Fresh Starts.

Lunch was loud and full of laughter, everyone celebrating our engagement. “So Brook,” Gena started, “When are you guys wanting to get married?” “Gosh I don’t even know G,” I said, “I know I want to wait until Madi is walking, so she can be the cutest flower girl ever. I don’t really want a fall wedding, so maybe next spring or summer?” I said, looking at Brian, who nodded, “Anything you want babe, you got it.” he said, kissing my cheek. “Aww, I love it so much. I’m so happy that you are happy again Brian.” Val said with a warm smile “We didn’t think it would ever happen again.” Lacey spoke up, while Val nodded. “Well I am girls, and I plan on being happy forever.” he said while grabbing my hand.

After lunch the guys decided they should probably get some work done, while us girls decided to go back to Brian and my house to hang out a bit. Val rode with me, and the other girls rode in Gena’s car. When I pulled into our driveway there was a red BMW in the driveway. “Who in the hell…” I trailed off, hearing Val whisper a “Shit” under her breath. “That’s Michelle’s car.” she said with a heavy sigh. “I don’t know why she’s here, but I’ll definitely find out.” I had to park in Brian’s spot in the garage, seeing that Michelle’s car was in front of my door. We got out of the car, and Michelle immediately became defensive. “Why the fuck are you parking in my ex-husband’s garage? You‘re seriously still around?” “Well, yes, I am still around, and I’m going to be around for a VERY long time; and shouldn’t I be asking YOU why you are parked in MY driveway?” I asked, getting a little angry. “Are you fucking kidding me? Seriously?” she asked, looking at Valary. By now the rest of the girls had joined us. “Yes, seriously. Brian and Brook are engaged, so whatever plan you had of trying to get Brian to fall for your stupid games again isn’t going to work Mich. So how about you get back in your car and go find some other innocent guy to ruin.” Gena said nastily. “Oh fuck off Gena, this isn’t even any of your business. And as for you,” Michelle said turning toward me, “You may be engaged for now, but don’t be surprised if he dumps you like the southern white trash you are. Brian has standards. You must be in it for the money and a daddy for those kids you have.” “Get the fuck off my property, before I remove you my damn self.” I said, stepping up to get into her face. “If you say one more word I swear I won’t hold anything back. And don’t you EVER say a word about my children again, or it will be the last fucking thing you say.” Michelle’s eyes widened, her mouth opened and closed a couple of times, then she turned around, got into her car and drove away. “What the fuck is her deal?” I huffed, turning around to walk into the house. “Oh my god Brook, I am so so sorry. She must be getting lonely and was here to try and get Brian back.” Val rambled, pacing back and forth in front of the couch. “I’m going to call her later, and get to the bottom of this. How dare she call you trash? You have been nothing but good to Brian, and I don’t think you will ever be anything but good to him. She has NO idea what you’ve been through and what you do every day. I’m gonna kill her.” “Val. Calm down, it’s not a big deal. If something happens again then it will be a problem.” I replied, handing Val a glass of wine and making her sit down. “Now come on, we can look for wedding dresses on the computer.” I said with a grin, bringing all the girls into the office.

After we looked online at dresses and venues for a couple of hours, the girls left and Papa Gates and Suzy came over to bring the kids home. “Oh my babies! I missed you both so much!” I said, showering them with kisses. “Thanks for watching them guys, ya’ll are awesome.” I said, hugging my future in-laws. “You are more than welcome, honey.” Suzy said, kissing my cheek. “We love them like they are our own, and it’s so nice to have little feet in our house again. Makenna had a blast with Cameron.” “Yeah, and when they get tired, or start to cry too much, we can just bring them back to their mama.” Brian Sr. said, causing Suzy to smack him in the chest. “Oh I’m just kidding, those two kids are angels. I would keep them forever if I could.” he said, taking Madelyn out of her carrier so he could love on her. “Any plans on the wedding?” Suzy asked with a smile. “No, not really. Just getting a few ideas on what I would like as far as dresses go and stuff. We are probably going to wait until miss Madi is walking, so she can be the flower girl. So probably next spring or summer.” I said with a smile. “I still can’t believe it’s happening, it all just seems too good to be true, like something is going to happen and everything is going to crumble.” I said nervously. “Oh sweetheart, don’t think like that. I’m sure it’s because of everything you have already been through that’s making you think that way, but I don’t think you or Brian are going anywhere. I have never seen him so happy.” Brian Sr. said, pulling me into a hug. “You worry too much. How does that song go? Oh, don’t worry, be happy.” he said with a cheesy grin, making me laugh. “Okay, we are gonna get going. I’d like to have a family dinner on Sunday, if that’s okay with everyone. Could you let the girls know please?” Suzy asked. “Of course, what do we need to bring?” I asked while giving her a hug. “I’ll get back to you on that one. We can discuss food later.” She said, kissing my cheek. I gave Brian Sr. a hug and a kiss on the cheek and we said our goodbyes, then Madeline and I went to find Cameron in his room. “Hey baby boy, did you have fun with Papa and Grandma Gates?” I asked, sitting on his bed. “Of course I did mom! I drew pictures with Aunt Kenna and Papa let me play on his guitars and Grandma baked me cookies and let me stay up late to watch a movie with her and Papa and Kenna!” he said excitedly. “Oh wow baby! I’m glad you had fun! I sure did miss you.” “I missded you too mama, where’s Brian? I miss him.” he asked, walking out of his room to go find his future stepfather. “He’s at the studio with your uncles baby, want to go see them?” “YEAH! I LOVE THE STUDIO! UNCLE JIMMY LETS ME PLAY HIS DRUMS!” he shouted, running toward the door. “Hey hey hang on bud, I have to get your sister back in her seat!” I said with a laugh. I loaded the kids in the car and we headed toward the studio. I called Brian on my way there. “Hey baby Whatcha need?” he asked when he answered the phone. “Well, I’m on my way to the studio.” I said “Are you okay? What’s going on?” he asked nervously. “Nothing babe, everything is fine. I just happen to have a really cute little boy that misses his Brian, and wants to see his uncles.” I said with a laugh. “Oh my little man is back? Awesome! Bring him on over to see us! Guys! Brook and the kids are coming!” He said excitedly, causing me to laugh when I heard several cheers in the background. “Okay baby, I’ll be there soon. I love you!” “I love you too beautiful. Be careful.” We disconnected and I turned on the radio, and Cam and I sang along until we arrived at the studio.


Once we got there the doors swung open, and Jimmy came bounding out, with Johnny on his heels. “Killa Caaaaaaam the dino man!” Jimmy shouted, running toward the car to get Cameron, who was squealing in delight and trying his hardest to unbuckle his seatbelt. I reached beside his seat and undid it with one easy click, then got out of the car. Jimmy had already gotten Cameron out, spinning him around in circles and telling him how much he missed him. Johnny on the other hand, was trying to figure out how to get Madi’s carrier out of the base. “Jesus Christ Brooklyn, do these damn things have to be so complicated?!” he asked, getting frustrated. I pushed him out of the way and quickly unlatched the carrier. I turned with a smirk and handed the baby to Johnny, who gave me a dirty look and said “Smart ass.” then turned around and walked away talking to Madelyn. I turned with a chuckle and got our bags out of the car. Once I was inside the studio I was greeted by Brian and Zack, who were playing around on their guitars, not even noticing the fact that I was there until Cam came running in the building shouting “I can’t wait to see my Brian! Where is Brian?!” Which caused Bri to shoot up off the couch and run toward the excited little boy. “Ahhh Cam man I missed you! Were you good for Grandma and Papa Gates?” he asked while hugging my son, which made my heart melt. While they were talking, Matt walked over and slung an arm over my shoulder. “I swear that little boy has changed his life.” he said quietly to me, “You guys are all he talks about. What funny things Cam says, things that Madi does. It’s awesome, I’m so glad he met you Brook. You brought our old Brian back.” he said, giving me a squeeze. “Brian brought the old me back, Matt. I was just a shell of who I used to be until I met him.” I replied, putting my arm around his middle and squeezing. “And now I have all of you crazy fuckers too. My life has done a complete 180 in just a few short months.” “Well we will always be around, you can count on that.” He kissed the side of my head and walked away, as Brian walked up to me. “Hey baby,” he said, giving me a kiss, “What’s up?” “Oh nothing, but I did happen to run into your ex today.” I told him, wrapping my arms around him, feeling him tense up when I said ‘ex’ “What? You saw Michelle? What the hell did she want?” he asked, “Oh, well she was parked in front of my side of the garage when I got home, and totally flipped her shit when she found out that I was living there. Then she proceeded to tell me that we may be engaged now, but you have standards and I shouldn’t be surprised when you dump be for the ‘southern white trash’ that I am, and that I must be in it for the money and a daddy to the kids. I almost punched her but Val was standing right there.” “TRASH?!” he shouted, enraged. “Who the FUCK does she think she is? Calling MY fiancée trash, when she couldn’t even keep her whore legs closed.” he rambled, pacing in front of me. “Brian, calm down. I handled it. I don’t think she’ll be bothering me anymore. Or for a while at least. It’s okay babe.” I said, making him stop pacing and look at me. “Babe, it’s never okay when someone calls you trash. I’ll handle it.” he said, putting his hands on my shoulders. “No, you won’t, I said I’ve handled it, and it’s done. I just wanted to give you a heads up, because I’m sure one of the guys is going to hear about it when they get home.” I argued. “Okay, okay. You have it handled. Matt, are we done here? I’d like to go home with my family.” he asked, picking up Madi out of Johnny’s arms and giving her a kiss. “Yeah man, we’re good. I’ll see you later.” they gave each other a bro hug, Matt kissed Madelyn on her head, and we all piled in our vehicles and headed home.

Notes

I know it's a lot later than I promised, and I am so sorry, but I'm going to try my hardest to get an update out once a week! Hopefully you guys are still reading!