Dear God (Avenged Sevenfold)

I left her when I found her

Natalie didn't have much time to think on what Brian had said the last time they talked for the next couple of weeks. Bryleigh was accepting the transplant so well it was almost like someone had given her a large dose of caffeine, she ran around constantly, climbed on things and jabbered non-stop. Between working and taking care of a healthy toddler, Natalie didn't have time to think of much else so when Ava called her and invited her to dinner she said 'yes' without even thinking.

Natalie and Ava's father didn't really see eye to eye but ever since Bryleigh came around the old fart seemed to have softened a little, at least to her daughter anyways. "Bryleigh...wanna go have dinner with Auntie Ava?" she stated, hoisting her daughter onto her hip as they made their way back into the condo after an afternoon at the park. Immediately Bryleigh clapped and bounced on her arm, screeching happily "ABA! ABA!" Natalie chuckled at Bryleigh's mispronunciation of Ava's name as she set her daughter down and headed off to the bedroom to find a suitable dress to wear, jeans and a t-shirt were not allowed at the Reynolds dinner table!

Finally settling on a navy blue summer dress she went in search of her daughter who had suspiciously grown quiet, never a good sign with a toddler! Natalie smiled as she entered the living room area and found Bryleigh sitting on the couch holding the one picture Natalie had of her and Brian together from 2008. "Daddy! Mommy! Daddy!" she babbled happily, leaving her wet, toddler kisses all over the picture before hugging it to her chest like a prized possession. "Come on princess, let's go get dressed and go see Auntie Ava...and Poppy" she stated softly, trying to pull the picture from her hands. Bryleigh clamped her pudgy fingers down on the frame and screeched with an indignant tone "NO! MINE!" Sighing heavily, Natalie scooped her up, picture and all and took her to her room to finagle a dress on her. This should be interesting she thought to herself as she pulled Bryleigh's hair up into a small waterfall ponytail on top of her head. She knew Bryleigh wasn't going to let go of the picture and she was sure Ava's father would have a snide comment to make about it.

Two hours later, Natalie was driving up the impossibly long driveway to the Reynolds mansion, feeling smaller and smaller by the second in her old, reliable car. The property boasted money and Natalie always felt small and insignificant when she visited, probably something Ava's father wanted his guests to feel. No sooner did she park the car than Myles was at the door with a smile on his face. Natalie pulled Bryleigh from the car seat easily enough but once she saw Myles she let out an ear piercing shriek and toddled off towards Myles, picture in hand. Natalie smiled at the butler as he picked her daughter up, not caring that he was in a fancy butler's suit and working. "Hello my princess...and how are you today?" he stated softly, producing a wrapped candy from his pocket for her.

Bryleigh smiled and took the candy, holding the picture out proudly. "Poppy! Daddy! My daddy!" she exclaimed happily, putting one sticky finger against the glass. "Ah yes I see! You look just like your father princess." Natalie grabbed the diaper bag, shut the door and made her way over to them in order to take Bryleigh from him. Ava's father didn't like it when Myles carried Bryleigh around, as much as he had a soft spot for her daughter he still remained stiff on his rules and expectations and where his butler was concerned he did not bend easily. They made idle chitchat as he ushered her into the entrance way, taking the diaper bag from Natalie. "I see she is healing quite well" he stated softly, walking with her down the hall to the formal dining room. Bryleigh babbled in her own chatter as they walked, making Natalie smile and kiss her head. "She really has...I can't thank Brian enough for going through all of that." Myles gave her a loving smile as he ushered her into the dining room. Of course everyone else was already there, meaning Ava's father, Todd and Ava herself. Bryleigh's eyes landed on her and she squealed loudly and happily, her arms out for Ava almost immediately.

"Nice of you to join us" her father stated coolly, his eyes on Ava as she took Bryleigh from Natalie and kissed her face. Todd looked at Ava with a look of distain as he opened his mouth "Ava really, you're in a 3 piece Calvin Klein suit. Don't get carried away." Natalie and Ava both shot him a dirty look and right as Natalie was about to say something rude to him, her father spoke up. "Son leave the child alone. I've never known Natalie to bring her daughter over here in a filthy state of affairs. She is just excited to see Ava." Natalie and Ava smirked at each other, a silent gesture of victory on their part as Todd stammered and nodded his head, looking rightfully embarrassed. "She seems to have accepted the transplant very well" her father stated, trying hard to not smile as Myles appeared with the dreaded highchair, knowing fully what Bryleigh would do when she spotted it. Sure enough she clung to Ava, picture in hand and started babbling "NO!" over and over again.

It took some coercing but they managed to get Bryleigh into her high chair without much of a fuss, all the while Ava's father looked slightly amused while Todd looked disgusted. Ava and Natalie both gave each other a shocked look as her father began asking about the procedure and how Bryleigh had been doing since, the fact that he was showing so much interest in her daughters life was making Natalie wonder what he was getting at...and she was about to find out... "What is that she's holding onto?" he asked suddenly, looking at the picture with narrowed eyes as Myles brought out the first course. "It's um...it's a picture of me with her father...she's kind of having separation anxiety but that seems to help...being able to see his face."

Natalie watched with baited breath as Ava's father stood up and walked over to where Bryleigh was sitting and peered down at the picture. She could tell he was trying to hide his distaste but she could read his face loud and clear. "That's the only picture I have of just the two of us together...and it was during their tour so...yea." He shook his head and walked back to his seat, tucking his tie back into his suit before picking up his glass of brandy. "I would think you could manage a more suitable picture of the two of you together if she's going to insist on carrying it around. It's not good for her to see her parents looking like...well...like that." Natalie knew better than to blow up at Ava's father but right now she was having a hard time controlling her tongue and had to count to ten twice before she managed to speak in a clipped tone. "Well if we were together there would be more opportunities for that...but seeing as how we're not, that picture will have to do."

"About that business" he stated, taking another sip of the alcohol "I took the liberty of calling Mr. Haner and spoke to him at great lengths about being responsible for his mistakes and I soon think you will be seeing a change in your life...in both your lives." Natalie's jaw dropped as her blood pressure began to rise. What had she just heard? What had he said to Brian? And without her consent?! Now she realized she had been a fool to think he wanted them together as a couple for the mere sake of the feelings growing between them. He had been threatened by Ava's father and suggested moving in together as a result of the threat! Natalie cleared her throat as best she could, speaking coolly and calmly. "Well I appreciate your...concern. However, I don't need his help in any way, shape, or form. I am perfectly capable of taking care of my daughter on my own. If you'll excuse me."

Natalie kept her eyes off everyone including her best friend as she pulled Bryleigh from the high chair and walked out of the dining room, her eyes blurring with tears the more she neared the front door. She could hear Ava raise her voice in a heated manner but it was no use, the damage was done...both to her dignity and her heart.