After a quick dinner we made our way to the airport, where we were currently waiting at baggage claim. I was practically bouncing my seat, eager to see my mother. “Babe, calm down” Brian laughed, placing his hand on my knee. “I’m just so excited! Cam, you get to see Granna!” I told my son, whose face lit up. “Granna? Where? Mom is she here?” He asked excitedly. “She’s almost here baby.” “I can’t wait to see Granna mom! Do you think she’ll love Brian like we do?” he asked seriously “I’m sure she will, I can’t think of a reason why she wouldn’t.” I said, glancing at Brian, who was smiling at Cam and I. I stood up from my seat and looked around the airport. My eyes landed on a woman with short brown hair. “Mom!” I shouted, and raced toward her, with Cameron in my arms and Brian trailing behind us, carrying Madi. I grabbed my mom in a tight hug, tears pricking my eyes. “Hey mama” I smiled, wiping my eyes. “Brooklyn Grace why are you crying?” My mom asked, a hint of concern in her eyes. “I’m just happy to see you, I missed you.” I replied, hugging her again. “Granna!” Cam shouted, holding his arms out for her to pick him up. “Cameron! You’re so big!” my mom said, kissing all over his face. I turned around and spotted Brian behind me. “Mom, there’s someone I want you to meet. This is Brian. Bri, this is my mom, Catherine.” “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Jones,” Brian said, extending his hand. “Oh, just call me Cathy. Mrs. Jones is my ex husband’s wife.” she smiled. “And I see you have my gorgeous little granddaughter. Come her Madelyn.” she said, taking her from Brian. We grabbed her bags and headed out to the car. “Ma do you want to ride up front?” I asked her. “No way, I want to sit with my grandchildren” she said as she climbed in the back of Brian’s SUV. “I’m glad we brought your car,” I said to him as we were loading up mom’s bags, “all of her crap would have never fit in my car.” “That’s why I suggested it babe.” he smiled and gave me a quick kiss. We got into the car and Brian drove us back to my house. Once we got home I unlocked the door and made sure Bruce was in his kennel, so we could bring my mom’s things inside. “The house is beautiful Brook. This picture is amazing.” Mom said, looking at the picture Brian gave me for Christmas. “Thanks mom, Bri actually took the picture and had a friend paint it for me. It’s my favorite.” I smiled at him. “I’m gonna head home babe, I’ll let you two catch up. It was nice to meet you Cathy.” Brian said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “Likewise sweetheart, I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” mom said, giving him a hug. Brian told Cam goodnight and kissed Madi on her head, and I walked him out to his car. “Thanks for taking me tonight babe.” I said, stopping in front of his car. “You don’t have to thank me, I love spending time with you, and I like your mom. She’s nice.” Brian said as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You don’t have to go you know, you can stay here.” “I know, I just want to give you and your mom some time to catch up, you haven’t seen her in a while and I bet she has a ton of questions.” he said with a smile, “You’re probably right about that one. She’s full of questions.” I chuckled. “We need to do something about these living arrangements though, we can’t be trucking our stuff back and forth to each other’s places.” Brian commented. “We’ll figure it out baby, no need to stress over it.” I smiled. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow beautiful. Have a good night with your mom.” “Okay, give Pinkly a kiss for me.” After a long goodnight kiss, Brian got into his car and drove home.

I walked back into the house and my mom was sitting on the couch smiling, while she was holding the baby. “He’s nice.” she commented. “Mom, please don’t lecture me. I know what I’m doing” I said as I sat down next to her. “Brook, I’m not going to lecture you. You’re happy, any idiot can see that. And thank the lord he is nothing like Andrew” she chuckled. “No, he’s really not. He’s amazing, and so good with the kids. He’s special.” I smiled softly. “Sounds like you’ve got it bad baby girl. Now tell me more about this amazing man and all his friends.” I smiled and began to tell her all about the crew. How funny Johnny and Lacey are, how completely insane Jimmy is “but in the most wonderful way” I said. I told her all about how protective Matt and Zack are, and how Val, Leana, and Gena are the best friends I’ve always wanted. “They’re my new brothers and sisters. I’ve never been so happy. I miss you guys back home, but I feel like I belong here.” I told her, laying my head on her shoulder. “Baby, I am so proud of you. You moved out here on a whim, took my grandbabies with you so you could have a better life. And you do. You’ve got it all now: Beautiful kids, an amazing man, a good job, and a huge family on each coast that love you. You do belong here, with your love.” She said, placing her hand on top of mine. “Trust me, I know true love when I see it, and you and Brian have it. There’s no doubt in my mind.” I smiled softly “I’m scared ma. I’m so scared that I’m going to get hurt.” “I know you are baby, but you’ll never know unless you take the leap, and I bet he’s willing to jump with you.” Mom and I stayed up talking about everyone back home, my job, and everything in between. We decided to call it a night around midnight, since we had a busy day the next day. I was showing mom around Huntington and taking her shopping. I sent Brian a text, telling him goodnight. He responded with “Goodnight baby girl, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I smiled and fell asleep quickly.

I woke up the next morning feeling completely refreshed. I glanced at the clock and it said 10AM. “Holy shit” I said, jumping out of the bed and rushing into Madelyn’s room. “What’s wrong Brook?” my mom asked, “Holy crap mom, you scared me. Why didn’t you wake me?” “You’ve been on your own for weeks. You needed to rest. Besides, I missed my grandkids. Go eat some pancakes then take a shower. Take your time getting ready, because you’re off kid duty today.” She smiled, pushing me toward the kitchen. I sat down at the table with my pancakes and started laughing. “What’s so funny?’ she asked, grinning at me. “I’m twenty-five years old, living in my own house, and you’re still telling me what to do” “I’m your mother, it’s my job. Grandma still tells me what to do and I’m 50. Now eat your breakfast and go shower. I want to go shopping” she said, ruffling my hair and walking into the kitchen.

After breakfast it was time for my shower. I grabbed my iPod and stuck it onto my iHome, hitting shuffle on my way to the closet, the sounds of Aerosmith filling my room. I picked out my favorite pair of destroyed skinny jeans, black wife beater, and white cropped off-the-shoulder top. I grabbed some underwear and a bra, and grabbed my phone. I sent Bri a quick text. “Hey babe, mom said she wants you to go with us today. Apparently someone likes you. I’m taking a quick shower, then we’ll be ready to go.” I went to grab a towel when my phone went off. “Your mom rocks. I’ll be over soon babe.” I smiled and hopped into the shower, singing along to the music. I made sure I took an extra long shower, taking time to shave my legs. I decided to wear my hair wavy, so it wouldn’t take very long for me to get ready. I was drying off from the shower when “Warmness On The Soul” came through the speakers, so I decided to sing along while I was putting my clothes on. “I’ll never feel alone again with you by my side. You’re the one, and in you I confide, oh.” I opened the bathroom door and started to apply my makeup, singing away. “You’ve been there from the start for me, and your love’s always been true as can be. I give my heart to you. I give my heart, cause nothing can compare in this world you, whoa-oh.” I turned around to drape my towel over the rack behind me and gasped when I saw Brian sitting on my bed, grinning like a fool. “Sorry baby, I didn’t mean to scare you” he said, walking over to me and wrapping his arms around my waist. “It’s okay, I’m almost finished. What are you grinning so hard about?” I asked, placing a soft kiss on his lips. “You’re an amazing singer. And you were singing one of our songs. You’re gonna have to sing it with Matt one day.” he grinned, “Uhhhh I don’t think so Haner.” “Aw come on babe, they’ll love it.” he pouted, sticking his lip out. “Okay fine. Stop using the puppy dog eyes.” I chuckled, smacking his forearm. “ I gotta finish getting ready, go watch from the bed.” He leaned down to kiss me and flopped back down on my bed. I chucked and went back to fixing my hair. After I put gel and sprayed it with hair spray, I grabbed a pair of diamond stud earrings, and the cameo necklace Brian gave me. I walked over to the closet and grabbed my black heels. “Ooh you’re wearing heels today? Sexy.” Brian said with a grin. “Mom says I’m off kid duty, so I thought I’d dress up a little more” I said, rolling my eyes. I turned off all the lights and the music, and we walked out to the living room, where my mom had both kids dressed and was putting her own shoes on. “Jeeze ma I could’ve helped ya know.” I huffed. “I know, but Brian helped Cameron pick out his clothes and shoes while you were in the shower. I only had to dress myself and the baby.” she said with a smile. I looked back at Brian, who just shrugged. “We ready to go? I’ll drive.” he said, picking up Madelyn’s car seat so my mom could buckle her in. “Yeah, let me get the diaper bag ready really quick” I said, grabbing the bag and heading to the kitchen to re-stock it. I put a few bottles and some formula in it, then walked to Madi’s room to grab some diapers and an extra outfit. Once I was finished doing that we were all ready to go shopping and show my mom around. We loaded up the car and headed toward PCH.