Chapter 6 – Part of the Band
POV: Emmett
Set List: All AVENGED SEVENFOLD Songs
-A Little Piece of Heaven
-Beast and the Harlot
-Eternal Rest
-Dear God
-Not Ready to Die
-Save Me
-Welcome to the Family
-Afterlife
-Scream
-Unholy Confessions
-So Far Away
-Almost Easy
-Nightmare
-Bat Country
-Buried Alive
-I Won't See You Tonight Part 1&2
-Lost
I woke up early the next morning before the alarm sounded. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and looked down at Rosalie. She was curled up beside me with her head lying on my chest. The best thing in the world was beside me. A smile crept up on my face as I looked at her. She's all yours bro. The voice in my head said. Now that I can agree with. My thoughts ran and visions of last night played in my mind.
When Rose told me that she could play A7X's Afterlife I will admit, I didn't believe her. But, after seeing her play the beginning of the song, I started to change my mind. I had never seen a girl play any of Avenged Sevenfold's songs. So that was a first for me. After watching her for a little bit from behind my desk I decided to play with her. I know I surprised her when I started to play drums, but it just felt right. Plus I had to kind of get my mind off watching her play with only my shirt on. She did look really hot. Good thing no one else is going to see her like that. I would have to kill someone, and I would in a heartbeat.
I glanced at the clock to see what time it was. Surprisingly it was 6am. Class starts at 7:45, so we had time. I decided to make breakfast, only thing is what to make? I slowly moved Rose off me, and tried not to wake her. Which, I think I did a good job. I picked up my shirt off the floor beside the bed, gave one last look at Rose sleeping as a smile crept across my face again, and headed to the kitchen. After going through all the cabinets and fridge, I decided on French toast, bacon, and fruit salad that I had made a few days ago. After getting everything done, I was setting it on the table when Rose walked in. She was once again wearing only my shirt, which she looked hot in. I glanced at the clock on the stove, 6:30.
"Morning." She said pulling her hair up into the messy buns that she must love.
"Mornin' babe. Sleep well?" I asked grabbing two glasses out of the cabinet.
"Very good. You?" She said taking a seat at the island.
"Same. Hungry?"
"Yeah. Did you cook?"
"Yes ma'am. You like French toast?" I asked opening the fridge.
"Yeah."
"Good." I grabbed the orange juice and walked over to the island. "What you want to drink?"
"Juice is good." I poured a glass for her and one for me. "Thank you."
"Welcome. I might have made too much. So you can get what you want." I said handing her a plate.
After loading up we sat and started to eat.
"I really don't want to go to school today." She said looking at me while grabbing her glass.
"Why not?"
"Cause I have a feeling something is going to happen. I don't want to be there when it does."
"What do you mean 'you have a feeling'?"
"Every once in a while, when something bad is going to happen, I just have a feeling of it. And try to avoid it."
My cell started to go off not even a minute after Rosalie stopped talking. I jumped up and made my way to the other counter where I had laid it. I saw that it was Alice so I answered it.
"Alice?"
"Emmett? Are you okay?"
"Yeah. What's wrong? You never call this early." I stated walking back to my seat.
"I just had a vision. I was wanting to make sure you were okay."
"What happened in the vision?"
"Someone cut the brake lines on the Hummer and you wrecked it. It was bad Emmett. Rose was with you. So it had to be on the way home from school or something."
I looked over at Rose with quite a shocked face I guess. She was still eating but looking at me.
"What?" She asked.
"Ummm….Alice had a vision." I said kind of dumbfounded and still holding onto the phone.
"What did she see?"
"The Hummer wreaking."
She dropped her fork full of food that was midway to her mouth. "Do what?"
"She saw me in the Hummer when it wrecked….you were with me Rose."
"Did she see why it wrecked?"
"Someone cut the brake lines. She didn't see who though."
Rose was in another world. Silence then…"Royce." She said looking at me.
"What about him?"
"Do you not remember me telling you that he would stop at nothing to make sure the person causing him harm wouldn't anymore? I'm telling you in Alice's vision it was Royce or one of his friends that cut the lines. This has to be the feeling that I didn't like Emmett."
"What is she talking about Emmett?" Alice asked from the other side of the phone.
"Rose said right before you called that she didn't want to go to school because she had a feeling something was going to happen. We think this is the feeling she was having."
"That must be what it was then." Alice said. "If you want I could see if Carlisle will write both of you a doctor's note for the next couple of days. We can see if Royce or any of his friends are sneaking around the school. Keep tabs on them. If you want to that is."
"Yeah I think that would be good. Thanks Alice. Have Carlisle fax them over to the house. I'll call the school and let them know."
"Will do. Keep her safe Emmett."
"Will do….and thanks Alice. I really do owe you."
"That you do. I'll cash in later. After we know what's going on."
"Okay. Talk later. Bye."
"Bye."
The line dropped so I know Alice hung up. I looked over at Rose to see her just looking at me, like she was trying to take everything in.
"So….what's going on?" She asked.
"Well…we aren't going to school for a few days. Just until we know what is going on with Royce and his boys."
"Emmett, I can't just skip school." Her voice raised a couple of octaves , because she was pissed.
"Baby we're not skipping. Carlisle is going to write us a doctor's note."
"Oh!...so we're skipping but not skipping."
"You could say that. The fax should be here by now. I'll check real fast. You finish eating."
"Kay. I'm on a se-food diet anyways."
"What's that suppose to mean?" I said leaning back in the chair and crossing my arms over my chest.
"Se-food diet. I SEE food and I eat it." She laughed and popped a strawberry in her mouth.
"You're not right woman." I shook my head and got up to head to the library.
"NEVER SAID I WAS!" Rose yelled from the kitchen.
I laughed and walked through the library door. Sure enough there were two papers on the fax machine. One was my note the other was hers. Apparently we had the note for two weeks off because of the flu. Good thinking Carlisle. I went ahead and called the school to let them know Rosalie and I had 'the flu'. Ms. Turner answered the phone.
"Forks High School. This is Nancy, how can I help you?"
I had to put on the 'sick voice'. *cough* "Hi Ms. Turner it's Emmett McCarty."
"Oh yes. What can I do for you Emmett?"
"I was just calling to let you know I have the flu." *cough* "My parents would have called but they're out of town at the moment. I've got a doctor's note. Do I need to bring it to you?"
"Oh dear. No Emmett you stay home. Just bring the note when you get better. Okay?"
"Yes ma'am. I think Rosalie Hale has it too. She called me this morning and said she went to the doctor yesterday." *cough* "They gave her a note also…I think."
"Oh my. I haven't heard anything from Rosalie's father though."
"He's out of country in Rome for business. He's been gone for about a week and should be back the within the next few weeks I think."
"Well do take care of her Emmett. I knew her mother very well. So I think that she would want you to keep an eye on her when her father isn't home."
"Yes ma'am. Would you have our teachers get our missed assignments together please? We will get them when we get over this." *cough*
"Of course. Just make sure you bring the note when you come back. I hope you both feel better real soon hun."
"Thank you Ms. Turner."
"Your welcome hun. Now go lie down and drink plenty of fluids."
"Yes ma'am. Do I need to have Rosalie call?"
"No. Let her sleep and get better. Just tell her to bring her note when she comes back."
"Okay."
"Alrighty. Bye bye."
"Bye."
I hung the phone up and walked back out towards the kitchen. Rose had cleaned everything up and was washing the dishes. I wonder what she would do if I snuck up behind her? Being that I was a vampire, I was able to be silent as a ghost but have speed. Within the blink of an eye I was behind her, and wrapping my arms around her waist. Of course she jumped, while throwing soapy water everywhere.
"What tha fu…Emmett!"
I couldn't help but laugh at her. "Yes honey." I said nuzzling my nose against her neck.
"Why did you do that? You almost gave me a heart attack."
"I'm sorry." I stated while planting a kiss on the side of her neck. "Forgive me?"
Sliding my tongue out to taste her, she relaxed some.
"Maybe…" was all she could say.
As I started to suck, all she could do was lean all the way against my chest. Tilting her head to the right, she gave me better access.
I stopped for a brief second. "Forgiven?" Then another kiss to the neck.
"Yes."
"Good. Time to get ready." I said letting go of her and moving.
"Where are we going?" She spat out while turning to look at me. Good gosh she's got a bunch of questions.
"Well…we have two weeks to do whatever…and that means we can do ANYTHING." I gave her a wink then walked to the bedroom.
Rose followed and sat on the bed. "When you say anything….do you really mean ANYTHING?"
I laid down on the bed beside her. "Yes. Do you not realize how much money I have?"
"Not really."
"Babe it's nothing for me to just wake up one morning and say 'I gonna go to Paris' or 'I wanna go to Rome'. Not to mention that I've been on this earth for over a hundred years. Trust me I have money…and I want you to help me blow some of it."
"You shouldn't have said that."
"You're right. You rack up a bill." I stated with a smile quoting her words.
"That's not very nice. But you did tell me to go crazy. Which I kinda did."
"I don't think so."
"Well for that I wanna see Avenged Sevenfold, Papa Roach, Seether, Three Days Grace, Five Finger Death Punch, Theory of a Deadman, and My Darkest Days. All front row seats."
"Okay."
Rose looked at me dumbfounded. "Okay? That's all you're going to say is okay?"
"Well yeah. Like I said I want you to help me blow some of it. Is that all you want to do?"
"I don't know. I would like to travel. But that can wait."
"Tell you what. For each holiday I will take you somewhere you want to go."
"You're not doing that."
"Yes I am. Argument settled. No more talk about it."
"Whatever." There went the eye rolling.
"Don't roll your eyes at me."
"Why not? Don't like it."
"It turns me on and pisses me off at the same time."
"What you gonna do about it big man?"
I had her pinned to the bed in a millisecond. Her legs were spread apart with my hips between them. I already had an erection that was throbbing. She really didn't know how bad I wanted her until now. I pushed my hips against her.
"Rose…"
Her head was tilted back a little with her eyes closed. "What?"
"Look at me." Which she did.
"You shouldn't do that." Did she really say that to me? I'm suppose to say that to her.
"And why not?" I said looking down at her. Arms above her head, chest moving a little faster taking in air. I could feel her pulse rising. She moved her hips in a circle and pushed against me. Dear God. This girl is going to be the death of me. "Why shouldn't I do that?" I asked again still looking down at her.
"Cause you're going to make me break."
I just looked at her. Did she really just say that? "I'm going to make you break?"
"Yes Emmett. You are."
"How?" I was confused. She was suppose to make be break, not the other way around.
"You know I've never had sex."
"You're a virgin?" Rose nods and flushes pink. "Why the fuck didn't you tell me?"
I let go of her, jumped off the bed and started to walk out but stopped. I will admit I was a little pissed. I knew that she didn't want to have sex with Royce but I thought that she would have at least done something. Most girls around her age now days have already had sex. I turned around when she started to talk.
"The subject never came up. Plus, I'm not in the habit of revealing my sexual status to ev eryone I meet." Rose said sitting up straight on her knees.
"Understandable. Will you let me change it though?"
"What do you mean?"
"Can I make love you to Rose?"
"Yes."
POV: Rosalie
"Yes." It was only a whisper but I knew Emmett could hear me. The smile he gave was one of victory. The dimples I had fell in love with showing.
He starts to stroll slowly towards me. Confident, golden eyes blazing, and sexy with just his shorts on, my heart swells and starts to pound. Just like mere moments ago. The desire is back, thick and hot in my belly. When he gets in front of me, he just stands there, staring at me. God, he's so hot.
"Do you know how much I want you?" He said while sliding his thumb from my cheek to the point of my chin.
My breath hitches and I can't speak. I just shake my head no. Both of his hands are in my hair, grasping each side of my head and pulling me to him. His kiss is demanding, his tongue and lips coaxing mine. I moan, and my tongue meets his. He puts his arms around me and hauls me up against his body, squeezing me tightly. My arms snake around his neck as his hands travel down my spine to my waist and down to my behind. His hands flex over my backside and squeeze gently. He holds me against his hips, and I feel his erection, which he pushes into me.
I moan once again into his mouth. I can hardly contain the riotous feelings or is it hormones that rampage through my body. I want him so badly. Gripping his upper arms, I feel his biceps. He really is muscular. Slowly I move my hands back up to his hair and give him a slight tug. Which, of course I get a groan for. Like lightening, our clothes are off and I'm lying on the bed.
He leans down over me and, grasping each of my ankles, quickly jerks my legs apart and crawls onto the bed between my legs. He hovers over me, while I am squirming with need under him.
"Please Emmett." I said gazing at him. I needed to feel him inside me.
"Calm down baby. All in good time."
He pushed one of his fingers inside me, and I cry out as he does it again and again. He palms my clit, and I cry out once more. He pushes inside me harder and harder still. I moan.
"I can't take this any more. Pull your knees up." He says and with quickness I obey. He positions the head of his erection at the entrance of my sex, and slams into me.
"Oh God!" I cry out as a pinching sensation starts to form. This is it. You're not a virgin any more after this. Emmett stills and looks down at me. His breathing as raged as mine.
"You're so tight. Baby, you okay?"
I nod and smile at him. Grabbing onto his forearms, he stays still. After a minute or so, I'm use to the felling of him inside me and the feeling of being full.
"Ready?" he breathes while looking down at me. I couldn't say anything but nodded. He was already easing back with slowness. His eyes closed while pulling back. Then a second time of thrusting then stills.
I can't take my eyes off him. "More?" he asks.
"Yes." I all but beg.
He moves, but this time he doesn't stop. He shifts onto his elbows so I can feel his weight on me, holding me down. He moves slowly at first, easing himself in and out of me. I grow accustomed to the alien feeling, my hips move tentatively to meet his. He speeds up, I moan, and he pounds on, picking up speed. All the while I moan from pleasure. He kisses me hard, tongues moving against each other. I start to feel something build up deep inside me. The buildup continues as I start bow off the bed. A sheen of sweat forms over my body and I stiffen some. Does it always feel this good? I hope so. All I can think about is the feeling Emmett was having on me. Only me…only him…only this moment. I stiffen more and Emmett must know what is going to happen.
"Come for me Rose. Just let go." The thrusts continue. Both of us breathing hard, I tighten around him, throw my head back with eyes closed and groan as I shatter around him. With one last thrust, Emmett stills and spills himself inside me. Cursing as he does.
My body feeling heavy, I fall to the bed. With stars in my vision, and with some effort, I pull Emmett down and take his lips with mine. He rolls us onto our sides without breaking the kiss or coming out of me. Finally I break the kiss and look at him.
"I didn't think it was going to be that good." I said.
"Neither did I." silence then "You're not a virgin anymore." He said with a laugh.
"I know….thank you I guess." I laughed and gave him a kiss.
"You're welcome. Just don't go telling everyone I popped your cherry. Kay?"
"If anyone finds out it's going to be Alice. But, I'm not going to say anything."
"Good. Shower then get ready so we can leave." He said getting off the bed.
"Umm….Em."
He turns and looks at me. "Yeah babe."
"I don't think I can move."
He laughs, "You're just sore. Come on."
POV: Emmett
I picked Rose up with no effort and carried her bridal style into the bathroom. I sat her on the edge of the tub and started the water to the shower. Carrying her back under the water I sat her feet down on the tile and held her. With the warm water falling over us, I ran small circles up and down her spine. Her arms were around my neck, head on my chest and pressed all the way against me.
"God that feels good."
"Uh huh…so Avenged Sevenfold?"
She looked up at me. "Huh?"
"You said you wanted to go see Avenged Sevenfold. Are you for real?"
"Yes. I can get us backstage too."
"Now how do you plan on doing that? Sleeping with the band? I don't think so. I will kill every one of them."
"Calm down. All I have to do is call my cousin."
"And who is this cousin we're talking about."
"Synyster Gates."
She's got to be kidding. "You've got to be kidding me."
"No. Why?"
"You're cousin is Gates?"
"Yes…why do you think I got into the guitar in the first place?"
"I have no idea."
"Yup. I haven't seen him in a while. We use to see each other almost every day, and he would teach me. Then they got real big and went on tour. I talk to him every now and again."
"How are you related to him?"
"His mom is my mom's sister."
"Cool. When we get done Call him."
"Okay."
I grabbed her vanilla shampoo and handed it to her, then grabbed mine. No way was I going to smell all girly. After twenty minutes or so in the shower, the water was cut off and I was grabbing the towels. While Rose was still drying off I ran to the bedroom and got her phone. I had to see if she was lying or what. But, I highly doubt that she was. I was back in less than four seconds, handing the phone to her.
"Lord you really want to see this don't you?" still wrapping the towel around her.
"Yeah. Now call him. And put it on speaker."
"Okay. Okay. Keep your pants on." She said taking the phone from me.
"Not wearing pants babe." I said with a laugh.
She messed with the phone for a minute, and put it on speaker. Let the ringing and waiting commence. On the third ring someone answered.
"Hello?" It was a deep voice, so you know it had to be a guy.
"Sup cuz?" Rose said sitting down on the edge of the tub.
"Ro?"
"Yeah."
"What number are you calling from?"
"New phone. I sent you a text didn't you get it?"
"No. Good thing you called."
"Yeah. What you doing?"
"On the bus headed up towards you a bit."
"Oh sweet! You gonna be here tonight?"
"Yeah playin a gig at the Amphitheater. Should be there in about..." yelling at someone.
"Shadows!"
"Yo."
" How long til we get there?"
"Bout two hours."
"Should be about two hours I guess."
"Cool. Can I talk to Matt for a minute?"
"Yeah hold up." More yelling.
"Shadows!"
"What?"
"Phone."
You could hear the phone switching hands and another male voice could be heard through the phone.
"Yello!"
"Hey bro!"
"Rose?"
"Yeah."
"Hey babe. What you doing?"
"Nuttin, Syn was telling me yall are coming up this way."
"Yeah. Why? Wantin to see us?"
"Yeah aint seen you guys since the last time you came into town. Daddy's gone and I wanna see my family."
"You coming alone?"
"No my boyfriend is coming with me."
"It aint that Royce guy it was last time is it?"
"No he's gone."
"Good. Next time I see him, he's gonna have hell from this family."
"I know. That's why I love you guys."
"We love you too. Be careful coming down."
"Okay."
"I'll leave the passes at the back entrance and tell em you're coming."
"Kay. Tell Syn I got Afterlife down now."
"Sweet. Bet you aint as good as your cuz though."
"Remember who's the one that taught me to play Matt."
"True. We might have to put you to the test tonight?"
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"You'll see. So who's this guy you're dating now if it's not Royce?"
"This guy named Emmett. You'll meet him tonight. He's a really big fan of yall."
"Really?"
"Yeah. So far from what I have seen he can play pretty much all of yalls songs. He didn't believe me when I told him I could play Afterlife."
"What do you mean when you say 'he can play all yalls songs'?"
"He's a drummer. He's almost as good as Rev."
"We'll see."
"Again what is that suppose to mean?"
"Not telling. It's a surprise."
"Whatever. I've got to go do some stuff. What time should I come down there?"
"Show starts around eight. Be here by seven."
"Kay. See you then. Love yall."
"Love you too Ro. Bye."
"Bye."
Then the line was dead. Rose looked up at me then. "Well….believe me now?"
"Yes. Royce went with you last time you saw them?"
"Yeah. Big mistake."
"Why?"
"Not going there. Matt and Syn didn't like him. They said if anything happened to let them know and I did."
"Well at least I'm not the only one that wants to kill him."
"Yup. Their family. Well not all by blood. Syn is. But when they were practicing I was always there with them. My mom was okay with it but she didn't really like the way they sounded. Me on the other hand, I loved it. Matt would always kid around with me and stick up for me like I was his younger sister. That's why I called him bro. Cause he pretty much is my big brother."
"So…he's just a brother to you. Nothing else?"
"Emmett! I will admit when I was a younger I had a crush on him. But, I got out of that."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes honey. I'm sure. Let's get dressed."
We decided to chill around the house until time to get ready. So TV and playing around in the studio it was. When four o'clock rolled around we started to get ready. It would take about an hour and a half to get down there, and another hour or so to get through traffic. I decided on something that I would've worn to school. Dark washed baggy blue jeans, a 'Tales from the Crypt' black shirt with the Crypt Keeper on it. Then as always the green and white DCs, dad's old wedding band, A7X dog tag, black and blue pyramid belt and simple white gold watch with black face. I walked out of the closet to see Rose looking in the mirror. She looked really good.
The light washed blue jeans looked good on her. They were patched up with a hole on the right knee, and another starting to form on the left. They flared at the leg with a darker blue triangle that went from the knee down to her foot, making the flare bigger. The corset she wore was doing its job very well, from what I could see in the mirror. The black with silver pin stripped, ribbon crisscross in front and on the sides, looked very good on her also. The three line pyramid, rainbow colored with a zebra pattern belt, was already around her hips and through the loops on the jeans. From what I could see the three earring holes in her ears were filled with studs, except for the very bottom one. The top one was just a black looking pearl, the second was a medium purple color, and the last was zebra print tear drop shaped that dangled. Her hair was pulled back from the front and bobby pined in the back. Yet, the waves still fell down to the middle of her back. She had painted her nails the same medium purple to match everything else. The purple rectangular ring her father got her on her birthday was on her right ring finger. With another round purple stoned one on her middle finger with the left hand. She had the smokey eye shadow, like she always does. Only difference this time was that her lids were purple with black and silver, instead of the black and brown she usually did. The black hemp and dark purple bead bracelet was on her left wrist, while another continuous loop bracelet was on her right. The one on her right was a mixture of light purple all the way to dark purple beads. Black sunglasses with purple lenses, was on top of her head. Along with the Open Hearts necklace I got her around her neck. Finally she saw me looking at her.
"What?" she asked looking at me through the mirror.
"Nuttin. Just seeing how good you look." I stated while crossing my arms over my chest and leaning against the wall.
"Well thank you. You look good too."
She pulled her hair together and to the side then I saw it. The death bat that I have on my dog tag, it was between her shoulder blades.
"Rose!"
"What?" she said once again looking at me.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a tattoo?"
"Cause not many people know about it. I would have let you known sooner or later."
"When and where did you get that?"
"Last year. This guy's brother did it for my birthday. Looks good don't it?" The smile growing on her face.
"Well yeah but did he know you wasn't eighteen?"
"Don't know. But oh well."
"Rose. I should kick your butt right now."
"But you won't."
"True. What made you get the death bat anyways?"
"Cause their my family Emmett. When daddy's gone all I have to do is remember that I have this and that they are with me."
"Okay. Does Matt and Syn know you got that?"
She didn't say nothing but looked down at the counter. "No."
"Well they are going to find out tonight." I said walking towards her.
She turned around and looked at me. "They won't do anything though. Might get a little pissed, but they can't say nothing to me. Syn was around my age when he got his first one."
"Oh well….just let me know the next time that you want one. Kay?"
"Yup. I was wanting a couple more but not sure yet of where I want them."
"We'll see. We need to go before we get stuck in traffic."
"Kay. I just have to put my shoes on."
"Hurry up." I said walking out to the kitchen.
I grabbed the cell phone off the charger and two cokes out of the fridge. I turned around when I heard heels clicking on the tile floor. "We good now?"
"Yeah." She said pulling the purse up on her shoulder. "Can we take the Mustang?"
"How did you know I had a Mustang?"
"I saw it when we were in the garage."
"I guess." I pulled the keys for the 2013 Mustang Shelby GT500 off the hook on the wall. "Alright come on." I said walking out to the garage.
"Can I drive?" Rose asked when we got to the car.
"Babe…for real?"
"Yeah."
"I guess. But if you wreck her Imma be one pissed off person."
"I'm not gonna wreck her."
I handed her the keys and jumped into the passenger seat. Within minutes we were out of the garage and headed down the road to the Amphitheater. It's a good thing we left when we did. Traffic down here was crazy. It was already dark which made it that much worse. We actually got around to the back and parked right beside of the bus. When we got out the first thing Rose did was put her purse in the trunk and locked up.
"Good job. You didn't wreck her or get us killed." I said taking her hand and the keys away from her.
"I'm good at handling cars Emmett." She said while we walked up to the back door. The security guard stared us down the entire time we were walking.
The six foot two white guy in his thirties looked at us. Like he could really do something to us. When we got to the door he spoke.
"Can I help you?" His deep voice all serious, and the shades he wore to keep his bluff.
"Yeah" Rose started, "M. Shadows is expecting us. My names Rosalie Hale."
"Yes ma'am. He did say something about you coming by." He pulled two VIP passes out of his back pocket and handed them to me and Emmett. "Put these on and follow me."
We did as he said and followed him through the door. After a couple long hallways, and a few turns we were at the bands dressing room. The guy knocked and Matt answered the door.
"Miss Hale sir."
"Thanks Mike. We're good here."
Mike just nodded and headed back to his post I guess. When I looked back Rose was giving Matt a hug.
"Missed you bro."
"Missed you too. How you been?"
"Good." The hug stopped but she still had her arm around his waist. "Matt this is Emmett. My boyfriend."
"Nice to meet you." I said holding my hand out to him. Which he took.
"You too man. Come on."
We walked into the room and I was surprised to see all the band members around. The only one that wasn't there was Rev. I knew that he had died, which I hated and I knew everyone here did too. So the new drummer was here with them. Rose gave hugs to everyone there, including a kiss to her cousin Syn. It was kind of weird that I was here. This was Rose's family and I was actually meeting the members to one of my favorite bands. She introduced me to everyone there, including Matt's wife.
"So what's this surprise that you were talking about?" Rose asked Matt while sitting on my lap.
"You know how we always have someone from the crowd come up and play with us?"
"Yeah."
"Well this time we're gonna let you and Emmett play."
"Do what?"
"Yeah. We thought that it would be cool if you played with us. I mean you are family for one. Plus, we want to see how good you are compared to Syn. And…." Matt looked at me. "We want to really see how good Em is compared to Rev."
"Well thanks…." I started, "but I'm not sure I can be compared to Rev. No one was, or ever will be like him."
"That's true. But, I think he would want you to try. I know he's watching us every time we do a show, and keeping us safe. So let's make him proud tonight. What you say?"
Rose looked back at me. "What you say baby?"
"I guess. I mean…I'd like to. That is if you want to?"
"This would be the first time I've ever got to play with my family baby. Of course I want to. I hardly get to see them. Plus I've got to show Syn how good his lessons have paid off." She said and looked at Syn with a smile, then looked back at me. "Plus this would be one of the best birthday presents I've ever had. Besides the tattoo that is."
Oh God! Did she really just say that? Here we go. Let the cussing and fighting start.
"Ro what did you just say?" Syn asked wide eyed.
"I said this would be one of the best birthday presents I've gotten. Besides the tattoo I have."
"When did you get a fucking tattoo?"
"Last year."
"Of what?"
"Just show them baby." I said pushing her off me .
She pulled her hair together and to the side the same way she did the first time I saw it. After turning around everyone got up and looked at it.
"Why did you get our logo Rose?" Syn asked a little pissed off.
"It's a reminder that even though when daddy and yall aren't around, I know yall are with me." She turned around and faced them. "I did it cause yall are more of my family than anyone around."
"Ro," Matt started. "you know that isn't true. You have all your friends. Even though they aren't blood, their your family too. Just like us. We're not blood, but we're family."
"Look. I know you're pissed at me. But I did it to remind me of yall…and…for Rev. I miss him guys."
Matt and Syn pulled her to them into a hug. "We miss him too Ro." Matt said.
"Rose I'm not pissed at you. Well I am a little, but I'm glad you did it." Syn said with a smile. "Does your dad know you got that?"
"No. And I don't want him to know yet. Please don't tell him." She said looking up at Syn with tears in her eyes.
Syn wiped them away with his thumb and just looked at her. "You know he's going to shit bricks when he sees it."
"Yeah."
"And if your momma knew….which I'm pretty sure she does…she would kill you too."
She laughed. "Yeah."
"But…I'm not going to call and tell him. This is for you to do. You do stuff and then sometimes you regret them. But, I don't think you will regret this."
"I know I don't. And I won't either."
"Good."
"So…yall aint gonna kill me….right? Cause I think that would mess your surprise up for everyone. And you wouldn't get to hear me play."
"No smart ass. We're not gonna kill you….this time." Matt said with a chuckle.
"Alright guys time to start the show." Zacky said smacking his hands together.
"Let's do this. You ready?" Matt asked looking at Rose.
"Yeah. How we going to do this though?"
"Just go with us. Wait at the curtain. We'll play a couple of songs like always then call you and Emmett out."
"Okay…..I think I'm gonna be sick."
"No you won't. My blood runs through you Rose." Syn started, "If I can do it, you can. Just don't think about everyone out there. Think about us being back in the garage practicing."
"Kay. I can do this."
I got up and came around behind her. Sliding my hands from her back to the front to lie on her stomach and pulling back to my chest. "You can do this baby. I'll be there with you." I whispered in her ear and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She relaxed against me and nodded her head in response.
Like Matt said we followed them out to the curtain. Matt gave us a wink before walking out onstage after they called them out. I never would have dreamed that I would be here. My favorite band is my girlfriend's family. After playing A Little Piece of Heaven, Beast and the Harlot, Eternal Rest, Dear God, Not Ready to Die and Save Me, Matt started to talk. Everyone got quiet for a few minutes, and he started back.
"We're gonna switch it up a little bit tonight. The band actually has Syn's cousin back stage. So we're going to bring her out and see if she's got what it takes. And her boyfriend is going to play the drums for us. So these next few songs are gonna be tribute to the late Rev." You could hear the crowd start up again then, "Rose, Emmett get your asses out here."
I laughed, gave Rose a kiss while taking her hand and walked onto the stage. We both gave Matt a hug and I headed up to the drum set. Arin handed me the sticks, gave me a man hug and wished me good luck. I got seated and looked down at Rose with a smile. Syn gave her his guitar and a kiss on the cheek then walked back to the steps in front of the drums and took a seat. Matt looked up at me.
"Em you ready?"
I gave a nod. Then he looked at Rose. "You good?" She adjusted her strap a little, then nodded her head.
"Well looks like their ready. Wanna start off with some Welcome to the Family?" The crowd roared, and Matt looked at me. "Start offs with you man."
I took a deep breath and started the drums up, then it was Rose's turn. I kept up the beat and Matt started to sing. After a while I couldn't help but to sing with him. Rose got to her solo and just like before with me, everyone was dumbfounded. The crowd cheered and Syn smiled at her, along with Matt and the rest of the band. When the song came to an end Matt was looking at Rose.
"Well" he said into the mic, "I guess Syn taught her right. But how good is she at Afterlife?"
I laughed but no one could hear me. They would soon find out how good she was at it. I started it off again, and there she goes. Just like before when we were alone, the smile rose on my face. This is my girl playing in front of God knows how many people, with our favorite band. This couldn't get any better. When it got to the chorus Rose started to sing with Matt, which in turn got him to look at her. He slowly made his was over to her while singing. Next thing I knew Rose was singing again.
Give me your hand but realize I just wanna say goodbye.
Please understand I have to leave and carry on my own life.
I don't belong here, I gotta move on dear escape from this afterlife.
'Cause this time I'm right to move on and on, far away from here.
Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you.
This place full of peace and light, and I hoped you might,
Take me back inside, when the time is right.
Loved ones back home all crying 'cause they're already missing me.
I pray by the grace of God that there's somebody listening.
Give me a chance to be that person I wanna be.
(I am unbroken, I'm choking on this ecstasy.)
Oh Lord I'll try so hard but you gotta let go of me
(Unbreak me, unchain me, I need another chance to live.)
Matt stood back and let Rose do her solo. The smile grew on my face, when everyone cheered for her during and at the end of her solo. I kept on playing so did Rosalie.
"Damn good don't you think?" Matt asked everyone, which in turn whistled and hollered. He laughed then continued to sing along with Rose.
I don't belong here, I gotta move on dear escape from this afterlife.
'Cause this time I'm right to move on and on, far away from here.
Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you.
This place full of peace and light, and I hoped you might,
Take me back inside when the time is right.
The last note rang out as Rose turned to look at me with a smile. I gave her a nod with smile planted on my face.
"Syn I think we might have to replace you and Arin." Matt said with a laugh. "Alright yall have a choice tonight. Unholy Confessions or Scream?" Everyone hollered out what they wanted to hear. Then Matt decided for them. "Scream it is."
I saw Rose walk over to Syn and talk to him. Next thing I knew he had a guitar on, and was up beside Rose. Matt looked over at them with a confused look. "What the hell is going on here?" he asked.
"She wants me to do it with her." Syn said shrugging his shoulders.
Rose had thrown the guitar behind her so it was against her back. She bent over to put her hair up in the messy bun that she loved, and gave me a great view of her backside in the process. She pulled the guitar into the right position and waited.
"Iite then. We good?"
"Yup."
"Let's get it on then." Matt said looking out at everyone.
Once again it was me and Rose that started it. But, this time Syn was with us. It actually sounded really good with Rose and Syn playing the same notes. Just like before, Rose started to sing with Matt. Once that song was done it was on to Unholy Confessions. Unlike the songs before, Rose let Matt sing. She just sang the chorus with him and the other band members. I knew she was getting over her stage fright because she was moving around a lot more.
"Iite I think it's time we did our song for Rev." Matt called out.
Syn sat out on this one while Rose and I started it together, and everyone sang with Matt. Rose started one of her solos and when I looked down at her I knew she was starting to tear up a bit. I knew that Rose loved every single one of them cause she grew up with them. They were her family and she lost one of her brothers. Syn was standing beside her singing as he wiped the tears that had fallen off her cheek. The song slowed and started again.
"You got this Ro?" Matt asked into the microphone. She just nodded, and stepped away from the microphone stand. A spot light was on her while she played the rest of the song. As the last note rang out Matt walked over to her and gave her a hug.
"Rev would be proud of both of you. We gonna let Rosalie go before she breaks down. But…" He ushered all the band members over to them, me included. I set the sticks down on the seat and walked up behind Rose and held her hips.
"Before you get off this stage, we missed your birthday last year." He waved his hand for something. Rose and I looked over to where he was looking. One of the guards was walking out with a birthday cake, candles already lit. Syn finished what Matt was saying. "We aint missing your birthday this year. So, before you leave, we're gonna have everyone sing happy birthday. And I know you don't have one yet so…you get to keep my guitar."
"Syn I can't take that. This is your baby."
"Not mine anymore. It's yours. All of us signed it."
She grabbed him into a hug, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Love you and thank you."
"Love you too."
Matt had to break the bonding moment. "Alright! Enough with the loving." Rose laughed and looked at Matt. "On the count of three we're gonna sing. All of you too." He said pointing to the crowd. Rose put the guitar behind her again as the guard came up with her cake.
"One….two….three!" They sang happy birthday to her and when they were done, all you could hear was Matt saying, "Blow them fuckers out!"
Which she did. "What you wish for?" Syn asked.
"Not telling. It won't come true."
"Smart ass. But…I love ya."
"Love you too." She turned to Matt. "You too asshole." She said and gave him a hug.
"Love ya too babe."
He whispered something in her ear and all I saw was her nodding her head. The guard walked off stage and took the cake with him. Syn unhooked Rose from the amp, and then we headed back off stage. We stopped at the curtain entrance, same place we were when Matt called us out. I helped Rose take the guitar off and sat it against the wall beside us. We finished watching the show from back here. They ended up playing Almost Easy, Nightmare, Bat Country, Buried Alive, I Won't See You Tonight Part 1 & 2, and last but not least, Lost.
The rest of the night we hung out with the guys until it was time for them to leave and go on to the next show. Rose was too tired to drive so I did. With Rose beside me in the passenger seat, and a priceless guitar sitting in the backseat with every member of the bands signature on it, this was one day to remember.
