Strength Of The World

It had been about a month since Jimmy’s funeral, and Peyton was still struggling with losing one of her best friends. The day of his birthday, she spent most of the day crying in Zack’s arms, until Michelle called them to help her with Brian, who had drank himself into a stupor. When they got to his house, Peyton’s heart broke at the sight of her brother. He was sitting in his studio, an empty bottle of Jack on the desk beside him, with his head in his hands sobbing. She looked at Zack to give them a minute, and he nodded and went to find Michelle. “Brian.” She whispered, putting her hand on his shoulder. “Peyton?” He sobbed, lifting his head up to look at her, “how did you get here?” “Well, I flew on my broom.” She stated with a shrug. Brian smiled and pulled her into a hug. “I’m glad you’re here. I needed some love from my little sis.” He whispered, voice cracking at the end of his sentence. “Brian, you can’t keep doing this to Michelle.” Peyton said, taking a seat across from him. “She’s hurting too. She needs her fiancée. And your nephew needs his uncle Brian.” Brian sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “How am I supposed to get through this? Jimmy was my best fucking friend. My brother. How do we get past this?” “We probably won’t ever get past it, I’m sure it will always hurt. But we do it together. All of us. We lean on each other for support and we try not to drink ourselves stupid every day.” She chuckled. “But once this baby comes out and I’m okay with leaving him over night, you better believe we’re getting drunk as shit and celebrating Jimmy, because that’s what he’d want us to do.” Brian smiled at his pseudo-sister. “I don’t know how you do it kid. You always make me feel better.” “What can I say? It’s all a part of my charm.” She shrugged with a smile. For the first time in a month, Brian let out a genuine laugh. They sat together for a little longer, until Brian decided he should go take a shower. “I’m gonna take Chell out tonight. She deserves it.” Peyton left the studio and went in search of her fiancée and future sister in law. “I talked some sense into my dumbass brother.” She said, sitting on the couch beside Michelle. “Also he said he’s taking you out tonight. So have fun with that.” The blonde grinned brightly and threw her arms around her friend. “Thank you so much, Pey. I knew you’d get through to him.” “Don’t mention it. I’m here to help Brian get his head out of his ass.” She laughed, hugging her back. “Besides, Zack and I needed to get out of the house.” She said, looking over at her fiancée, who nodded. “How about you guys go out with us tonight? We haven’t done that in a while.” Brian said, walking into the living room in a pair of gym shorts, drying his hair with a towel. Peyton looked at Zack, who shrugged. “I think it’s a good idea, you feel up to it baby?” “Yeah.” She smiled. “I’d love to get dressed up and go out.” “Yes! Okay you guys go home and get ready, and we’ll be at your place at 7!” Michelle said excitedly. The couple said their goodbyes and headed home to get ready, in much better spirits than they were an hour or so before.

When the doorbell rang at 7, Peyton was putting her jewelry on. She put on a simple white v-neck and some destroyed skinny jeans with her black leather jacket and black converse. She rushed downstairs and opened the door for Brian and Michelle while Zack was putting his clothes on. “Hey guys, come in. Zee is almost ready.” She said with a smile. “Holy shit, look at that baby!” Brian laughed, poking her belly. “It’s like you grew overnight!” “Brian, don’t be an asshole.” Michelle said with a laugh. Peyton rolled her eyes and laughed, “Well considering we only have about three months left I hope it would be growing. Oh! Do you guys want to see the progress on the nursery?” Michelle nodded excitedly and Brian was already headed for the baby’s room. “Let’s see it. Is his name up yet?” “No Brian.” She laughed, following him up the stairs, “We haven’t gotten that far yet.” They walked into the nursery and Michelle gasped at what she saw. The walls were painted a light gray, and the wall opposite the door was covered in a world map. They had bought a black crib, dresser, and bookshelf, and there was a huge propeller hanging on the wall above the crib, and the canvas that Peyton had given Zack for his birthday was hanging on the wall across from the crib. “Oh my god it’s beautiful!” Michelle squealed. “Obviously it’s not done, we ordered the bedding and curtains, and we have a few more things to hang.” Peyton explained. “It looks great so far, Pey.” Brian said. By then Zack had joined them and they headed out for dinner, which was full of laughter. It was the first time they had gone out and had a good time since Christmas, and it did them a lot of good to get out and be together. Looking around the table at her fiancee, brother, and future sister in law, Peyton knew they would all get through this together.

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