Dear God (Avenged Sevenfold)

We all need that person who can be true to you

It had been a couple of weeks since Brian had gone back to California and Bryleigh showed no signs of forgetting him. Every morning she woke up babbling "Daddy" and refused to let the bear out of her sight. Natalie forgot one day to bring the bear with to daycare and had to turn around half way to go fetch it, making her late to work but her daughter's screams had been unbearable. Natalie understood Brian was busy with the band but she hoped tonight she could finally get ahold of him, she was hoping that hearing his voice would help Bryleigh with her separation anxiety. Even Dr. Alpine seemed concerned by it on her last appointment which was enough to worry Natalie all over again. Tonight she was going to give him a call...as much as that made her nervous she was going to call him no matter what.

Brian sat in the studio with a pissed off attitude as the guys struggled with wrapping up the album 'Nightmare.' Ever since Jimmy passed they had all been hanging on by a thread and when they finally made the decision to move forward enough to finish the album he felt a mixture of profound grief and anger, they weren't supposed to move on without The Rev. Brian knew logically it's not what Jimmy would have wanted but he was still pissed for no other reason than his best friend was gone. He tried messing around on his guitar while the guys talked about a temporary drummer but after a few minutes he walked outside, stating he had to smoke. Brian's mind drifted off to thoughts of his daughter as he lit up his first cigarette, he felt bad he hadn't called Natalie but every time he got a free moment it had been too damn late. He felt more and more frustrated as the days went by, fearing that Bryleigh would forget him or that he would just be a long lost memory to them now that she was healing from the transplant.

His phone buzzing in his pocket made him jump, almost dropping hot ash on himself. Brian flipped open his phone and smiled at the text...it was from Natalie

                    HEY STRANGER...I WAS HOPING MAYBE WE COULD TALK TONIGHT? BRYLEIGH REALLY  MISSES YOU....

Brian grinned wickedly as he texted her back "I'm sure she's not the only one that misses me" he muttered out loud, his arrogance was back full force...he couldn't help himself!

                     IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT I WILL BE FREE AND CLEAR AFTER 8 TONIGHT MY TIME. I'LL CALL YOU WHEN I GET HOME.

Natalie felt herself smile as she sat at her desk reading Brian's reply, sure it was going to be late for Bryleigh but it would be worth it to see her daughter talk to Brian, even if he wouldn't understand half of what she said. Although the rest of the day dragged on, she kept thoughts of their phone call in the back of her mind which helped her through rush hour traffic, dinner and a messy bath with an overly energetic Bryleigh. Natalie didn't say anything about a phone call to Bryleigh just in case Brian didn't call but come 11:15 she jumped when the phone rang, suddenly her heart was in her throat and she felt all nervous. "Seriously Nat, get a grip" she muttered to herself as she raced over to the cordless.

"Hello?" she mumbled softly, her eyes on Bryleigh as she dozed on the couch.

"Hey" came Brian's voice, tired but strong. Natalie felt herself smile and blush at the timber in his voice, the late hour was doing stupid things to her mind. "Sorry I'm a little late, traffic was a bitch."

"That's okay...I'm just glad you called. Someone misses her daddy."

Brian felt his gut twist at that "Here I thought she would have forgotten about me." Natalie chuckled softly, shaking her head "Not even close. Every morning she looks for you and says your name repeatedly...and she won't go anywhere without that bear and I mean anywhere. I had to turn around one time because we forgot the bear at home and she screamed bloody murder until I went back home to retrieve it."

Brian chuckled as Natalie filled him in on his daughter's antics and felt relief at what the doctor was saying about her post op progress. "The only thing he's worried about is her separation anxiety" Natalie stated quietly "She really, really misses you." Brian felt a lump form in his throat, wishing he could get back to Florida for a visit.

"I miss her too...still feels funny to say that but damn do I miss her...and you. I miss her pretty momma too" Brian flirted like a pro while Natalie stammered and stuttered, thankful he couldn't see how red her cheeks were when she stated she missed him too. Brian was momentarily taken aback when she admitted that she missed him too, he honestly hadn't expected that and cursed himself for leaving as soon as he had.

"Brian?" shit! His mind had wandered off and he didn't even hear what Natalie had been saying! "Yea? Sorry I got lost for a second" he admitted with a grin. "It's okay" she laughed easily "I asked if you were ready to talk to your daughter?" Brian smiled and flopped down on his couch "You betcha" and for the next fifteen minutes he laughed as she chattered nonstop in his ear. Most of the words he couldn't understand but he just went along with what she said, throwing in a few words here and there so she knew he was listening.

Finally, a little after midnight she gave up, nodding off in Natalie's lap with the phone still to her ear. "I think you lost her" Natalie laughed softly once she took the phone from Bryleigh. God help her but even the sound of Brian's laughter got to her as she somehow managed to lay Bryleigh down in bed without disturbing her. "So now the grown ups can talk" he chuckled softly, making his way up to his bedroom for the night. "How are you holding up? Can I send anything? I should probably start paying child support huh?"

Natalie was quiet for a minute, trying to figure out what he meant by that. "It's okay Brian, you don't have to send anything really. You gave her what she needed most." Brian frowned a little as he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed "But she's my responsibility now too. I'd feel like a heel if I didn't help out some way." Natalie smiled at Brian's words, for the way things started out he sure did a complete turn around, surprising everyone around them. "We'll figure something out I'm sure...in the mean time, just call when you can. I really think that helped her."

"And what about you Nat? Did that help you too?" Natalie felt the heat creep back into her face at Brian's words, should she be boldly honest with him? Or would she just expose her vulnerability and open herself up for hurt? "Yes it did help, believe it or not I really miss you." Brian grinned in the darkened room, his body twitching with not so innocent thoughts...mostly of them naked together in bed. Before he could even think of what he was saying, he found himself telling Natalie that he wanted to work on them as a couple.

Natalie sat in bed with a shocked look on her face "What...what do you mean Brian? I mean, we were never really a couple. Fuck buddies maybe...but..." Brian's low chuckle did things to her body as he spoke again "Exactly Nat, we were fantastic in bed together and we created a child together. I know what divorce can do to a kid so I really would like a chance for her to have both sets of parents in her life...together." Natalie didn't want to squash his enthusiasm but she didn't see how it would work with them living on opposite coasts and she stated as much to him, bracing herself for his attitude.

"Well I guess you'll just have to move here then" he laughed. Fuck you idiot don't scare her off! he screamed at himself. Natalie laughed a little, feeling a bundle of nerves at his suggestion. "Brian I have to go now, morning comes early for me. I'm glad you called though..."

"I'll call again soon okay? And I mean it Nat, think about what I said" he stated, wondering where the fuck he got the idea of her moving to California from.

So this was just kind of a filler chapter, more drama will be on it's way. What I want to know is, should I upload some other stories as well? I have 2 stories that I started a few years ago and they've just been sitting on my laptop. They're quite lengthy already and aren't as well written but I'll upload them if anyone is interested...let me know either way ;) and thanks again for reading! Don't forget to check out "I feel my memories fade with time" by tippilanea7x, it's Ava and Matt's story! :) <3