BRIAN POV ::

I woke up Christmas morning completely happy. I had an amazing girl, and I was spending the holiday with her equally amazing kids. Brook came back into the room carrying Madelyn, who was smiling and cooing at her mom. She sat down and kissed me “ Merry Christmas babe.” I smiled back at her, “Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas Princess, Santa brought you lots of gifts” I said to Madelyn, who was smiling back at me. I got up to take the dogs to do their business. While I was outside I kept thinking about how lucky I am to have Brook in my life. I really am falling hard for her, she has no idea how amazing she really is. When I brought the dogs back inside I found Brook in the kitchen, humming softly to herself. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her waist. “You ready to go wake up Cam?” I asked her, laughing as she nodded eagerly and took off toward his bedroom. Once he realized that it was Christmas and Santa had came, he took off toward the living room. After he opened all his gifts Brook decided it was time to give him the puppy. I walked back into her bathroom and picked up little Bruce, and hid in the hallway until Brook gave me the all clear signal. I slowly walked in front of Cameron, and squatted so we were eye-level. Brook told him to open his eyes and I swear I had never seen a kid so happy about an animal. He instantly fell in love with Bruce. While Brook was making breakfast I played with Cam and held Madelyn until it was time to eat, then I put her back to sleep in her crib.

After breakfast Cameron played with his toys until he fell asleep in the middle of the floor. I picked him up and carried him to his room so he could nap, then I decided it was time to give Brook her gifts. I put a lot of thought into what to get her, and when I snapped the picture of the three of them I knew I had to give her a copy, so I decided to put it on a huge canvas, so she could hang it somewhere. I loved the pictures that she gave me. Somehow she got a picture of me sleeping with both of her kids, and what she said when she gave it to me meant so much to me. “I wanted you to have something to remind you of how much you mean to me.” I knew right then and there that she was the girl of my dreams. She’s so loving, so loyal and passionate. She’s an amazing mother, and an amazing friend. She’s the total package, and I’m definitely not letting her go without a fight.

Once we got to Matt and Val’s I wanted to talk to the guys, who all helped me bring the gifts in the house. “How’d it go last night?” Matt asked, “Val said you stayed over.” “It went good, I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with her. She’s amazing.” I replied. “Man just be careful with her, she’s been through a lot, and I know you really like her, but don’t do anything stupid Bri.” Zack warned. “I got it dude, I haven’t even thought about another girl since I met her. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.” “Oh shit, Syn Gates is in looooooove” Jimmy sang, “I can’t wait to tell Leana” I rolled my eyes “All you guys are just as bad as the girls are. Gossiping about people.” I laughed and walked back inside with them.

Once we were all eating, Cameron asked Brook if I was his other dad. What do you say to a kid when he asks that question? I mean sure, I love the kid and I’m crazy about his mom, but I don’t think I’m dad status yet, so I just replied with a “sure buddy, if that’s what you want.” Then the entire table decided to laugh at me, but it’s whatever. I’m just glad Cam loves me.

After we ate we opened our gifts. The girls and guys all liked the gifts I got them, I thought all the girls were going to have a fit over the spa certificates they received. I got a new fedora from Zack, a flask from Jimmy, some leather bracelets and band t-shirts from Johnny, and some new picks and guitar strings from Matt. I told the girls they didn’t have to buy me anything, but they never listen. Leana, Gena, and Lacey all gave me a gift card to the mall, and Val gave me the same pictures she gave Brook. I was watching Brook to see what her reaction was to the pictures, and she loved them. We left kind of early, because we were all exhausted. I dropped Brook and the kids off at home, and decided to head home for the night. I fell into my bed and went right to sleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night to someone beating on my door. “Brian! Wake up man! Come on!” Matt shouted on the other side of the door. I flipped on a light in the hall and opened the door. “What’s going on dude? It’s like 3am.” I asked. “You need to get to Children’s as soon as possible. Brook had to take Madelyn in, she was running a high fever.” he said worriedly. “Holy shit, why didn’t she call me?” I asked as I ran upstairs to throw some clothes on and brush my teeth. “She did call dude, your phone must be on silent.” I checked my phone and I had about four missed calls from Brook, and two each from Johnny, Zack, and Matt. “They’re running tests on the baby, Jimmy said she has to have a spinal tap.” Matt said from my bedroom door. “Holy shit. I am such an asshole. I gotta run Matt.” I said, running past him and out to my car. I drove like a madman all the way to the hospital, praying that little girl would be okay. Once I got there I asked for the room they were in, and headed straight to Brook. As soon as I opened the door and saw Brook she lost it. She was sobbing uncontrollably and clinging to me as if her life depended on it. ““Sssh babe it’s okay. I’m so sorry, my phone was on silent. I am so sorry Brook. Madelyn is gonna be ok baby, I promise.” I said to her, trying to calm her down. I felt like such a jerk, I should have been there when she had to take her in, not Jimmy. I can’t believe my phone was on silent. I handed Jimmy my keys and told him he could head on home, and that I would update him as soon as I knew something. He nodded and left. Brook eventually stopped crying long enough to be able to talk to me. “They’re giving her a spinal tap,” she sniffed and I felt my heart breaking for her. She looked so sad. “I’m so scared for her Bri.” “I know you are baby, but she’s your child. She’s tough, she’ll be just fine.” I assured her as the nurse brought Madelyn back. “Oh look baby, daddy’s here” she said, smiling at me, I didn’t even bother to correct her, I was so worried about Madi that I just wanted her in my arms. The nurse explained to Brook that since the labs would take about 12-24 hours to come back, they were going to give the baby an antibiotic shot, just in case. She said she would be right back and left the room. “Daddy huh? Brook said, smirking at me. “I didn’t want to be rude, I just wanted to hold her and make sure she was ok.” I replied as I kissed Madi‘s head. “Well, I guess I could see where she would think that. The big brown eyes and dark hair. Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to be her dad, or Cameron’s for that matter. We’ve got a long time before you have to take on that role for them” she told me, kissing my cheek. I didn’t get a chance to tell her I agreed but I wanted to always be there for them, because the nurse came in with the shot and discharge papers. As soon as Madi received her shot she was put back into her pajamas and strapped in her carseat. Brook signed a few papers and we were on our way back home.

Once we were in the car I told her Jimmy and Leana were going to be meeting us at her house to drop off my car and Cameron. “Thank you for being here with me Brian.” she said, grabbing my hand. I squeezed her hand and said “I wish I would have been there sooner, I am so sorry I didn’t hear the phone Brook.” “Hey, it’s okay, you came. That’s all that matters.” she said with a yawn and squeezed my hand. “Get some sleep babe, I’ll wake you once we get to your place.” I said, and she quickly fell asleep. I drove home on autopilot. My mind racing, what if Madi would have been really sick and I wasn’t there? I never would have forgiven myself for that. I told myself I wasn’t ever putting my phone on silent again. We finally arrived at Brook’s house and I carried Cameron to bed for her while she went to put pajamas on. I walked into her room and collapsed on the bed, exhausted. She laid down next to me, and laid Madelyn on the other side of her. I snuggled up close to her, kissed her shoulder, and wrapped my arm around both of them. My girls. I thought. I’ll never let anything or anyone hurt you again. I kissed Brook’s shoulder once more and drifted off to sleep.

Notes

I know it sounds kind of out there about the whole spinal tap thing, but my daughter had to have one when she was 4 weeks old because she had a high fever. It was a terrifying experience.