When I woke up the next morning I was still on the couch. Madelyn was still on my chest, and I was still snuggled up to Brian. The only thing that had changed was that Cameron was now asleep in Brian’s lap, head on his chest. Brian’s head on top of his. I gently got up, trying not to wake the boys and grabbed my phone. I quickly snapped a picture of them, and sent it to the girls and captioned it “How adorable is this?!” I brought my phone with me to Madi’s room so I could change and feed her. No sooner than I laid my phone down it started ringing. “Good morning Valary” I said sarcastically “Don’t good morning me! What’s Brian doing over there so early?” she asked excitedly “We fell asleep watching a movie last night. All four of us propped up in the corner of the couch.” I explained “Awww that is just too cute. I’m printing that picture off for him.” She said excitedly. “Val, who the hell are you talking to? It’s 8:30 in the morning. Go back to sleep” Matt groaned in the background. “Shut up Matt, I got a picture from Brook, wanna see it?” “What? You’re on the phone because you got a picture from Brook?” he asked confused while I was laughing at their conversation. “Yes, look. How cute is that?!” “Oh. Oh. He stayed there last night?” he asked. “Yes Matt. Nothing happened, we fell asleep watching a movie and Cam joined us in the middle of the night.” I explained. “Oh shit. Uh, hey Brook. What’s goin on?” He stuttered “Hey Matt,” I laughed, “not much, just changing and feeding Madi.” “Oh that pretty baby. Okay, I’m going back to sleep. See ya later Brook.” “Come over later! You can help me get ready for tomorrow” Val said excitedly. We disconnected and I looked at Madi and shook my head “Your Auntie Val is insane” I said as I heard a chuckle behind me “You’re just now figuring that out?” Brian asked as I turned around and smiled at him. “Yeah well, she’s a fun type of insane. You sleep okay?” “Yeah, somehow this monkey ended up in my lap” he said as he gestured to Cam, who was in his arms grinning at both of us. “Mama, I slept on Bri. I bery like him” He said as he squeezed Brian’s neck. “Oh I gotta potty!” he exclaimed as Brian laughed and put him down. “Don’t forget to wash your hands Cameron!” I said as he ran out of the room. “So babe, what are you doing today?” Brian asked as he kissed my head, then kissed Madi “I need to wrap a few presents, oh I gotta call Jimmy!” I exclaimed. “What are we calling Jim for?” “WE aren’t calling Jimmy, I’M calling Jimmy. I need his help, and you can’t know!” I rushed. “Fine,” he pouted and stuck his bottom lip out, “I’m gonna go get Bruce today. Want me to bring him over tonight?” “Ohh no let’s wait until tomorrow morning, you can bring him over before he wakes up to see what Santa brought” I said with a big grin. “I’ll see if Zee and Gena want to watch him and I’ll make a Petsmart run to pick up dog supplies.” “Okay babe, I’m gonna head home and shower. I’ll call you after I’ve gotten Bruce.” he said as he put his arms around me. “Be careful, and don’t let Pinkly be mean to my baby” I said with a smile as he kissed me. “I wouldn’t let her do that, I’m gonna go say bye to Cameron.” he said as he walked to my son’s room. “Hey Killa Cam, come here and give me a hug, I gotta go.” “What, why?” Cam asked sadly “I wanted you to play dinosaurs with me!” “I will bud, I’ll come back later. I promise. I just have to go talk to Santa about a few things.” Brian explained. “Santa? You know Santa?” “I do, I have to go tell him what a good boy you’ve been so you can get awesome presents.” “Oh thank you Bri! I love you!” my son shouted as he jumped into Brian’s arms. Brian looked up at me in surprise, and I had the biggest smile on my face as I looked at them. “I love you too bud. I’ll see you later okay?” “Okay Bri.” I walked him to the door and he gave me another kiss and said “I’ll call you later beautiful. Have fun with Jimmy.” “I will, bye babe.”

Once Brian left I immediately called Jimmy. “Hello?” he answered sounding confused. “Hi JimBones, whatcha doing?” I asked sweetly. “Tiny girl! What are you doing? I’m just playing around in the studio, getting ready to start working on songs for our new album. It’s gonna be awesome.” He said excitedly. “Well Mr. Sullivan, I need your help.” “My help? What do you need my help with?” Jimmy asked confused. “Well, I have no idea what to buy Brian for Christmas. And since you’ve been his best friend since middle school, I figured you were the perfect person to ask. So do you think you could spare a few hours outside of the studio and help me find something for him please?” I asked. “For you, I’d be honored Tiny. But only if you’ll help me. I heard you’ve got an amazing voice, and I need help in the studio. You up for it?” He asked. “What? Me? What about Val?” I asked hesitantly. “Val screams. I don’t need a screamer, I need a singer.” he chuckled. “What do you say Tiny? You gotta keep it mum though, I want it to be a surprise to the guys.” “Okay Jim. I’ll do it, just for you.” I said. “YAY! I’ll be at your house in an hour to pick you up to go shopping!” he said excitedly. We disconnected and I went to get ready. I threw on a pair of jeans, some tan moccasins, and a red long sleeved top. I ran the straightener over my hair and threw some makeup on. I got the kids ready, and sent Gena a quick text asking if she and Zack could watch Cam for about an hour so I could make a Petsmart run. “Ohhh a new puppy from Santa! We’d love to watch the little guy, bring him on over!” She responded. I packed a backpack full of toys and books for Cam, and got Madelyn’s diaper bag ready. I was just finishing up when Jimmy rang the doorbell. “Hello Tiny and baby Tiny!” Jimmy said as he walked in the door and scooped Madi out of my arms. “I missed your pretty little face my little princess” He cooed to her as he kissed all over her cheeks. “Cam man! How’s it goin dino dude?” He asked as Cameron came in the room. “Hey baby, you want to go see Uncle Zack and Aunt Gena?” “Oh yes! I want to see Ickybob and Majesty!” he said excitedly. “Ichabod, Cam” I said with a laugh. “That’s what I said mom, Ickybob.” I took Madelyn from Jimmy, who was laughing hysterically and said “come on boys, let’s get going!” I got Cam’s carseat out of my car and placed it into Jimmy’s. When we got to Zack’s house Cameron could hardly contain his excitement. “Calm down Cam, and if Zee or Gena tells me you’ve been bad you’re gonna go straight to bed when you get home.” I said as Zack walked out onto the porch. “Oh come on B, he’s a great kid. We’re gonna have tons of fun playing, aren’t we Cam man?” Zack asked, giving my son a high five. “Yeah Uncle Zee. Where’s Ickybob? I wanna play!” Cam asked running into the house yelling “ICKYBOB!” “Ickybob?” Zack asked, raising an eyebrow. “Hey, I tried to correct him. He wasn’t having it.” I said, throwing my hands up in defense. Zack made me leave, reassuring me that Cam was going to be fine. “Get out of her Brook, I know how to take care of kids. Sheesh. And besides, Gena is here just in case we get hungry.” He grinned as he turned me around and pushed me toward the car.

Once Jimmy and I got to the mall we decided to go to Hot Topic and buy Brian a few band t-shirts. I also got him a new Jack Daniels shirt, since his is looking a little faded. I even found a new hat that Jim said he didn’t have. “Okay, I have to get him something with personal meaning, what the hell can I buy him?” I said to myself as Jimmy and I were walking through the mall. “Well. I know you took a lot of pictures with him the other night at Val’s. Maybe print off a few and give them to him, and write a letter to him or some shit. I don’t know. I’m not the romantic one. That’s Matt or Zack.” he suggested. “That’s actually a good idea JimBones. Thanks.” I smiled as I bumped him with my shoulder. I found this really awesome collage frame that I decided to buy for him, and I sent some photos to Target to be printed off while we were at Petsmart. While we were driving to Petsmart Jimmy finally looked over and asked “So what’s going on with you two?” “Well,” I started, “I’m pretty sure we’re together. My ex-husband showed up on my doorstep yesterday, and Bri came over while he was still there. I introduced him as my boyfriend, and Brian didn’t object.” “Wow, and what happened with the douche canoe?” he asked “Douche canoe. I like that.” I smiled “He said he came because he wanted to see the kids, and got super pissed when I introduced Bri as my boyfriend. I don’t see why, he’s the one that bailed.” “You’re right. Fuck that dude. I’ll kick his ass” Jimmy said, shaking a fist. “Yeah, he sucks. But yeah, that’s about it. I told him my personal life was none of his business anymore. He lost that right.” I explained. “You’re right about that shit. Nobody messes with my Tiny and thinks that everything is gonna be ok” he said, patting my hand. “Enough with all that serious shit, so you got Cam a puppy?” “Well, I wanted to buy it for him, but Brian wouldn’t let me. He said he wanted to buy the puppy.” I explained. “he found it himself, and we named him Bruce. He’s the cutest dog ever.” “Brian bought it? Wow. I knew he had already gotten you a few gifts but I didn’t know he was buying a dog too.” Jim said amazed. “What?” I shouted “He can’t do that! He doesn’t have to buy me anything!” I said. “Uh, Brook. Look behind you. You just went on a shopping spree for him. I think it’ll be ok.” Jimmy said. “Ugh. Fine. You’re right.”

While we were in Petsmart Jimmy wanted to look at every living creature in the store. I stopped him at the snakes. “No way. I don’t do snakes.” I shuddered. “Oh come on Tiny. They’re in an aquarium!” he reasoned. “no way JimBones. They can attack and break the glass. Then they would get out and wrap themselves around my neck and kill me.” I rambled “Brook. That is highly unlikely since all those snakes are tiny “ he argued, “Whatever, you go look at snakes, I‘ll go find stuff for Bruce.” I said, walking away from the snakes. I found Bruce the cutest collar, black with white skulls, and a matching leash. I got him black food and water bowls, and a mat to put the bowls on so he wouldn’t make a mess. I got him a little black sweater with a skull and crossbones on it, because the mornings were kind of chilly. After getting shampoo, a brush, dog food, and a I was finally ready to go. “Got everything you need?” Jimmy asked with a chuckle. I gave him the finger and proceeded to check out. “Thanks for coming with me today Jim. I really appreciate all your help.” I said after we had picked up the pictures for Brian and were headed home. “No problem B. I’m glad you’re here for Brian. It’s nice to have my old best friend back, and to have a new sister, a new friend for Leana. Sometimes the girls can be a little overwhelming for her.” Jimmy explained. “Gee I couldn’t imagine why” I chuckled. “The girls are great, but they are a little overwhelming sometimes.” I agreed. Jimmy and I went to Zack and Gena’s house to pick up Cam, who was sound asleep in Zack’s lap, who was also sound asleep and snoring. “What is it with my son sleeping on them” I asked Gena. “I don’t know” she started “but it’s adorable. I’ve already taken like a million pictures of them like that” she grinned. “You go on home and wrap your presents, Zack and I will bring him home later” she said as he hugged me. “Thanks G, you’re the best.” I smiled. Jimmy helped me get all my purchases out of his trunk, and helped me hide all the dog stuff. Once he left I got out all the gifts and wrapping paper and started on my wrapping.