Poppy's PoV

Before I knew it, Monday had appeared and as I donned what comfortable yet practical clothes I owned for our day out, I felt torn between feeling happy and content and worried about the future. Today, the new nurse was starting and as excited as I was to meet them and teach them the ways, it also meant that my time as their nurse was coming to an end - not permanently but for a prolonged period. The countdown was still and in less than 50 days I would be giving birth and then starting my chemo. Everything about that sentence seemed overwhelming yet I tried to maintain a level head. There was absolutely no point in me just acting out for the entire time feeling sorry for myself or angry with God or the world... I'd been dealt this hand and my focus was to survive it. I had Calum by my side and he'd shown me so many times recently just how much he cared and how supportive he was. He had shown me so many times in our relationship just how thoughtful he could be, surprising me with trips out, nights in, our wedding, my baby shower... the list went on.

I finally managed to buckle up my sandals and with a sigh of relief I realised I'd worked up quite a sweat trying to put those on and that they probably wouldn't last me much longer. It was funny how, despite my swollen ankles, my minutely need to pee, my ever expanding stomach and my suddenly enlarged and very veiny breasts, I actually really liked how I looked. I loved the feeling of being lucky enough to get pregnant and grow this life inside of me, solely growing off my nutrition and my body being able to move enough to fit this increasing load. I could stare at myself with this bump all day.

"You'll be late if you keep looking in that mirror." Calum jested as he peeked round the doorframe.

"I'm already ready." I stated, pursing my lips as I made eye contact with him through the reflection. He was trying to hide his body from my view but I could already see the cotton rim of the towel around his waist. He was far from being ready to leave. "Car will be here in ten." I reminded him and he quickly shot off, doors and drawers slamming as he tried to work out what to wear. I rolled my eyes as I gathered the momentum to move away from the mirror and packed up my essentials, along with some snacks, into my backpack. As I slung it over my shoulder, Calum finally emerged in a 'Nine Inch Nails' tee and dark jeans.

"Let's go then!" Calum said happily as we locked up and headed downstairs, in our own worlds as we chatted between us and headed onto the street - and unknowingly into a sea of paps.

"Poppy! How does it feel to know your parents sold you out?"
"What do you have to say to your brother?"
"Calum, are there still doubts the baby is yours?"
"How do you feel to be the centre of Ashton's and Bex's break up?"

"Oh for fucks sake." Calum muttered as he pulled me closer to him and I shielded my bump. We practically pushed through the crowd which then began to follow us as more and more people saw who we were and wanted a piece of the nonexistent story.

"What the hell do we do now?" I whispered harshly to Calum as we picked up our pace to a brisk speed walk.

"Act like it doesn't bother us and hop in the nearest taxi." He said quietly. I quickly looked around as of admiring the architecture, pointing over at a high rise building in the opposite direction of where I'd noticed a taxi at a red light.

"There's one at the red light but someone is in it." I responded but Calum simply shrugged and with one swift movement, he'd flung the taxi door open and shoved us both inside, right next to a suited stranger who looked surprised and flabbergasted.

"I'm really sorry. I'll pay for the whole journey. We have paparazzi following us." Calum said politely. "Are you heading to something important?" The suited male let out a half smile despite his eyebrows being furrowed. He straightened his tie.

"I- I actually have a job interview at Sunrise TV." He stammered, nerves clearly getting the better of him whilst we sat inches from him and quizzed him on his life. Internally I facepalmed at the whole situation but we had to do what we had to do.

"Well, what do you know, we're actually heading there for an in depth question and answer about our new album. I'm Calum from 5 seconds of summer." He held his hand out across me to the guy.

"Thomas Akua." He said back, his handshake weak with nerves.

"And I'm Poppy, his wife and the band's nurse." I shook his hand very awkwardly baring in mind we were shoulder to shoulder and the taxi continued to our destination. The journey was filled with awkward small talk but we wished Thomas all the best as he ran into the building and towards where he needed to be. We checked in at the reception desk and awaited everyone else's arrival. I was more than ready when I saw the nurse walking through the doors, signing in quickly before heading over to us with a smile. Her petit body and long hair were just as I remembered from years ago, her eyes lighting up the same way they used to when we finally got to see each other following a shift or on a day off.

"Oh my god Poppy you look amazing!" Leanne ran to me and embraced me gently yet full of emotion.

"Leanne it's so good to see you again!" I mumbled into her shoulder as we hugged, emotions hitting me and my hormones making them triple. I began to cry happy tears. "Im sorry, I'm such a mess right now." I said as I wiped some tears away, sniffling as I tried to regain composure.

"Literally everything makes her cry right now." Calum added, making me smack him on the arm jokingly. "I'm Calum, bassist for the band." He held his hand out and shook Leanne's. "I've heard great things from your time together."

"Thank you, it's lovely to meet you too. I've done my research so hopefully I'll be good for the job." Leanne was never one to big herself up but I knew she was more than capable. "Excited and ready for the baby?" She looked down at my large baby bump with a smile.

"I really am. I mean, it's gonna be tough with our new album and tour and stuff but I know we'll handle it." Calum said happily and the two of them continued their conversation. I,however, suddenly realised that he was right. All this promotion work was because they were due to go on tour soon, I'd been so caught up in all my health stuff that I hadn't even realised he'd soon be leaving me alone to deal with the latter end of the pregnancy. I prayed he'd make it back in time for the birth, he'd have to surely. Management would let him take a few days off for that- right?