Dear God (Avenged Sevenfold)

Is to hold her when I'm not around

      Natalie's head spun like crazy as Brian looked at her with such an open, honest look on his face she didn't know what to do. She wanted to tell him to get bent, to tell him he fucked up his chances of a happy life but as she stared at him in shocked silence she didn't know if she could do it. Her eyes flitted down to the ring for a split second, making her gasp softly. He had to be deadly serious if he spent that kind of money on a ring for her, not knowing how the outcome would be of his proposal. Natalie wasn't sure how many carats or how many tiny diamonds there were on that ring he was holding but she could tell it was worth probably what she made in almost a years time.

      Natalie was so lost in her inner turmoil of what to say and do to Brian as he knelt before her that she didn't hear the incoming of heavy footsteps until the door burst open and Benjamin filled the doorway. "AVA IS MISSING!" he roared, his face in a panic. Natalie gave Brian one quick glance "We'll talk about this later" she hissed quietly, jumping to her feet. "What do you mean?!" She watched as Ava's father struggled to contain his impatience, throwing his hands up and pacing the floor. "She's gone! Nowhere to be seen!" he roared, softening his tone only when Bryleigh began to cry at his loud, booming voice. Brian scooped their daughter up, sliding the box back in his pocket. "If Matt isn't lying outside dead or dismembered then I have a feeling they're together" Brian stated cautiously, unsure of how Benjamin would take this news...after all, it was Brian who kept prodding him to 'speak now or forever hold your peace.'

      "Oh...well that's alright then" Benjamin stated, relaxing his shoulders and smiling in the slightest bit making both Natalie and Brian look at him questioningly. "Should I go after her? Just in case?" Natalie worried out loud, keeping her eyes off Brian who was gazing at her intently, their daughter half asleep on his shoulder. Benjamin shook his head and smiled, reaching out for Bryleigh. "Not at all. I know she's in good hands" he stated "Come see Poppy" he crooned to Bryleigh, taking her from Brian before giving Brian a small wink. "I believe I interrupted something. Shall we go see if we can find any goodies for you princess?" he stated first to Brian and then Bryleigh before walking out of the room.

      Natalie stared after him, confused as hell as to what just happened before turning back to face Brian. "I don't even want to ask what's going on anymore" she stated tiredly, walking back towards the couch, her feet were killing her and she felt like she could pass out from the days events. Brian's hand enveloped her wrist lightly, stopping her in her tracks as she turned to face him slowly, knowing fully what he was going to do. The urge to pass out grew as she watched him slowly kneel before her again, pulling the box from his pocket and opening it back up. Natalie was so lost in keeping her respirations at a normal rate she almost didn't hear Brian's words as he proposed to her again.

      "Please say yes Nat...let me have another chance to prove to you that I can do this. I can't stomach the thought of losing you two...especially to my stupidity. Please Natalie...please say yes." Brian normally hated even the thought of groveling and begging, he never begged before in his life and he never planned to until now...until this moment and this woman came into his life. Whatever it took he was going to get her to say 'yes' to him. Brian could sense the hesitation in Natalie as she stared down at him, her eyes flitting over to the ring again before looking away, her blue eyes swimming with unshed tears.

      Natalie stood there silently, fighting with herself as her brain and her heart argued fervently. Her brain said 'fuck that' while her heart screamed 'YES!' despite everything he had just put both her and Bryleigh through. Natalie felt her eyes fill with tears as she continued to struggle but the moment she felt the coolness of the ring slide onto her finger and Brian's lips on her fingers, her tears escaped and rolled down her cheeks...how did this ring seem to fit so perfectly? Brian slowly stood up to his full height, pulling her close and placing her left hand over his heart, his heart that was pounding and erratic. "I swear to god I will never ever let you down again. Take your time saying 'yes' if you have to but just memorize this feeling right here" he mumbled hoarsely, his hand covering hers over his heart "Because only you can make me feel this alive...only you can make me or break me."

      Natalie stared at everything while Brian spewed on and on. She stared at his raw, genuine expression, the honesty in his eyes and in his words. She stared at his large hand covering hers, she stared at the ring sparkling in her face and she stared at his expensive silk tie that she was sure he would never wear again because when would Synyster Gates ever have the use for a tie? She knew all the trouble he went through by coming out here and throwing himself on the line and realized she had finally come to a decision...an answer to his question. She sighed softly, trying to calm her building nerves as she looked him straight in the eye.

      "Yes Brian...I will marry you."