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Times Like These

Chapter twenty one

A few days later, I found myself standing on the tarmac at an airport in the pouring rain with my parents, grandfather, and sister, watching a group of soldiers unload my brother’s flag-covered coffin from a plane. Brian was standing next to me, holding an umbrella over my head. Once they had the coffin unloaded, I walked up to it and placed my hand on top of the flag, not caring that I was getting soaked. “Welcome home, big brother.” I whispered softly, allowing my tears to flow freely. I turned around and looked at Dani, holding a hand out to her. She grabbed my hand and walked toward the coffin, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “Dude you are fucking soaked.” She whispered. “I don’t even care.” I told her with a shrug. She placed her hand beside mine on the coffin and we just stood there for a minute, staring at the flag. We didn’t move until we heard a voice behind us. “Come on, you two. You’re going to get sick out in this rain.” Our dad said, holding an umbrella over our heads. I smiled sadly up at him, and walked back to Brian. We watched the soldiers load his coffin into a hearse, the rain drowning out our sobs and sniffles. Once the hearse drove away, we walked back to our cars and headed for mom’s house.

A few hours later, I was in dry clothes and sitting at the patio table with my sister, barely picking at my dinner. Matt and Brian had ran to the store for my mom a little while back, so we were kind of waiting on them to get back. “You know what we need?” She suddenly asked, standing up from her chair and walking into the house. “Uh. No, I don’t.” I muttered to myself. When Dani came back out, she had a bottle of Vodka in her hand. “We need to get really fucking drunk.” She stated, opening the bottle and pouring shots for both of us. I looked at her like she was nuts, “You know Papa is in there, right?” “Nick. We just watched a bunch of soldiers put our brother’s coffin in a hearse, and we have to plan his funeral tomorrow. I think we deserve a fucking pass tonight.” My sister told me, voice cracking. I sat in silence for a minute, staring at the glass in front of me. “Fuck it. Let’s do it.” I said, downing the shot. We sat there in silence, taking shot after shot, until we loosened up enough to turn some music on. We sat on the patio for who knows how long, drinking and singing along to some of our favorite blues songs, until the guys showed up.

————————-—-BRIAN POV—————————

Matt and I had been gone at least a few hours, we told the girls we were going to the store for their mom when we were actually going to the airport to pick up Zack and Johnny. When they had found out what happened to Mark, they insisted on flying out to be there for the twins, which I thought was awesome. “Thanks guys for flying out. It means a lot to us that you care so much for Dani and Nick.” Matt said as we were driving back to Jan’s house. We had told the older woman our plans for surprising the twins, and she thought it was a great idea. “No problem. We think of those two like little sisters.” Zack said, while Johnny nodded. “How are they taking it?” “Well. Not so great. Nikki is trying so hard to put a brave face on and be strong for her mom and sister, but I can see right through it. She has cried herself to sleep every night.” I sighed, looking out the window. “Yeah Dani isn’t much better. She’s the more emotional one of the two, and anything will just make her start crying. But they’re both trying really hard to be strong for Jan.” Matt explained. Our conversation switched to the new album for the rest of the drive, and the guys filling us in on anything we may have missed since our arrival in Georgia.

When we got back to Jan’s house, the entire neighborhood was quiet, except for the unmistakable sound of Stevie Ray Vaughan being played somewhere. “Well someone is jamming tonight.” Zack chuckled. When we entered the house, we were greeted by Jan, who welcomed and hugged both Zack and Johnny. “It’s so nice to meet you two. I’ve heard a lot about you. I wish it were better circumstances though.” She said sadly. “Where are the girls, Jan?” Matt asked, looking into an empty living room. “They’re out back, relaxing.” She said softly. “I’m going to watch some television, you boys make yourselves at home, and good luck with the twins.” She said, letting out a small chuckle. Zack looked at me in confusion, “What does she mean, good luck with the twins?” “I have no idea.” I shrugged, heading toward the sliding glass door that led to the patio out back. Standing in the doorway, I couldn’t help but smile. Nikki was sitting in one of the chairs, her back to me, nursing a bottle of Vodka and bobbing her head along to something. Dani had a cigarette in one hand and another bottle of Vodka in the other, and was swaying and singing along to whatever they were listening to. “Yeah they definitely look relaxed.” Matt said with a chuckle. I quietly slid the door open and walked out onto the patio. “Hey girls, we found a couple of hitchhikers.” Nikki jumped out of her chair and Dani stopped swaying as Johnny and Zack followed us out the door. “OH MY GOD IT’S JOHNNY CHRIST!” Nikki said excitedly, ditching her bottle of liquor and practically jumping into a laughing Johnny’s arms. “Well, I guess we know who her favorite band member is.” Zack chuckled, drawing Nichole’s attention. “Zack! You’re here too! I missed you!” She said, pulling him into a hug. “Zack. It’s been a bad week.” She said sadly. “I know Nick, I’m really sorry.” He replied. “Buuuuuuut Danyelly has this fantastical idea that we should just get really fucking drunk so we did.” She slurred, walking away from Zack and back to her bottle, taking a swig. “Johnnyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.” Dani said in a goofy voice. “Want some Vodka?” “Fuck yeah I want some Vodka!” He said, taking the bottle out of her outstretched hand and chugging it. “Okay, Zack. Your turn!” He said, passing the bottle to Zack, who also turned it up. Nikki turned to look at me with a lazy smile on her face. “Want some Vodka, boyfriend?” I took the bottle out of her hand and drank some. “You guys are wasted and it’s lke nine o clock.” Matt said, putting an arm around his girlfriend’s waist. The twins looked at each other and busted out laughing. “Yep. Definitely wasted.” Zack chuckled, taking a seat in one of the other chairs. “By the way, Johnny.” Nikki slurred, “You’re not my favorite band member: I mean I like you and all, but you’re too short. You have really really cool hair through.” Johnny laughed loudly and patted her on the shoulder. “I get it. Brian is my favorite band member too. He’s just so sexy.” “I KNEW IT!” Dani drunkenly shouted. “I knew you were jealous of Brian and Nick!” “Daniel. Don’t be ridiculous.” Her sister said, “Johnny has Lacey. He looooooooves Lacey. Wait a second, where IS Lacey?” She gasped loudly, “Did you leave her on the airplane? You’re a terrible boyfriend.” By then all four of us guys couldn’t contain our laughter. “No I didn’t leave her on the plane, dumbass. She had to stay back home because of work. She sends her love though.” Johnny told the girls, who nodded sadly. “I miss Mark already.” Dani said quietly. “Things aren’t going to be the same without him.” “He was supposed to come home in two more months.” Nikki said, playing with the lighter on the table, “But now. Now he’s already home.” “Okay, you two are cut off.” I said, grabbing the bottles of liquor away from the twins. “Awww babe you’re no fun.” Nikki whined. “Yeah you say that now, but if you drink that entire bottle of Vodka I guarantee you that you’ll be spending the night hugging the toilet. And your mom doesn’t need to deal with that right now.” I explained, pulling her into my lap. “Oh shit, mom!” Nikki gasped. “Dani! We forgot to offer mom some vodka!” “Damnit. I bet she needed some too.” Her sister said. “Is anyone hungry? I am STARVING.” Dani said, standing up to go in the house. Nikki followed her inside, and noticed her mother in the couch. “MOMMY!” She shouted, running into the living room. I got up and walked into the house, and smiled at what I saw. Nichole was laying on the couch, her head in her mom’s lap, and Janice was playing with her hair. “Hey Mama.” Her daughter asked quietly. “Do you want to come to California with us? There’s plenty of room for you.” “OH MY GOD NICHOLE THAT IS AN AMAZING IDEA! MOM YOU SHOULD LIVE WITH US!” Dani shouted from the kitchen. Jan laughed at her daughters before speaking, “How about we wait until you two will remember the conversation before we talk about that?” She suggested. Dani nodded and went back to making and Nikki sighed contentedly, “I love you mom. You’re the greatest mom in the history of the universe.” “I love you too, sweetheart.” Her mother replied.

I stepped back outside to smoke with Zack and Johnny. Signing heavily, I sat down in the chair. “When’s the funeral?” Zack asked quietly. “I don’t know, they have to go to the funeral home tomorrow and plan everything out. I’m really glad you guys are here, they’re gonna need as much support as we can give them.” I replied. “Man, the southerner really comes out in those two when they’re drunk.” Johnny chuckled. We finished smoking, and I showed the guys where their rooms would be. Zack was taking the extra room upstairs, and Johnny was taking the extra room downstairs beside Nikki’s room. When I walked into the living room to see if Nichole was ready for bed, she was sound asleep on her mother’s lap. “I’ll carry her to bed, so you can get some rest Jan.” I told the older woman. I lifted my girlfriend off the couch and carried her to her old bedroom. As I laid her down, she woke up and grabbed the front of my shirt. “Brian, please don’t leave me.” She whispered. “Hey. I’m not going anywhere, okay babe?” I told her. “I’m just going to turn out the light, and then I’ll be right beside you.” She nodded, watching my every move. Ask I was taking off my jeans and T-shirt, I caught her smiling at me. “What?” I asked. “Nothing. Just enjoying the view.” She slurred. I chuckled and slid into the bed, pulling her into my arms. “I love you, silly girl.” I told her, kissing her forehead. “I love you too, Bri. You being here means more than you’ll ever know.” She said quietly. I kissed her softly and laid back on the pillow, listening to her breathe. The next few days we’re going to be rough on my girl, and I damn sure wasnt leaving her side for anything.

Notes

Comments

caught up again, drunk Nikki and Dani are funny :D

Loved the updates :D I'm glad she's okay :)

Loved the update! Loving Zeus

Ugh there goes Michelle ruining shit. I’m glad she went to
him! I can’t wait for more

Oh no....I have a feeling i know where this is going...