The next few days went by uneventful. I still hadn’t heard a peep from my ex, and I was still loving my job. I had lunch with Zack and/or Brian almost every day. It was finally Friday, and I was waiting for Brian to come pick me up from work so we could go to the mall. I had a few more things that I wanted to pick up for the kids, and he volunteered to show me around. “Hey B, you look pretty today” Brian said as he walked in the door of my office. “Thanks Bri, I need to do laundry” I admitted, gesturing to the red maxi dress and denim jacket I was wearing “this was my last resort, I usually don’t dress up too much for work” I said. “Well I like it, the red looks nice on you.” “Well thank you, you look quite handsome yourself” I said with a smirk. He was wearing a black button down and a pair of jeans. Actually, I’m pretty sure if that man dressed in a paper sack he would still be gorgeous. “Why thank you, you ready to go?” He asked. “Sure, let’s go!” I said excitedly. “Oh and by the way,” I said as we were walking to his car, “I get super excited about shopping for the kids. You might have to calm me down” I said while he turned to me and laughed. “That’s okay,” he said as he slung an arm across my shoulders, “I love toy stores too.” he grinned.

On our way to the mall we had more serious conversation, mostly about our exes. “So why didn’t things work out with you and Michelle, if you don’t mind me asking” “Well things were going great, until I went on tour. She became very distant after that. It wasn’t until we got home from tour that I learned she was cheating, and had been the entire time I was away. I ended it right then and I haven’t spoken to her since.” he said sadly. “Oh Bri I am so sorry. I can kind of sympathize with you.” I said, touching his arm. “Really? How?” he asked. “Well during his deployment there was a rumor going around that he was sleeping with a girl in his unit. Of course he denied it, but I don’t completely believe that. He lied to me about everything else, why not that too ya know? But oh well. I got rid of his ass, best decision I’ve ever made” I said with a smile. “I agree. If you wouldn’t have left then we wouldn’t be here right now. I really enjoy spending time with you, and your kids are great. Cameron is an amazing little guy.” He said. “I enjoy spending time with you too, the more time I spend with you the happier I am about my decision to move out here” I shyly said. “Would you like to go out to dinner sometime? I’d like to take you to a nice restaurant, where you can have a relaxing night and just be Brook the single woman, not Brook the single mom of two. You’re a great mom, but I believe you do need some time to yourself every once in a while” He added quickly. “I’d love that Brian, but I don’t exactly have a babysitter” I said “Of course you do, I’m sure the girls wouldn’t mind babysitting those adorable kids for a few hours.” he said with a smile. “Let me meet them first, and get to know them, and then we can talk about it okay?” I reasoned “Sounds great to me beautiful. Now let’s go shopping.” He said as we parked.

Brian Haner in a toy store might be one of the funniest things I’ve ever witnessed. He played with every single toy in the store, including the video games. I finally settled on a few things for both kids. Brian even picked out one toy each for them “You know, you seriously don’t have to buy them anything” I argued “I know that” he said, “and once the rest of the guys meet them they’re going to get even more stuff for Christmas” “I don’t have enough room for that!” I giggled. We paid for our items and left the store. “Where to now madam” he said with a snooty accent. “Hmmm…I think I want a few more band tees. Let’s hit up Hot Topic” I said. “Yes, my kind of lady” he said with a grin. While we were in Hot Topic I grabbed four tees : Journey, Jimi Hendrix, Bullet For My Valentine, and Metallica . “Wow, you like a variety of music” Brian said. “Well, I grew up listening to classic rock and blues, my dad used to sit around and play guitar all the time. Then as I got older I started listening to metal. Metallica, Slipknot, Mudvayne, you name it. I have a huge love for rock. If it’s got a good guitar solo and double bass I usually love it.” I explained. “Guitar solo huh? I can understand that” he smirked. “You want to go anywhere else?” “Nah, I think I’m through here. I’m ready to go see my kids” I said with a smile. “Sounds good, I’ll drop you off at your car.” We drove back to Vengeance University, and we both got out of the car once he parked. “Matt said that the barbecue is tomorrow at 3, is that good for you?” He asked as he transferred my purchases from his trunk to mine. “Works for me, it’s right after Cam’s naptime, so it’s actually perfect.” “Awesome, I’ll text you his directions, or I could come pick you up.” He offered “You don’t have to pick us up, I can drive. I’ll have to have the kids’ car seats anyway” I explained. “Okay, well then I’ll see you at Matt’s tomorrow.” He said as he gave me a hug. “I’ll see you then, thanks so much for taking me today Bri, I had a great time” I said as I returned the hug. “No problem. See you tomorrow pretty girl.” he said as he kissed my cheek. “See ya” I said with a huge smile.

After I picked up the kids we went straight home. While I was cooking dinner my phone signaled that I received a text message from my ex. “Ugh, what the hell does he want” I sighed. I opened the text and it said “Am I ever going to get to see my kids again, or are you just going to be a bitch and keep them away from me for the rest of their lives.” I felt anger boil inside me as I responded “I’m not ‘keeping’ them from you. You know where I am. You don’t even live in the same state as your kids. How in the hell are you gonna say that to me? I’m not some rude bitch. I would never keep my children from their father, no matter how much he doesn’t deserve them.” I hit send and threw my phone on the counter. Leave it to that douche to ruin my good mood. I fed Cam dinner and gave Madi her bottle, by the time I checked my phone again he had replied to my text. “You moved to fucking California Brook. How am I ever going to see them?” my reply was simple. “You get two weeks in the summer with Cam, and whenever we come home to visit it won’t be a problem for you to have him for a few days then. As far as Madelyn is concerned, you have no parental rights over her, you didn’t even come to the hospital to sign her birth certificate. That’s your own fault.” I hit send and ignored my phone for the rest of the night. I played with the kids for a little while, then got Cam and myself ready for bed. Once I was laying in bed I got a text from Brian “Goodnight Brook. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow :)” I smiled and laid down my phone. I fell asleep excited for the next day. I couldn’t wait to meet the guys’ significant others, and get to know them all better. I feel like I finally found somewhere I actually belong.