Ben's POV

I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the table. This was great, I finally get to see Renae in a couple of days! Although I did kind of yelled at her when she didn't want to talk any further which I felt pretty bad about. I shook my head and continued to sit in the chair, thinking.

I heard the door to the bathroom open as Rhiannon came out with fresh clean clothes on and running a brush through her wet hair. We had a quickie in the shower earlier but it didn't feel as great as it use to.

I grabbed the remote and turned on the tv, changing through the channels. My fingers stopped on a commercial that was on FUSE announcing a tour. Well what do ya know, it was a tour with my band with Avenged Sevenfold. There were a few selected dates and one of them happened to be in Las Vegas.

Breaking Benjamin are no longer the same, sadly. The original members of my band were all kicked out due to something they did behind my back that was without my knowledge and illegal. All in all, I got new people to fill in their shoes and since then we've been doing pretty well. Who knew that after Renae and I broke up that so much would happen during that year.

I looked down at the picture that laid face down on the table. I turned it over and smiled. This picture may be the key to bringing Renae back to me. “Hey what's that?” Rhiannon asked as she took a glimpse over my shoulder. I quickly put it away into my bag. “Nothing baby, just some picture of Keith's ass.” I lied but held a smirk on my face.

She scrunched her nose and had a disgusted look on her face. “Gross! I don't get why you'd keep that kind of picture around.” She said before walking away from me to grab her bag.

“It keeps my motivated to know that my ass looks better than his.” I stuck my tongue out and stood up. I was heading out to the bar in 10 minutes to meet up with the other guys. From what it sounds like, we were all meeting up at Johnny's Bar. I've only been there a few times and I must say I really liked it there.

I threw on a gray shirt that had an Autobots symbol on the front of it and some slightly baggy jeans. I pulled on my sneakers then went into the bathroom to fix my hair up into spikes. Once I was satisfied, I walked out and met up with Rhiannon at the door. I took her hand and we walked out of the hotel room, taking the elevator and heaving through the lobby.

Once we got outside, the guys were already waiting for us in the black SUV. Rhiannon and I climbed in and sat in the back.

“You guys excited about the tour with Avenged coming up in a couple of weeks?” Shaun, our drummer asked as he drove all of us out and all the way to Johnny's.

“Hell yeah, this will be one of the first times we actually get to tour with them. They seem like cool guys. I'm stoked!” Jasen, our lead guitarist said. Aaron who was our bassist also nodded in agreement.

I sat there quietly, staring at the window. Rhiannon had her hand on my leg and squeezed lightly. I was still thinking of how things will play out when I meet up with Renae at the cafe. Although something snapped out of my thoughts and got my blood boiling.

“Hey don't let Ben hear you say that, since his ex is dating you know who.” Keith, our other guitarist said quietly. Although he failed at it.

My eyes quickly moved over to him and narrowed. It was no secret that Zacky and Renae were an item. He may be a private person but people still seem to have found out who he's dating. With what I had back in the hotel, I was going to win this game.

Brian's POV

So ever since the incident from the barbecue at Matt's place, things are slowly getting back to normal. For Emilia anyway. I on the other hand have been having a lot of thoughts going through my head. I've been helping her out by talking to her about her problems and what not.

Even though she could have talked to her best friend Renae about it but Renae had sent me a text before we left the park letting me know that it's okay if she tells me what's been going on.

Weeks have passed as Emilia and I have been getting to know each other more & more. It seemed the more I got to know her, the more I wanted to really have her as mine. It was late afternoon as I was sitting on the couch watching tv. Nothing really on except for the occasional cartoons and maybe a movie or so.

I hear foot steps coming down the stairs. I slowly look up and smiled. Emilia was wearing a beautiful lavender dress that came up to here knees and had off the shoulder straps. She also had purple sandals on that went well with the dress. She had light makeup on and her brownish red hair was up in a ponytail.

We were going to a Thanksgiving family dinner my parent's were throwing. I was pretty excited yet nervous to introduce Emilia to my family. All I had on was black slacks and a buttoned up long sleeved black dress shirt. Nothing too fancy.

Emilia went to grab her purse on the counter then walked over to me. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah, let's go.” I said as I took her hand in mine and lead her outside. I quickly locked up then walked her over to the black Porsche. Opening her door for her to get in. I got into the driver's side and off we went to my parent's house.

It was silent through out the drive there. I kept replaying in my mind how things may go down. Since I was no longer married to Michelle, would they automatically accept Emilia? Even though her and I aren't dating, I do hope they're nice to her. McKenna didn't like like Michelle too much so maybe this might go well?

“Thanks for taking me with you to meet your family.” Emilia said quietly. I looked over and smiled.

“No problem. Since your parents are visiting your relatives in New Zealand, I didn't want you to spend Thanksgiving by yourself.” I felt bad that she had no one except for Renae to spend her holiday with. Hoping to change that soon. She'll love my family.

We finally got there in record time. I parked the car out front and turned it off. I looked over at Emilia. She seemed a bit nervous and was slowly taking deep breaths. I took her hand into mine and kissed it. “Don't worry, they'll love you.”

She slowly looked over at me and smiled, nodding her head. I let go of her hand and got out of the car. I walked over to her side and opened the door. Helping her out as we walked to the front of my parents' house. I was about to ring the doorbell when the door flew open and I was engulfed into a hug by my stepmom, Suzy.

“Bri! You finally made it.” She slowly let go. I nodded then motioned with my hand over to Emilia. “This is Emi. She's my...em...date for tonight.” I said with a smirked. She blushed and shyly waved.

Suzy also gave her a hug. “Welcome! Please do come in.” She said as she let her go, leading the way. We both followed her inside. The house smelled of delicious turkey as well as other yummy food. The house didn't change much since I've last been here. Which was months before I headed out to tour with the guys. So it's been a while. The only thing that was different was the fact that mine and Michelle's wedding picture that was no longer on the shelf with some family pictures on it that was in the living room.

Emilia decided to wander off into the living room to look at the pictures where as I was heading towards the kitchen. I saw my brother Brent helping our younger sister McKenna help set up the table. Once they say me, McKenna stopped what she was doing and ran towards me. Almost knocking me over. “Brian you're here! I missed you.” She said as she hugged me tight.

“Mac...can't...breathe...” I said and returned the hug. She let go and smiled. Brent came over as well and hugged me. “Glad to see you bro. Was wondering what happened to you. Thought you disappeared off the face of the earth.” He laughed. I snorted and had a smile on my face.

Brent walked over to the refrigerator and opened it up, taking a beer out. He handed it to me. “Thanks.” I said and popped it open, taking a sip. Emilia had came back from the living room and was now standing near me.

“Brent, Mac, this is Emi. Emi, this is my younger brother and sister.” I said as I introduced them. Emilia smiled and shook Brent's hand when he stuck it out for her to shake. McKenna on the other hand wasn't sure if she wanted to shake her hand. So she just did a quick wave then walked away. “Don't worry about her, she's like that with people she doesn't know.” Brent said when he noticed the look of confusion on Emilia's face. I nodded in agreement.

“Junior, I knew you were going to bring someone with you. But I didn't know she was going to be this beautiful.” A voice said. I rolled my eyes and turned to look at my dad making his way towards us. He stopped and smiled. “Hi, I'm Brian Sr.” He said. Emilia blushed at his comment a little then shook his hand. “It's nice to meet you.”

“Dinner is ready!” We heard Suzy yell out from the kitchen. Everyone had piled in and sat around the table. I was sitting between Emilia and Brent, Emilia was sitting next to Suzy, and dad was sitting between her and McKenna.

All of us had dug into the food once we were all settled into our seats. There was mashed potatoes, gravy, macaroni and cheese, green beans casserole, cranberry sauce, and of cause turkey. My dad stood up and cut into the turkey while the rest of us helped ourselves to the other yummy food. Around the table, one by one we passed our plates forward as dad went to go place some slices of turkey on our plates, handing them back.

Brent was talking to me about what's been going on with his life and was very animated talking about some girl he had met at the bar. She was one of the bartender and seemed like she had a good head on her shoulders. That is, until he told me she was also a part time stripper. I almost choked from eating the casserole when I heard that but kept my composure.

From the corner of my eye, I watched as Emilia was walking to Suzy about New Zealand. The way she described that place, it sounded so beautiful. As dad got done cutting up the last bit of turkey, he washed his hands in the sink and sat down, eating with the rest of us.

“So Emi, what are you intentions with my brother? Are you secretly a gold digger?” McKenna pipped up. I quickly shot a look at her. Where the hell did she come up with that kind of question?

Apparently I wasn't the only one looking at her. Brent had cleared his throat while Suzy sighed and shook her head. “MCKENNA! Why would you ask such a thing of her? She's nothing like that. Not like Michelle I hope.” Suzy said as she looked over at me. I nodded.

“Mac stop being rude. I know you didn't like Michelle but do you have to do that with Emi too? She's a good friend of mine and I won't have you try and be mean to someone.” I said and gave her a pointed look.

Emilia reached was quiet for a bit before she spoke up. “I assure you I'm not a gold digger. I have a job, my own money, and I'm happy with my life. I-I like your brother. He's done nothing but help me through some hard times I was going through.”

McKenna stared at her for a moment. She quickly nodded before finishing her dinner then stood up. Heading upstairs to her room. I sighed in relief. Well that was a first. The dinner was soon over and I decided to go and help Suzy wash the dishes. Brent was with dad outside talking about who knows what and Emilia had gone to the bathroom.

Suzy was washing the dishes and I was drying them with a towel. “I'm impressed, Brian. I was kinda expecting to Emi either yell at McKenna or run away crying. But nope she definitely handled the situation well.” I smirked at her saying that. Emilia definitely took it well and was mature about it.

“So when are you going to ask her out?” Suzy said taking a quick side glance at me. I almost dropped the plate I was drying on the floor. “Uhh...well...I'm not sure. I mean I just got out of a marriage so it would be a bit weird if I-”

“Oh shush Bri, no need for excuses. I know you really like her. I can see the look in your eyes every time you looked at her.” Was she right? Was I only using the whole 'Just got out of a marriage' excuse because I was hiding the fact that I really liked Emilia? I mean from the way it would sound, if we were to automatically start a relationship people would think that I never loved Michelle and wanted to get rid of her so that I can move onto someone else. I may have been a ladies man but I'm more of a 1 woman kind of guy.

I sighed as I finished helping Suzy out. “You're right. I should go ahead and talk to her about it.” Suzy nodded as I left her in the kitchen to go look for Emilia.

I found her staring at a picture of me and the guys when we were just starting out. “You looked so different back then.” She said.

“Yeah. I was kind of on the pudgy side too. Look at that gut!” I joked. She laughed and shook her head. “I think you looked perfect.” She quietly said. I smiled at that. I took her hand in mine. “Let's sit down, I want to talk to you.” She nodded as I lead her over to the couch.

We both sat down and I was trying to think of a way to put this. “I know that we've only knew each other for almost a month now. I just can't seem to hold it in any longer. Ever since I've laid eyes on you, it felt like a weight was lifted and I felt I could be happy once again. I've never felt that with anyone. With Michelle I thought I did but I guess I was fooling myself into thinking that.”

I took a deep breath and continued. “What I'm saying is that whenever I'm around you, I feel like I'm sitting on cloud nine. Just slowly floating and being in bliss. Emi...I-I...have feelings for you. And...I-I'm...in love...with you.”

Looking into Emilia's eyes, I watched her as she gasped at what I said. Was this a good or bad thing? I hope what I said didn't scare her. As I was about to say another word, she moved in and kissed me. I closed my eyes and held her. She pulled away and I frowned. “Brian, I-I feel the same w-way. I guess I didn't want to say anything cause I know you had just got out of a marriage.” She said softly.

I chuckled and waved it off. “No it's alright. I was a bit confused on my feelings at first but after spending time with you, I knew that I wanted you.”

She smiled and hug me. I hugged her back and smiled. After confessing what I felt for her, I can finally move on.

Notes

A little bit of a filler as well as some insight on what possibly went on during a few weeks later after the incident at the barbecue. What is that picture that Ben has? What will happen now after Brian had confessed his love to Emilia? Stay tuned...

Oh by the way, I decided to move the old prologue and put it as part of chapter 1. After a while, it seemed like it wasn't much of a prologue and more so of being part of the first chapter instead. I also decided to put a new prologue up. Hope you like it.

Feedback is welcome. Comments are too. I love comments lol. ^_^

- LadyRevenge