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And They Lived Happily Never After

I Love You, Best Friend

We all sat around a restaurant table sharing old stories and laughing about the amazing times we
have had together. The guys all had beers in hand, while us girls downed cocktail after cocktail. With the big trip to California beginning tomorrow, we were drinking in a celebration of life. It was times like these where I was thankful for the chances I have been given in life. I would never been able to thank Brian enough for saving my life that night...my soul would have ended up trapped somewhere that it didn't deserve to be.

"Um, excuse me, is this thing on?" Zacky tapped the side of his beer with a fork, making sure not to break the bottle, "I'm really bad at making speeches, as we all noticed at my wedding, but I just wanted to make a toast to the most wonderful family that I could have ever received. Without all of you guys, well, I would probably wake up every day in a random ditch somewhere without pants to be honest. So, here is a toast, to the most wonderful family that I could ever have. Without all of you guys, I would never have anyone to count how many beers I took down in one night ever again." Zacky laughed standing to make a toast.

We all clinked drinks with each other and smiled. I really did love all of them. We were a
family, one huge happy one. There was never a dull moment with us, that's for certain.

"I love all of you guys, thanks for always being here for me and the boys. It would have been
so hard on me if you weren't here. You guys are the best." I smiled hugging them all.

I sat in my chair next to Brian. He had the biggest smile on his face.

"Why are you so happy?" I chuckled.

"No reason, you just...you're beautiful Ivy." He grinned.

As soon as those words escaped his mouth, I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. I knew that I
looked like a cherry tomato right about now.

"Thank you Brian. You're not so bad yourself." I smirked.

I looked at his face to see that it copied mine. His cheeks were as bright as the sun.

"Oh, I almost forgot, I have a surprise for you." I smiled grabbing my purse from under the
stroller.

His face lit up instantly.

"What is it?" He smiled.

I held out the gold, heart shaped locket in my hands. On the outside were the words "I love
you, best friend." A huge grin spread across his face as he took it from my palm.

"On the left side there is a picture of the twins they day they were born, and on the right there
is a photo of you and I." I smiled as he opened it.

"Ivy it's amazing, but what is this for." He grinned hugging me.

"It's a thank you gift. Don't tell the guys I got it for you, I wouldn't want them to think I'm picking
favorites. It's just that, you were the one who has never quit on me. You did everything you
could to make me happy and for that, I will never be able to thank you enough. It's just a
token of appreciation from me and the boys. So you will never forget you will always have us
in your life." I smiled.

"Thank you, Ivy...I love it. But believe me, I will never forget I have you in my life. With or without
this locket." He smiled.

He clasped it around his neck and tucked it into his shirt. It's not so manly for a man to wear
a gold heart necklace, especially one who looks as tough as Brian, so I completely
understood his doing so.

"Hey guys, my name is Shane and I will be your waitress for this evening. What can I get
for you to eat tonight?" The waitress smiled.

She was a pretty girl, with long dark brown hair. I looked over at Johnny to see him practically
drooling over her. We all stated our orders one by one, except Johnny, who needed help picking his jaw up from the floor. The man couldn't look her in the eyes for more than a second without studdering, so Zacky ordered for him.

"Damn short shit, are you going soft on us now? You were being a little pansy ass back there! Have I taught you nothing on how to be smooth with women? You're better than this!" Jimmy shook him by the shoulders.

"Oh bite me, Sullivan!" He huffed, sinking deeply into his chair as the rest of us couldn't help but laugh at his small tantrum.

"You should ask her on a date, Johnny! She's gorgeous, and you're handsome. You two would look great together." I beamed as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"I don't know, Ives. I've never been the relationship type of guy. I don't even know what an actual date would be like that didn't involve a one night stand." He whined.

"Maybe it's high time that you realize what it feels like to be in love! It's such an amazing feeling to feel a connection with someone. You two may not have one at the end of a first date, and that's completely okay! It's worth a shot to find out, though." Pixie rubbed Johnny's upper back to lighten him up a bit.

"She's coming with our meals now. If you don't ask her, I'm going to do it for you." I grinned as his eyes grew wide, his head shaking violently as his eyes creamed no towards me.

"Ivy please don't make me do this!" Shane was getting closer and closer to the table as he began to panic, everyone watching intently to see if he would actually find the courage to ask her.

"It's now or never, short shit." Jimmy chuckled, placing his hands under his chin in amusement as Johnny let out a deep sigh.

"Here you are guys, freshly cooked for you. If you have any questions just let me know." She
smiled passing out the plates. I kicked Johnny's foot under the table, and he narrowed his eyes at me before clearing his throat as quietly as possible.

"Um, I...I have a question actually." He swallowed hard during his words.

"What is it doll?" Shane smiled.

"Are you single?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." She grinned.

His eyes grew wide.

"Next question, are you certifiably insane in any way? Cause if not, then I have no idea why you would be single." He chuckled, starting to relax.

"Not at all, I just seem to attract too many jerks that feel the need to break my heart." She sighed.

"Then you may not wanna fix that with short shit, here." Zacky chuckled after choking on his beer. Thankfully, Shane didn't hear him.

"Well, I hope you don't think I am being too forward, but uh...would you like to go on a date
with me?" He asked with hopeful eyes.

"Aw, now how could I resist eyes like those? Of course, I would love to sweetheart." She smiled.

He grinned and grabbed a napkin to write down his number and receive hers. They
exchanged them with giant smiles on their faces.

"I hope this doesn't ruin the idea, but I'm actually going to visit my parents in New York
tomorrow for a couple of days and I won't be back until Tuesday morning." She frowned.

"That's no problem at all! We are actually leaving for our home state to California tomorrow morning and won't be back for a week. How about I call you towards the end of the trip to set up a time that works for you?" He bit his lip.

"Perfect. It's a date, sugar." She smiled and walked away as Johnny's ass followed her back side.

"I hate to see her go, but I love to watch her leave." He smirked as I hit him on the arm, rolling my eyes at his remark.

"Shane and short shit sittin' in a tree, f-u-c-k-i-"

"Jimmy!" Johnny huffed, pushing him so hard he almost fell out of his seat.

I watched as Johnny slowly picked up the napkin showing Shane's digits with a soft smile as he tucked it into his jacket pocket.

"I think Johnny is finally going to fit in here. I always notice he seemed lonely when he was around all of us in relationships." I smirked whispering in Brian's ear.

"I know what you mean. Now look at us. Johnny has a girlfriend before I do...what has my life come to?" He chuckled, taking a small bite of his meal.

"Hey, you know what, at least we have each other. We can be the losers of the group together." I smiled.

A bit of steak sauce smeared against his cheek without him noticing, causing me to giggle.

"What?" He said with his mouth full.

"Nothing, you...you just have some sauce, just there." I pointed to where the sauce was on
my face.

Before he could do anything I grabbed a napkin and wiped it off, receiving a gorgeous smile
from him.

"Thanks." He smirked.

"No problem." I sighed, staring into his dreamy eyes. I never noticed how much those eyes could make me melt. It was almost the same feeling that Matt used to give me.

The rest of the dinner went smoothly, but I couldn't wait for the car ride home with Brian. Every time him and I had the chance to be alone, I was completely relaxed. I knew that I could open up to him about anything, or we could sit in a comfortable silence. I know he feels the same way towards me. I know things about him that not even the guys know, and he has only known me for going on two years now.

He gently placed my sleeping angels in their car seats and ran around to open my door for
me. I loved that he was a modern gentleman. It made him even more caring and sweet. We
were the only ones that were heading back home. The rest of the family decided to head to
the bar after dinner, so Brian and I would have peace and quiet at home for awhile. As we pulled into the driveway, he kept smiling at me.

"Okay, you have been smiling the entire ride home what gives?" I chuckled.

"I'm sorry, you're just amazing you know that?"

"What do you want." I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

"For you to know that you are the most amazing, beautiful girl I have ever met in my entire
life."

I was going to laugh out of flattery, until I noticed that his tone of voice was completely
serious. I felt the blood rush into my cheeks again as I gave him a smile back. He opened my door for me once more and we both grabbed one of the babies. We carried them into the nursery together and slowly tucked them in, making sure they wouldn't wake up. Once they were comfortable, I turned the light off and left the door cracked open in case they started to cry.

"Hey since we have alone time, how about you and I watch a movie? Ladies choice." He
smirked.

"That sounds perfect Brian." I smiled.

I walked into my room for a quick change of clothes before sliding towards his to ask him if he could make us some movie snacks. When I appeared in front of his door, I couldn't help but stop dead in my tracks. He was in nothing but his boxers as he was digging to find a pair of sweat pants to change into. I have never had the chance to look at him this way. He wasn't too skinny or too bulky. His tattoos cascaded flawlessly around him. His hair moved in such a graceful way around his face. His chest...I'm not really sure what it is about his chest that I loved, but something was there.

Earth to Ivy...Matt?

"Not now, conscience." I mumbled, closing my eyes to regain my thoughts. The mumbling was apparently heard from Brian as he snapped around with a shirt in his hands, jumping at the sight of me.

"Oh! Uh...um I'm so sorry, I was just...coming to see if you could make us some popcorn while I grabbed some blankets for us." I turned slightly to shield my view, not wanting him to think I was standing there drooling over him. I was only human, after all.

"Yeah, of course I can. You...okay?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, no, I'm totally cool. I'll uh, meet you downstairs." I turned on my heels, rolling my eyes into the back of my head at how much of an absolute geek I was.

This was only Brian. He's my best friend, and I have always been comfortable around him. Everything in the back of my mind was telling me to distance myself and I couldn't grasp why. Him and I have been closer than anyone in our group since Matt passed away. I didn't want to push him away now.

As I threw all of our extra blankets onto the couch and he made popcorn in the kitchen, there was a silence between us that was slightly awkward for the first time ever.

"Ives? You're acting a bit strange, are you sure everything is okay?"

"Yeah everything is totally cool, what makes you think it isn't?" I could feel an equally awkward smile spread across my lips.

"Oh nothing, just that you seem like you're on an uncomfortable first date or something." He chuckled, placing the large bowl of popcorn onto the coffee table.

"I uh...I'm sorry, Bri. I don't know what's gotten into me. I really am fine, though! Let's start this movie night. I think I'm in the mood for some comedy-horror. House of 1000 Corpses?" I raised the DVD in my hands along with my eyebrows, waiting for confirmation. He threw me a head nod in agreement before I put the movie on, running towards the couch and crashing next to him in a burst of energy.

I placed the blankets on top of our legs, his calf slightly touching mine before I shifted to separate them. I could feel a strange look from him, but I didn't bother to look him in the eyes. I kept my vision glued to the television, throwing popcorn into my mouth like everything was fine.

I mean, everything is fine. I'm just tired from the long day. That's all.

I was intently watching one of my favorite scenes before the movie was paused, my head snapping towards Brian who had the remote in his hand.

"I know you too well to believe that you're fine, Sanders." He shook his head.

"Brian I told you, I really am fine. I'm just tired."

"And I told you, that I know you too well to believe that. I've seen you stay up for two days straight because of the babies and you still weren't acting this strange." His eyes narrowed, probably to scrutinize my every move and facial expression. I sighed, playing with my hands in my lap trying to avoid making eye contact with him.

"It's...it's nothing, Bri."

"Ivy--"

"Brian please." I snapped.

He made an expression. I can't say what kind of expression it was because I didn't want to look at him. I could feel him stare at me for a few moments longer before he sighed and pressed play on the remote, the sound of the movie filling the living room again. A few more scenes passed and I could feel my heart beat begin to grew uneven. I was growing anxious. Without looking at him, I reached over and grabbed the remote to press pause again.

"I can't do this." My voice was barely above a whisper.

"You can't do what, Ivy?"

"I'm not a bad wife. I'm not! I'm a fantastic wife."

"Oh...kay? Who said you were a bad wife, hon?"

"No, you can't do that. No pet names!" I whined.

"Ivy, seriously you have to tell me what's going on--"

"Nothing is going on! That's my problem! Brian I think...I think my feelings for you are beginning to stride past just being my best friend and I...I can't."

He paused, setting the bowl of popcorn and the remote onto the table and turning to face me. He tried to grab my hands but I tore them away and placed them into my lap.

"Ivy, why do you think that makes you a bad wife?"

"Why wouldn't it? You're my best friend but you were also his. I could have feelings for anyone else and it would be okay but not...not you." My voice began to break.

"If those feelings make you a bad wife, then I'm a terrible best friend." He bit his lip, looking down at his lap.

"Brian...I.."

"I've had feelings for you from the first moment I saw you at that country club. Matt just...sort of beat me to it. I remember the night of the benefit...you were wearing this amazing burgundy dress and I thought my heart was going to give out on me. I watched Matt walk onto the lawn with you and it almost felt like he took a part of me away. I almost resented him for being able to have you."

My heart almost stopped as I took in his words syllable by syllable. We couldn't be doing this. We shouldn't even talk about it.

"I never did, though. Resented him, I mean. He won, fair and square."

"I'm not a fucking carnival prize, Brian." I mumbled.

"I know that, Ives. I'm sorry if my wording made it seem that way, but I meant to say that Matt's love for you poured out from him easier than mine did from me. I was always so jealous of him, but I was with Michelle. You were his ticket to happiness away from Val, but Michelle and I were always fine until after Matt's funeral. At the time, I knew he needed you more than I did, despite how much I didn't want to believe that." He sighed.

"He would hate me. He would hate us."

"Ivy James, I can promise you that he will never hate either of us for any reason. No matter if we go anywhere past being best friends, or if we stay just that. All he wants for you is happiness. I know that for a fact. Do you even know why I am so protective over you and the boys? Apart from loving the three of you to death, I promised Matt that I would take care of you if anything ever happened to him. He made me promise him that. I never take back a promise. I whole-heartedly believe that happiness falls into that promise. Not only should I protect you and make sure you have everything you need, but I need to make sure you're happy like he would if he was still here."

He attempted to grab my hands again, but this time I didn't take them back. I collapsed into his lap, my forehead falling to his thigh as I began to sob. His fingers ran themselves through my hair as I heard him sniffle, my arms pushing me up so I could meet him.

"Bri...why are you crying?"

"I don't know. It's just relieving to be able to tell you all of this. I have locked it up far down inside of me for two years and that takes a toll on a person." He wiped a tear of his away. "I would never want you to do anything that made you unhappy or uncomfortable. I don't want you to think that my feelings for you is something you have to take into consideration right now or ever for that matter. As much as I want a life with you, as long as I get to see that smile every day, I promise that is all I need."

I placed my hand on the side of his cheek, taking a moment to look into his eyes as I wiped my own with my free hand.

"You're my best friend, Brian. I don't want people to think I'm a terrible person for attempting to build up a further relationship with you, but you're right. I know Matt would want me to be happy, whether it be with you, or someone else but...I think I want to try to be happy with you."

He placed his hand under my jawline, staring into my eyes for what felt like an eternity. I could feel myself being pulled towards him slowly, before finally our lips connected and he kissed me passionately. When he pulled away, we were both breathless.

"What...um..." He cleared his throat, "What happens now..."

"We just...live, Bri. We take things slowly and see where they lead."

"I think that is a beautiful idea." He stretched his arm and put it around my shoulders as I curled up beside him on the couch.

I'm not a bad wife. I'm not a bad mother. I'm not a bad person. I'm not a bad friend. I am a strong woman who has lived through a rough year, and I deserve to be happy. I am in control of my happiness...

I am in control.

Notes

Woah, there. What the fuck just happened?

Well hello, strangers! I apologize for the long overdue update! In a short version, I signed up for an online nutrition course to fill an upper elective I needed to graduate this semester, thinking it was going to be an easy bullshit course. Turns out, somehow they let me enroll into a senior medical student grade nutrition course and I have never had to study so much for anything in the twenty plus years I have been a student! So that's kicking my ass and holding me back a bit. On the bright side, only 91 days until graduation. I cannot wait to have the freedom to dive back into writing constantly and not have to worry about school work being due! Anyway, I love you all! How was your Valentines day? I hope it went well! And if you're anti-valentines day, I hope you snagged a TON of discount chocolates the few days after!

xxoo,
Leagh

Comments

<3

fyction fyction
3/19/19

Take all the time you need.Love to all of you..and if you need a friend Im here.

BeccaBearSc BeccaBearSc
3/18/19

@theskyisfallingtoday
That absolutely melted my heart. I've been through a bit of a tough time recently and so receiving that was a huge comfort.

@Ghost-On-A-Sea-Of-Wine
Girl that's totally fine! Ain't nothing wrong with doing something you enjoy! I've always been completely indifferent about the day, only because if you love someone you don't have to set aside one day out of the whole day to do something nice! I think the whole thing is a capitalist joke, really. I miss you! I hope you're doing well!! Also, I saw that sweet video that was sent to you from Brian. How amazing was that!! <3

Yayyyy, I was waiting for this to be updated again ^_^

Valentine's Day is never really that great for me, hasn't been for the past four years, and I can't eat chocolate. So I pretty much just ignored the day and played video games.