You know i make you wanna scream..

I woke up and checked the clock. It was 10 am, and I was meeting my Mom for lunch at 1 pm. I quietly got out of bed, making sure not to disturb Matt. I smiled as I looked down at my left hand, seeing my engagement ring.
Deciding to be dressy since I was going to meet my mom, I put on a pair of light denim skinny jeans, a coral peplum top and my Jeffrey Campbell Litas. I curled my hair and put on a light layer of makeup.
By the time I was finished, it was 11.30 pm. What do to for an hour.. I decided to go out and buy Matt breakfast. I took the keys to his Audi and got in, Starbucks bound.

When I got there, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see 3 girls.
'Hey, um, I'm really sorry for disturbing you, but are you M Shadow's girlfriend?' one of them said.
Fiancee, actually. 'That would be me.' I grinned, not wanting everyone to know just yet.
'Can we get in a photo with you?' the other one said shyly.
'Of course.' I said, and they all got in photos with me separately. They then thanked me and walked away happily. I really realized how lucky I was every time an A7X fan stopped me to get in a picture with me. It had happened about 8 times now, and it was an honor each time, really.
I ordered a large black coffee and some fresh crossaints for Matt, and just an iced latte for myself. I looked around as I waited for the stuff. I looked over to Hot Topic, which was opposite Starbucks, where I used to buy all my A7X merch, and I smiled to myself. Funny how life could change so drastically, so quickly.
When I got back to the house, I tip toed up the stairs, my hands full of food and coffee. When I walked in, Matt was lying awake.

'Breakfast?' I smiled, holding up the bag.
'You are the best fiancee anyone could ever ask for.' He grinned, and I handed him the crossaints and coffee. He frowned as he saw I didn't have any food for myself.
'Hunger strike?' he frowned at me as he drank the coffee.
'Nope, I have lunch with mom in an hour, silly.' I kissed him gently. 'I got in a picture with some fans in Starbucks, too.'
He smiled. 'Did they see your ring?'
I shook my head. 'Nope. They asked was I your girlfriend, and I just said yeah. I thought it was a bit early to tell them.'
'Well, once the media gets word of it, everyone will know, so it's probably best to keep it on the down low, and tell all our friends and family and stuff. I might ask the guys to meet me in Johnny's today, and tell them.'
'Good idea.' I smiled.
'You look very business like today, by the way. I like it.'
'Well, I decided to look half way presentable for mom today. The second she sees me she's definitely gonna think something's wrong, I never dress like this.' I laughed.
Matt laughed, but then looked at me seriously. 'Can I ask you something, El?'
I knew what was coming. 'Sure, baby.'
'How come you never speak about your dad?'
I sighed. 'Well, he passed away when I was 12. He was an alcoholic and he died of liver cancer. None of us even knew he had it when he died, though.'
Matt stared up at me. 'Oh, El, I'm so sorry, I never knew he passed away.' he pulled me into a hug. I smiled as he kissed my forehead. 'You're a strong person.'
'No way.' I laughed. 'Anyway, this strong person better go meet her mother before she thinks she's being stood up.'
'Have a good time, baby. I love you.' Matt kissed me deeply before I walked out and down the stairs, grabbed my keys and drove towards the restaurant.


When I walked into the restaurant, my mom was already sitting at a table waiting. When she saw me, she stood up. I made an effort to hide my left hand, not wanting her to see it before I told her.
'Hey mom.' I smiled as I hugged her.
'Hello, sweetheart. You look beautiful.' she hugged me tightly. 'But why so dressy?' I saw her eyes skim over my mid area as we sat down. Checking for a baby bump, clearly.
'Just thought I'd make myself look presentable.' I smiled, as the waiter came over to take our orders.
'This is my treat, so splash out.' I said to her quietly. She rolled her eyes at me.
'I'll have the chicken itame and a glass of your best white wine.' I smiled.
'I'll have the coconut chicken and a gin and tonic, please.' my mom said, professionalism intact.
When the waiter came back with our drinks, my mom looked at me deep in the eyes.
'Darling, what's going on? First you ring me to tell me you want to meet up to just talk, you turn up looking like you're going to a wedding' - irony - 'then, you're making it out as if you're absolutely minted. Tell me what's up.'
I sighed nervously. 'Do you remember how I've always loved Avenged Sevenfold, the band?'
She snorted. 'Do I what? You used to blare their music so loud the neighbours would complain. How is that relevant?'
'Um, well, about a year ago, I went to one of their shows with Nash, remember Nash?' my mom rolled her eyes in reply. 'Well, basically, he attacked me at the show and one of the guitarists, Zacky, saw it all, and he got me taken out and brought backstage.' I stopped to let my mom take it all in. She stared at me in shock. 'Continue.' she said slowly.
'Well, basically, after that me and Zacky started going out, and we were together a few months and I was touring with them, and we were just back from touring when Matt, the lead singer, announced he was having a homecoming party. So, at the party, I caught Zacky cheating on me with his ex, I dumped him, and I had a thing with Matt for a while but we stopped it cos it was causing too many complications, but a few months later we got back together...' I smiled widely.
'And?' my mom said, eyes bulging.

I silently put my left hand on the table. My mom looked down to where my hand was, and I saw tears welling up in her eyes. 'Oh, my God, Eleanor.' she whispered, before standing up, reaching across the table, and hugging me so tight I could barely breathe.
'Your dad would be so happy for you, baby.' she whispered, before pulling away and sitting down, dabbing her tears with a tissue.
'So you're okay with it?' I said.
'Well, I want to meet him first, but other than that, if you're sure you love him and you're happy with him, and that you'll feel the same forever, then I give you my word.'
'Can I ask you something else?'
'Yes?'
'Will you give me away?' I said, feeling tears build up in my eyes.
'I would be honored to, darling.' she said.
I dabbed at the tears that were rolling down my cheeks. 'Thank you.' I smiled, as our food arrived. We ate happily, and I told her about Matt and all the guys.
'They sure sound like an interesting bunch.' My mom laughed, as she finished her salad.
'Interesting doesn't even cut it.'

Notes