Welcome to the Family

”In the name of the people, in the name of the state of California and in the name of the United States of America, we have come to a verdict. In the charge of battery and domestic violence, the defendant Sanders, Matthew Charles, has been found not guilty. He won acquittal. All charges against the defendant have been dropped.

"The defendant Sanders, Valary has been found guilty as charged for attempted defamation and physical injury with a deadly weapon. The defendant is sentenced to pay a fine of 10,000 dollars and to fifty hours of community service. If you wish to move this to a higher court, you have the right to....”

I didn’t even pay attention to the rest of the statement. We won. Sometimes, the good guys win. Syn started screaming and playing the air-guitar while Michelle looked like she didn't know what to say or feel. Matt ran up to me and gave me a tight hug. I sighed when his familiar scent met my nose as he stood bent over me with his heavy, warm arms tightly wrapped around me, and he kissed my cheek. I closed my eyes and felt... happy. A general, geniune happiness like I hadn't experienced for years. Everything was good. Everything was fine. When we finally left the building, the guys were waiting for us with a limo, lots of booze. Needless to say, they were already pretty drunk.

Of course the verdict was the best reason for a party. While the trial was still going on, they had organized a big barbecue party at Matt’s house. Not the Avenged mansion, but Matt’s house. I was excited to go since I'd only seen it from the outside. According to Michelle, Val had moved to her parents’ house a couple of days ago. She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep the house, seeing as Matt bought it.

It was a good thing that the two of them had a premarital agreement. After the divorce, Matt would get to keep everything he bought for the two of them. Val would get some money and she would, of course, keep things he bought for her, like clothes. It was a really, really good thing they didn’t have children because the prenup clearly stated that in case of a divorce, Val would get sole custody. It made sense though, Matt was traveling the whole world, he didn't have time to raise a child, really.

My mom had arranged a meeting with the best divorce attorney in town for Matt. After that, the guy would get all the papers ready. If they both signed them right away, they wouldn’t even be married for another month. A rush of excitement floated through my body as we pulled up in Matt's driveway. I'd never seen the house from the inside. Never. I wondered how it would make me feel.

When he opened the door, we immediately stood in a simple, but nice hall. So, this is how he used to live. With Val, I thought as I felt a wave of jealousy overcome me. Will we sleep here? Me and him, in their bed? How long will it be until I feel comfortable in here? Will he want me to move in?

I can't do this, I thought. I just can't. I know he likes me and I know this is what he wants from a girlfriend, and I'm pretty sure that's what I am. But can I really forget that few months ago, he lived here with Val? This house has been lived in, loved in. Every replacement just won't do his great memories justice.

Good thing Renee had brought me something to wear from home. I went into the bathroom where I got ready. There weren't many of Val's things left, but every now and then I spotted something that definitely didn't belong to Matt. A second toothbrush, an almost-empty perfume. On the empty shelf there sat a small, black box. I forced myself not to look inside, but knowing I'd find that Val returned her wedding band made me feel even worse.

I need to talk to Matt about all my doubts. I will. Not today, but as soon as he asks me to move in. I sighed as I remembered him saying something about that a few days ago. I knew what he wanted, and up to this day I'd been sure that this was what I wanted, too. Him, in a real, steady relationship. A future together. Now I wasn't so sure anymore if I could. I knew I wanted to, but would I be able to?

It took all my strength to determinedly shove away the thoughts. Today is a good day. I took a deep breath. Today is a good day. I wore a skin-tight (yes, actually skin-tight!) black dress and expensive jewelry Matt bought me in Montreal. I did my hair up in a chignon and carefully put on make-up. I had black smoky eyes and a dark red lipstick. I grinned at my reflection as I spotted some fading hickeys on my neck, a souvenir from Matt. Marks that constantly reminded me he had been there, had marked his territory. You're his, the voice inside my head reassured me, you're his. Nothing's going to change that. Today is a good day.

A few hours later, I was sitting on the living room couch with Renee and Michelle. The two of them were sober, just like me. They still had to drive and well, I just wasn’t the person for alcohol. I filled them in on my thoughts. The next day, I’d start another 30 day detox program and after that, we’d start touring. Larry had called me the day before to confirm that I’d go on tour with the guys and cook for them. He was very content with my work so far. After all, the guys were doing okay, well, far better than okay even. They were glad to go on tour and happy to publish their new album. They’d also bonded with Mike Portnoy and were considering officially making him an A7X member. After the tour, I was pretty sure I'd move in with Matt. I left out my doubts, though.

“That’s great news, honey,” Michelle smiled at me warmly. “So, Renee,” she continued, “any news about that thing you got going on with Mr. Vengeance?” Oh yeah, I was soo curious. Ever since Matt and I returned, they have been all over each other. We knew they were exclusively dating, but they seemed overjoyed. “Well,” Renee admitted shyly, “You know, Zack asked me to move in with him when the tour is over, too. And what can I say? I, uhm, I said yes.”

How sweet, I thought, they really deserve to be happy. Just like Matt and I. Speaking of the devil, where the hell is that guy again? Probably smoking cigars with Syn. Gosh, unhealthy shit. And hey, Renee will soon face the same problem, I should talk to her sometime. “That’s just great,” I said to Renee, and I meant it. “And you, Michelle, are you excited? Getting married in less than three days!” I asked.

“Well, it’s awkward, seeing as Brian’s still living with the guys and I’m pretty much by myself. You know, I’d like to spend some, uhm, quality time with him if you know what I mean…” she grinned. “Oh please spare me the details, Chelle,” Renee said and we all laughed.

I looked around. I was happy. I was here at my friends’ house, celebrating true justice. I was chatting with two girls who had become good friends of mine in a very short period of time. They’d supported me, even if for one of them, it meant turning her back on her own flesh and blood. But like Miche said, it wasn’t about relations, it was about the truth.
I had a boyfriend, or at least something pretty fucking close to it. Oh, and I’d started cussing in my head. But whatever.

“Hey there Vicca, how you doin’?” Brian stood in front of me, abruptly ending my thoughts. “Uhm, good, why?” I asked him. “Oh, you were just looking kind of lonely here. Thought I’d say hi and make some small talk, you know,” he sat down on the empty couch beside me. “Well, the two girls just left to get some fresh air with Zacky,” I explained with a smile. “That’s cool. Did you see the hot blond chick Renee left with? Dude, I’m getting married to her on Saturday. It’s… It’s fucking Thursday already!”

He smiled and for a second, it looked almost like he had a tear in his eyes. And another one. Oh no, is he going to start to cry? “Brian, are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah Vicca, shut up, I just got something in my fucking eye,” he said. There, a tear of joy rushed down his cheeks. “You should stop drinking, Brian, it really makes you sentimental,” I grinned. It was so cute. “No seriously, it’s just a damn fly or something,” he replied evasively. “Ah, that so? So why is your other eye tearing as well?” I smirked. “You know, compassion. It feels bad for the other one.” Yeah sure, Brian.

“HOTDOGS!” He then screamed and got up from the couch. And off he ran. He was just the strangest guy I knew. You could never, never ever predict what Brian Haner was going to do. The guys told me that he’s nothing compared to Jimmy. Sometimes I got pretty sad when they talked about him. I wish I’d gotten to know him, and I was pretty sure I would have liked him. “He would have liked you,” Brian had said just a couple of days ago, “Jimmy Sullivan fucking liked everyone.” And then he had another fly in his eyes or something.

Renee and Michelle soon returned from outside and when I told Chelle about what just happened, she almost started crying, too. Uhm, I mean she almost got eye-assaulted by another fly. What was up with all these flies these days? Renee and Zack got cozy on the couch. They looked so sweet together. Do Matt and I seem that cute, too? I wondered. Will people watching us actually describe us as a happy couple, too? Are we a cute couple?

After a while, said Matt joined me on the couch. He was pretty drunk, but today he had every right to be. I guess I’ll have to sleep alone tonight, if I stay over he’ll probably get loud like last time, I chuckled to myself. Bad memories of stupid Brian knocking on our door and talking through it for half an hour while we were just… He was literally IN me… And then Brian… Oh God, I’d have to kill the guy.

“Hey there, handsome,” I greeted Matt and ran my fingers through his hair. He planted a sweet kiss on my lips before grabbing my face softly with his palms. “Vicky, oh my sweet Vicky,” he slurred and kissed my face everywhere. Oh yeah, we definitely are cute. So cute. “Vicky, my beautiful Vicky, I love you.”

Wait. What?

Notes

Awh, I think I have flies in my eyes, too. The L-bomb! O.o
What do you think is Vicky going to reply? Do you think she can overcome all her doubts to be with him? Do you think he feels the same?

Comments pleasee :3