The Music We Make

Months had passed since our wedding day and for awhile everything had felt surreal. As soon as we had left the wedding, we went to our hotel, where we barely left the bed for almost 24 full hours, making passionate love as often as we could. We spent a short and wonderful honeymoon in the Bahamas, and I ached to go back. But as soon as we got back, it was time to begin working again.

As soon as the boys from Avenged found out why I had been fired from Warner Bros, they made the decision that they did not want to work there any longer. It had been an easy choice, for they had been considering leaving before, this was just the last straw. I was without a job and they were without a producer. So, they asked me to be the lead producer for their next album, which they were planning to mainly produce on their own. I was honored and of course accepted, knowing it was a huge opportunity for me to be the lead, but it was also amazing to be able to work with my husband again.

The guys got to work writing almost right after Brian and I came home from out honeymoon, still sunburnt and jet lagged. But the boys were all just so excited to get to work and I could not blame them. After about of month of preliminary work, they rented out a studio.

The recording process had been going on for a little over a month now, which was a little slower than normal, but it made since we had less resources and time in the studio since we were doing this on our own. While they weren’t working, I was doing my best to book studio time with other artists and continue my song writing, which had been going very well. Ever since The Civil Wars put out their album, I was becoming more and more in demand. It was amazing!

Brian and I had moved into his apartment after the honeymoon and Andrea had moved in with Zack. It was weird at first for us not to live together because we had to for years, but it was an exciting and easy adjustment to make. Andi and Zack were happier than ever, even though she had gotten and new job and worked a lot of hours and they didn’t see each other much. They made it work though and I knew they were in it for the long run.

While Brian and I were away, Matt proposed to Val. I was sad I wasn’t there for it, but it had apparently been a really intimate moment between the two of them. I was so happy that she finally got her wish to be with her sweetheart!

Life was becoming routine and rather normal again. Brian and I would get up together and go to the studio on their recording days, work our asses off, come home, and do it all again. It wasn’t like this every day, but I loved being back home and in the studio with him again.

One morning we woke up to go to the studio and I felt so horrible I almost couldn’t get out of bed. That is until I had to; I ran to the toilet and vomited for what seem like hours. Brian freaked out, not knowing what to do, but I told him I had the flu and that he should still go to work. He finally listened to me, leaving me on the bathroom floor to wallow in self pity and nausea.

I had a feeling that I knew what this was all about but I wasn’t quite ready to admit it. My period was late, and I only spotted, which was so abnormal for me. I remembered back to our honeymoon, where they time zone was different and I didn’t always take my birth control pill when I was supposed to or at all. I assumed the vomiting was a result of my irresponsibility.

I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, though. It was hard for me to get off of my position from the bathroom floor, but eventually I was able to get up and clean myself up. I felt woozy, but good enough to get ready for the day. I needed to figure this out before Brian got home and I needed to figure out how to tell him if my assumption was indeed correct.

-0-

Brian came home late that night and I was on the couch in my sweats, taking advantage of the day off by binging crappy TV shows, even though I still felt pretty crappy. I could have gone in to work, but I didn’t want anyone fretting over me and asking questions, or worrying that I’d get them sick, even though that’s not why I was throwing up.

Yes, I confirmed my suspicions. At least the tests I took from the drugstore did.

I jumped up from the couch when I heard the door open, instantly nervous. This was not something we were planning for and I didn’t really know how he’d take it. I didn’t even know if I should tell him right away, but I felt like the three positive pregnancy tests would most likely have the same results as a doctor anyways, so why wait?

He looked tired and I felt guilty, hoping the day at the studio had gone well. I kissed him on the cheek and hugged me and he asked if I was feeling better.

“Mostly,” I said softly, grabbing his hand and pulling him into the living room. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just tired. We did a lot of my parts for Almost Easy today and I kept fucking up. And when I’d get a good take the recording kept fucking up.”

“I’m sorry. I could’ve fixed it.”

“You can’t help that you’re sick. You think it was food poisoning?” he asked, plopping down to the couch. “Nothing I can catch, right?”

“No, you can’t catch this,” I said laughing. He gave me an odd look and I sat down on his lap, my legs on either side of his. He ran his hand up my thigh and gave them a squeeze.

“So just a stomach bug?”

“I don’t know if I’d call it a bug,” I said, not quite ready to answer him.

“Well?”

“Brian,” I started, taking a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”

He didn’t answer right away, but the grin on his face made everything better. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. I think so, at least. I took three tests and they were all positive.”

Brian pulled me in closer, embracing me as tightly as he could. “Rosie. Wow, Rosie!”

I laughed and said, “I am glad you are happy.”

“Of course I am happy. I can’t believe this,” he said, letting me go. He looked me in the eye and cupped my cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby daddy,” I teased, leaning in to kiss him.

We stayed like that for awhile with me in his arms until he couldn’t take it anymore, lifting me up and carrying me to our bed.

-0-

A week later at the studio, we were working on what I called The Masterpiece, also known as A Little Piece of Heaven. Most of the instrumentals had been recorded and we were working on the vocals, which was so much fun. Jimmy was drunk off of his ass most of the time and Matt would lose it, unable to record half of the words because he could not stop laughing. Having all of the guys in the booth to record different parts of the song was so entertaining, but this song took forever because it it. Honestly, we didn’t care; it was too fun.

It was time to record the wedding. All week long the boys had been talking about the wedding and how they wanted to record it, but had no answers.

When Brian and I walked in to the studio, Jimmy did not hesitate. He fell on one knee and pulled out a ring pop, asking me to be the bride in his fucked up wedding verse of his song. I laughed so hard I cried, agreeing right away. There was no way I would pass that up!

They gave me the lyrics and after warming up, Matt and I went into the booth together to sing. It was one of the few times we took the recording seriously, which I was grateful for. We got it down in a few takes.

The song was truly a Masterpiece and I was so proud I could be part of it. Nothing could make me happier right now.

-0-

Months had passed and all of our closest friends, family, and important members of the music industry were there, all ready to celebrate the launch of the new self titled record that we had recorded. I felt bloated, my stomach much larger and rounder than before. I was nervous coming to the party because I felt like none of my dresses looked right because I was getting so fat, and I wouldn’t be able to drink and have fun. But, Brian assured me it would be a great time. And I didn’t really have a choice; I was the lead producer, after all.

There were so many people there and I felt so awkward. I talked with other producers, but some of the older men didn’t take me seriously, especially since I was married to the guitarist and was pregnant with his baby. The men who didn’t know me or my talents said many passive aggressive things, making it clear that they had low expectations for the record. I walked away from them as quickly as possible.

It was hard to stay with Brian because he was being pulled in so many directions. I tried to stick with Andi as much as I could, but she was more sociable than me. Eventually I sat at a table, not even caring if I looked lonely and stupid. My feet were swollen anyways and I was exhausted.

Brian came over a few minutes later, apologizing for leaving me alone. I said I didn’t mind, but was ready to get this show on the road. That was his cue to get the band together and go up on stage.

When the five of them were on the stage, Andi and Val joined me at the table, all three of us so excited about what was to come. Matt took the mic in his hands, signaling for everyone’s attention with an awkward hello. Val giggled at her fiance and I smiled, excited to see him perform for the first time in awhile.

Matt introduced their new song to the crowd, Afterlife. As soon as the prerecorded orchestra came on I smiled, so excited to hear this. I watched Brian the whole time, pride swelling through my whole body. It was amazing watching him. I swore I could even feel the baby stirring, though it was probably too early to tell.

The crowd was into it right away, swaying their heads along to the music. Some girls even danced along, and guys were throwing their fists in the air. It was awesome!

When the song finished the crowd exploded in applause and I stood from my seat, clapping and hollering my praise. Matt waved to the crowd, but before exiting the stage, he took the mic again.

“Thank you so much everyone,” he started. “We hope you enjoyed the sneak peak to our new record. It is a lot different than our others, but we stayed true to our a7x sound.” People cheered after he said that.

Brian went to the mic then. “We have a lot of people to thank,” he started, “including our friends, families, wives, girlfriends, or other.” He said this last thing with a laugh. He found me in the crowd and locked his eyes with mine. “Most of all, though, we need to thank the awesome producers that helped us through this process, especially Rosie, who took the lead on this project and helped create an amazing record. We love you all.”

The crowd applauded and the boys left the stage. I almost skipped to Brian, falling into his arms as he greeted me.

“Thank you,” I said, kissing him. He pulled me in tight.

“It’s true,” he said, kissing me again.

We stayed in each other’s arms for a moment, truly in bliss. I loved this man and was happier than I ever had been before. The baby growing inside of me was going to grow up in a wonderful home, filled with love, hope, and tons of music. I knew that no matter what happened between us, Brian and I would always be together, brought together by the music we make.

Notes

The End.

I hope you all liked it. I hope that the ending was not rushed. I wanted the story to end this way but struggled to write it at the end. I wanted to give it a proper ending, though.

Thank you so much for commenting and subscribing. Thank you overneaththepathofmisery for the comment on the last chapter! Comments are still appreciated, even on the last chapter!! :)

xoxo JJ