One Heart

Nathalie's POV

Just like when Jimmy had found Brian now knowing about everything made life seem that little bit easier; sure my death was still inevitable, but it seemed less of a weight on my shoulders now, especially now that Brian had stepped up as his role as parent over the past couple of months. He had taken Rae to the zoo today but I couldn't get myself to get up and go with them, just feeling absolutely drained of any energy I had left as soon as I moved even an inch after waking. It was hard enough for me to smile at Rae when she came running in after they had come back, waving the long, green python teddy at me with a huge grin.

“Look what daddy got me!” She said happily, winding the snake around my legs so that it bonded them together like its real counterpart would have done. “I named it Fluffy!”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Fluffy the Python?”

“Yep!”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her that pythons normally ate things that were considered ‘fluffy’ in the wild, just nodding and agreeing with her that it was, in fact, a good name. This just seemed to fuel her into further prodding me with Fluffy to try and make us become friends, which really wasn’t something I needed right now. Thankfully, Brian picked up on that.

“Rae, it’s getting late, why don't we take your snake upstairs? Fluffy needs to make friends with your other toys,” Brian suggested, picking her and allowing her to wrap the snake around his neck as he took her upstairs. He was gone for about ten minutes before he came back downstairs, picking up my legs and sliding underneath them on the couch. He turned to me, pulling a small stuffed butterfly from his pocket, just around the size of my palm, and handed it to me. “Butterflies never fly alone.”

I smiled, stroking the soft wings fondly. “Thank you.”

“I just saw it in the shop and it reminded me of you.” He began running his hand across my leg with an absent-mind as he asked, “How are you? You seemed a bit down today.”

“I’m just a bit tired, that’s all,” I replied. “How was the zoo?”

“Rae loved it, but something got me worried.”

“What was that?” I asked, quickly turning into mother mode. “Is anything wrong?”

“She... she liked spiders and snakes. She held one. A big-” He started making some wild movements with his hands, trying to imitate the size of this thing he was trying to describe. “-spider, it was just... ugh.” He shuddered. “It was disgusting.”

“Aw, is Brian scared of lickle spiders?” I teased, miming how a spider walked with my hand across his arm, which he snatched away with a scowl. “All because of one, little-”

“Mummy?”

Rae was peering in from the doorway, her arms clamped around Fluffy the snake. I swung my legs off Brian to the floor, leaning forwards slightly so that I could see round the open door. “What is it baby?” She mumbled something into the snake’s head, but I couldn’t make it out. I slid off the couch and crouched down in front of her. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

She looked up at me, her eyes wide. “Fluffy wanted to hear my lullaby. He couldn’t get to sleep.”

Smiling, I took her hand, along with the end of Fluffy’s tail. “Come on then, we don’t want Fluffy awake all night.”

--

Brian’s POV

During the year we spent together I had only heard Nathalie play the piano a few times, and that was when I probably shouldn’t have. Then I thought it was perhaps the most beautiful thing that I would ever hear upon that instrument, but tonight certainly topped it. Clearly she hadn’t lost any skill over the four years she had been in Phoenix. At parts Rae even added in a note here and there, but even if they were completely wrong she managed to incorporate and make it sound like a beautiful mistake, like one of those moments where you’ve played something wrong but it actually sounds better than what you were meant to. Towards the end of it Rae joined in less and less as her eyelids fell, her head leaning against her mother’s side as the last of the notes played out and the lid was quietly replaced upon the piano.

“Brian... do you mind?” She gestured to Rae with her eyes, moving slightly to the side so that I could gather her easily up into my arms, the snake curled up in hers. Rae didn’t wake up as we took her up to her room and tucked her in, just smiling sweetly and curling her arms tighter around the snake as she slept. There hadn’t been a cuter image. After a while Nathalie gently touched my shoulder, murmuring, “We don’t want to wake her up. She’s had a long day.”

I watched as she quietly closed the door behind her as we retreated back to the hallway, just managing to catch the soft smile she wore as she stole a few last glances at her daughter. Our daughter. This wasn't the only thing I saw however. As she turned back to me I noticed a sad look upon her face, and I knew the exact reason. These moments were so precious to her now.

“Hey... Nat?”

“Yes?”

“It's only just gone eight and Rae is asleep, so what do you say we go get something to eat? Maybe dinner in Cascade?”

She bit her lip, glancing back at the closed door. “I can't leave Rae on her own, even if she is asleep.”

“Oh.” I frowned, trying to think of some way around it. It may be selfish of me to say it, but these were my last moments with Nathalie just like they were hers with Rae. I guess after all this time alone, I wanted someone back in my life again, just like it was before, and I would do anything to get it.

“Wait, I got it.” I pulled out my cell and flicked through the contacts until I got to the one I needed and pressed the call button. “Hey Jason. Want to work off a favour? I just need you to baby-sit for a few hours round Nat's place. No, you won't have to, she's sleeping right now. Okay, see you in a few.”

Nathalie raised an eyebrow. “Did you call who I think you just called?”

“Jason Berry? You bet your ass I did,” I replied with a grin. “So you up for dinner?”

“Erm...” Her eyes drifted back to the door, obviously reluctant to leave Rae. “Maybe I could just throw something together here, or I can order something from the take-out-”

I cut her off. “Please?”

“Brian I...” As her gaze dropped with a sigh, I felt my heart sink. She didn't want to go. “Okay.”

I looked up at her with surprise. “Really?”

She smiled. “You only live once.”

–

Nathalie's POV

I'm glad I agreed to going out as the break was well needed- even if it did mean I had to leave Rae with Jason for a while. He somehow managed to drag Matt over with him so my daughter was now officially under 'Berry Protection'. I still don't really know what they meant by that or the meaning behind the sneaky looks they shared as I got no time to ask as Brian dragged me out, leaving me to pray that my house would still be in one piece when I got back. They were renowned for managed to destroy pretty much anything and everything, and together, they just made things ten times worse.

“Thank you for dinner Brian,” I said as we got up from the table, watching as he placed some money down to cover the two of us before we walked out together. “I needed this.”

As we walked down the street together I felt something curl between my fingers, looking down only to smile as I saw the tattooed hand entwined within mine. I followed his arm up until I reached his face, seeing the exact same person as five years ago. Even when I try to run away or deny it, this never changes. In my heart, I always did, and always will, love Brian.

“Brian!” We both turned at the sound of his name, ironically finding the others coming over to us. Zacky walked over and clapped him on the back, laughing as he said, “Man, what are the chances? The one time you go out we manage to finally catch you!” His gaze dropped to our hands then which we quickly pulled apart- but not quickly enough. “What's that about?”

“What's what about Zacky?” Chloe asked as she came over with the others, curling her arms around one of his. “Something happen?”

He raised an eyebrow, but didn’t reveal us. “Just wondering why they were out Clo, that’s all.”

“Oh.” She turned to us. “Why are you out anyway?”

I frowned. “Am I not allowed one night out? Or have I grown to be such a recluse that I can’t?”

“You know I didn’t mean it like that Nat,” she sighed. “I’m just happy you’ve got out for once, I haven’t seen much of you over the past couple of months. Plus you look like you really needed a night out babe, I have to admit.”

“I’m not sure how much of that was compliment and what was insult,” I replied with a roll of my eyes. “So where are you guys headed tonight?”

Zacky grinned. “Where do you think?”

“Deviate?” I guessed.

“You got it.”

“Just because Chloe owns the place doesn’t mean you have to go there all the time.”

“But why would we go anywhere else when we get free drinks courtesy of the owner herself?” Zacky replied, kissing Chloe before adding, “Plus the owner is damn sexy to look at.” He then wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin upon her shoulder as he looked at us. “So you are going to join us for a drink?”

Brian frowned, glancing at me. “I don't think so; we've left Rae with Jason and Matt...”

“Come on Brian, an hour or so can't hurt can it?” I cut in, patting him lightly on the arm. “I think the Berries can handle that.”

“Are you sure you want to leave her?” He asked doubtfully. “I don't mind going back if you want to go have a drink or two.”

“Don't be silly,” I replied briskly. “We'll both go. Jason knows to call if Rae wakes up anyway.”

Chuckling he took hold of my hand despite the fact the others were all looking at us. “Let's see if you are the party girl I remember.”

–

“I've got drinkies for everyone!” I called as I teetered back with a full tray of drinks to our usual booth in Deviate, now actually redesigned with black leather with 'A7X' upon it and the table replaced with a black marble version that had the band's logo, the Deathbat, in the middle. All in all, it was clear who this part of the club belonged to. “I've got beers for the boys,” The guys cheered, “tequila shots for the girls,” the girls cheered, “and orange juice for Val because she's boring.”

Val laughed as she took her drink from the tray along with a shot of tequila which she then poured into her juice. “Never said I wasn't drinking.”

“Come here,” Brian said, making me giggle as he pulled me by the waist onto his lap. “My legs were getting cold.”

“I'm sorry,” I replied with a smile, pecking him on the cheek before I reached over and grabbed one of beers off the tray. I drank quite a bit of it before I turned back to him. “Drink up, my favourite alcoholic.”

“Hey!” I looked over my shoulder and noticed Jimmy with a pout on his face, his arms folded across his chest like a child would. “I thought I was your favourite alcoholic.”

“Well you are.” I smiled. “You both are.”

“Come on Jimmy, you can't be everyone's favourite,” Leana chuckled next to him, handing him his own beer from the tray. “You'll always be my favourite though.”

He smiled, gratefully taking the drink. “Thanks babe.”

As they kissed, you couldn't help but wonder how there could be a more perfect couple- well, everyone here was in a perfect relationship. Val and Matt were married along with Jimmy and Leana, while Sarah and Chloe were just waiting for their partners to pop the question, which shouldn't be too long now.

“Nat?”

I leaned back on Brian so that my head rested against his shoulder, looking up at him. “Yes?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Not here.” He slid out from underneath me and pulled me out behind him by my hand, leading me across the dance floor where he stopped just beside the platform in the centre. I couldn't help but feel my stomach turn on itself as I looked at it, remembering how stricken Brian had looked all those years ago- something I did to him. “Okay.” He was taking a few deep breaths, his hands clutching onto something. “This is it.”

“Brian?” Peering up at him I saw that all the colour seemed to have drained from his face, making me think he was about to faint or something. “You're worrying me, what is it?”

“Marry me,” He blurted, the sudden question catching me by surprise.

“W-what?” I stammered, not entirely sure about what he said. “What did you say?”

“Will you-” He dropped to one knee and moved his hands to reveal a box, opening it to uncover the same, jewelled bat diamond ring he had brought to this spot five years ago. “-marry me?”

“Brian...” It was all I could say, my fingers brushing tentatively across the ring as if I couldn't believe it was real. Ever since I left I imagined how this scene would have happened if I didn't have to go, how my life would have been so much more different to what it is now. My answer I could barely manage to whisper. “No.”

At that moment, I saw his heart break as it did last time. “But why? Is it Rae? It will work out, I promise. I've changed since then-”

“No Brian,” I repeated, firmer this time. “I can't.” I closed the box shut over the ring. “Save it for someone else.”

“But I don't want anyone else.” Those words brought tears to my eyes. How could I say yes to a man who would only be left with memories of his wife a few months after they marry? “I want you,” he whispered, cupping my cheek with his hand and rubbing at the tears with his thumb. “Why won't you admit you want this too?”

Turning away I pulled my face from his hand. “Because I can't. You know exactly why I can't.”

“Nathalie Amber Taylor.” He slid his finger under my chin and tilted it to him. “You said you wanted to live life like a butterfly.” Until he raised my hand I hadn't even realised he had managed to slide the ring onto my wedding finger. “Then live it.”

The tears fell faster now, but for once they were from happiness, and not sadness. I should have said no, taken the ring off and given it back to him, but I couldn't. Instead I wrapped my arms around his neck, buried my face into his chest and whispered, “Don't ever leave me.”

His hand slid up my back, rubbing my back to comfort me. “I won't. I promise.”

“Certainly took you guys long enough.”

A large popping noise burst from behind us, receiving a light shower of champagne as we turned back to find Zacky holding the bottle with the others grinning behind him. He walked over and handed us two champagne flutes and filled them up before taking a swig from the bottle from himself. “May I be the first to congratulate you.”

However neither of us heard this added congratulations, just looking at each other with a look we hadn't shared for some time.

“Five years too long.”