BRIAN POV::


I pulled up outside Brook’s house and took a deep breath. I swear I get butterflies every time she’s near me. She’s so beautiful, so amazing. I go out of the car and knocked on the door, which opened to reveal Cameron, who immediate rushed forward to hug my legs “Brian!” “Killa Cam! What’s up buddy?” I asked, picking him up so I could give him a hug. He is seriously the smartest kid I have ever met. He knows so much about dinosaurs. He’s awesome. I walked over to Brook and gave her a one-armed hug “You ready mom? You look great” her cheeks turned pink and she said “Absolutely, let me strap Madi in her seat and we can go.” I helped her carry the kids things outside, and Cameron asked “Brian, are you riding with us?” “Nah buddy, I’m gonna drive my car” I said as I pointed to my SUV parked behind Brook’s car. “Can I ride with you Bri? Please? I promise I’ll be good! Please” He said with the cutest smile on his face. “I don’t care buddy, but you have to ask mom first ok?” “Mama! Can I ride with Bri? Please please?” He said hugging her leg “Sure baby, but you better listen to Brian or you won’t get to ride with him again” she said as she smiled at me. She got Madelyn into the car and removed Cam’s booster seat. “I’ll put it in the car for you,” she said as she walked toward the back door of my car, “Okay baby, you be good and I’ll see you at Matt’s okay?” “Okay mama, I love you” he said as he kissed his mom’s cheek “I love you too bub.” She said as she stood up and faced me. “Thanks Bri, he really likes you.” “It’s no problem. I love that kid, he’s awesome.” I said watching Cam climb in the back seat of my car. “I’ll see you at Matt’s” I said as I kissed her head. I got into my car and said “Okay buddy, you all bucked up and ready?” “Yes sir” Cam saluted. We started the drive over to Matt’s house, Cam singing along to the music the entire way. The kid has good taste, just like his mom. When we got to Matt’s and got out of the car, I noticed that Brook looked nervous. I walked over to her and said “Hey don’t look so nervous. It’s going to be fine.” “I’m sorry. What if they don’t like me?” “Don’t worry, they’re going to love you. What’s not to love?” I asked with a smirk. We walked into the house and I heard Brook gasp and say “Oh my god, this place is gorgeous. Cameron don’t touch anything.” I laughed and took the baby carrier from her, “Come on, it’s gonna be great. Let’s go meet the girls.” We walked into the kitchen and Jimmy automatically hugged Brook, and introduced himself to Cameron. Matt, Zack, and I were looking at the baby “You were right dude, that kid is gorgeous. Hello baby, I’m your uncle Zack” he said, touching her tiny hand. “Jeeze she’s so small.” Matt said in awe. We were talking to the baby and each other when I heard “Hi girls, I’m Brook, I suppose Brian isn’t going to introduce me.” “Oh shit, I said as my head snapped up, “Sorry B, these are the girls. Lacey, Val, Leana, and Gana. Girls this is Brook.” I brought Madelyn in front of me as I said “and this beautiful little girl is miss Madelyn. Cutest baby in America.” I grinned as all the girls rushed over to coo and talk to the baby. Val had the biggest smile on her face when B asked her if she wanted to hold the baby. I know Val has been wanting babies for a while. The girls all went into the living room, leaving us men to cook and talk.

We walked out on the back patio, watching Cameron play on the ground with his dinosaurs. “So man,” Matt started “how’s it going with her? She seems to have her hands full. You sure you’re up for that?” “It’s going pretty good I think. We’re getting to know each other and I really like being around the kids. Cameron is an amazing little dude. I know the kids come with her, and I’m okay with that. I like kids.” I said, looking over at Cam, who was making his triceratops eat grass, “It’s good to be happy again, after all the shit with Michelle.” “We’re glad you’re happy man,” Jimmy said as he patted my back, “just don’t hurt her. We like her, and we’d kick your ass” “I don’t plan on it” I said with a laugh, “I’m pretty serious about her. I can’t stop thinking about her when she isn’t around. Oh, I need you guys to help me out. She’s looking for a dog for Cam. A pit bull, can’t be brindle though. Has to be a male.” “I’ll look into it, by the way dude, you sound like a total chick right now.” Zack said with a smirk on his face. “Shut up dude, you were the same way with Gena” Johnny said, punching Zack’s shoulder, “You guys suck, I’m going to play with the kid” he said as he walked toward Cameron, who automatically started playing with him. “So have you asked her out yet” Jimmy asked, sipping his beer. “I did, she said that she doesn’t have a sitter.” “What? Any of us would babysit for her. All she has to do is ask” Matt spoke up, while Zack nodded. “I know that, and I told her that. She said she wanted to meet and get to know the girls first.” I said with a shrug, “She’s extremely protective of them. Doesn’t want them to get hurt again, especially Cameron” I explained. “She’s a great mom, I can see the way her eyes light up when I ask about them at work,” Zack said “I think she would be good for you. Keep you in line” he said with a chuckle. The girls joined us again, and we all sat down to eat. Val kept refilling her wine glass, and she was trying to cut herself off, so she could drive home. “We have plenty of rooms, you and the kids can just crash here” Matt explained “Everyone else is going to stay here anyway, and besides, we feel like you deserve to have a good time with your new family” Val spoke up, “You can borrow some of my clothes, and I know you brought extras for the kids.” “Okay okay if you insist. Sheesh” she said with a grin. “Let me know whenever you’re ready to put the kids down for the night, I’ll help you out and show you where to go” I offered, while seeing Val nod and smile at me. “Okay thanks Bri, thanks Matt and Val. I haven’t had ‘adult time’ in so long. I’m excited.” She said with a smile.

After we finished dinner Cameron looked like he was going to fall asleep where he was sitting, so Brook decided it was time for him to go to bed. I stood up and said “Come on B, I’ll help you. I’ll grab Madi.” as I picked her up from Leana’s arms. I led her upstairs to the room that I usually sleep in, and looked for some cartoons for Cam while she got him ready for bed. It seemed like as soon as he laid down he was out. “That one was the easy one, you can go back downstairs if you want to” She said as she was getting the baby ready for bed. I stood up and started walking toward the door and immediately stopped in my tracks “I know a girl, she puts the color inside of my world.” I didn’t know she could sing, and the words that she sang just hit me. That’s exactly how I feel. I thought. As soon as she laid Madelyn down I was in front of her. “I didn’t know you could sing” I smiled at her. “I only sing in the car, and to the kids”she said as she smiled softly at her sleeping children, “Cam loved it when he was a baby too.” Okay Brian, don’t be a chicken. Go for it. I thought to myself as I gently touched her cheek and said “You have got to be the most amazing woman I have ever met” and kissed her. I smiled to myself when I felt her wrap her arms around my neck and return the kiss. We ended the kiss and she smiled up at me. “You ready to go back downstairs and have some fun?” I asked, smiling down at her. “Yes sir. Lead the way!” she said with a grin.

Once we were back downstairs, Jimmy decided we should play beer pong. I laughed as Brook and Jimmy talked shit to each other. While Jimmy and Leana were playing Johnny and Lacey, the rest of us were sitting around talking. Val told us that the girls were all going out next Friday, and the guys were going to watch Cam for a few hours so Brook could have girl time. I perked up when I heard this. This must mean that she trusts us with her children. Brook decided that she needed to get her iPod out of the car, and turned on some music. When the first song came on, Jimmy went ballistic and started dancing. Of course, all the girls joined in, with Zack, Matt, and I laughing hysterically. It was really good to see Brook come out of her shell and have a good time. This is what I was hoping for. “Man she’s awesome. I’m glad her kid ran into you” Matt said, slapping me on the back. “Ohh, I really like her!” Leana giggled while Val nodded and said “She‘s fun Brian!” I’m grinned as I looked at all my friends, who seemed to all be thinking the same thing. She was so nervous for nothing, I knew they would love her. She’s amazing.

It was finally our turn to play beer pong and I was impressed. Brook was extremely good. She and Jimmy were making almost all their shots, while Leana and I weren’t doing too great. Finally she won the game for us. “Yesssss” she said as she high-fived me. She and Jimmy continued to pick on each other, and then she said “Okay, Brian can be your partner, I’m gonna go check on my babies” and the walked up the stairs. “Man, she’s awesome. AND she can play beer pong. That’s a total plus” Jimmy said “Yeah Bri, we really love her, and we’re really glad you’re happy” Lacey said from Johnny’s lap. Val walked over and put an arm around my waist “I know Michelle is my sister, and I love her, but you do whatever you can to make that girl yours. Don’t let her go Brian.” she said as she kissed my cheek and walked away. Brook came back downstairs and instantly went to the couch to sit with the girls, while us guys kept playing beer pong. Suddenly I heard a chorus of “Yay!” come from the living room, and I looked over at Brook, who was blushing, and grinned.

A little while later we all decided to go to bed, with Matt telling us that we were going to get up in the morning and take Cameron to find a Christmas tree. I put my arm around Brook’s shoulders and walked her up to her room. I gave her a goodnight kiss and said “I’ll see you in the morning beautiful girl.” I was getting ready to walk out of the room when she said “You can stay in here with us if you want, there’s plenty of room in the bed.” I smiled and sat down next to her and watched her give Madelyn another bottle. Once she laid Madi down she laid down next to her. I laid down close to her and put my arm around her. I kissed her neck and said “Goodnight Brook, I’m so glad you’re here” “Goodnight Bri, I’m glad I’m here too.” I smiled to myself and let sleep take over. Val was right. I can’t let her go. I’m going to do whatever it takes.

Notes

Two chapters in one night! Woo! I wrote this in Brian's POV to show what he has been feeling and thinking about everything.