The days were winding down until the divorce was finalized and I still hadn't talked or heard from Brian in the past 3 weeks I'm starting to be a burden on Matt and Val after their little argument while they were out shopping the other day I can't say anything to Val about Matt and I's arrangement that was put into place four weeks ago I was expecting to be in a rage but I had to actually be clam about the situation instead of ripping someone's head off.

After driving for what seemed like a decade Emma and Brian were finally up in Big Bear by midafternoon with only 3 hours of sleep Brian still had so much planned while they were up there he still needed to make dinner reservations by 10:00 but he had plenty of time to do that he just wanted to spend the day with the beautiful girl still sleeping beside him in bed he loathed the vacation he and Michelle took up here two years ago because he couldn't stand when she would argue about the smallest things known to man... He still needs to introduce the two of them hopefully nobody comes out with a bloody nose and a fractured arm that will cause so many more problems neither of them wanted.

Meanwhile...
''Val get down here we have to talk!" Matt said

"Okay we will be down in a minute!" Val yelled from upstairs
Matt shook his head and plopped down on the couch next to Bella who was busy chewing on an old shoe string to pay attention to anything at the moment

"Okay I'm here what do you need to discuss with me ?" Val asked wiping the milk mustache from her lips.

"Have you spoken to Michelle about what happened when we were out the other night ?' Matt asked

"No I haven't why do you ask ?" Val asked

"Because I overheard your entire conversation upstairs." Matt said as he tightened his grip on Val's arm.

"Matt what are doing let go of me!" Val screamed

"What happens outside of this house stays between us do you understand ?!" Matt yelled

"Yes I understand!" Val yelled losing her grip from Matt.

---

Moving forward was going to be really hard for Michelle but she knew she'd move on eventually but the process will be difficult for her because in her mind she still wanted her family to be together she doesn't want Claire to come from a broken home she wasn't going to be that type of parent for her daughter she wanted to be a parent that Claire could come to for advice when she gets older over time but Brian had already moved on with someone she still has to meet but it shouldn't be that awkward should it ?

Brian and Emma were wide awake by noon and the first on their Big Bear adventure is to go hiking but that would be a struggle for them both because they both have no experience with the rocky trails up in Big Bear so this should be fun.

"Can you just carry me up the trail bridal style ?" Emma whined from the bathroom sink.

"Will a piggy back ride work better for you sweetheart ?" Brian said going through his text messages.

"That would be just perfect cowboy." Emma replied wrapping her slim arms around Brian's waist.

"I'm actually enjoying that nickname." Brian said

"Well I'm glad." Emma replied

Back in Huntington Beach...
''Hey Zack what are your plans for today ?" Arin asked
"I'll maybe go to lunch with Meghan and my brother at 3pm do you want to join us ? Zacky asked from the couch.
"Yes I do Kim has made plans with her parents today." Arin replied

"Be ready by 2pm I'll be here to pick you up." Zack replied getting into his car.

"See you at 3pm." Arin said.

Zack drove off to the pier to meet Matt to discuss the tour schedule coming up soon and what needs to be done before the guys take off for 3 months and touring without having Jimmy around to tell everyone what to do.

"I'm here who are we touring with ?" Zack asked taking a seat across the table.

"I think were touring with Atreyu and Breaking Benjamin." Matt said flipping through the tour schedule.

"Okay are they our co headliners?" Zack asked sipping his water

"I think so." Matt replied

"So how are things with Val ?' Zack asked from across the table

"I think we need therapy." Matt replied

"Is it that bad ?" Zack raised an eyebrow.

"it's getting there." Matt said

"I'm sorry dude." Zack replied

"I love her it just kills me that she would tell Michelle something like that." Matt said

"Tell Michelle what exactly ?" Zack asked confused

"Well Michelle and I were at the café the other day talking about what happened with her and Brian and I made her an arrangement to keep her mouth shut about our secret affair." Matt said.

"The fuck?" Does Brian know ?" Zack asked

"No he doesn't."

"That's fucked up man." Zack replied

"I clearly can see that." Matt said

"You need to tell him before he breaks your face."

"I will eventually." Matt said gathering his papers into a pile.

Back in Big Bear..
"Emma we have to get ready to go!" Brian yelled from downstairs

"Coming!" Emma yelled lacing up her shoes.

"How do I look ?" Emma asked walking downstairs with her bag in tow.

"You look beautiful as always." Brian said kissing Emma's lips

"Well thank you cowboy." Emma replied

Brian and Emma headed for Brian's car and getting in before taking off for their afternoon hike and getting ready for dinner at 10:00 tonight because that's the biggest surprise Brian has planned for Emma but he wasn't dropping any hints to give away this big announcement or ruin it for the other guest that are attending this dinner along with Emma and Brian to make it even more special for the two of them.

"Are we there yet ?' Emma asked scrolling through her phone.

"No were not there yet sweetie just be patient." Brian replied staying focused on the road

"Whatever you say." Emma laughed

"What's so funny ?" Brian asked

"I just never thought I end up here with you."

"Why do you say that ?" Brian asked

"I mean your a rockstar and I'm an ordinary girl." Emma replied

"No to me your not." Brian said

"Everything is going to change soon enough love." Emma replied

"Yes it will Brian thought.

---

Zack had rushed home to get ready for lunch with Arin with Meghan tagging along of course, he rushed upstairs to find Meghan buttoning her shirt up revealing one side of her pink lace bra she covered up when she saw Zack in the doorway he could feel himself getting hard at the sight of Meghan's exposed body.

"Can we stay in tomorrow night ?' Zack asked biting his lip.

"If that's what you want then yes we can." Meghan said buttoning up her plaid shirt and slipping on her flats.

"We have to leave early." Zack said retreating downstairs to collect his phone and car keys.

"Why are we leaving early ?" Meghan asked

"Arin decided to come along as well." Zack replied

"I thought he and Kim made plans?" Meghan asked retreating downstairs behind Zack.

"He says Kim is going to a family function with her family." Zack replied

"Oh okay." Meghan replied

Zack helped Meghan into the passengers side as he retreated to the drivers side he was just about to pull out of his driveway when he spotted Arin riding in his father's car with someone that's not his wife Zack was caught off guard by this mystery person in Arin's car he turned his attention back to Meghan who was looking outside of the passenger window lost in her thoughts Zack tapped her shoulder.

"What are you thinking about love ?" Zack asked looking in Meghan's direction

"Nothing it's not important anyway." Meghan replied

"Oh okay." Zack said focusing on the road ahead of him.

---

Brian and Emma were having a great time in Big Bear but dinner tonight wouldn't be so easy to get through without anything going complete wrong or anymore surprise guest showing up uninvited with an explanation as to why they showed up in the first place. Brian has only job : to make sure this dinner goes as planned and nobody fucks it up.

Michelle's agenda included visiting her parents later today with Claire in tow she reminded herself to not get ahead of herself by telling her parents about Matt and Val's constant arguments she really wanted to help her sister but she didn't want to be involved in the chaos that was to come after that.

Meanwhile on the hiking trail...
"Brian you promised me a piggy back ride!" Emma yelled trailing behind Brian

"I know I did." Brian replied moving his backpack on his hip.

"When can I have one cowboy ?!" Emma yelled

"Soon love." Brian replied

"Okay then I can deal with that." Emma smiled

"Now let's keep walking." Brian said

"Whatever you say." Emma smirked

Brian continued walking up the trail with Emma following close behind him he was caught off guard by Zack and Meghan pulling up in the driveway of their cabin which also caught Emma by surprise as well.

"What are you doing here ?" Brian sighed

'We wanted to surprise you lovebirds." Zack said hugging Emma

"Oh Meghan this my friend Emma, Emma this my wife Meghan." Zack introduced them.

"Hi Meghan it's nice to meet you." Emma said

"It's a pleasure to meet you too." Meghan scoffed

"What's going on with Meghan ?" Brian whispered to Zack.

"She's a little bit cranky ?" Zack questioned

"When did you two get here ?" Brian asked

"Over 3 hours ago." Zack replied

"Where's the rest of the guys ?" Brian asked

"They should be getting ready to leave for the tour." Zack said wrapping his arms around Meghan's waist.

"Well we have to get back before dinner." Brian said

"Can I have my piggy back now ?" Emma yelled trailing behind him.

"Yes hop on my back love." Brian replied.

---

It was getting close to dinner time Brian, Zack, Emma, and Meghan were all gathered in the dining area Brian had some huge announcement to make but he was going to wait until they all drove to their destination Brian and Zack decided to drive together so that way they would all be together when it was time to take their seats up in a reserved booth behind them.

Brian, Zack, Meghan, and Emma entered the restaurant with gleaming smiles plastered over their faces staring at all of the fancy dressed people in attendance with disappointment creeping across their faces they knew this occasion would be awkward for all of them.

"Hey Sir do you have a reservation ?" The waiter said

"Yes a reservation for Haner ?" Brian smiled

"Ah yes follow me sir I'll show you to your seat." The waiter smiled

"Thank you." Brian said

The waiter guided them to their table without hesitation Zack, Meghan, Brian, and Emma all took their seats across the table from one another the group stared at each other in silence for a few minutes but they were interrupted by two waiters fighting the group stared in complete shock.

"Please let this dinner be a success." Brian thought

Notes

Here's an update Chapter 52 to come tomorrow!
Song- Right Side Of The Bed Atreyu c: