What If

Ancient History

Present Day

Brian opened his eyes as the bright California sunlight shone through his bedroom window. He reached for his cell phone and checked the time... 9:43AM. Fuck..what was he doing up so early? The sound of running water made him turn his head.

He looked over toward the open bathroom door to see a a tall, tan blonde woman draped in just a towel. He smiled as he admired her curves and smooth skin.

She turned and gave him a perfect smile, toothbrush in hand. "I hope you don't mind. There were like ten new ones in the cabinet. I guess you keep stock on hand for your many dates."

Brian gave her a sexy grin. "I swear it's not what you think. I've got a weird toothbrush fetish. A product of life on the road."

She smiled and turned back to the sink. He watched her as she rinsed and glided through the room to pick up her black dress from the chair she'd laid it over the night before.

"Last night was great" she said as she pulled her dress over her head.

Brian pulled himself up slowly against the head board.and the sheet fell down to his waist. Her eyes dropped but he was covered. He couldn't help but smile. "It was pretty great."

"You were amazing," she purred huskily.

Her words were music to his ears. "You weren't so bad yourself," he said with a slight smirk. "I want to see you again."

"I'd like that too," she said as she put her earrings on one at a time.

"Tonight," he added.

"It's Christmas Eve," she said with a chuckle, sure he was joking.

"So we'll get some eggnog and play Christmas music as we have sex near the fire place," he replied.

She said on the edge of the bed as she began to pull on her strappy Jimmy Choos. "I have to go to my parents place in Van Nuys. Would you like to come?"

Brian hadn't met a girls parents in years and tonight was not the time to break the streak. "Do you know how much traffic there is going to be?" he joked.

She shook her head as she stood and move closer to him. "Do you have somewhere to spend Christmas?" she asked before she planted a soft lingering kiss on his lips.

Her corn silk soft hair lay across his chest and he couldn't help but run his fingers through it. "I have quite a few places to spend Christmas," he said as he captured her lips one more time.

"Maybe I can try to get back here tomorrow morning," she said roughly after they came up for air. "Okay?"

Brian smirked. He knew he'd get his way. He always did when it came to women. "Only if you feel like you want to," he threw out.

She frowned slightly but stole one more kiss before standing and grabbing her coat and clutch. "It was really nice meeting you, Brian."

================================

Brian zipped up his leather jacket as he made his way up the walkway to his parents house. He was making his Christmas appearance so he'd be free to chill with the guys the next day. Traditionally the band had always spent the major holidays together but Brian suspected this year might be different. Matt and Val had two kids now with River and Cash. Zacky and Meaghan had little Tennessee to fret over. Kelly and Brooks' boys were older but not quite self sufficient age yet. Even Johnny and Lacey had a little bundle of joy to worry about. Their holidays were more about family now instead of drinking and partying. Brian was the only one in his crew that was not only childless but more importantly wifeless. It made life with his band mates complicated because they were in a stage in life that he hadn't reached. That he never thought he'd ever reach.

The door of his home opened quickly and his beautiful purple haired sister smiled. "Are you gonna stand outside all night like a dumbass or are you gonna come inside so we can eat already?"

"Hello to you too, squirt," he said crossing the threshold and planting a kiss on the top of his sisters head.

"You're just in time," she said falling into step with him as the made their way towards the living room. "Brent and Val just got here. And Brent proposed!"

"He did what?" Brian asked incredulously as they made it to the living room where his family was waiting.

Suzy rose from her chair and pulled him into a hug. "Hey sweetie, I'm glad you made it."

Brian managed to recover from his slight shock enough to return the hug. "Sorry I'm late."

"What was her name?" Brian Haner Sr asked and he shook his sons hand.

"Aww there was no girl," Brian gave his dad a play punch in the shoulder. He moved toward his brother who stood and embraced him. "I hear congratulations are in order."

Brent gave a wide smile and looked down at his girlfriend Valery. She beamed at him and flashed a pretty brilliant diamond cut on her left hand.

Brian took her hand and kissed it. "I'm so happy for you both."

Brian could see the happiness in his brother's face as he proclaimed "I couldn't wait till the morning."

Brian slapped him on the back one more time before he pulled his jacket off and dropped himself onto the recliner.

"I can't believe I'm getting married," Valery gushed.

"I'm glad," Brian Sr smiled "Looks like Brent is our only chance to have grandchildren."

"Ahh shit, dad," Brian said as McKenna handed him a beer bottle. "Not that same old crap."

"Yes...that same old crap," Brian Sr pressed "And I'm gonna keep giving it to you until you get your head outta your ass and settle down like Brent."

Brent smiled widely at Brian, happy for once to be the golden child. 

Suzy shook her head. "Don't mind him Bri, he's just being ornery because Kate called here today."

"Kate?" Brian asked confused.

"Kate Bailey," McKenna said as if there were only Kate in the world.

Recognition hit Brian in the face like a Mack truck. "What did she want?"

"She didn't say," Suzy admitted. "She just asked that you give her a call before 8pm tomorrow."

"Who is Kate Bailey?" Valery asked.

"Only the closest Brian has ever gotten to marriage," Brent explained.

"Married?" Valery chuckled.

"Not nearly...."Brian huffed "But the longest steady relationship.....only Michelle has come close."

"What happened?" Valery asked sensing a story.

"She didn't want Brian to go on tour," Brian Sr explained "She practically begged him to let her go with them..."

"Or for him to stay with her," Suzy added.

Brian shook his head "As if you were both there to see it."

"Are we wrong?" Suzy challenged

Brian shrugged.

"So you just left her?" Valery asked "Just like that?"

"No," Brian said quickly "I thought about it the whole tour. I tried...in the end...it just didn't work. I wasn't made that way."

"Stop it Bri," Brent smirked "You're making me all weepy."

"You should get her on the phone," Valery said  and Brian Sr agreed.

"No...I don't think so...." Brian shook his head

"She was your first real relationship and she calls you out of the blue," McKenna added "Aren't you just the least bit curious about what she wants?"

"Not in the least," Brian lied. He started to remember her smile, her kiss, her touch and he sighed. "Probably just nostalgia.  You know...lonely Christmas...call the one that got away kind of thing."

"Like your that special," Brent quipped.

"Doesn't matter," Brian shrugged again. "It's ancient history."