Dear God (Avenged Sevenfold)

I found you, something told me to stay

July rolled into August before Natalie made her way to California, her first time flying with just her and Bryleigh. Brian had gone back home a few days after Bryleigh was released from the hospital, stating he wanted to get the house ready for them while Natalie braced herself with telling Ava she was leaving for a month, right in the middle of her stressful wedding planning. Natalie frowned as she hugged Ava good bye at the terminal and watched her walk away, her shoulders slumped in either defeat or disappointment, she wasn't sure which it was. Ava had told her she understood the reasoning for her going to California, she hoped they could work something out but Natalie knew her well enough to tell that it really bothered her but no matter what she said to Ava she couldn't get her to talk.

Natalie sighed heavily as she watched Ava disappear into the throng of people before turning her attention back to the screen next to the gate, her plane was due to arrive on time which gave her a torturous hour left before they could board and Bryleigh already was getting antsy. Natalie set her down and let her run over to the window, smacking her hands on the windows as planes slowly wheeled past her. Her phone ringing interrupted her thoughts as she flipped open her phone without even looking at the screen. "Hello?" "Ms. Johnston this is Doctor Davis with The Angeles Clinic in Santa Monica. I understand your daughter has Aplastic Anemia and that you'll be coming to see us sometime next week." Natalie stared at Bryleigh, unsure of what they were going to the doctor for when Bryleigh seemed to be doing well with the transplants. "Umm I guess so although I wasn't aware of such an appointment." the doctor went on to explain the conversation she had had with Brian about Bryleigh's condition and what Dr. Alpine had told them about a potential sibling for Bryleigh's benefit. "Listen I have to board my flight soon so I guess we'll talk later but right now I have to go."

Natalie hung up with the doctor and scooped Bryleigh up, heading over to the gate as their seat section was called. She wasn't sure how she felt about Brian going behind her back and setting up an appointment to go talk to this doctor that she knew absolutely nothing about and while she wanted to feel defensive and pissed off, she knew deep down that he was worried about his daughter's health and wanted what he felt was best for her. Natalie sighed heavily, trying to control the urge to have control over everything...this would never work between them if she constantly kept Brian to the outside. "Come on princess, sit down in your seat so we can buckle up." Natalie felt frustrated as she struggled to contain Bryleigh into her seat, hoping to god she didn't start screaming at the top of her lungs. "Bryleigh sit down so we can go see daddy okay?" She smiled as Bryleigh smiled happily and sat in her seat, allowing Natalie to buckle her up before they made their way down the run way towards California...and Brian.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER...

Brian paced back and forth in front of the American Airlines terminal number 5, waiting for Natalie and Bryleigh to come through the gates that kept him and other people back. Now that the day was here he was admittedly nervous as fuck that they would temporarily be a family. He had voiced his worry to Matt last night over some beers, trying to figure out how to balance the band and the fact that he was a father. "Dude you're not the first guy in this business to have a kid" Matt had stated to him "You'll make it work cause that's what you do. Just be thankful you get another chance with her." Brian had dropped the conversation there, knowing that Matt was thinking about Ava and his missed opportunity. Brian shoved everything out of his mind as he spied Natalie coming off the plane with Bryleigh perched on her arm, they hadn't spotted him yet and were walking aimlessly towards the exit gates, scanning over all the faces for him. Brian felt his smile grow as Bryleigh spotted him first and screeched loudly, her little arms flailing all over the place. "DADDY!"

Brian watched relief cover Natalie's face as she walked over, barely holding onto Bryleigh as she threw herself at Brian. "Hi sweet cheeks" he stated softly, kissing her on the head "Did you miss me?" They both laughed as she began babbling excitedly, her arms locked around Brian's neck. Soon enough they were loaded up in Brian's huge SUV and heading towards Huntington Beach. Natalie had smiled to herself when Brian opened the back doors and revealed a brand new car seat in a shocking pink and black zebra print design but felt even more impressed when he slid Bryleigh in and buckled her up in just a few quick seconds. "You did that like you knew what you were doing" she teased lightly, setting the diaper bag on the seat before climbing into the passenger seat and buckling up. "Oh I'm just full of surprises" he teased, winking at her before starting up the vehicle.

Natalie felt her face flush as she pulled her gaze away from his distracting brown eyes and pulled her cell phone out. "I have to call Ava real quick...let her know I made it safely" she stated lamely, dialing Ava's direct line at the law firm. "Ava Reynolds" she snapped a moment later, giving Natalie a clear picture that she was NOT in a good mood. "Hey honey...it's me" she stated hesitantly. "I take it you made it to California safely?" Natalie nodded her head and chewed on her lip. "Yea we did...we're on our way to Brian's house right now." "Terrific. Well enjoy your vacation" Ava stated in a clipped tone. "Ava...what's wrong?" she asked softly, turning her body towards the window. "Nothing Natalie, I have to go now. I'll talk to you later okay. Kiss Bryleigh for me." and with that she heard dial tone in her ear. Natalie felt sad and alone at her best friend's iciness, she knew she was having a hard time dealing with Todd, the wedding and whether she admitted it or not, Matt even...maybe that's why she was testy Natalie wondered.

"Everything okay?" Brian asked cautiously, peeking over at Natalie as she frowned sadly while looking out the windshield. Natalie plastered a fake smile to her face and nodded her head. "Yup, I'm just tired...and really hungry. Can we grab something to eat?" Brian smirked at her cute laughter and pulled into the nearest restaurant, grabbing their daughter from her car seat before Natalie could even blink. The days of him being an arrogant prick of a ladies man were behind him...he was fully intent on being the best father he could be to Bryleigh and wasn't going to let anything stand in his way.

If only he had a crystal ball to see that the future was going to make that difficult for him...