*~*Matt’s POV*~*

I linked arms with Jimmy after the set and skipped happily back towards the merch booth. I was so excited to have tonight be about me and Val. I wanted it to be a special surprise for her to show her how much I appreciate her and love her. It’s the least I could do for the woman I love and have dragged thru the mud and back.

At the booth Val was busy helping a young girl when I held up my finger to my lip to keep her quiet as I snuck up behind Val. I softly put my hands over her eyes and leaned over kissing her neck. I could feel the smile tug at her lips without even looking.

“Matt. What are you doing?” she laughed lightly as I let go.

“Stealing the woman I love away for the night.” I smiled flashing my dimples.

“Matt, I have to finish up over here.” She replied going back to the girl, “Sorry, hunny, what did you want again?”

She finished up with the girl and before she could help the next person I scooped her up by her waist and carried her to the back of the tent.

“Lei! Go help Leana!” I called out to my sister who had been chatting closely with Zacky.

“Matt what is this all about?” Valary asked me, her hands on her hips as I blocked her from going back to the front of the tent.

“Don’t worry about anything babe. I have it all taken care of. Tonight is about you and me.” I said as I grabbed her hand in mine, pulling her from the tent, “See you guys tomorrow!” I called to them.

“Tomorrow? What’s going on Matt?” She asked again as we walked to the bus.

“Come on Val. Go shower and put on something nice. I’ll shower after you. Then we are going on a mini vacation from everyone. I planned something special for you.” I said as I opened the door to the bus letting her on first.

“Matt, you don’t need to do that. We have a tour to do before we can go home and do whatever we want.” Val said as I pushed her gently towards the back and began pulling her clothes out from her bags.

“It’s not about that. I wanted to do something special for the woman I love. The woman who has been here since the very beginning. My best friend and lover. You deserve something nice Val. You do so much not only for me but for this band and now even for my sister. Please just let me spoil you baby…” I said walking over to her and kissing her softly.

Our kiss got more heated and I started to pull her shirt off before she stopped me, “Matt, Kelly is sick and sleeping. Let me shower.”

She swayed her hips as she walked to the bathroom and started the shower. As much as I wanted to get in the shower and join her, I decided maybe I should let Kelly sleep and save my energy for the rest of the night. We did have a hotel room to ourselves, none of the guys even knowing where I booked a room to ensure it was only us. I grabbed my own clothes to wear after my shower and grabbed an extra bag tossing in clothes for tomorrow for the both of us, amongst anything else we might need from now until then.

Val came out from the bathroom with a towel around her head and one around her body. She made her way over to the back bed and picked up the black dress I had bought her when I had gone out with Kamalei weeks ago.

“Matt, where did this dress come from?” She asked as she held it up.

“I bought it for you. I thought it would look nice on you.” I said flashing my dimples at her as I smiled.

“It’s very nice. Thank you baby.” She said kissing me as I went into the bathroom to shower.

When I got out of the shower, she was dressed and doing her hair in the mirror in the back. I found my nice dress pants and collared shirt and got changed, sitting next to her on the bed as I waited for her to finish her makeup. When she was done, I grabbed the bag I packed and her hand, leading her off the bus and into a limo I had rented.

“Matt! Where the hell are we going?” She exclaimed shocked.

“Don’t worry babe. Let me get the door for you.” I said as I opened the door and extended my hand to help her get in.

We had a drink in the limo on the way to the restaurant I had carefully picked out. It was a quiet Italian restaurant that I knew would be pretty empty this time of night on a weekday. I helped her out of the limo and led her into the host stand,giving the host my name. He looked up and down at me, stopping on my various tattoos peering out from my sleeves rolled ¾ of the way up before grabbing the menus and taking us to a table outside in a garden setting lit by various paper lanterns hanging thru out the trees.

“Matthew, this is beautiful.” Val said as I pulled her chair out for her at the small private table.

“Not as beautiful as you…” I said taking my seat, “but I’m glad you like it.”

She smiled brightly at me before looking at her menu. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as I watched her read thru the options. A waiter walked past and I stopped him, ordering her favorite bottle of wine.

“What is this about mister?” She said setting the menu down.

“What? I’m spoiling my beautiful girlfriend. Is there something wrong with that?” I asked her with a smile.

“There’s more to it than that… I know you too well Mr. Sanders…” she smirked.

I laughed lightly at her accusation as I looked at my menu, “Valary, you’re too paranoid. I really just wanted to take you out and spoil you. You deserve it with everything that’s been going on. My woman needs a break and I plan on making sure she gets one.”

She raised an eyebrow at me before relaxing into a warm smile, “Alright. I guess I believe you.”

We ordered our food from the waiter when he brought the wine and Val told me about her day at the booth today. I smiled at her every word thinking of how truly lucky I was to have her in my life. She set her wine glass down and I reached over the table, holding her hand in mine as I gently rubbed circles on it with my thumb. She smiled as she spoke and I was blown away by how much I realized I loved her.

“I can’t believe you did all of this Matt. What did the guys say when you told them you were leaving?” She asked taking another sip of her wine.

“They didn’t know until we left. Only Lei knew I was taking you somewhere. No one knows where we are. It’s just us.” I told her.

“Really?” she asked and I nodded, “I can’t believe you left Lei alone somewhere that wasn’t home.”

“I should probably check on her… make sure the guys aren’t being dicks.” I said taking out my phone and texting Lei.

Hey. How is it going? The guys aren’t being asses to you I hope. ~M.

I slipped my phone back in my pocket as our food came, “Done. Now back to us.”

We enjoyed our meals, chatting lightly about the past few weeks and how much of a turn around Kamalei and Zacky had since they made up over their argument at his party. We both agreed they were much happier again and it had lightened the mood on the bus and amongst everyone.

“Did she text you back yet?” Valary asked as the waiter poured her another glass of wine from the bottle.

I pulled my phone out and checked, “Weird… nothing. Usually she would text me right back. I better call.”

Ring. Ring. Ring.

“Hey M!” Kelly answered.

I could hear commotion in the background, telling me they were no doubt drinking, “Hey Kelly. Why do you have my sister’s phone?”

“Uhhhh…… I think it must have fallen out of her pocket. It was right here on the couch so I answered it. She’s around here…” Kelly said and I could hear her moving around the bus.

“Where are you guys?”

“With Austin guys on their bus… she must have went outside… hold on Matt…” she said as I heard the bus door open, “Brian! Have you seen Lei? Matt’s on the phone.”

“I think she went for a walk.” I heard him say.

“Can you check our bus for her please Kelly?” I asked her.

“No problem M… how’s it going? Where are you anyways?” She asked as she walked on the gravel.

“Great. We’re just out. I can’t tell you or I’d have to kill ya…” I joked.

“Ah here we are…” she said and I heard the door open and shortly after the door close, “Uh… she’s sleeping.”

“She’s sleeping?” I asked incredulously.

“Yeah. You don’t want me to wake her up do you? I’m not prepared to deal with her like that…” Kelly drifted off.

“No, no… it’s okay. She’s okay though?” I questioned.

“Oh she’s more than okay… she’s sleeping like a baby.” She said.

“Thanks Kelly. I’ll see all of you guys tomorrow at the next stop.”

“Alright. Have a great time Matt.” Kelly said before she hung up.

I looked at Valary who had a questioning look on her face, “Everything ok Matt?”

“Yeah… Kelly said she’s sleeping.” I told her.

“Maybe she’s done drinking for today. She was pretty drunk earlier today before your set. Don’t worry Matt, she’s a big girl.” Val said sipping her wine.

“You’re right. I have nothing to worry about. The guys wouldn’t let anything happen.” I said putting my phone back in my pocket, “Dessert my love?”

“I’m full babe. Thank you for a lovely evening.” She replied.

“The evening isn’t over yet. Let me pay and we can go.” I said looking in her beautiful eyes.

I was distracted by my sister’s odd behavior but I had a plan to follow. She wasn’t in danger so there was no real reason to worry. I took Valary’s hand from the table, caressing it softly before kissing her knuckles. I stood from the table and came around to her side, fumbling in my pants pocket for something I had waited all evening to do.

I bent down on one knee and pulled out the ring I had been hiding, “Valary, I love you more than anything in this world. You are my everything. You’ve stood by me thru all these years and put up with all of my crap. I love you Valary, will you marry me?”

The tears were streaming down her cheeks, her other hand over her mouth as she shook her head, “Yes Matthew. Yes… I’ll marry you.”

I placed the ring on her finger and she stood, pulling me up and kissing me passionately. I felt her hot tears on my face as I wrapped her in my arms and gently swung her in a circle before carefully placing her back on her feet.

“I love you Matt.” She said as she pulled her lips away.

“I love you Val. You’ve made me the happiest man alive.” I told her as the waiter came out and gave us the check, congratulating us.

I paid and called the limo driver back to the restaurant so that we could get to our hotel. As soon as we were in the limo, I couldn’t keep my hands off her as well as my lips. Her tender flesh so warm and heated under my touch making it harder for me to not rip her clothes off in the back of the limo as I kissed every part of her I could access at the moment.

Val banged on the window separation, “Hey! Hurry up man!”

*~*Kelly’s POV*~*

When Matt called Lei’s phone it honestly scared me a little. I hadn’t realized I was sitting on it until the ringtone and vibrations came from under my ass. I knew he was looking for her to make sure she was okay, especially after the past few weeks of ‘Kamalei’s Nightmare Factory’ that we all had experienced first-hand.

On his request I walked the few rows down to our own bus, looking around to see if I could see her walking around before I got there. I knew she went with Zacky and I was thankful that Brian wasn’t too drunk to say that part with Matt on the line. I got to the door of the bus and saw the light on inside somewhere towards the back area.

“Ah here we are…” I said as I opened the door quietly.

My eyes went wide when I saw Zacky on top of Kamalei in the back bed, shirtless. I quickly went back down the stairs and shut the door quietly.

“Uh…she’s sleeping.” I lied as fast as possible.

“She’s sleeping?” He questioned.

“Yeah. You don’t want me to wake her up do you? I’m not prepared to deal with her like that…” I trailed off trying to get him off the trail.

“No, no… it’s okay. She’s okay though?” he asked me, taking the bait.

“Oh she’s more than okay…” I said before catching myself, “She’s sleeping like a baby.”

“Thanks Kelly. I’ll see all of you guys tomorrow at the next stop.”

“Alright. Have a great time Matt.” I said letting out the deep breath I had been holding.

I leaned against the side of the bus, my hand over my chest as I took a few more deep breaths feeling like I just cheated death.

Matt would fucking kill me if he found out what was going on… shit, he’d kill those two. Lei, you and Zacky owe me. BIG TIME BITCH.

I heard a loud moan come from inside and scrunched my face up, slightly disgusted at listening to my best friend having sex but partially happy she was getting the guy she’s wanted forever. I shook my head as I headed back towards the OM&M bus turning Kamalei’s phone off as I got there.

“Hey baby… You find her?” Brian asked blowing out his cigarette smoke as he stood outside with Johnny.

“Yeah…” I said debating telling him about what I witnessed.

“Everything okay Kells?” Johnny asked looking at me concerned.

“Yeah. She’s sleeping… I thought I heard something a few busses back is all. Kinda spooked me. No more scary movies for me for a while I guess.” I said laughing it off as an excuse.

“You wanna go back to the bus soon? You feeling okay?” Brian asked stamping out his smoke and wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

“No!...Let’s stay for a while longer. I’m not tired yet and I feel a lot better than earlier. More beer pong?” I suggested leading him inside.

“I’m always down for another drink…” Brian said as he made his way over to the table, “Let’s play! Who’s up next!?”

I took the ping pong ball that Brian handed me but stared off into space as Leana and Jimmy stood on the other side of the table taking their turn first. A smile crept on my face as I thought about my best friend finally moving on with Zacky. She deserved someone who would treat her right and the way that I saw Zacky stare at her when she wasn’t looking, I knew he would.

“Kelly Beans!! It’s your turn!!” Jimmy yelled jumping up and down excited.

I stepped up to the table and took my turn, making it in one of the cups, Jimmy downing it as fast as possible. I watched everyone play, missing the next turn on purpose to try to keep everyone here, busy longer. Jimmy would never tell Matt what was really going on, but I took no chances in telling anyone. I planned on talking to Lei tomorrow and finding out what was going on. We would have to work the afternoon together, Leana and Val off, so I knew it would be the perfect time as we would be free to talk.

A few hours and many beers later, we decided to head back to our own bus, Jimmy slinging a drunken passed out Johnny over his shoulder and stumbling down the stairs. As we got closer to the door I hoped they were finished and the evidence of anything happening was non-existent. The lights were off, and it was quiet.

“Where the fuck is everyone?” Brian slurred, flopping down on the couch as Jimmy tossed Johnny on the opposite side.

“I haven’t seen Zacky or Lei like all night…” Leana said taking off her shoes at the table.

“Lei was sleeping earlier so I’m thinking she’s still there… Zacky I have no clue.” I lied.

Jimmy went to the bunks, reaching up to Kamalei’s and pulling the curtain open, “Nope. Not in here…”

“Huh?! She was there earlier.” I said getting up from the table and making my way back there.

Suddenly I heard Zacky’s soft snore coming from his bunk and met Jimmy’s questioning look from his own bunk. Jimmy got up from his bunk and I crawled into mine above his as Lei’s stuffed tiger, Baby fell from Zacky’s bunk bouncing on the floor.

“Uh oh…” Jimmy said quietly picking up Baby and carefully opening up Zacky’s curtain.

There the two of them were. Zacky was shirtless and had his arms wrapped around Lei, who was wearing his shirt and was curled up with her back to him. Her arm was slightly open which must have been where Baby had fallen out of her grasp, Jimmy replacing the stuffed tiger and then turning to me with a big smile on his face. The lights from the hall caused Zacky to stir, tightening his hold on my best friend’s body as he pressed his lips against the back of her neck, kissing her tenderly.

Jimmy softly clapped his hands and turned to look at me again, “OOoooo…they’re so adorable!” he whispered.

“Leave them be Jim… this is the only time they will probably ever get to sleep in peace without Matt the enforcer around…” I said quietly.

Jimmy closed the curtain and crawled into my bunk with me, “We have got to get them to date.”

“Jimmy, as much as I want that, I’m not getting involved. That’s how relationships are ruined, when too many people are in them…” I said and he nodded getting out of my bunk and crawling into his own under mine, “I’m just glad Matt’s not going to be here in the morning.”

“Me too.” Jimmy replied as I got out of my bunk.

I went to the front, grabbing Brian’s arm and dragging him with me like a lost drunk puppy to our bed. Leana waited patiently for Brian to get in before she got in with Jimmy, all of us leaving Johnny sprawled out on the couch. I laid in the bed, Brian’s arm drunkenly thrown across my torso as I looked up at Zacky’s bunk.

Girl, you are so lucky your brother isn’t here and won’t be here until the afternoon. I hope what I walked in on was all that you wanted it to be. You’ve had a crush on that man for years, I hope he lives up to your expectations. Zacky, you better be good to my girl… or I will fucking kill you…

Notes