Nothing Else Matters

I walk out of the bedroom and into the living area part of the suite where I see Michael sitting on the couch watching late night news, barely staying awake.

“Mike, just because you’re on night watch, doesn’t mean you can’t get some sleep.” I tell him. “You just played a show tonight, you’ve got to be tired.”

“I’m supposed to be watching you.” He yawns, barely looking away from the TV. I roll my eyes, sighing a bit, before I walk over and grab one of his tattooed hands and pull him up off the couch; dragging him into the bedroom where me and Presley are sleeping. “Layla, how can I protect you if I’m sleeping?”

“Now can you protect me if you’re so sleep deprived that you can’t see straight?” I counter. “Strip or whatever but you’re getting that ass of yours in bed and sleeping. It’s a California King bed, there is more than enough room for you.”

“So bossy.” He chuckles but does has he is told; he strips down to just his boxers and his t shirt and crawls into bed, curling up right next to our son. I give him a victorious smile as I do the same. “You know she’s not going to get to him. I won’t allow it.”

“I know.” I tell him. “You’d die before you let anything happen to Presley. I’m honestly not worried about her; not really anyway. I actually feel sorry for her.”

“And why is that?”

“Her life sucks. Her husband killed himself not too long after her son Brent is found dead in his car. Her family doesn’t want to deal with her; she feels as if Presley is her last chance at a family.”

“She talked about Brent last night like he was alive.” He notes. “And how did you find all this out?”

“She’s in denial,” I shrug. “And I messed her sister, my aunt, Becky. She filled me in a some details. She said my mom should have never contacted me; it’ll make whatever her condition is, worse.”

“Please don’t tell me you feel guilty.” Michael pleas. “None of this is your fault.”

“Oh, I know.” I tell him, smiling. “I finally get to see the woman that carried me for nine months. And I learned something.”

“And what’s that?”

“I was better off without her.” I reply. “I honestly don’t think my life would have turned out the same way if she stayed. I wouldn’t have gone on tour with Dad, I wouldn’t have met my friends, I wouldn’t have met you which means I wouldn’t have had Presley. Her leaving made way for better things.”

“You’re a better mother than she ever was.” He informs me. “Don’t let anyway tell you otherwise. Presley is so lucky to have you as his mother.”

“Thanks, Mike.” I smile. “Now get some sleep. We have to be up in a couple hours to catch the buses.”

“Yes ma’am.”He chuckles before putting one arm over our son and snuggling closer into the tiny blonde haired boy. I can’t help but to just smile at them; they’re truly the best things to happen to me.

**

“Hetfield!” Matt yells as he jogs towards me. “How you feeling after yesterday?”

“Better.” I reply. “Thanks for being one of my pit bulls and protecting me.” I smile. “Even though both you and Mike have gone overboard with the whole ‘not taking my eyes off you’ thing. I still appreciate it.”

“No problem.” He says as he smiles. “I’ve grown attached to you over the last decade or so; I’d hate for anything to happen to you or your male mini me. But how does it feel knowing what kind of person your mom is?”

“I never really put too much thought into what she’d be like so I'm honestly not surprised she’s a crazy bitch.” I laugh. “It’s just good to know I’ll never end up like her. She’s a crazy bitch that believes people owe her. Presley is better off not knowing her.”

“Do you think this’ll be the last time we see her?”

“She’s crazy,” I tell him. “I’d be shocked if she doesn’t show up again…”

Notes