Chocolate Eyes

Packing a five year old for a trip on an airplane to another state was nerve-wracking. They’d already done it once to send the boy to Oklahoma, but Brian had been there to help her, and this time they needed a lot more for the four day stay in a foreign state. The band had two days off in Florida and played two shows. That meant that Michelle and Evander would arrive on the day of the first show, and leave the day of the last, with two free days in the middle, spent at Disney for EJ’s birthday.

Not only was it EJ and Michelle however, but Valary and the rest of the Haner crew, except for Brent. Upon learning that Brian was taking EJ to Disney for his birthday, the rest of the family jumped on board and Brian Sr. booked the three of them flights and accommodations at the same Walt Disney lodge that Brian booked. It was the plan for Val to go with all along. She was dying to spend time with her husband as well.

They were leaving Friday morning and it was the first time EJ got to use one of his two free days. Brian contacted the school before hand, calling from Chicago to let them know that the boy wouldn’t be there. There was no school on Monday for Memorial Day, so there was no rush to get him back.

Michelle was practically losing her mind as she raced around the house trying to pack up everything they needed for the trip and put everything else away. EJ was sitting on the couch in the living room, playing a game on his iPod.

“E, did you set up your fish feeder?” Michelle asked as she passed. He’d been worried about leaving the little creatures for such a long time and demanded that they come with so that he could feed them on his schedule, but Michelle had quickly found a solution and bought him a machine that would disperse food for him everyday.

The boy climbed up from the couch and walked over to the tank. He’d managed to attach the machine to the top of the glass but hadn’t filled it with food. He stared at his fish, the ones that he’d named, and then fed them before adding the flakes to the feeding machine. “I’ll be back to feed you on Tuesday,” he said, putting the cap back up and sticking it back on the shelf, “You’ll be okay.”

He turned around to go back to the couch and stopped at the sight of his step-mother.

“Did you clean your room?” she asked, “I told you to when you got home from school.”

“I’m still playing with my army men,” he answered, turning towards the stairs, “But I picked everything else up.” He climbed the stairs and Michelle followed. They’d spent the afternoon packing the clothes that he was going to need. They’d been slow to get it done because he’d been indecisive on what he’d wanted to wear, but now the woman forced him to chose with her, and they were mostly done.

His suitcase sat on his bed and his floor was almost spotless. The only thing left out was four lines of plastic solders, each grouping of two pointing weapons at the other along the floor. EJ plopped down next to them.

“Did you find your sandals?” Michelle questioned, going to his closet to rifle through the piles of shoes he owned, “If you want to bring them with then you need to find them. This closet it too much of a mess for me to do all the work.”

Today he wore capris that were black and white with arrows on them. His shirt was a cut-off t’shirt and the name of a band EJ didn’t know was sprawled on the front.

Evander was gorgeous and Michelle had the most fun picking out his outfits. In dressing him, she got to pick his style, and while most of his clothes were edgier and more expensive than other little boys, she found that he still managed to find his own niche, despite the fact that a lot of clothes marketed for kids were the same.

She had taken him to multiple high-end children’s clothing stores in the time that Brian had been away. It was more fun for her than him, but he enjoyed the trips because Michelle was quick to buy him a new toy. He liked trying on the outfits with Michelle, she made it fun, and always had something excited to say about the way something looked or fit. Every time he put on something new she was more excited than before. He liked seeing her reactions.

A lot of the clothes that Michelle packed for his trip were new, and she pieced outfits together and matched them with the places he was going to wear them. EJ played with his soldiers while Michelle finished his suitcase, and then he crawled into his closet to find his buckled sandals.

Valary came over around five and brought dinner with. She was tugging along a suitcase and cheering like they were already on vacation and EJ grinned at her, standing back from the door as she came in. “There’s my little birthday boy,” she greeted, leaving her suitcase by the door as she rushed over and wrapped him up in her arms, “Are you ready to party, E? We’re going to have so much fun. You’ve never been to Florida, you’re going to love it.”

Michelle grinned at her sister. “Don’t crush him,” she muttered, “He wants to live long enough to turn five.”

“You’re just so big,” Val muttered, although she’d just seen him two days ago, “and I’m so excited to go to Disney with you.”

“Me too,” EJ said, and then his attention turned to the bag that was making him hungry.

Val realized and grinned at him. “You little traitor,” she said, giving him the stink-eye, “You only love me for my food.” She rounded back to her things and grabbed the take-out bag. She rolled her suitcase so it was sitting nicely along the wall and then carried the food over EJ’s head.

The boy and Michelle followed her to the kitchen table. “What is it?” he asked as he climbed into his usual seat and peered at the nondescript plastic bag. Whatever it was smelt really good.

“Indian food,” Val answered easily. She pulled the bowls out and set them down. The boy peered through the clear plastic lids and tried to figure out exactly what Indian food was, but he couldn’t get any clues. “I got you Chicken Tikka Masala,” Val explained to him as she set it down and opened the container, “It’s basically just chicken and rice.”

EJ pointed at the triangular square of flattened bread next to his plate. “What’s that?”

“It’s called Naan, it’s like quesadilla bread,” Val answered, “Stick some of your chicken on it.” She doled out her meal and her sisters and the three of them sat around the table. EJ was hesitant at first, but his food looked harmless and he actually really enjoyed it. He ended up tearing his flatbread into pieces and tossing it in the chicken and rice like soup.

Michelle saved the rest of it for him to eat for breakfast if he wanted it.

“Where’s my dad?” EJ asked when the women were finishing up their own meals, “Do you think he’s in Florida yet?”

“He said he’d call when he got there,” Michelle answered, knowing that there would also be a sound check between then and now, “He’ll call you tonight, EJ, but he’s probably waiting for you to get your homework done.”

“He doesn’t know if it’s not done,” EJ answered stubbornly, “and I don’t wanna do it. It’s my birthday.”

“Your birthday isn’t until Saturday,” Val answered quickly, “And today is Thursday, so you better get your little butt upstairs and get your backpack so we can get this done before your birthday weekend celebration.” She rushed him quickly and tickled his sides. He bursts into giggles and almost fell backwards out of his seat trying to get away.

EJ slid from the chair and quickly got to his feet. He darted out of the living room and up the stairs. There was a lot to do before they could leave in the morning, but none of it really felt like work.

Val grinned at her sister as they waited for him to come back. “Being around him makes me super excited to have this baby,” she said honestly. “Every moment makes it harder to wait.”

“He’s definitely grown on me,” Michelle said softly, “I didn’t know that I would care this much about him.”

“He’s a good boy,” Val answered, “It’d be impossible not to love him. He makes me want a boy rather than a girl.”

Michelle was surprised by the admonition. “Really? I thought you were undecided about what you wanted?”

“I see a lot of Brian in EJ,” she answered, turning to face her sister, “and I want that same thing in my child. If we have a boy, he’ll be a tiny version of Matt, and I would adore waking up to them both. A little girl would be lovely too, but I want another Matt more than I want another version of myself.”

Michelle didn’t have much of a response for her sister. Valary had never been one to have preferences. She always said she would be happy with whatever child she ended up with. Either way, the baby would be an accumulation of her and Matt. But the closer she got to EJ, the more she wanted one of her own.

While Michelle took a moment to get herself ready for the trip tomorrow, Val sat in the kitchen and helped EJ with his homework. It was a flash forward to what her life would be in five years and she enjoyed their time together. They were interrupted by the phone ringing and EJ practically threw himself onto the counter to answer. He spent a half hour talking with his dad. The two of them were equally excited about being reunited and EJ sat on the counter and leaned back against the wall the entire time.

After packing and taking a bath, Michelle came down and pried the phone from EJ so she could have a moment to talk to Brian. EJ listened intently to her end of the conversation and he knew what was coming when her eyes landed on him.

Michelle handed the phone back so Brian could say goodnight to his son, and then Michelle took him upstairs and bathed him, hoping it would subdue him. The boy changed into pajamas and claimed that he was too excited to go to sleep, but Michelle bribed him with the idea that tomorrow would come sooner if he closed his eyes and slept through the time.

Val slept in the guest room and Michelle climbed into the bed that she usually shared with Brian. Tomorrow they’d be flying across the country to be reunited with their families, and the ladies were just as excited as Evander was.

~

The morning couldn’t have come soon enough. Their flight was set to leave at eight and it would take almost seven hours to get there. This was much longer than EJ’s previous flight and Michelle was only slightly worried. Luckily, it was nonstop to Tampa rather than connecting, and first class. Michelle shouted off things off her check list and Valary shouted back the response. EJ sat in the living room, holding onto his carry on bag, and watched the identical women bring all the bags downstairs.

It was a 50 minute drive to the airport and EJ wasn’t even fully awake, so Michelle hoped that he would sleep all the way there. They were set to pick up Brian Sr., Suzy, and McKenna and they would all drive in together in Brian’s car. They were parking it at airport while they were gone so they would have some way of getting home when they came back.

Michelle checked the traffic report before they left and almost let off a slew of curses in front of EJ. It was reported that the ride would take over an hour because of an accident, and Michelle flew into overdrive.

“We’ve got to go!” she shouted, “We don’t have time to dillydally. We’ve got to get everyone else and get going.” She spun around quickly looking for Evander. She spotted him on the couch and hurried over to pick him up. “Lets go, birthday boy. Time to get you in the car.” She threw open the front door and carried him. Val was still inside trying to get the last of their bags together. Michelle buckled him into his carseat harness and left his door open. She opened the trunk and threw his bag inside.

Val came out the front door with a rolling suitcase in each hand. “Don’t forget your purse,” she said to her sister as she passed her, “And EJ’s suitcase is by the couch. Did you grab his bag?”

“In the back,” ‘Chelle answered, “Did you grab the snacks?”

Valary held up another bag and Michelle headed into the house. Valary slid both of the adults’ suitcases into the back and moved EJ’s small carry on. She rifled through it and grabbed his iPod out and then stuck it back in place. She handed him the little machine and offered him a smile before pushing the back door shut.

Michelle came out with EJ’s full suitcase and locked the front door. She had her purse on her arm and Val’s, and made sure the door was locked before heading to the blonde duo. Val walked around to the passenger’s side of the car and got in as her sister got into the driver’s.

It was a fast drive to the other Haner residence and Michelle pulled into the driveway. Both sisters got out to greet the family members and Michelle lifted EJ out as well, even though they were all going to be getting right back in. The front door opened and Mckenna stepped out, her purple hair dark at the roots and chopped short around her face. She carried a large backpack and grinned at the trio.

“EJ,” she greeted as he turned and followed her back to the trunk of the car so she could load her bag in. She opened the door and it rose up, “Happy birthday.”

“It’s tomorrow,” he answered since Valary had corrected him once already.

“I’m glad we’re coming,” she said sneakily, “I got to skip school today too because of this.” She held her hand up and the little boy high-fived her, grinning.

Brian and Suzy came walking back out with Michelle and their bags and they called for their grandson to come say hello. EJ hopped across the driveway and ran into Papa, wrapping his arms around his waist. Brian let go of his suitcase and hugged his grandson back.

“Are you excited?” he asked, although it was obvious, “We’re going to have tons of fun.” He lifted the boy into his arms and grabbed the handle of the suitcase with his free hand. Brian leaned towards Suzy so the woman could kiss the boy hello and the three of them went back to the vehicle.

Brian Sr. set him down long enough to load his things into the backseat and then turned his attention back to the child. Michelle and Val were double checking for plane tickets and boarding times.

“Suzy or Brian, one of you can sit up front,” Valary said as she walked around to their side of the car. The vehicle had three rows of seating and she would be content anywhere during the hour long ride.

“No, no,” Suzy denied instantly, “You’re the one who’s pregnant, you should be comfortable.”

McKenna spun around and stared at her sister-in-law’s sister. “Nobody told me you’re pregnant,” she said loudly, stepping away from her parents and nephew to wrap her arms around the woman, “Oh my gosh, our first Avenged baby.”

Everyone pretended that they didn’t hear that. It just slipped out and McKenna didn’t mean anything by it, but the truth was, this baby would be the first from the Avenged Sevenfold group. EJ was Brian’s, but he happened outside of the iconic group. He was an outlier, the first child born to one of the musicians, but not the first to come from one of the duos.

They loaded everyone into the car and it ended up with Michelle driving and Val next to her. Behind them was EJ’s carseat with him in it and Mckenna next to him. Brian and Suzy were in the far back, claiming the three-seat bench for themselves.

Michelle backed out of the driveway and the six off them headed off towards the airport in Los Angeles, and ultimately in the direction of Florida and the men who’d spent the last two months touring the country and playing music.