Life Can Do Terrible Things // Ben Bruce

32. It's The Moment Of Truth

ONE YEAR LATER

~October~

"I still can't believe your natural hair is ginger." Brandi smiled, twirling her index finger around my shoulder length hair. "And curly." She let the hair twirl off and let the ringlet curl back into place.

"I haven't had ginger hair since I was like twelve. Even I forgot I had it." I laughed, walking out of the screen door to my backyard.

The AA family and my proper family were all in our backyard. The girls were setting the table with food and placements on the outdoor setting, Danny was manning the barbecue grill and the rest of the boys were looking after the kids.

"Noah, how many times do I have to tell you that Marley isn't a horse?" Ben scolded our two year old son lightly, dragging him off the back of our dog.

I walked over and took Noah out of my husbands grasp. "No heavy lifting on your twenty seventh birthday mister." I winked while stroking our son's ash blonde hair.

"He's far from heavy." He rolled his eyes, pulling me into his side. "This is best birthday ever."

I tutted and rolled my eyes.

I had been in remission for one whole year! A year clean of cancer. I had been replenished health wise and emotionally. My hair grew back and I refrained from dying it to keep it healthy. The ginger ringlets now fall just above my breasts. I have never appreciated hair more in my entire life. Ben started touring up two months after my remission and they have been touring hard. I think the whole band have been home a total of four months out of twelve. My arms are healed of bruising but still hold tiny white scars. I started back at work around the same time as Ben left to tour and I was welcomed warmly. I was promoted to main editorial writer after two months of returning. I really wanted to prove myself after being away for so long. I was moved from my cubicle next to Annie and was now in my own office. I was writing cover stories, my dream since I was fifteen years old. Jamie and Cameron got married six months ago, as well as Sam and Brittany. Brandi and James's wedding is three months away. Danny and Monique are still engaged and had their second baby in March this year. They had a girl they named Valentine Grace. Not all of the year has been bright though. Ben and I immediately started trying for another baby. We knew the risks of pregnancy but we decided to try our luck. We managed to conceive twice but miscarried both times. It was very hard for us but we knew that it was nature telling us that it wasn't the time for us to have a baby. We knew that if it was meant to happen, it was going to happen.

Today, seeing as it was Ben's birthday, we were having a barbecue at our house. We had some music playing through the docking station, at the moment it was my playlist that everyone seemed to be enjoying. Salads and sides filled the table, all we were waiting for was Danny to be finished with the steaks. Monique came up to me with seven month old Valentine strapped to her chest.

"Can you grab Alice? I've made up plates for her and Noah." She explained.

I smiled and nodded, walking further down our backyard to my two year old niece playing with Emily. I swooped down and placed her on my other hip. I looked like I was carrying twins. I walked over to the "kids" table and set the kids up next to each other. I handed them their plastic cutlery and watched them as they ate their food. I wandered back to Ben's side where he stood with James, Brandi and Sam.

"... So we've decided that the groomsmen are having purple ties so you better not complain." Brandi finished her sentence with a slap to Sam's chest.

"I fucking hate purple, Bran." Sam whined.

"C'mon mate, appease her. It's the biggest day of her life. I mean, she is marrying JSells." James boasted with a sip of his beer.

"Don't you mean the best day of your life? I mean, you are marrying BNette." Brandi imitated her fiancée perfectly.