When I woke up the next morning, the kids were still sleeping, and so was Brian. I made sure they were both okay, and rolled over to face Brian. I snuggled closer and buried my face in his chest “Good morning babe” he said as he kissed my hair. “Morning Bri, sorry if I woke you up.” “You didn’t, I’ve just been laying here enjoying the moment” he said with a chuckle. I sighed contentedly, and we laid there for a while, cuddled up to each other when I heard the baby waking up “looks like it’s time for me to feed my princess” I said with a smile. Brian got up and went into the bathroom while I fed and changed Madelyn. While she was eating, Cam woke up. “Good morning baby” I said kissing his head. “Morning Mama, where’s Uncle Jimmy? I want him to play with me” “Come on Killa Cam, we’ll go find him” Brian said as he walked out of the bathroom. He walked over to us, kissed me on the top of my head, and picked Cameron up. “We’ll be downstairs, just come down whenever you’re done.” “Okay babe” I smiled as he carried my son downstairs to find Jimmy.

After breakfast we all went our separate ways to go shower and get ready for the day, with Brian promising to come and pick us up later. Today we were all meeting at a restaurant for lunch, then going to find a Christmas tree for Matt and Val’s house. Why they waited until the Saturday before Christmas to decorate was beyond me, but they wanted everyone to help out. I took a quick shower, not bothering to wash my hair, and pulled on some clothes. I grabbed my skinny jeans and my journey tee, and layered a white thermal underneath it, with my black uggs. I put my hair into a side braid, and slapped a skinny head band on my head. I changed the kids and grabbed Cam‘s jacket. I also packed a few toys and snacks for Cam in his backpack, and waited for Brian to come.

Once Brian got to my house we decided that he would just drive my car, so we didn’t have to move the kids’ seats. Once we were in the car, Cam and I were singing along to the radio. Brian looked over at me and smiled “What?” I asked, confused. “It’s just so cute, he knows like every word to this song and you’re singing away over there. You’ve got a great voice, we should all go out and do karaoke one night.” “Uhh no” I started “No way Bri” “What? Why not? You’re voice is amazing, you should be proud.” he said “Yeah uh, I get nervous I guess” I stuttered “Maybe we’ll just get you liquored up and then take you to karaoke. The girls are always a good time when we do karaoke. You’ll have a blast.” he said with a grin. “Maybe, we’ll see” I smiled back. “So, your accent definitely gets a lot stronger when you drink” he laughed “I thought Paula Deen showed up at Matt’s house.” “Seriously Bri?” I laughed “I’m not THAT bad.” “Okay okay, so maybe Paula Deen was a bit much” he said as we pulled up to the restaurant.

We walked in to find everyone already sitting at the table “The southern belle has arrived!” Johnny shouted, which caused my face to turn pink. “Oh come on JC I’m not that bad!” I said as everyone laughed “Honey,” Gena said, “I have never heard an accent that thick in my life.” “Yeah yeah, pick on the southerner” I said with a laugh. We ordered our lunch and conversation picked up again. “Oh, guys,” Brian started “Brook has been hiding a really amazing singing voice, and we all need to go out to karaoke one night.” “Oh karaoke! We haven’t been in forever! Let’s do it!” Leana said enthusiastically, while the other girls nodded. “Hang on guys, we’re forgetting one little thing, these two can’t go to a karaoke bar” I said pointing to the kids “But, my mom will be here for New Year’s, and she’s gonna be staying for a few weeks, so I’m sure she wouldn’t mind to watch the kids for the night” I said with a smile, watching all their faces light up. “YES! KARAOKE! I’m going to be the best!” Jimmy said, pumping his fist in the air. I turned my attention toward Cameron, who was coloring. “Whatcha doing baby?” I asked him, “Drawing dinosaurs,” he said without looking up “this one is the t-rex. He’s eating the baby long neck” All the guys chuckled, “That kid is so awesome” Matt said with a grin. There was a lull in conversation while the waitress was giving us our plates, and we suddenly heard “Baby don’t cryyyyy” and everyone’s attention snapped to Cam, still coloring away and singing his heart out. “Kid’s got good taste” Zack said with a grin. I smiled sheepishly, “Well, ya know, he is my child” Brian chuckled and kissed the side of my head, “Now he’s officially the cutest kid ever.”

After lunch we went to the Christmas tree farm. Cameron was in awe, and currently riding on Brian’s shoulders. The girls and I were taking our time walking around and pushing Madi in her stroller, while the guys went to find the best tree they could get. “Sooooo,” Val started, “How’d it go last night?” “It was fine, we kissed a few times.” “That’s so sweet. I knew you looked happier today!” Lacey exclaimed “Jeeze Lace I didn’t get laid, I just kissed the guy” I chuckled. “Well we know that, but the fact that your relationship with Brian is going somewhere is obviously making you a happy girl” Leana said with a smile, “Yeah, your eyes have a little twinkle in them, and you haven’t stopped smiling since you got to the restaurant” Gena spoke up. “Okay you guys are right, I’m super happy. I finally feel like I belong somewhere, that things are falling into place for me. I have a really good job, this huge group of amazing friends, and a guy that appreciates me and loves my kids. What more could I even ask for?” I said with a huge smile, but quickly turned serious, “I’m afraid it’s all too good to be true, that it’s all going to disappear and I’ll be alone and back in Georgia.” “Oh honey,” Gena said as she placed her hand on top of mine, “We aren’t going anywhere. We love you, and we all definitely love those kids. We have a niece and nephew we get to spoil like crazy. I know Zack thinks the world of you guys, I would think it was totally weird if you weren’t such an amazing person.” she said with a smile. The other girls agreed “It’s natural to be scared Brook,” Val said, “you were hurt, really bad. Your heart was broken, and you don’t want it to happen again.” “No, I don’t,” I said, “it’s okay if he hurts me, but if he hurts that little boy I will never forgive him. Cam thinks the sun sets and rises in his back pocket.” “Don’t worry, if he hurts any of you, he will have to deal with the four of us” Lacey said with a smile and put her arm around me.

We caught up to the guys, who were in deep conversation about the tree in front of them. “I don’t know man, it looks kind of shrimpy to me.” Johnny said “Christ, YOU look shrimpy. This tree is awesome. It’s big and full and the girls will love it. What do you think Cam Man?” Jimmy asked, looking at my son, “Lets cut it down!” He said a he clapped his hands. “Well, the man has spoken. Girls, we’ve found our Christmas tree with the help of the little dude.” Matt said with a grin, “I’ll go pay for the tree, you guys just hang out here.” “Bri let’s go with him! He can’t forget my tree!” Cam shouted excitedly, “Okay buddy, hang on tight!” Brian said as he jogged to catch up with Matt. I was smiling after the boys when Jimmy walked over and wrapped his arm around my shoulder “That kid makes him so fuckin happy.” he started, “I’ve been his best friend for years, and I’ve never seen him love kids the way he loves yours.” “Jimmy’s right” Zack said, “He’s completely happy now. The day he met you he called me while you were dropping off the kids, he said ‘Zack. I just met the most beautiful girl I‘ve ever seen, and she has the cutest kids.’ I was a little stunned for a second, I made him repeat his sentence.” I smiled and put my arm around Jimmy’s waist “Thanks boys, I mean I’m really not doing anything. If anything he’s the one helping me. I’m a much happier person now.” “You’re like the best tiny person in the world, we think you rock.” Jimmy said, squeezing my shoulder.

Once we got the tree we all made it back to Matt and Val’s house. It took us all day long to decorate the massive tree. The girls and I decided to cook for the boys while they decorated the outside of the house. Shrimp pasta and salad for the adults, chicken nuggets and fries for Cam. Gena and I set the table while Val, Lacey, and Leana were working in the kitchen. “So since you’re working with Zee I’d like to get to know you more. Not that I’m jealous, but because I’m going to be seeing a lot of you, and you’re really awesome.” Gena said. “That sounds good Gena, we can do lunch or you can come over for dinner. Bring Zee and I’ll have Bri come over, it could be a double date type thing” I smiled “I didn’t have many girlfriends in Georgia. Actually I had pretty much no friends. The only people I ever spent time with were my sister and her family. It’s nice to actually have friends.” “Well you’ve got four now. And the good news is we all get along” she grinned. I smiled back at her.

The girls brought the food out and we called the guys inside to eat. “Holy shit that smells good, what is it?” Johnny asked. “Shrimp pasta with a spinach salad. Brook gave me the recipe” Val said with a smile. “You like to cook B?” Matt asked, looking up from his plate, “I love to cook. I like trying out new recipes. I need some baking practice though, I keep burning stuff” I said with a pout. “Well, you can let Bri be your guinea pig, and bring some cookies to the Avenged Christmas party” Val said, “Pleeeeeeease” she begged. “Christmas party? I didn’t know I was invited’ I said shyly “Of course you’re invited Tiny.” Jimmy said “You guys are our newest members of the family” Brian grinned and said “well, I DO need a date to the Christmas party.” “Forget Haner, you didn’t even mention it to me” I said with a smirk, “Besides, I’m Gena’s date” I grinned “What?!” Zack shouted “Gena’s my date!” “Not anymore Zee, you can go with Haner over here” I said, gesturing to Brian with my thumb. Brian was staring with his mouth wide open. “I can’t believe it. Ditched for Gena” he said shocked “Hey now” Gena said “What do you mean ‘ditched for Gena’? Gena is awesome” “Oh Bri,” I said kissing his cheek “I’m only kidding, of course I’ll be your date.” “Stupid” Johnny said, laughing at Brian. “Okay, so Avenged Christmas party? Count us in. We’ll bring cookies. Anything else?” I asked. “Well we usually have a big dinner. I’m making ham, Leana is doing a turkey, Gena and Lacey are bringing a few sides each. The guys are in charge of all beverages. You can bring a couple desserts if you want.” Val said. “I can do that! Maybe a cake, a pumpkin pie, and Christmas cookies. I’ll have Cam help me decorate them” I smiled “I love Christmas, it’s my favorite holiday” I said getting really excited “Oh Tiny I love you! You’re so fun!” Jimmy said with a laugh.

After dinner Brian and I said our goodbyes and made our way back to my house. On the way home my most favorite song came on my iPod. “Oh my god, this is my favorite song.” I said, “Seriously, THIS is your favorite?” Brian asked “Yes, it’s romantic. I freakin love this song. Now shut up so I can sing along” I said, sticking my tongue out at him. “And loving a music man ain't always what it's supposed to be. Oh Girl, you stand by me. I'm forever yours, faithfully.” I sang along to the radio, and looked over at Brian, who had a huge grin on his face “What in the world are you smiling so hard about Bri?” “You, you have the greatest voice, singing this Journey song, it’s just a good moment.” he said, smiling at me. I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re weird.” He laughed and grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers together, “You like it.” he said with a wink.

Once I got home, after saying goodbye to Brian, who promised to come visit tomorrow, I sat down and called my sister. “Hellooooo sister” she said on the other end of the phone. “Hi Liv, how’s my beautiful little nephew?” I asked with a smile “Well gee, I’m fine thanks. He’s good, gaining weight like crazy!” she replied “Oh whatever, I was going to ask about you next. I miss you sis, but I’ve been having an amazing time. And I may or may not have a boyfriend” “Brook” she started “you need to be careful. I know you want to get your life started again but you can’t just jump into the first relationship you find.” she said, I rolled my eyes “Liv, if you knew who it was, you wouldn’t be saying that” “Well, who is it?” “Brian” I said “Brian? As in Brian Haner? Well holy shit why didn’t you tell me that? When did this happen?’ She asked. “Last night, he kissed me when we were over at Matt and Val’s house for a barbecue. The guys say he’s totally smitten. He loves the kids too, Cam is like his tiny best friend.” “Holy shit, this is so weird. My sister is dating Synyster Gates and she works for Zacky Vengeance.” she said in disbelief. “I know right! You and Jason are going to have to come out and visit so you can meet them! And I totally miss my nephew.” I said. “We will, I’ll talk to him about coming to visit during the summer so we can actually act like tourists and go to the beach and stuff” she said “but I have to go, I have to feed Jackson and get him to sleep.” she explained “Okay Liv, I love you, okay? And I miss you terribly. Kiss Action Jackson for me, tell him Aunt Brook loves him.” “I will sis, I love you too.” We disconnected and I sighed. I really missed my sister. She’s my best friend, I feel a little lost without her, but I know I’m supposed to be here.

Notes

this one is SUPER long, I just couldn’t cut it off! Hopefully everyone knows the song that Cameron was singing at lunch (A Little Piece of Heaven), and the song she was singing in the car was Faithfully by Journey. Its seriously one of my favorite songs.