She's a Little Bit Country, He's a Little Bit Rock N' Roll

My eyes fluttered open revealing the sun shining brightly through the window. I felt the bed next to me and didn't feel Ivy. Confused, I sat up slowly hearing my old body creak and pop with every movement. It's been six weeks since the tour started, and today is a day I was dreading for months.

Today I am turning thirty. I'm a fucking grandfather.

I stood up to stretch my body out before sliding on the nearest pair of pants I could find. The door blew open and all of the guys, Ivy, Pixie, and Michelle trailed through.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Mattie, happy birthday to you!

They all sang in unison holding a cake with candles that showed my age. As much as I dreaded this day I couldn't help but smile at their cheesy celebration.

"Thank you. All of you." I chuckled and blew the candles out after making a wish.

"Happy birthday ya old bastard." Brian smirked hugging me.

"Happy birthday baby!" Ivy kissed me softly. She was the only reason I was excited about today. I may be an old fuck, but at least I have her by my side.

The tour so far has been just as crazy as expected. Every city has been extremely lively, and since we hadn't been on tour for a while it was hitting us harder than ever. We were all starting to think we were getting too old for this, but rock and roll never dies, and hopefully neither will we for a very long time. We were currently in Boston, Massachusetts.

After waking up with the gang and talking for a while, everyone trailed off to leave Ivy and I together for our first morning off in three weeks.

"So baby, what do you want to do today? The world is ours birthday boy!" She grinned and cuddled into my chest on the bed.

"I'm not sure. I am really enjoying this, actually. Hanging out with my favorite girl in bed. The last couple of weeks have been rough." I sighed.

"Are you alright, Mattie? You don't seem too excited." She frowned.

"Yeah love, it's not that. I'm just tired. I've also been thinking way too often."

"About?"

"I...do you think I'm a cradle robber?"

It was silent for a minute until she burst into laughter.

"Are you being serious right now? I can't tell if you're being serious." She chortled.

"I know it sounds stupid...but one of the guys made a joke the other day and I just...I don't know."

"Matthew Charles Sanders you're only five and a half years older than I am! That's a respectful age gap!"

"Yes! But! Think of it this way. When you were 13, barely getting into puberty and shit, I was already 18, legal, and stupid." I whined.

"Maybe so, but you didn't start dating me when I was 13 did you? I'm 24 years old, Matt. You're the furthest thing away from a cradle robber I assure you." She kissed my chest softly. "Also, if you ever let the dumb shit Jimmy says to you get to you like this ever again, I'm kicking your ass and then I'm killing him." She laughed.

"How do you know it was Jimmy?!"

"I've met Jimmy." She rolled her eyes playfully, tracing her fingertips over my chest piece.

Her skin was as soft as silk. I really could lay here all day with her and have the greatest birthday of my life, but I knew the guys were going to drag us out later tonight since we're off tomorrow as well.

After watching a couple of movies together in bed and taking a small nap, it was already nearing 7 P.M. so we decided to start getting ready for a night out in Boston.

As I finished getting ready my phone began to ring. It was my mother.

"Hey mom."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART! I can't believe I have a 30 year old son!"

"Mom please don't remind me." I chuckled.

"How's my favorite kid doing? How's the tour? We haven't talked since you left!"

"I know. I'm really sorry, it's just been crazy as all fuck trying to get back into the schedule."

"Well I know you guys are kicking ass, as usual. When you make your final stop back home in California your father and I want to see the show! We planned on it when you told us you booked the tour."

"I would love that! You guys can meet Ivy."

"Oh yeah, Ivy. That cute little thing I've been seeing in all the magazines with you." I could hear the smile in her voice.

"She's really something, Ma. I don't know how I would have made it this far into the tour without her to take care of my ancient ass." I smiled and watched as she was fixing her makeup in the bathroom mirror before walking out onto the balcony for some privacy. "She really is the one. I just know it. I haven't told anyone yet so you'll be the first to know, I plan on asking her to marry me. I don't know when just yet, but I bought the ring before we even left for tour. I've known since the day I met her." I had the largest grin spread across my lips. You could use my dimples as bowls.

"Oh goodness Mattie, I'm so glad to hear that! I always knew there was someone out there that was good for you. I can't wait to meet her. You've got to send me a photo of that ring soon! You have my taste when it comes to diamonds." She chuckled.

"I will. I just have to wait until I have some time alone to drag it out."

"Drag what out, honey?" Ivy walked out onto the balcony putting on one of her earrings.

"Oh nothing, love. I was just telling my mom I needed to drag out some old tour photos she wants."

"Hi mom!" She grinned.

"Ivy says hello." I chuckled at her adorable self.

After my mom told me to put the phone on speaker, I cringed as she began to embarrass me.

"Hello, dear Ivy! I've heard so many great things about you and I have to say you're a darling little thing. So beautiful! You look so gorgeous with my little Mattie. Well, not so little anymore I guess!"

"Mom!" I whined and wanted to bury my face in dirt.

"I hope they were actually good things Mrs. Sanders. Mattie here has quite the mouth on him." She winked at me as I tried not to make it obvious to my mother that she was using that as a sexual innuendo.

"Well I'm sure you two kiddos have plans tonight so I'll leave you two at it. Happy birthday again, my sweet boy. Be safe and have fun tonight!"

"We will, Ma. Love you."

I shoved my phone into my pocket and dragged the love of my life into my arms. The city of Boston was lit up and as beautiful as ever. I kept her back pressed against my chest as we took in the scene for a moment.

"I love you so much, Ivy."

She turned to face me. "I love you more, Matt." She smiled and brought her lips up to mine.

I wish I could propose right now, but I know it isn't the time. Everything has to be perfect. When it is, I think I'll know. That's why I carry the ring with me everywhere I go. I'm just waiting for the right moment.

Our kiss was broken by the door being kicked open. There stood Jimmy, double fisting two bottles of Jack. What else is new.

"P-A-R-T...Y? BECAUSE I GOTTA!" He laughed manically.

"Can't you see we're in the middle of a nice intimate moment, ya dick?" I chuckled.

"Sorry, I was put on strict duty to get your ass out of this hotel for the first time today so we can celebrate your birthday right!" He grinned grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the door.

"Babe grab my wallet!" I yelled as Ivy was left behind getting her purse.

"Today is a great day in history. My best friend has finally joined the dirty thirty club. Can you smell it? Can you smell the rot and decay radiating off of your elderly body?" Jimmy inhaled sharply.

I hit him on the chest and stopped in the middle of the hallway so Ivy could catch up. We went down to the lobby where everyone was waiting and walked outside. It was a little chilly tonight in the city. I grabbed Ivy and held her close to me. She looked absolutely radiant tonight.

"So, strip club?" Jimmy raised his eyebrows a few times.

"I don't think my fian-...lovely girlfriend would appreciate that." Fuck. I better do this soon before I ruin everything.

"Don't listen to Jimmy. He'll probably end up in a strip club later tonight. The dude has been drinking since 10 A.M." Brian chuckled.

"Actually it was 9:45, bitch. Also, I don't see the problem with that. You're absolutely correct, and I just love the fact that you're so in tune with my personal needs. You're a great friend, Gates." Jimmy smiled proudly.

After a stretch limo pulled up to take us to God knows where, I took a moment to take everything in. Ivy and Pixie laughing together while pouring champagne. Jimmy cuddling his bottle of whiskey. Brian and Michelle flirting with each other as if they haven't been dating for years. Zacky teasing Johnny. This was my life. I couldn't be any happier than I am now.

We pulled up in front of a club and all jumped out of the limo. The place looked packed tonight, but we were all let in as VIP and lead into a back private booth.

"I love this song! Ivy do you remember dancing to this in my fucking living room in middle school?" Pixie laughed.

"How could I forget? Our wanna be stripper moves." Ivy grinned.

"You think you've still got what it takes?" Pixie smiled holding her hand out.

"I think I can remember a few key moves." Ivy bit her lip and followed Pix to the dance floor before glancing back and me with a coy smile.

All of us watched as they moved swiftly with each other, grinding against one another to the music. It was like a hot soft core porn unfolding in front of us. We didn't hate it.

"Happy fucking birthday to me." I smirked taking a shot that Brian handed me. He put his arm around me.

"So uh, fiancee huh?" He grinned downing his shot.

"What?"

"Oh don't play stupid with me. I'm your best friend. I caught that little slip up earlier." He chuckled.

"Fuck, dude. I am trying to play it cool and I'm doing terribly. I bought the ring when we were still back home, man. Only a week after I met her. I've known she was it from day one." I sighed.

"You know what? I'm fucking proud of you, man. I mean look at you. You're in your prime, you're on a fucking eight month tour with your best friends doing what you love. You found the girl of your dreams and she's a fucking babe."

I growled slightly before realizing it happened. He held his hands up in surrender.

"Look dude, all I'm saying is you're extremely fucking lucky. I don't usually do this gay shit but I'm really happy for you. This is what we've all wanted for you from the beginning. It's good to see you've finally got it. So...when you gonna do it?"

"That's just it man, I don't know. I want everything to be perfect. I carry the ring with me everywhere we go just in case the moment happens unexpectedly. I have it on me now, even."

"Can I see it?"

I looked over to the dance floor and made sure the girls were still occupied and quickly pulled the small box out of my pocket.

"Dude that's fucking huge! She's going to love it. Congratulations, man." Brian smiled and hugged me.

I quickly put it back into my pocket as the girls arrived back to our table out of breath.

"Bitch, you always tell me we need to do more cardio and you're DAMN right. I can't believe how out of shape we are." Pixie chuckled chugging some water.

"You don't look out of shape to me." Zacky grinned pulling her into his lap and planting kisses on her neck.

Ivy sat on my lap and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

"Did we miss anything good?" She said, trying to catch her breath.

Brian choked slightly on his drink as I shot him a death glare.

"Nope, not a thing. Just some shots. You've got to catch up." I smirked handing her the small glass.

Maybe it was going to be tonight. Maybe it wouldn't be for another year. All I know is that I am going to marry this woman if it's the last thing I do on this earth.

Notes

I KNOW, I KNOW. DON'T KILL ME. As I've mentioned before, my life is busy as all hell. I only get 2 days off this month between both jobs and school, and to be honest I really should be writing an essay for my Literature course now, but I figured six months was too damn long to make you guys wait. I promise to start updating more regularly. At least twice a week if not more when I can! How did you enjoy the update? How have you angels all been? I hope life is going well for you. Thank you guys for sticking around when I was being a total piece of shit. Also, I finally updated my photos on my Mibba profile (theskyisfallingtoday) so if you have ever wondered what the face behind the writing looks like, you can find a couple there. I love you all. You're seriously so great. Leave me some feedback to come home to later.

xxoo,
Leagh.