And Face Today (Sequel to We'll Brave This Storm) [COMPLETED]

The tour had went on without much drama and I was actually starting to enjoy myself, but of course by the time I started growing accustomed to the touring life, we were heading home. I couldn't complain much, though, because I would be able to see my mother again. Sleeping in my bed would be nice too. Also, Andy and I could get started on planning our wedding. But the thing I was looking forward to the most was the privacy. I had almost forgotten how tiring it could be to be surrounded by people constantly. Plus, being walked in on while trying to be intimate was irritating as well.

"Princess, we're home," Andy told me.

"Oh," I replied, shaking myself out of my thoughts.

I grabbed my suitcases and took them outside. Andy came out a few minutes later with his suitcases, followed by Jake who was holding a slumbering Skylar. Jake passed Skylar to me and I smiled thankfully at him.

"I'm going to miss you, Mel," Jake said, giving me a careful hug.

"You live only twenty minutes away. You can stop by anytime you want....Well, as long as you call first."

"Yeah....I'll see you guys soon," Jake said as he turned and boarded the bus.

I watched the bus pull away and I felt a twang of sadness in my heart. I knew I wouldn't be able to tour with them much while I had Skylar to take care of. When she would start school, we couldn't let her leave school for a couple of months at a time. That wouldn't be logical. Who knows if I would get to tour with them again.

"Mel, I'll bring up the suitcases. You just get Skylar settled back into her room," Andy said.

I nodded to him and walked over to our apartment complex. I unlcoked the door once I had reached our apartment, and let me just say that I wasn't expecting to see the sight that was in front of me.

"Mom!" I gasped.

My mother was on the couch, making out with some guy. When she heard my outburst, she immediately pulled away from the kiss and looked at me. Her face was flushed and her lips were swollen. While I was happy my mother was moving on from my father, no one should have to witness one of their parents in a full-blown make out session with a stranger.

"Mel! I'm glad you're home!" she said, rising from the couch, "This is Robert. Robert, this is Melanie."

Robert got up from the couch and smoothed out his button-down shirt before reaching out his hand for me to shake. I shifted Skylar in my arms and shook his hand as I looked him over.

He was roughly fourty-five with dark brown hair that was speckled with gray and combed back. His eyes were a chocolatey brown that appeared kind and lively. His square jaw was cleanly shaven and his body was long and slim, but not overly muscular. He seemed decent enough.

"Hi, I'm Robert Charleson."

"Melanie. It's nice to meet you."

"I was sort of hoping we would meet under different circumstances," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's fine. I was just a little suprised, is all."

"Who's the little thing?" Robert asked, looking at Skylar.

"This is Skylar Carolyn Biersack," I told him.

"She's adorable," he said.

I smiled at him and I noticed his eyes shift away from me and towards the door.

"Uh, hello," I heard Andy say.

I turned to look at him and saw that he was obviously confused.

"Um, Andy, this is Robert, my boyfriend," my mother said.

"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Andy said, shaking Robert's hand.

"Please, call me Rob. I'm assuming correctly that you are Melanie's fiance?"

"Yes, I am," Andy responded, rolling the suitcases next to the couch, and I closed the door behind him.

"I've heard you are in a fairly popular band. What's the name of it?" Robert asked.

"Black Veil Brides. We're a rock band."

"Really?" Robert said, wide-eyed, "My son loves your band! I got him a ticket to a show of your's about a year ago. He absolutely loved it."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'd love to meet him sometime. What's his name?" Andy asked.

"Clayton. He's sixteen. You know, I've heard him talk a lot about your band, but I've never listened to any of your stuff."

"I have a music room near the backif you want me to show you some of our tracks."

"I'd like that," Robert smiled as he followed Andy down the hallway.

"You've picked out a good one," I told my mom.

"Yeah, I think I did. He's really sweet and he treats me right. He's a proper gentleman," she grinned.

"So, how'd you two meet?"

"Well, I had just started working at a bookstore down the street a couple weeks after you left, and I was shelving some mystery novels when he walked towards me and asked if we had any Sherlock Holmes novels. I don't really recall how, but we ended up talking about the most random things. He eventually brought up how he noticed I didn't have a ring on my finger. I told him about the rough relationship I had with your father, and he asked me out on a date. I said yes, of course, and it just went from there. I think I may be in love with him."

"I'm really happy for you. You deserve to be happy and I can tell he brings you joy."

"There was something else that I think I should talk to you about," my mother said, slightly nervous.

"Yes?"

"Robert asked me a few days ago to move in with him and Clayton. I didn't want to say yes until I got your opinion."

I was at a complete loss for words. I had only gotten my mother back, and now she was thinking about leaving me again.

"I know we haven't spent enought time together, but I'm only moving ten minutes away. Besides, Clayton needs a mother in his life and I don't want to see him go through what you went through. I can't change the things I've put you through in the past, and I feel like I can be the mother to Clayton that I couldn't have been for you. I feel like this is the way for me to make up for my wrongs."

"Okay, but you didn't need my permission in the first place. It's your life, not mine. I wish you and Robert all the happiness in the world."

"Thank you. I'm so proud of how you turned out, I can't even explain it," my mother said as she kissed my forehead.

She was proud of me, and that meant the world to me.

Notes

Thanks to my friend Camila, who reminded me at school today to bring my chapters home :)Only one more actual chapter you guys! I love you duckies!