What If

Lucky

Brian opened the door to their room at the Hotel Bel-Air. It was nowhere near the suite he'd stayed in before, but Kate was excited at how beautiful it was.

"This is just....amazing," she said in a breathy voice.

Brian smiled as he moved to the champagne in the silver ice bucket. He removed the wrapper and easily popped the cork.

"You know champagne makes me do crazy things," she said.

"In that case," he replied pouring and handing her a glass "Let's fill yours all the way to top."

She clinked her glass with his. "I don't know how you did it but you sure got yourself out of the doghouse."

"All the way?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

She nodded enthusiastically "Oh way out." She walked over to the king size bed and ran her hand across the top coverlet. 

Brian moved closer to her almost as if drawn.

She turned with a grin. "You may even get lucky tonight."

He pulled her into his arms and waggled his eyebrows suggestively. 

Kate started to giggle but the sound was cut off as he leaned in to take her lips in a slow sensual kiss. 

She felt dizzy when he pulled back. His dark chocolate eyes searched her face as he pushed her hair out of her face, a feeling of realization in the pit of his stomach.

"My God...Katie...I've been in love with you...all this time."

Kate smiled. "Now that's all I've been wanting to hear from you."

She pulled him in for a kiss this time, their arms wrapped around each other, hands exploring..till finally he laid her down on the bed and made love for the first time in a very long time.

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Morning sun streamed through the window onto the bed.

Brian opened his eyes, adjusting them to the light. He barely slept the night before but he woke up content. His body was exhausted but his mind was elated that he'd finally admitted to himself that he had missed this...missed her...that he had loved her, even after all this time. She was curled up beside him, her arms flung around him like she was clinging to dear life. He tilted his head to inhale the scent of her hair just to prove to himself that this was real. His lips brushed against her forehead and he let them linger on her skin, just taking in the feel of it, the taste of it...everything.

She must have felt his touch because she stirred in his arms, gripping his neck tighter and rubbing her face against his cheek. He reflexively started rubbing her back, willing her to open her eyes, even though he  knew she was probably as exhausted as he was. Her eyelids fluttered and suddenly he was looking straight down into her sleepy blue eyes. 

"Happy New Year," she said smiling softly before yawning.

He smirked and placed a quick kiss on her forehead,  "Hey there. Happy New Year."

The corners of her mouth turned upward again at that and she nuzzled her head into his shoulder. "What time is it?" she asked hoarsely.

"A little after eleven," he replied.

"Mmm," she said and then she sat up quickly in a panic. "Oh my God...it's late...the kids..." she turned back to him, worry clear in her features.

"Are fine," he assured her chuckling softly sitting up to wrap his arms around her and whispered into her ear. "Suzy and Papa Gates are all over it."

She relaxed a bit in his embrace. "I guess you're right...we've just never been away from them for a night."

"Never?" he asked incredulously as he pulled her back down into a lying position with him. "We need to get out more then."

"Maybe we can make that our New Years resolution," she said re-positioning herself in his arms.

"Exactly," he agreed, thinking about how he could stay here forever. 

Almost as if she read his mind, she said it aloud. "I think I could lie in this position with you for the rest of our lives."

"I don't think I'd fight you on that one," he said. "So that being said, what do you want to do today? We could spend the whole day in LA exploring anything you want."

"Anything?" she said with an arch of her eyebrow, smirking as she noticed the way his eyes grazed down her lips. He shifted them so she was on her back as he moved over her.

"I like the way you think."

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Brian waited in the winter California sun for the valet to bring the mini van around, happier than he had been in a long while. Kate stopped to look at one of the small shops in the hotel and he promised to get loaded up and wait for her. He was deep in thought of the previous evening when he noticed a familiar face in the fancy grey Acura that pulled up to the curve.

He watched intently as the driver exited the car and handed the valet his keys.

"Larry?" Brian said louder than he wanted to and the older man turned.

"Yes?" he said politely confused.

"Larry Jacobson...oh shit," Brian continued "It's me...Brian...Brian Haner Jr..." The man blinked blankly "Avenged Sevenfold? Synyster Gates?"

"Oh my God, yes," Larry nodded a flicker of recognition finally sparking and he extended his hand. "Wow...its been what..10 years...man...it's good to see you. How have you been?"

"I've been good," Brian nodded. "Well great..actually..."

"That's really good to hear," Larry replied "The boys are all good?"

"Oh yeah...all married...well except Jimmy," Brian explained. "But he's still with his girl. Maybe they'll make it official some day."

"Ah," Larry flinched a bit at Jimmy's name. "So he's doing better then? That's good to hear. I was real sorry with what happened to the band. You guys had so much potential."

"Yeah? Well we're actually working on some new music...maybe if you have some time we could get together and play something for you," Brian pressed. "You know..for old time sake."

"Oh..I don't know..." Larry said unsure.

"Just think about it," Brian said quickly "I can guarantee...it'll be worth it."

"Bri, I get a lot of requests from bands..."

"But we're not just any band," Brian continued. "We're fucking great...and you remember we were."

Larry gave a half smile. "You guys were pretty awesome...so maybe."

Brian nodded enthusiastically "I can take maybe."

"You still work with your dad?" Larry asked.

"Yeah..how'd you know?" Brian asked. 

"Lucky guess," Larry said offering his hand again "I gotta run but I'll give you a call at the office."

"Fucking aye," Brian shook it, hoping luck was on his side. "I look forward to it."

Larry slapped him on the back as he entered the hotel just as Kate walked out.

She took in the wide smile on Brian's face as he watched the other man walk away. "Who was that?" she asked curiously.

"The future, babe, the future."