Dear God (Avenged Sevenfold)

The only thing I ask of you

      After Ava walked out with Matt the church slowly grew louder and louder with the feverish whispers...Natalie knew everyone was talking about what happened and as much as she worried what was going on outside she was also trying to avoid the fact that a pair of brown eyes were burning a hole in her back...how long she could avoid Brian's penetrating gaze she didn't know but she was determined to try. Instead she concentrated on the family members in the first few pews, chuckling to herself at the irate look on Todd and his stuffy ass parents. As much as Natalie hoped Ava saw reason and didn't marry that pompous prick she knew it was ultimately up to Ava, she had said her piece to her and it didn't seem to have done much good considering they weren't exactly on speaking terms.

       Natalie was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Bryleigh calling for Brian in a sing song voice, her little arm pulling on Natalie's. Before she could process what her daughter was doing, she realized Brian was coming up the aisle towards her, a small, apologetic smile on his face...as if that would fix the destruction he did to them back in California. "Nat can we please talk?" he questioned quietly, picking Bryleigh up and holding out his hand to her. Natalie was debating on whether she wanted to go talk to Brian or tell him to get bent when Todd spoke up. "I highly doubt this is the time or the place to have a little 'talk'" he stated in a snotty manner, looking at Brian as if he was shit beneath his shoe. Natalie shot Todd a scathing look as she took Brian's hand cautiously. "You may run Ava over but I'll be damned if you talk to me or Bryleigh's father like that!" and with one final dirty look at Todd, Natalie turned on her heels and practically pulled Brian along behind her, heading towards the exit on the side of the church...just in case Matt and Ava were having a moment out front...at least Natalie hoped they were and that Ava wasn't killing Matt.

      Natalie and Brian walked into a small sitting room, closing the door quietly. Natalie tossed her bouquet of flowers on the couch as Brian set Bryleigh down on her feet and whispered something to her before handing her his phone to play with. Satisfied with a new toy for the moment, Bryleigh toddled off in her dress and plopped down on the floor, her skirts billowing out around her. Brian turned his attention back on Natalie, smiling a little more as he attempted to pull her into him, but Natalie resisted, shaking her head slightly. "I don't think I'm ready to forgive you yet...I just couldn't stand the way Todd talked to you and gave you such a shitty look...he's such an arrogant prick." Brian sighed heavily, watching with sad eyes as Natalie walked away from him and sat down on the couch near Bryleigh. He knew he was going to have to prove to her 100% that he had made a mistake and wanted them back home with him...but how was the question.

       Brian sighed heavily, stuffing his hands in his pockets, forgetting momentarily the small box he had hidden away and suddenly it hit him. This wasn't exactly how he had this pictured in his head but if anything would show how serious he was then this was the moment. Brian felt his heart start to beat fast as he walked over in front of Natalie, his palms starting to sweat as if it was his first time on stage all over again. "Fuck" he muttered softly, wiping them on the sides of his pants as Natalie gave him a questioning look. "Can I at least plea my case to you before you toss me out on my ass?" he meant it to be a joke...something to lighten the mood but he realized that Natalie wasn't in a joking mood, still, she gave him a slight nod of her head indicating he could talk.

      Brian swallowed the large lump in his throat as he knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his as he began rubbing her hands with his thumbs. "I have no excuse for why I did what I did. I freaked out...I was a piece of shit father who wussed out when our daughter really needed me. I acted like a fucking idiot and I don't deserve to have either of you in my life but I really hope you'll give me another chance." Brian waited in silence for several minutes before Natalie sighed softly, lifting her face to his and looking him in the eye. "I don't know Brian..." she trailed off, looking at Bryleigh as she sat watching a cartoon on Brian's phone. "I can't have you doing that every time something gets tough. Not only is having kids tough but having one with an illness like Bryleigh really means you can't walk away...you can't let her down like that any more. I can handle it, I'm an adult but Bryleigh has no idea why all of the sudden you're not around again. I refuse to put her through that again so you'll have to convince me somehow that you won't do that...and sweet talking me at my best friends fucked up wedding isn't really the greatest time."

      Brian nodded his head silently, knowing that she was right about everything but still, he had to try...had to push his luck. Brian swallowed hard as he took her hand, digging into his pocket with his free hand as he sucked in his last breath of courage. "I had completely different plans and ideas of how this was going to happen and trust me, this was the last place I thought of doing this but at the same time, I think it's the perfect time to show you how serious I am about proving to you that I'm 100% committed to being a father...and also committing to being a husband." Natalie's head snapped up as soon as he said the word 'husband', her eyes looking at him with alarming clarity. "Brian...no..." she gasped out softly, her eyes filling with tears as he pulled the box open and pulled a large diamond engagement ring out, taking her left hand in his.

      Brian locked his eyes on Natalie's and took a deep breath. "Will you marry me Nat? So we can become a real family?"