Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

"Sunshi-i-i-i-i-ne!" a voice whispered in my ear. "Wakey, wakey!" I could feel the come and go of breath on my neck.

Suppressing a sigh, I cautiously cracked my eyelids, only to immediately be blinded by the bright sunlight flooding through the window. "Ow!" I whined. "Who in the hell tied back the curtains?"

I heard Jimmy's soft snort of amusement, then the mattress shifted as he climbed off the bed. "You're so pleasant in the mornings, sunshine."

I rolled over, putting my back to the window, and slowly opened my eyes. After blinking a few times, my eyes became accustomed to the light and the blur of lingering sleep was gone. Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan was standing by the bed, long arms crossed over his chest.

"What time is it?" I grumbled, somehow managing to get upright.

"Eleven-thirty," Jimmy replied.

I raked my fingers through my tangled hair and yawned widely. "Why are you here?"

Jimmy's expression suddenly became guarded. "Because I love you."

My eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Right," I drawled sarcastically.

"It's true," Jimmy insisted. "I love you, Jordan. Run away with me, this instant! No one has to know!"

"Until they realize we're both missing and brilliantly deduce that we're somewhere together," I said, peeking under the sheet to make sure I had shorts on. I smiled upon discovering that I was in a pair of Brian's boxers.

"Deduce?" Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "You've gotta stop showing off that college education."

I tossed back the sheet and put my feet on the sun-warmed hardwood floor. "Hey, you could be brilliant, too. You're the one who chose not to go to school."

"I was too busy making my millions," he retorted with a cocky smirk.

I rolled my eyes, but I didn't have a comeback. Jimmy, Brian, Matt, Zacky, and Johnny--collectively known as Avenged Sevenfold--were doing quite well for themselves. They'd released their first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, in 2001, and their second album, Waking the Fallen, in 2003. Waking the Fallen had caused a definite stir and the guys had toured endlessly for the last year and a half. At the moment, they were home, their next album, City of Evil, due to be released in early June.

I was currently enrolled for the summer semester--my final semester--and would soon be graduating with my bachelors degree in graphic design. This meant I wasn't going to be able to tag along with the guys on Warped Tour, which was taking place from June eighteenth until August fourteenth. After hearing the guys describe what it was like for the bands on the tour, I wasn't too upset not to be going. I liked my creature comforts a little too much to endure the blistering heat, no showers, and being crammed on a bus with five guys who also weren't showering.

I had moved in with Brian the previous semester and gotten a job at a local tattoo parlor. Needless to say, Brian had dropped out of the Musicians Institute as soon as things started taking off for the band. He was making his living doing what he loved, and I was happy for him. Things were good. Very good.

"Why are you really here?" I asked, getting to my feet and stretching.

"Loving you isn't a good enough reason?"

"Jim, please..."

He pointed at me. "Don't you dare give me that look!"

I widened my eyes innocently. "What look?"

"The one that makes me feel like I just got caught killing kittens."

I laughed. Jimmy glared. "I'm serious, Jordan."

"Then just tell me why you're here," I said. "For fuck's sake, Jim, it's not that difficult."

"Okay, okay." Jimmy took a deep breath and let it out in a dramatic sigh. "I came to wish you a happy birthday."

I stared at him. "That's it?"

"Not exactly." He hesitated, his blue eyes locking with mine. "I wanted to give you your present in private."

"Um..." I glanced around. "Well, unless there are ninjas hiding in the closet, we're in private. What's my--?" I broke off with a shocked exclamation as Jimmy dove on me, tackling me back onto the bed. "Jimmy, you IDIOT!" I squealed, trying to shove him off of me.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" he sang happily, pinning my arms.

"You're an ass!" I snapped. "How is this a present? You do this every day!"

"There's an added bonus today," Jimmy said with a mischievous smirk that I totally didn't trust.

"James Owen Sullivan, what are you about to do?"

He shifted his grip, using one hand to hold both of my wrists above my head. With his free hand, he reached for the low neckline of my chemise.

"Jimmy!" I screeched.

"Oh yeah, I never would've gotten away with this if Gates was here." Jimmy plucked at the fabric as if he was going to tug it down.

"I swear to God, Jimmy--"

"If I let your hands go, do you promise not to hurt me?"

"Yeah, sure. I won't hurt you. I'm going to kill you."

"I'm serious, sunshine. Promise."

At his tone, I relaxed under him and nodded. "I promise."

He released my wrists and I lay still, curious. Suddenly, I felt something cold touch the skin above my chemise. Jimmy swept my hair away from my neck and I lifted my head just a little, feeling his fingers working between my neck and the mattress.

"There." He stood, pulling me up with him. He led me to the bathroom and flipped on the light before positioning me in front of the mirror.

A thin silver chain now encircled my neck. The charm was a tiny yellow-orange sun.

"I know your birthstone is emerald," Jimmy was saying as I touched the glittering charm. "But I thought a sun was appropriate since you're my sunshine, and that's real topaz."

I turned and threw my arms around him, tears stinging my eyes. "It's perfect, Jimmy. Thank you."

He hugged me tightly. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I drew back from him, wiping my eyes.

"Why don't you get a shower and I'll take you out for lunch," Jimmy suggested.

"Sounds good." I headed into the bedroom for a change of clothes. "Wait." I frowned. "Where's Bri?"

"Not here," Jimmy answered.

"Yeah, I got that. Where is he?"

"Don't worry about it. He's a big boy. He can take care of himself."

"He's out getting my gift," I guessed. "Isn't he?"

"No," Jimmy said, so obviously lying.

"Yes, he is!" I studied Jimmy's face and my eyes widened. "And you know what it is!"

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do!" I ran at Jimmy and jumped on him, forcing him to catch me. "Tell me!"

"I can't!"

"Tell me, tell me, tell me--"

"Brian would kill me!"

"--tell me, tell me, tell me--"

"Oh, my God! You are annoying!"

"--tell me, tell me, tell me--"

"How in the hell does Brian put up with you?"

I trailed off and looked at Jimmy with a wicked smile. "The sex makes it all worthwhile."

"Yeah? Well, I'm not fucking you. Therefore, I don't have to listen to this." He carried me to the bed and peeled me off of him, dropping me onto the wonderfully soft mattress. "You'd better be ready in an hour, or I'm going to eat without you."

I stuck my tongue out at him. He flipped me off and left the room. Humming, I picked out an outfit and went back into the bathroom, switching on the shower.

*****

Brian called Jimmy around two, instructing him to keep me busy all day, then meet everyone at my favorite seafood restaurant at six. Jimmy decided our time would best be spent at the water park in nearby Anaheim. So, at four-thirty, I trudged into the house where Brian and I lived, tired and knowing that I would wake up tomorrow with a mild sunburn.

I changed into a lightweight white dress with spaghetti straps and matching spike heels. Brian loved me in spike heels. He preferred me in only spike heels, but that was besides the point. I left my blond hair, streaked liberally with magenta, loose and only bothered with mascara and lip gloss. I completed the outfit with the necklace Jimmy had given me.

"You look gorgeous, sunshine," Jimmy said when I joined him in the front hall. "My offer still stands, you know. We can run away together, and no one will know until it's too late."

I rolled my eyes and shoved him towards the door. "Let's go. We're going to be late."

We made it to the restaurant by six-fifteen. Our friends were easy to find--the restaurant was crowded and noisy, but our friends were definitely the noisiest.

"Jordan!" Johnny jumped up and seized me in an exuberant hug. "Happy birthday!"

"Thank you, Johnny."

I plopped down in the empty chair to Brian's right; Jimmy sat between Johnny and Matt. "Hey, baby," Brian greeted, leaning over to give me a kiss.

I smiled. "Hey."

"Good day so far?"

"Exhausting day so far." I fixed him with a pointed glare. "Thank you so much for making me baby-sit the mad scientist."

Brian flashed me his most charming smile. "I got you a Long Island ice tea for your troubles."

"I'm going to need about ten of these," I said.

"Hey!" Jimmy protested. "I'm not that bad."

The table fell silent and no one seemed to want to look at Jimmy. Matt was staring at the tabletop, chewing on his lip to keep from laughing.

"Very funny," Jimmy said sourly.

"Focus, people!" Jason Berry exclaimed. "Today is not about Jimmy and his many, many flaws! Today is all about Jordan and her many, many attributes."

"Oh, Lord," Brian mumbled under his breath.

I grinned at him. "I like where this is going."

"I thought we'd successfully removed all the self-absorbed parts of her brain," Zacky stage-whispered to Matty Berry.

"Shut up, Zee," Jason said. "This is a toast. You'll get your turn in a minute." He turned back to me. "Jordan, you have beautiful eyes and lovely lips and a nice rack--"

"Jason," Brian groaned. "Please stop. I'm saying please."

Jason sighed. "Okay. But only because you said please."

"Aww!" I pouted playfully. "I was enjoying it."

"Later, I'll give you something you will enjoy much more," Brian said suggestively.

"Can we eat now?" I asked. "I mean, I'm guessing I have to wait until after dinner for my gifts, right?"

"Right," Matt confirmed.

"So feed me," I demanded. "I want my presents!"

We each ordered our favorite dish. We were regulars here and we always dealt with meals the same way--everyone ordered something different, then we all shared.

Talking and laughing, we ate dinner and dessert. I was enjoying a cup of coffee by the time Matt finished.

"Who wants to go first?" Zacky questioned of the table at large.

"I already gave her my gift," Jimmy said.

"I have to give her mine later," Matt said, immediately piquing my curiosity.

Zacky looked at Johnny. "You're up, man."

Johnny pushed a small box wrapped in pale pink paper towards me. "This is from me and the twins."

I tore off the paper and lifted the lid. Inside were two tickets to see G3 in Los Angeles next month. "Jesus, guys..."

"Don't say it," Jason cut in. "That's why we went in on the tickets together."

"Thank you," I said.

"My turn!" Zacky's green eyes glittered. "I am flying your parents out for a visit this weekend."

I reached over and squeezed his hand. This was a big deal. I hadn't seen my parents much after my first year of college; I'd had too much going on and too little money, and my dad had been working pretty much non-stop since NASA had started their new project. Mom had visited a few times, but seeing both of them for an entire weekend would be wonderful.

"Show off," Matty complained.

Zacky grinned.

"I love all of my gifts so far," I assured Matty. "You guys are amazing."

"Uh, Jordan?" Matt and Jimmy were both staring at Brian.

Brow furrowing, I followed their gazes. Brian was holding a small black velvet box, open to reveal a sparkling diamond ring with a white-gold band. It was simple and beautiful and perfect.

My jaw dropped. My shock was mirrored on the others' faces as well.

"I'm not one to make long, romantic speeches," Brian said, his eyes meeting mine. "I only know how to be honest. Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me and I love being with you. I love waking up next to you every morning and knowing that you'll be there when I get home every night. I love making you smile and hearing you laugh, and I love the way I feel when I'm with you. I don't want to give that up. I don't want to give you up." He licked his lips in a nervous gesture. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes," I answered once I found my voice. "Yes. Brian...Yes!"

He slid the ring on the third finger of my left hand, then pulled me to him for a long kiss. I smiled against his lips. This had been the best birthday ever.