20. Lost in Hollywood

Nick got no certain answer from Jeremy on his proposal, Antonio was all for it – but agreed with Belle that Jeremy should be consulted, as it would put the security of the Pack at risk. On the weekend of Belle's return to Wisconsin, he had flown to see her – and it had remained a weekly habit since. From Jeremy's lack of enthusiasm about the engagement proposal, Nick and Belle had regained a sense of a relationship - As his job didn't require him to reside in the office five days a week, he spent at least three days with her and Matt – unless of course some urgent business needed to be attended to. As long as his laptop had access to the internet, he was with his phone and coffee, he was set for work. Over the next couple of months Belle had even become involved in his web design, providing images and sketching out design layouts for his work.

"Well," She sighed pushing away from her desk as Nick looked up from the chair he was sat in. Belle smiled admiring how comfortable he had become, as he had taken to wearing his glasses whenever he was on the computer – something he was never comfortable with around other people, and usually only his father saw them. "I just got an email confirmation about the house…"

"It's officially on the market?" He asked standing up to look over her shoulder at the screen.

"Yep, picture is up on the website and everything. Now all I need to do is start looking for one in New York State." She rubbed a hand through her hair.

Nick kissed her cheek. "You know the offer still stands if you want to move in with 'Tonio and me."

Belle paused momentarily. "I'm still thinking on that one… until Jeremy gives us his blessing that is." She smiled looking up at the clock. "Matt will be home soon – Coffee?" She asked stiffly getting to her feet to stretch out her joints.

He followed her out to the kitchen and overlooked the calendar stuck to the fridge. "Matt's birthday is at the end of the month…" He noted.

"Yeah – it also coincides with the end of school for him, so he normally throws a really big party." She informed him. "Do you think you're going to be here for his graduation?" She asked idly, as Matt was counting on both his parents being there.

"Wouldn't miss it." He replied getting the milk and kissing her on the lips.

******

Three weeks later, Matt was graduating from high school the day before his eighteenth birthday.

"You look very handsome baby." Belle gushed, wiping at an imaginary mark on his face, as she tried not to cry.

"I look like a dick." He replied plucking at the fur lined collar as Antonio's laughter boomed the nearby vicinity, clapping Matt on the shoulder.

"Come on kid, its time for the family photographs." Antonio told him still chuckling, as Nick and Belle stood either side of him.

As any mother would, Belle fiddled with his robe, rearranging it on his shoulders and then shifting his mortar board into place until Matthew whined and complained enough to make her stop and pose for the camera. Elena and Clay had flown in with Antonio the night before and were off getting drinks for the group. Elena was dressed in a white short sleeved shirt with a grey three-quarter length skirt, adorned with a bright red belt – no doubt Paige had helped with the choosing of clothing as she was looking after the children. Clay as always was his monochrome self, black pants with a white shirt. At least it was a proper button up shirt and not his usual t-shirt.

"Oh, Jeremy's here." Elena said cheerfully waving over the crowds of people as they returned to the group.

"Ah, so that's the elusive Jamie Vegas." Belle mused looking over as Jeremy walked towards them, with a fiery red-head looped on his arm.

Even though they were having a conversation as they walked, Jeremy met all the eyes that turned their way – giving his best Alpha look to any man who dared look at Jaime, as she positively glowed having no other eyes but for him as she was dressed in a classy gold dress of a 1950's design.

"You must be Annabelle." Jaime introduced. "It's good to finally meet you." She said leaning in and embracing her. "We girls need to stick together… and you must be Matt." She gave her best Hollywood smile as she shook Matt's hand.

Hesitantly he took it as he looked to Jeremy who straightened up with a wary look in his eye, asserting his territory. Matt blushed before making his apologies and rushed off to have some photo's taken with his friends.

After the ceremony, there was an open buffet in the school gymnasium as parents; teachers and school leavers meandered around the grounds.

"So, how about you're party tomorrow night then? Are you excited about turning eighteen?" Jaime asked Matt enthusiastically.

He shrugged his response, at the first opportunity he rid himself of his graduation attire sitting next to Nick tucking into a sandwich. "I think I'd prefer to turn twenty-one. At least then I could drink."

"Well, legally anyway." Nick winked at his son as Belle rolled her eyes.

******

The next evening, Belle's back garden had been turned into part campsite and part festival ground, with a DJ set up on a raised platform with numerous wires trailing through her study windows.

"Hey gorgeous…" Nick wrapped an arm around her waist. "You wanna' give the kids a breather for a bit and head into town?" He asked.

She shook her head. "Once this song finished, Matt's getting together with his band mates to do a farewell set." She informed him.

Elena, who was standing beside them smiled. "You're really supportive of his music aren't you?" She asked.

Belle grinned. "I support anything and everything he does." She said as the DJ came over the sound system announcing that he was taking a break. There were slight boo's and hisses from the gathered crowd as Matt stood forward.

"Come on, ease up – the dude's gotta' have a breather." He laughed taking the microphone and leading his way over to where his instruments were set up. "We shall be providing the entertainment for the next twenty minutes!" He ended up shouting as a roar of cheers came from the nearby crowd.

As the lead singer and guitarist; Matt opened up with a smooth rock song titled 'Lost in Hollywood' the softer harmonies of the song evolved to become more energetic as the songs they played progressed and had the crowd itching for more as they finished their final set.

Nick pulled Belle to the side once he had handed his son a beer (without his mother's knowledge) and lead her back into the house.

"Hey," She gasped, her cheeks flushed from the excitement of the live music and alcohol, as she crashed down on the sofa.

"I want to tell you something…" He asked grinning like a school boy.

"What? What is it?" She asked leaning toward him as he sat down beside her.

He chortled. "You need to close your eyes first…"

She did as she was told trying to keep from a nervous giggling. She felt him pick up her hands and kiss both of her palms before she felt something cool fit itself to her finger on her left hand.

She blushed trying in earnest to keep her eyes closed, as she felt his breath warm on her cheek as he kissed her softly.

"Will you marry me?" He asked; his voice husky.

Slowly she opened her eyes to find they weren't alone in the room, stifling a laugh she looked over all the Pack member's faces as they stood in the doorway. She settled her gaze on Jeremy, who slowly blinked in confirmation; He had finally given his blessing. Belle returned her look upon Nick's expectant face; he looked like a kid at Christmas.

"Well?" Elena fairly squealed excitedly.

Nick and Belle laughed as she kissed him on the lips. "Yes." She breathed and kissed him again as a round of cheers went up around them.

I'm not normally one for liking when people put song lyrics into their stories – And so I have been somewhat hypocritical in this chapter using System of a Down's song; Lost in Hollywood, as Matt's opening song at his party. If you haven't heard it before, give it a go as it's really quite cool, and is exactly how I pictured Matt's choice in music.

One more chapter to go…