Dear God (Avenged Sevenfold)

There's no one here while the city sleeps

Later that night after they had had a nice, quiet dinner, both Brian and Natalie laid in their respective beds, awake and staring at the ceiling. Natalie kept reliving the kiss over and over again, trying to figure out what it meant. Was she being foolish for thinking that there was some sort of spark there? Maybe he was just lonely...maybe he felt like he owed her something. No matter what explanation she came up with though, she couldn't shake the feel of his lips on hers. God help her but she wanted more!

Brian tossed and turned, sticking one leg out from under the sheets and stuffing his arm behind his head, trying desperately to hear any sounds of Natalie stirring in her room. That would at least give him some sort of excuse to go to her, as weak as that was. Sadly though, the condo was absolutely quiet, making his mind race with reasons and excuses as to why he kissed her earlier. Part of him felt bad, like he was taking advantage of her when her walls were down but he knew damn well that if she hadn't wanted that kiss to happen, she would have pushed him away. Frustrated with himself, he swung his legs out of bed, intent on going outside on the balcony to smoke but a strange noise had him paused in mid-dress, his pants still around his knees.

Suddenly, he heard a wet splattering noise, followed by Bryleigh's heartbroken sob "DADDY!" Not sure what he was doing, he stumbled to the door, pulling his pants up as he ran down the hall towards Bryleigh's cries. Flinging the door open, he saw that in the dimly lit room she was standing up in her crib, holding onto the rails with a large puddle of vomit on the floor in front of her. Brian felt his stomach roll at the foul smell but his daughter's heartbroken sobs blocked that out momentarily. Brian tip-toed carefully around the mess, reaching his hands out as she lifted her arms, her sniffling and hiccups cutting through to his heart. "Let's go wake mom up okay sweet cheeks?"

Brian turned and almost ran smack dab into Natalie. "Shit I'm sorry" he muttered as he grabbed ahold of her arm to steady her from their run in while holding a now limp Bryleigh. "Come on, we have to get her into the tub right now" she muttered, grabbing Brian's arm and pulling him along into her room and towards the bathtub. Brian stood there, clueless as to why she needed a bath when the floor seemed to be the biggest mess. "Brian get her jammies off her would you please" Natalie muttered, filling the tub with bubbles before reaching for medicine in the cabinet above the toilet. Not sure of what he was doing, he took her out to Natalie's bed and laid Bryleigh down, noticing now that she was very warm and just about back to sleep. "Hey Nat I think she's falling back asleep!" he called out over his shoulder, unzipping the sleeper but stopping there, he wasn't sure how to get her out of the clothing.

Natalie appeared at his side, staring at Bryleigh with a worried look as she quickly got rid of the jammies and diaper. "Come on baby doll" she whispered, scooping up their daughter and carrying her back into the bathroom. Brian stood in the doorway, watching Natalie slide Bryleigh into a little seat in the water, forcing her to sit up. Bryleigh whined half heartedly and pushed Natalie's hands away as she attempted to wash her hair but within a few minutes she had her washed and was pulling her out of the water, wrapping a towel around her tiny little body before handing her back to Brian. "Hold her while I give her this medicine okay? She's not really fond of it, but it might help having you hold her." Brian stood there silently as Natalie drew up some thick looking liquid in a syringe before turning her attention on their daughter. "Okay baby doll you know the drill, you gotta take your medicine here and then we can get a sippy pop okay?"

Bryleigh shook her head no and stuffed her head into Brian's neck, wrapping her arms tightly around him. Brian could see frustration and worry fill Natalie's face as she begged Bryleigh to take the medicine again. "No Mommy No!" "Hang on, let me try" he stated quietly, rubbing her back as he situated Bryleigh so she was sitting on the bathroom counter facing him. "Come on sweet cheeks...please take the medicine for mom okay?" Bryleigh shook her head 'no' again, rubbing her tear filled eyes sleepily as she began whining and grabbing at Brian. "Here, how about this?" he stated softly, kissing her forehead as he sat down on the toilet seat and held her in his lap. "Now will you take the medicine for mom?" Natalie watched Brian take over as if it were the most natural thing in the world for him and she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy...Bryleigh was depending on her less and less but she quickly squashed that ridiculous feeling, Bryleigh just wanted her daddy.

Within minutes, not only did Bryleigh take the medicine but she didn't spit it back out like she was prone to doing. "Now we get you that sippy pop" she cooed to her daughter, nodding her head at Brian, indicating that he should follow her. Natalie showed him where the Pedialyte popsicles were before heading back into Bryleigh's room to clean up the mess. While cleaning up the mess, it also gave her time to think back on tonight. Brian had just barreled into her room and took charge, something Sam had never shown, even when he thought he had been her father. Natalie felt a small fluttering in her stomach as she recalled how he looked, standing next to the crib half naked while holding their daughter securely in his arms. "God get a grip" she muttered out loud, getting disgusted with herself for letting her thoughts get away from her.

Once the towels were in the washer she made her way back out to the living room, stopping short at the sight before her. Brian had sat down in one of her reclining rockers with Bryleigh across his lap and they were both out. His head laid back while her head was tucked in against his chest and her little hand on his arm as he held her safely. As much as she hated to disturb them, she knew from personal experience that he would have one hell of a kink in his neck come morning time. "Brian...Brian" she whispered softly, shaking his shoulder lightly till he woke up. "Oh shit, I'm sorry...I guess her cuddling with me just made me knock right off." Natalie smiled gently at him as he stood, careful to not wake Bryleigh up before walking her back down to her room and laying her carefully in her crib.

Once they were out of her room they both sighed heavily, each leaning against the opposite wall from one another. "Does she do that often?" Brian's voice was quiet and cautious as he asked about Bryleigh. Sighing, Natalie shook her head "Unfortunately that's part of this damn disease. She gets really weak and listless, and vomits...her immune system is weak. It's all just a mess."

Natalie watched with baited breath as Brian stood up to his full height in front of her and pulled her in close, stroking her cheek lightly. "I swear I will do whatever I can to make sure she gets better...okay?" Natalie nodded her head silently, wondering if Brian was going to kiss her again but instead he just leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Good night Nat...sweet dreams" before walking into the guest bedroom and shutting the door quietly behind him.

Side note: If you guys and gals haven't checked it out yet, my lovely friend tippilanea7x is writing a story called "I feel my memories fade with time" based off Ava and Matt's story. So check it out! I hope you've enjoyed the story thus far! Thank you again for all the votes and comments!