with Sutton, there wasn’t any security and it made him a little uncomfortable. Once the media found about him being born things could get ugly.

“I am sure Nick. Your house is just so big, and with just Sutton and I being there, it will really freak me out. My condo is safe. I live in a great neighborhood; there isn’t anything to worry about.”

“You could also just come out on tour with us.” Nick added.

“Nick, I can’t go on tour with a new born. It is hard enough on you know. How are you going to handle him waking up every three hours to eat?”

Nick knew that she was right, but he was going to be gone for almost two months before they made their way back home. “I know baby, I am just worried about you and Sutton.”

Just then the nurse walked in. “Alright Miss Weathers we have all you paper work here, I just need your signature and you are free to go.” She said as she gave Presley a pen. Presley quickly signed on the line and then looked up at Nick.

“You ready to take us home?”

“Yep.” Nick walked over to the bassinet and picked Sutton up. “Hey little guy! You ready to go home?” he cooed at him. He placed him into the carseat and buckled him in. He looked back over at Presley who was retrieving her bag. “Let’s, get out of here.”

One Month Later

“Man I am wore out.” Nick complained as he threw himself down on the couch. He had been back to work for a month now and the day to day stresses of touring were really starting to wear on him. He hadn’t seen Presley and Sutton in almost a month and he couldn’t help but wonder about all the things he was missing.

“For real man. It never gets easier does it? You would think that after 15 years we would be like immune to fatigue or something by now!” Laughed Brian as he pulled his sweaty t-shirt over his head.

“What about missing the family? Does that get easier?” Nick questioned Brian.

“Nope, it actually only gets harder once the little guy actually realizes that you are leaving and he cries because he doesn’t wanna see you go.” Brian replied shrugging his shoulders, “But what you gonna do. I mean you can’t pull him out of school and let him travel around the country in a bus with you. As much as you want him with you, it is more important for him to have a semi-normal life.”

“Yea, I know. But it is like Sut is so little and he is learning so much right now. I feel like I am missing out on everything. I mean Presley was telling me about him gripping her finger and making little smirks. I am missing all of that stuff.”

“Well even if you were home you would still be missing a lot of his first. I mean you and Pressie don’t live together right?” Nick nodded his head in agreement, “So even if you were at your house, Sutton would still be with Pressie the majority of the time, so you would still be missing a lot of his first.”

“I know, but still we only live like five minutes away from each other. I could easily get over there in time to see him doing stuff like that. I mean I don’t want to miss him learning to sit up, and crawl, and man walking I really wanna be there for that.”

“I know you do man, but Presley might not even be there for all of that stuff. I mean in a couple weeks she has to go back to work and then Sutton will be at daycare and he will do a lot of his first there.”

Nick lowered his head and shook it in disagreement. “I really hate the idea of him going to daycare. I don’t know why Presley doesn’t just hire a nanny.”

“Nannies cost a lot of money Nick. Presley only makes a $75 grand a year, and $35 grand of that would go to a live in nanny, she can’t afford that.”

“No, but I can!”

“Yea, but if you tell her that she needs to get a nanny she is going to think that you think she isn’t doing a good job as a mother, and you don’t want that. If she ever say’s anything about being apprehensive about sending Sutton to daycare, then you step up and offer to pay for a nanny, but not until then.”

“Yea, I guess you are right.” Nick closed his eyes and let himself get caught up in thought.

“Hey you guys up for going out tonight?” Asked AJ as him and Howie walked into the room.

Nick rolled his eyes instantly. As much as he is trying to get over AJ and Presley past, he still can’t help but have a little resentment towards AJ. It doesn’t help matters any that Presley isn’t around and AJ is. He doesn’t give a shit about seeing AJ, but he was dying to see Presley and Sutton.

“I am up for going.” Howie replied first.

“I am game if Nick is.” Answered Brian, “But I don’t wanna leave Nick boy alone if he isn’t up for going.”

Nick felt all eyes in the room fall on him. Opening his eyes he looked around at all of the expectant eyes and then huffed loudly “Fine I will go, but I got to shower and call P first.”

************

“Shhhh, baby mommy’s got you little man.” Presley paced back and forth across the nursery holding Sutton in her arms. He had been very cranky the majority of the night. He was generally a good baby, so him crying for hours was starting to concern Presley.

“That’s right, baby go to sleep. Mommy’s right here.” She hummed softly as he started to fall asleep. After a few more minutes of pacing, she finally felt that he was in a deep enough sleep to put him down. She couldn’t help but wonder how long he would actually stay asleep this time.

Staring down at her little boy she couldn’t help but smile. How can something so small change your life so much. In the past month she found out that there is no love like a mother’s love. Every fiber of her being loved this little boy that she gave birth to. She couldn’t find a single flaw in him. He was perfect. From the wispy blond hair and blue-green eyes, to the porcelain skin and pouty red lips, everything on him was just perfect. She smiled as she thought about how much he looked like his father. Quickly though he smile turn into a frown.

She missed Nick a lot. She really thought that it wouldn’t be that hard to keep going on without him once Sutton was born. They technically hadn’t been together for almost the entire pregnancy, and the six weeks before his birth they didn’t have any contact at all, but knowing that he was hers again, she felt lost without him. She was so afraid of doing something wrong as a first time mom, and she thought that if Nick were there, it would be easier for him to cheer her on and tell her that she was doing a fine job. But he wasn’t she hadn’t seen him in a month, and it was really starting to wear on her. She missed him a lot, and she felt almost like a single mom. She was terrified of returning to work in a couple of weeks but she realized that she had too. Nick and she were just getting their relationship back on track; she didn’t want to mess it up by depending on him for too much. She wasn’t ready to give up her apartment and move in with him yet, because she was still afraid that he was unsure of their future together, and until he was secure with their life together, she didn’t want to give up to much of herself.

She was shaken out of her thoughts at the sound of the phone. Rushing down stairs to grab the phone off of the kitchen counter she smiled when she noticed Nicks number. “Hey Nick!” she answered enthusiastically.

“Hey P. How everything going?” He asked casually.

“Honestly, not so good. Sut has been crying a lot today. I am starting to get a little bit worried. It is probably just a tummy ache or something, but I feel like there is nothing I can do to sooth him.” She said as she allowed her enthusiastic front come down.

“All baby, I am sure you are doing everything that you know to do. How is he now?” Nick asked wishing that he could be there.

“I finally got him down to sleep, but there is no telling how long that is going to last.” She replied.

“How about you? How are you doing?”

“I am alright, I guess. I totally and utterly exhausted, and I miss you like crazy and I am going insane about the idea of returning to work week after next, but other than that I am holding it all together. Oh yea, and I haven’t shower since yesterday morning.”

Nick laughed under his breath as he went on her little rant. “You know P, you don’t have to go back to work. I could take care of you guys.”

“No, I don’t think so Nick. It is one thing for you to help out with Sut, but I don’t want or need you to pay my way. This thing we have going here is still fragile and I don’t want to start giving up my job, and my condo for something I am afraid that you are confident in.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Nick asked agitated.

“It means that I know you aren’t confident in me. We still have a major trust issue and until I know that you trust me fully, I am not going to let you take over my life. Because then all it will take is you deciding that we just aren’t going to work and then I am left trying to put my life back together.”

“Do you think I would just throw you out with nothing even if we didn’t work out?” Nick asked offensively.

“I would like to think that you wouldn’t do that but I am not positive Nick, and I have to think about me and Sutton here.”

“I get it, P. I can see where this is going. Are you already screwing around on me, so you don’t want me to do anything for you, so that it will ease you conscience? Are you fucking that Gary guy, or let me guess, you have been talking to Alex on the phone and you are planning on leaving me for him?”

“Nick, no! I am not fucking anybody! I just had a freaking baby four weeks ago. I haven’t spoken to Alex since that night on the tour bus. But the way you are acting right now is the reason why I am not getting my hopes up about this relationship. You are so quick to accuse me of screwing around on you, how is that good for our relationship.”

“Well, if the shoe fits…”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me P. How can you not expect me to be cautious you have fucked my best friend behind my back so many times it isn’t even funny.”

“Oh please Nick, we are not going to do this again! I never once cheated on you! Never! You need to just get over yourself. If you can’t accept the fact that I love you and that I only want to be with you, then maybe we are stupid for even trying to work this out. What do I have to do Nick? What do I have to do to show you that you are the only person I want? I don’t want Alex ever again. I could go the rest of my life without ever seeing him again and it would be fine with me.”

“I am sure it would. That way you wouldn’t have to worry about sneaking off to some room and fucking him.”

Presley sat silent on the other end of the phone with tears pouring out of her eyes. Nothing was ever easy for her. She couldn’t just have a normal relationship with a guy who loved her, it had to be difficult. It made it more difficult being in love with a guy who thought so poorly of her.

“I am sorry P, that was uncalled for.” Nick finally broke the silence. “I know that you aren’t cheating on me and I know that you are Alex are history. I am just letting the stresses of this fucking tour get to me, and I shouldn’t be taking it out on you.”
Sniffling quietly Presley swallowed her pride and replied, “I understand you are going through a lot right now, but please try and remember that I am too.”

“I know baby. I am sorry. I am scared for us, but only because I want us to work so badly. I don’t want us to be apart. I want to be with you and Sutton forever, and it scares the shit out of me that I don’t know for sure if that is going to happen.”

“We can make it happen. It is just going to take time to get to that place where we are sure of it. Right now we just have to act on faith. We have to have faith in one another, and trust will come along eventually.”

“I want to trust you P.” Nick said quietly.

“I know you do. I promise to prove to you that I am trust-worthy. I love you Nick, more that I have ever love another man in my entire life.”

“I love you too, Presley. I hope you know that.”

“I do know.” She replied quietly.

As the guys made their way into the club, Nick made a beeline for the bar. He needed something to take his mind off of everything, especially her. He knew that he was hard on Presley on the phone earlier, and she really hadn’t deserved any of the things he said to her, but at the same time he still felt pain, so why shouldn’t she. Right now though, he didn’t care. All he wanted to do was drink his sorrows away, and maybe dance with a few girls. He defiantly needed something to bring his self esteem up. His ego had been bruised for a while now, and he thought some female attention might be exactly what he needed. After two shot of tequila one after another and chasing it quickly with a beer, he headed out to the dance for to scout out potential dance partners.

AJ watched Nick from the VIP section, as he pulled a skinny blond up to him. AJ watched as he whispered something in the girl’s ear, and she leaned back and gave Nick a sexy smile before turning around and rubbing her body up against him. AJ tried telling himself that Nick was only dancing and that it was harmless. After-all Nick loved Presley and she had just had his son a month ago, Nick wouldn’t be dumb enough to cheat on her. AJ forced himself to stop watching them and focus his attention on the girl who sat next to him.

“So, where did you say you are from, doll?” He asked pretending to be interested in the sultry brunette sitting next to him.

The girl began talking and AJ nodded his head trying his best to listen to what she said. Finally giving up actually paying attention he grabbed her hand and said, “You wanna dance?”

**************

Nick felt himself harden as the girl rubbed her ass into his crotch. Damn it had been to long since he had gotten laid. It had been since he went back to Baton Rouge with Presley almost three months ago. He really needed to have sex. Looking down at the girl as she slid her way back up his body, he couldn’t help but look down her shirt at her ample chest ‘probably fake’ Nick thought to himself. But damn she was hot. She was the type of girl you expected him to be with. Platinum blond hair, extremely tanned, and to much make up, she was still hot though. Nick found himself burring his head in her neck and inhaling her scent. She defiantly smelt like a woman. Before he realized what he was doing he was whispering an invitation to his room in her ear.

AJ walked onto the dance floor just in time to see Nick walking off with his blond bimbo. He quickly lost sight of them as another song came on and the fury of the crowd swallowed Nick. AJ had his suspicions about what Nick was up to, but he couldn’t very well follow him.

**************************

“You are so fucking gorgeous.” Nick said before he closed the door behind him and covered the girl’s mouth with his.

It didn’t take long for Nick to have the girl completely undressed and himself buried deep inside her. His mind focused solely on achieving his orgasm. As he thrust himself deeper in her he shook his head clear of all thoughts of Presley. He knew in the back of his head when he woke up in the morning he was going to regret this, but hell it wasn’t like he could turn back now. He was already fucking this girls brains out, he might as well cum. Giving into the idea of cumming Nick groan loudly as he filled the condom with his juices. Rolling over off the girl he smirked when he realized he didn’t even know her name.

“What is your name?” Nick asked suddenly feeling awful for not knowing.

“Melissa.” The girl replied simply.

A moment later Nick excused himself to the bathroom. Once he shut the door he looked at himself in the mirror and instantly felt guilty. What the fuck had he just done? Why did he do that? It wasn’t even that good, and he could have very possibly just screwed everything up.

While in the bathroom the phone next to the bed rang startling Melissa. Instinctively she reached over and answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Ummm… yes, I’m sorry I must have to wrong number. I am looking for Nick.” The female voice on the other end of the phone asked.

“Oh, no this is his room. He is in the bathroom right now. I can take a message for you if you want though.” Just then the bathroom door opened and she added. “Wait he just came out. Just one second.”

Nick suddenly felt like his world was about to crumble around him. He knew instantly who was going to be on the phone. Why the hell had that fucking girl answered his phone. Nick took the phone in his head and tried to remain calm and play it cool, maybe she wouldn’t be suspicious.

“Hello?” he asked casually.

“…..Hey.” she replied.

‘Fuck’ Nick thought to himself ‘she is suspicious’

“Who is in your room at 1 am Nick?” she asked her voice cracking a little.

“Oh, she is just a friend.” He lied.

“Really? I didn’t realize that you had any friends in Canada. I also didn’t realize that you had any female friends there that would have any reason being in your room at 1 am….. Were you fucking her Nick?” she asked.

“Presley don’t do this okay. I really don’t need you questioning every fucking move I make!” He replied.

“So, I take that as a yes. You fucked her.”

“Think whatever you want P, there isn’t anything I can say to change your mind.” Nick watched as the girl got her clothes and waved goodbye as she walked towards the door.

When she opened the door Nick found another shock. AJ was standing against the wall as if he were waiting for her to leave. The look on Nicks face gave him away and Nick could also tell that AJ knew exactly what he had been doing. AJ looked at the girl and then at Nick before looking down at the ground and shaking his head. He looked at Nick once more giving him a disapproving glare before turning and walking away.

“Did you hear what I just said Nick?” Presley demanded.

“What, no I am sorry what did you say?”

“I said I was calling because I am on my way to the Emergency Room with Sutton, something isn’t right with him. I thought you should know. I guess I shouldn’t have called though, I didn’t realize you were going to be preoccupied at 1 in the morning.”

“Presley. I never said I was preoccupied.”

“So are you saying you didn’t just fuck that girl?”

“Don’t you trust me?” he asked feeling guilty for pulling that card on her knowing that he wasn’t trustworthy. “I told you that she was just an old friend.”

Finally giving in, Presley realized that if she wanted him to trust her that she had to show him that she trusted him. “I do trust you. I am sorry for accusing you. I just miss you and I know how easy it can be for you get wrapped up in that groupie lifestyle.”

Nick hung his head in shame as he continued to lie to her, “Hey baby don’t sweat it. It is kind of sweet that you are jealous….Now what is wrong with Sut?” he added trying to change the subject.

“I don’t know, but he has hardly quit crying in the last 24 hours and about thirty minutes ago he was crying so hard that his face and lips started to turn purple.”

“Is everything going to be okay? Do you need me to come home?”

“No, I am sure it is just a stomach ache or something, but I just need to ease my conscience.”

“Okay, well call me when you know something. Love you.” He whispered.

“I love you too.”

After hanging up the phone he sat down on the edge of the bed and buried his head in his hands. “What the fuck is wrong with me? I am not a fucking cheater!” he said out loud to himself as tears filled his eyes. Guilt was already starting to wear on him and he promised himself that he wouldn’t let anything like that happen again. “Fuck!” he yelled when he remembered that AJ watched the girl leave his room, and the look on his face told him that he knew exactly what he had been doing. “Please keep your mouth shut Alex.” He begged out loud as if AJ could hear him.

“God, Please don’t let me fuck this up!” he said as he lay back on the bed closing his eyes and allowing his mind to wonder.

Presley sat in the Emergency Room trying to calm Sutton down, who still hadn’t stopped crying. She was beginning to get really concerned and to be honest she was scared. In a way she wished she would have told Nick to come home, but at the same time she was annoyed at him. She couldn’t help but think he had been lying to her. Nick never mentioned having any friends in Canada, much less one that had a reason to be in his room at 1 in the morning. Presley tried desperately to tell herself that was exactly what it was, but she knew in the back of her head what he had been doing. The real question was whether or not she would confront him about it, or just let it go. Did she really want to lose Nick over a one night stand with a fucking groupie? Was that worth losing her relationship over? Apparently Nick thought it was.

“Sutton Carter!” The nurse finally called. Relieved Presley carried Sutton into the back with the nurse. Thoughts of Nick went out the window and she concentrated on finding out what was wrong with Sutton, if anything.

Within a few minutes of being in the room a doctor hurried in and took a deep breath. “Who do we have here?” he asked looking down at Sutton who had finally fallen back asleep.

“This is Sutton…” she started.

“And what brings you in with Sutton tonight?” he asked.

“Ummm… I may be over reacting I am not sure, but I am really starting to get concerned about him. He has been crying a lot over the last few days and can’t seem to get any good sleep. At least for not any long period of time, and now when he cries he is starting to get a bluish/purplish color around his mouth.”

“Ok, well let’s take a listen ok?” he said standing up and walking towards the two of them. He placed the stethoscope that was around his neck in his ears and placed the other end on Sutton’s chest. After expertly moving it around he turned away from Presley and wrote something down on his chart. After a few seconds he sat back down and moved his chair towards Presley. “I want to run a few test on the little guy. I would like to do a CT scan and draw some blood if that is alright with you.”

“Of course, but do you mind me asking why you want to do them?” She asked suddenly feeling like she was going to cry.

“It could very well be nothing, so I don’t want to get you upset. I am just being precautionary right now. There is no need to worry Mrs. Carter.” He replied. Presley smirked at him calling her Mrs. Carter, but she didn’t bother to correct him. Presley just nodded her head giving permission for him to proceed. “A nurse will be in shortly get draw some blood from the little guy.” He added as he stood up and walked towards the door. Once he reached he turned around again and said, “I meant what I said, don’t start over thinking anything. I am just being precautionary at the moment. There is no need to get upset, alright?”

“Thank you.” Presley answered as she nodded her head in agreement.

The next couple hours seemed to drag by. The nurse came in and drew Suttons blood which woke him from his sleep, then he had been taken down to have the CT were they had to sedate him, because he was crying too much to be still so that they could get a clean scan. Now they were back in the room waiting on some news as to what was going on. She desperately wanted the doctor to come back in and tell her that everything was fine.

Finally after waiting for what seemed like eternity the doctor walked back into the room, more collected and calm this time around. He sat down on the swivel stool and place the CT scans on the table beside him. He looked down at his chart once more before looking up at Presley, “I believe Sutton has what is called Tetralogy of Fallot. It is a heart defect.”

“What?” Presley asked not sure she was comprehended what he had said. “What does that mean?”

“It is a complex condition of several congenital defects that occur due to abnormal development of the fetal heart during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. It consist of four defects Ventricular septal defect (VSD) in which an opening in the ventricular septum, or dividing wall between the two lower chambers of the heart known as the right and left ventricles that is not suppose to be there. Then there is a pulmonary obstruction, a muscular obstruction in the right ventricle, just below the pulmonary valve, that decreases the normal flow of blood. The pulmonary valve may also be small. Are you getting this?” he asked as he continued to explain the situation.

Presley nodded her head yes, but in reality his words all sounded foreign to her.

“He could also have an overriding aorta in which the aorta is shifted towards the right side of the heart so that it sits over the ventricular septal defect. The fourth problem is that the right ventricle becomes enlarged as it tries to pump blood past the obstruction into the pulmonary artery.”

“Are you sure he has all of those things wrong with him?” Presley asked as her heart rate continued to increase.

“No, I am not. I am just a general surgery doctor; Sutton will need to see a pediatric cardiologist for further testing.”

“What does this mean? Can this kill him?”

“Eventually it could, but if he does indeed have it, there is a surgical procedure that can be done to correct it and he can live a perfectly normal life.”

“So, what do I do?” she asked lost.

“I would like to admit Sutton to the Pediatric ward and contact the cardiologist to come and see him. This defect is usually caught at birth, but sometimes it can go unnoticed in children who do not present the bluish skin color early on.”

“What caused it? Did I do something wrong when I was pregnant?” she asked.

“Probably not. Unless you were a heavy drinker while you were pregnant it is probably a random defect.” The doctor assured her. “So are you alright with us admitting the little guy?”

“Yes. I want him to be admitted. I want him to get better as soon as possible.” She said as she wiped a few stray tears from her cheeks.

“Alright, well I will sign the papers and someone will be in a few minutes to take him up to his room.”

“Will I be able to stay with him?” she asked suddenly realizing that she didn’t want to be without him.

“Of course. He is going into the PICU so he will have his own room, and there should also be a parent bed in there for you.” He said patting her on the back.

“Thank you.” She replied as he turned and walked out.

Presley pulled Sutton close to her and she could no longer hold back the tears. She broke down into sobs saying that she was sorry over and over again. She knew the doctor said that it was probably just a random defect, but she couldn’t help but blame herself. She hadn’t really taken good care of herself while she was pregnant and she was really stressed out for the majority of it. What if that caused this? There was a very real possibility that Sutton was going to need surgery on his heart and that scared her to death.

An hour later Presley stood next to the crib watching Sutton sleep. As soon as they arrived in the room, nursing began to hustle around getting everything set up. They stuck an IV into Sutton’s arms and had connected leads to his chest and stomach to monitor his heart rate and blood oxygen levels. They also placed a nasal canula on him to supplement oxygen. Presley looked up from the crib and towards the window as the sun started to rise. She knew she needed to call Nick, but she wanted to wait until she knew he would be awake and hopefully alone. He was a few hours ahead of them, so she figured now would be a good time to call, since Sutton seemed to be sleeping comfortably.

She walked over to the lounge side of the room and sat down in the chair that was placed in front of the window and took a deep breath before dialing Nick’s number. After a few rings he answered the phone.

“Hey baby! Sorry, I was in the shower. What’s up?” he asked nonchalantly. Although guilt from the night before had been eating at him.

Presley immediately started crying. “You need to come home Nick. Sut is really sick.”

“What? What’s wrong with him?” he asked as panic rose in his voice.

“They think he has a heart defect called Tetralogy of something…. It is pretty bad. They admitted him to the hospital and have contacted a pediatric cardiologist to come and see him. They have him hooked up to all of these monitors, it is horrible Nick.”

“Okay, okay…umm,” Nick searched for words as he ran his hand nervously through his wet hair. “I am on my way, alright baby? I am coming. I will be there as soon as I can.” He promised.

“Okay. I love you Nick.” Presley told him through her tears.

“I love you too, baby. Kiss Sutton for me.” He said. “I better go. I gotta get all of my shit packed and buy a ticket and let the guys know.”

“Okay, bye.”

Nick hung up the phone and grabbed the closest clothes he seen and through them on. Grabbing his wallet he hurried out of the room down to AJ’s, banging on the door loudly in hopes of waking him up. AJ opened the door half asleep in his boxers. “What the fuck Nick!”

“I need your help!” Nick pleaded.

AJ noticed the serious look on Nicks face and was suddenly wide awake. “What’s wrong?”

“It is Sutton. He was admitted to the hospital. The doctors think he has some kind of serious heart defect. I need to get home like right now!” Nick said as he pushed his way into AJ’s room.

“Shit man. I am so sorry. What can I do?” AJ asked realizing the seriousness of the situation.

“Tell Bri and D for me. I don’t have time to wait around and tell everybody. I have got to get home to them. God I am a horrible person!” Nick said as he sat down in a chair and buried his face in his hands.

“You didn’t cause this Nick…” AJ said not understanding where Nick was coming from.

“I know, but last night while Presley sat in the E.R. with Sutton, I was….” Nick couldn’t even finish his sentence.

But AJ could, “Fucking that girl. Is that what you were going to say?” AJ asked knowingly.

“Yea.”

“I figured that much. Why’d you do it man? You know how much Presley hates that shit. Do you know what would happen if she found out? Love or no Love, you would be gone!”

“I know. I was just….Ughhh. We had a stupid fight before I left for the club, and I just wasn’t thinking. By the time I came to my sense I was already inside the girl.” Nick said shaking his head in shame. “What should I do?”

“Whatever you do, don’t tell Presley! All that will do is ease you conscience, but it will hurt her bad! Just don’t fucking do it again Nick! I mean it! She is a great girl and she fucking really loves you. Don’t screw it up!”

“So you aren’t going to tell her?” Nick asked shocked.

“No. I am not. When it comes down to it, my loyalty lays with you. I have told you multiple times over the last few months P and I are over, for good. I have no right or reason to go sticking my nose in your relationship. Just try not to hurt her though bro, she really has been through enough.”

Nick nodded his head agreeing with him. He walked over and wrapped his arms around AJ and hugged him tightly. “I missed you man!” Nick said implying that all was forgiven and that he had his best friend back.

“I missed you too, Nick.”

Nick rushed into the hospital going directly to the information desk to find out what floor the PICU was on. After being informed it was on the fourth floor, he hustled over to the elevator and impatiently shifted weight from one foot to the other while waiting for the doors to open. Once it opened he hopped in and pressed the number 4 multiple times, as if that would somehow make him appear there quicker. Once the door finally opened Nick looked over the patient board behind the nurse’s desk searching for Sutton’s name. Before he could find it on his own, a red headed nurse looked up and asked if she could help him.

“Um, I am looking for Sutton Carters room.” Nick replied nervously. He had begun to dread seeing his baby with all of those monitors hooked on him.

“Are you family? We have strict orders to only allow family.” She replied.

“He is my son.” Nick answered. The nurse’s eyes opened widely when Nick confessed his relationship to Sutton. They had yet to release a statement that he had become a father. Nick noticed the shock on the girls face and quickly added, “We haven’t released a statement yet. I have been on tour.”

“Of course.” The nurse replied suddenly seeming nervous. “Sutton in room 7 the last one on the right.”

Nick thanked her quickly and quickly made his way down to the appropriate room. Taking a deep breath he opened to the door to see Presley head pop up from beside Sutton’s small body. She hadn’t slept at all, and could only fall asleep sitting in a chair next to Sutton’s crib with her hand on his chest and her head lying on the mattress. She jumped on and as Nick approached her and through herself into his arms. She immediately broke down into tears. He had never seen her sob so uncontrollable. It was the most awful sound he had ever heard. She sounded like she was dying. He could tell that she thought her world was crumbling around her. She held on to her as he led her over to the small couch in the room and sat down with her, rubbing his hands through her hair and trying to console her.

“Baby please, please stop crying. You are really freaking me out. I need you to pull yourself together for just a minute and please tell me what is going on?” Nick said as he tried to hold his own tears back.

Presley knew that Nick was right. She needed to pull it together and let him know what was going on. Nodding her head she tried to contain her sobs. She slowly got herself under control and wiped to tears off her face. “I am sorry for breaking down. Just seeing you…. I just lost it for a second. I am so glad that you are here.”

“Of course I am here, baby. You and Sutton need me here.” He looked over at his son, seeing the all of the wires and monitors hooked up to him. Choking back tears he looked back at Presley and asked, “How is he doing?”

“I am not sure. He has been ok, since they admitted him and started supplementing him with oxygen. He seems to be sleeping better with it also.” She answered looking over at Sutton.

“Has anyone given you anymore news?” he asked.

“No, not really. The cardiologist came in earlier and said that tomorrow they are going to do a few test on him, something called and EEG and another called and ECG. One of them has something to do with sound waves and the other electric impulses. They are going to be looking at the severity of the defect.”

“What exactly is this thing called again?” Nick questioned as he racked his hand through his hair.

“Tetralogy of Fallot, I think.” Replied Presley.

“What does it mean?”

“I don’t really know all the specifics, the doctor told me, but I couldn’t understand half of the things he said. What I did get is that he isn’t getting enough oxygen in his blood because the un-oxygenated blood is mixing with the oxygenated blood, so once it is making him turn blue, and it makes him restless. Which is why he isn’t sleeping good.”

“Can they fix it?” he asked almost afraid of the answer.

“Yes….but it is a major surgery that they don’t like to do before the age of six months.” She answered.

“So what do we do until then?”

“I am not sure. I think he will have to been on oxygen full time. I am not sure if he has to stay in the hospital or not…..God Nick! What did we do to deserve this? I just don’t get it! I mean I know we have screwed up a lot, but Sutton doesn’t deserve to go through this! I am such a horrible mom! I knew that I wouldn’t be any good at this. My Son is barely a month old and his is already in the hospital fighting for his life!” She said as he felt herself begin to break down again.

“P, baby don’t do this to yourself it isn’t your fault! You didn’t do this to him!” he said trying to reason with her.

“But what if I did? I mean I was 11 weeks pregnant by the time I found out. I drank a lot before that. Drinking is one of the only known reasons for this. And the rest of my pregnancy was so stressful! I could’ve caused this at any point in my pregnancy!”

“Presley, stop it ok! You didn’t do this! Things like this happen. Neither one of us caused this! We cannot blame ourselves here. We have to hold it together and be strong for Sutton. We all have to help each other get through this. Please Presley, I need you to stay strong! If you fall apart so will I….” He replied as he pulled her into his arms.

Presley wept into his chest as she felt his arms surround her. She felt a peace wash over her as she settled into his embrace. Pulling away she looked up at him as she reached to wipe the tears off of her face. Tipping her chin up towards him, he captured her lips into his. “I love you Presley. I hope you know that.” He said as he released her lips.

Presley smiled weakly and replied, “I do know….and I love you too.”

They sat back against the back of the couch as Presley settled into Nicks embrace. Neither speaking for quite some time. So many questions were running through Nick’s mind that he desperately wanted answers too, but he knew that Presley wouldn’t have them. He would have to wait and ask the doctor. He did need to find away to give Presley hope though. “Hey baby?”

“Yea…”

“You did say that this can be corrected right? They can fix it and he will live a normal healthy life?” he questioned.

“Yea, that is what the doctor said.” She replied.

“Then let’s just go with that for right now. Let’s have faith that Sutton is going to be just fine in the end. This is just a little bump in the road. We need to be thankful that you are such a good mom! I mean you knew something was wrong with him, even though he didn’t have any real symptoms. Your maternal instinct just knew. We have to believe that there was a reason for that!” Nick said trying his hardest to be optimistic.

Presley nodded her head in agreement. “You are right. This defect has a solution. There is a way to fix it. That is what we need to remember. I keep forgetting that there is a way to make him better.” She leaned over and pressed her lips softly onto Nicks. She really missed his lips. She really missed him. “I missed you.”

Nicked pulled her closer to him as he placed a kiss on the top of her head. “I missed you too, baby. I missed you a lot.” Nick closed his eyes as another wave of guilt came over him over his infidelity the night before. If only he could go back 24 hours and take it back. He desperately wanted to apologize to Presley for betraying her, but then AJ’s words popped in his head reminding him that all confessing would do is hurt Presley. So instead he made a silent promise to her, to never let it happen again.

“I was so scared Nick.”

“I know baby…so was I. I was terrified of walking into the room. I didn’t know what to expect.”

“I am so glad you are here.” She confessed.

“I am not going anywhere until Sutton is better. I promise I am going to be here with you every step of the way. I promise.” Nick replied pulling her into him once again holding her tight against him. “I am here for you…. Forever.”

Chapter 5

After what seemed like hours of holding Presley in his arms, all the while his mind consumed with fears for Suttons life and his recent infidelity, he excused himself from the room to call the guys and let them know what was going on. Retreating to the waiting room he pulled out his cell phone and scrolled down for AJ’s number. He needed to make sure that AJ let the other guys know the urgency and severity of Sutton’s condition. Plus he wanted to ask AJ one more time if he was sure that it was a good idea to keep his infidelity a secret from Presley.

After a few rings AJ answered the phone. “Nick man, I’ve been worried sick. How is the little guy?”

“It’s not good Alex. He has a heart defect that is going to require major surgery. It is called Tetralogy of Fallot. I don’t know much about it, because the doctor hasn’t been in for me to talk to him, but Presley said that it has something to do with the lack of oxygenated blood making it to the lungs, so he turns blue. According to Presley his has been doing much better since they have him hooked up to an oxygen machine.”

“Dude, I am so sorry man. This has got to be killing P. How is she handling it?” AJ asked carefully. He didn’t want to come across the wrong way, but he wanted to make sure she was hanging in there.

Nick took a deep breath shaking his head in defeat and he prepared to tell AJ, “Bad, she is not doing well. I don’t think she has slept in a couple of days, and her eyes are almost swollen shut from crying so much. She is blaming herself. Saying that she drank when she didn’t know that she was pregnant, and that she didn’t take care of herself like she should have. I keep telling her that it isn’t her fault, that things like this happen all the time for no reason, but of course she doesn’t believe me.”

“Man, I am so sorry. I can’t imagine how you two must feel. I don’t think I could handle it. I mean, how are you holding up?”

“I am trying to stay positive for Pressie, I don’t want her worrying any more than she already is, and I think that if I try and focus on the positive, that maybe she will too. But honestly man, I am so freaking scared. I mean seriously how are you expected to stay calm and not totally freak out when your kid as a major heart condition. I really don’t know how I am going to keep it together.”

“You are a tough guy Nick. You will be amazed at what you can pull through.” AJ said trying to comfort him.

“Generally, I would agree with you, but I am not so sure this time. I mean, dude I just fucked some random girl last night, and now I am here consoling Presley all the while the guilt is eating away at me. She was at the hospital trying to save our sons life, while I had my dick in some girl whose name I didn’t even know. It is just making the entire situation worse. Are you sure I shouldn’t tell her. I mean I know that she will be hurt, but don’t you think she deserves the truth?”

“I understand where you are coming from, but dude…”

“Fuck!” Nick said loudly with surprise in his voice. Nick looked towards the door to see Presley shaking her head disappointedly at him, before turning to walk away.

“What? What wrong?” AJ asked.

“Mother Fucker!....Shit Alex, she heard me. She fucking heard me!”

“How do you know?” AJ asked still confused about what was going on.

“I just looked up and there she was standing in the door way giving me this look that told me she heard everything, then she just shook her head and walked away. I am so screwed!...I gotta go. I gotta try to fix this.” Nick snapped the phone shut without even waiting for a response from AJ. Shoving the phone into his pocket he made his way out into the hallway and rushed down to Sutton’s room.

Presley stared down at Sutton with tears rolling down her cheeks. She didn’t seem to notice Nick when he entered. However, Nick assumed that she was merely ignoring his entrance. She ran her hand along Sutton face and gently swept the blonde wisps of hair off of his forehead. Nick, not sure of what to do or say, kept his distance and sat in the chair along the wall of the room. While his mind ran wild with scenarios that could possibly unfold, his body stayed tense and terrified of what her reaction was going to be.

“P, I don’t know where to start.” Nick said finally breaking the silence.

“Then don’t Nick. Don’t start. I don’t want to talk about it. I already knew that is what you were doing. I am not an idiot. So don’t start treating me like I am one.”

“I am so sorry Presley! I swear! You have no idea who guilty I feel. I don’t know what came over me. We had that stupid argument about AJ, I went out and go drunk and the next thing I realize I am fucking some girl. I swear Presley, it wasn’t malicious, and I wasn’t trying to get you back or anything. I swear! I am so sorry!” Nick pleaded with tears rolling out of his eyes.

Presley took a deep breath and closed her eyes considering all of her options. Swallowing her pride she accepted the fact that she was going to forgive him. She really needed him right now, and his one night stand with some strange girl was not going to change that. “Forget about it okay. Let’s just pretend it didn’t happen okay.”

Nick looked at Presley like she was crazy. This wasn’t the strong independent woman he was used to. The Presley he knew would have at least ripped him a new asshole before forgiving him. However, she was putting up and fight, she was just sweeping in under the carpet, pretending it didn’t happen. “Presley, do you hear what you are saying? I cheated on you! I fucked some girl whose name I don’t even know and you are just going to sweep it under the carpet? You aren’t going to scream and yell and totally flip out on me? I mean seriously this isn’t you P.”

“I don’t have it in me anymore Nick. I heard you talking to Alex, and it seems that you are really regretful about it, and I know in the end I would forgive you. I am skipping over all of the stupid stuff in the middle because I need you right now. I need your support through all of this with Sutton.” Tears began flowing freely as she broke down again. “I can’t do it…I can’t do it alone Nick.”

Nick got out of his seat and made his way over to her, taking her into his arms holding on to her tightly. Kissing the top of her head, he made a vow to himself that he was going to be there every step of the way, and he would not let his male hormones ever get in the way of that. Seeing how much she needed him made him realize how much he needed her. “I am not going anywhere, baby. As long as you want me I am here.” He said kissing her head again. “I am so sorry.”

Just then there was a knock on the door, and almost immediately a few doctors walked into the room. Both Presley and Nick quickly wiped the tears off of their faces and turned their attention to the doctors. Nick noticed that there were three doctors, all of them wearing different expressions on their faces. He didn’t particularly care for any of the expressions, because none of them looked pleasant.

“Mr. and Mrs. Carter, I have brought a couple of my colleagues with me, so that we can explain a little more about Sutton’s condition. This is Dr. Grey” he said pointing to the short chunky doctor to his right, “And this is Dr. Bishop. And I have met you Mrs. Carter, but I haven’t met you Mr. Carter. I am Dr. Nadell, Sutton’s attending.”

“Nice to meet you.” Nick replied. He caught that they were referring to Presley as Mrs. Carter and he smirked inwardly to himself, however, he didn’t bother to correct him. He actually kind of liked it.

“So, do you have any specific questions that you want answered?” Dr. Nadell asked looking back and forth between Nick and Presley.

“I have so many, but right now not many are coming to me.” Nick said scratching his head. “I guess my biggest question is what are his chances of coming through this?”

“His chances are really good, actually. He is actually a very lucky little boy that he has a mom that is so attentive, because his body was being deprived of oxygen, and after a while that can start to do brain damage. However, it was caught really quickly, and the tests haven’t showed any sign of damage to his brain at all.”

“What about his heart. I mean I know there is this defect, but other than that is it strong?”

“His heart is strong; it is just laid out in the wrong way. That is what we will repair in surgery.”

“When can he have the surgery?” Nick asked.
“The repair is made at around 6 months of age, or even a little earlier.”
“What exactly does the surgery do?”
“Repairing the heart defects will allow oxygen-poor (blue) blood to travel its normal route through the pulmonary artery to receive oxygen.”
“What exactly takes place during surgery? I mean what will you do in there?
“The operation is performed under general anesthesia; consist of us closing the ventricular septal defect with a patch. We will also open and enlarge the obstructed pathway between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. And in Sutton’s case we will also be enlarging his pulmonary artery.”

“That sounds like a lot of stuff. I mean isn’t this really dangerous?”

“All surgeries come with risks, but I assure you that Sutton has a way better chance of a full life with the surgery, than without it?”

“A full life, you mean he can live a normal life after the surgery?”
“Most children who have had the surgical repair will live healthy lives. Activity levels, appetite, and growth will eventually return to normal in most children. He may have to have another surgery in his 30’s to replace the valve, but other than that he will be like every other child out there. It will be like he never had the defect.” Dr. Nadell assured him.

“That is awesome. Do you hear that baby! He is going to be fine! Everything will work out!” His said pulling Presley into his arms. He had one more question that he had to ask though.

“Umm…Doc, I have one more question. Sutton is only a month old. Is he going to have to stay in the hospital until he has the surgery?”

“It all depends on what you want. Some mothers feel more confident with the child her in the hospital, but if the two of you are up for the challenge it is more that plausible that Sutton can go home. He will need to be on oxygen full time though, only taken off to be bathed or for feeding.”

“Thanks so much. We will talk it over and let you know.” Nick replied. He glanced at Presley and noticed a small smile creeping across her lips. She had thought the news was good too.

The doctors left the room, and a silence fell between them. It was almost a comfortable silence. Both of then thinking about how lucky it seemed they had gotten. Heart conditions can be fatal. They could’ve easily lost their baby, but instead they were going to get to keep him. He was going to be fine. And the idea of taking him home pleased both of them.

However, Nick knew that if they bought Sutton home that meant the end of the tour for him. He was more than willing to cancel the rest of it. However, he was not looking forward to giving a press release about why the tour was being canceled. It had to be done at some point though. And now was a good a time as ever.