With Arms Wide Open (An Austin Carlile Love Story ft. Avenged Sevenfold)

Striking Out

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST EVER<3. 

Thoughts of worry ran through Brian's head with each passing second. Those double doors seemed to deceive him and made him uncomfortable. His sudden realization was the cause of all of it. Matt's facial reaction was the one thing that sent him into a state of worry and fear. 

At the beginning of everything, he questioned how something so innocent could turn into a child... His child. He knew he wasn't going to be able to come to terms so quickly, but he knew he'd eventually have to cope with the fact that he was going to be a father. 

"Well," Kim started, approaching the waiting area, "My appetite needs to be taken care of and there's a cafeteria down the hall. Who wants to go get something to eat? It's my treat." 

Matt instantly stood up, giving his body a needed stretch-- Hours sitting down in an uncomfortable chair really didn't help his back. "I'm starved, so I'm game. How about you Jimmy? Up for some hospital food?"

Jimmy checked his phone for any missed texts, then took Matt's side. "I guess. Beats not eating that sandwich I made earlier. God knows when Isabella is coming out." He took a look at Brian and saw how pensive he seemed. It definitely wasn't like his best friend to be deep into his thoughts. But he knew him-- He knew he was thinking about the baby. "Michelle, wanna come with us? Brian will stay here. He doesn't look too good..." 

Asking Mich to step away from Brian for a second was the only way Jimmy felt Bri would have a moment alone to think things through. 

Michelle looked at her husband with worry. Brian was the last person anyone would expect to worry about things, for he didn't have a care in the world. "Are you okay?" She asked, swinging her Gucci bag over her shoulder. 

He nodded, rubbing over his lips. "Yeah, I'm good. I was just thinking about the new record... It's a lot to think about. You guys go on with out me. I'm gonna go check up on Bells." 

She sighed, following behind Matt. "Okay. If you need anything, I'm a few halls away." 

With a light nod, Brian stood up and headed towards the double doors to face reality. As he approached bed six, he began to feel light headed and uncontrollably nervous. He didn't know what to expect upon his arrival, but he knew whatever it was, reality wouldn't shy it away. 

He cleared his throat, pushing the curtain aside. To his surprise, Isabella was sitting up FaceTiming Austin, who was dead-nervous for his girlfriend and the baby. 

Austin offered to quit Warped Tour just to be with her and to watch over her, but she refused. She was aware that music played a great role in his life and the last thing she wanted was to pull him away from that. She assured him things would be great. She also promised that when he got to Chula Vista, she'd be the first person he'd see. Nonetheless, that made him happy. 

Noticing Brian's presence, Isabella gasped, surprised to see him. "Austin, I have to go! The doctor is here. He wants to check how I'm doing." 

A deprived sigh came from Austin. "Okay. Call me back as soon as he leaves." 

After a mutual goodbye, the two ended the call, leaving Isabella completely alone with Brian, who by the way, felt out of place. 

"So hey..." He said, making his way to the chair beside her. "How are you feeling? Better, I hope."

She nodded, throwing the phone around in her hands. "I've had better days... Better years actually." 

"Isabella, I know..." 

"Know what?" She asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"I know that the baby is mine. Matt's being a dick to me and Jimmy insisted that I came in here instead of going with him to get food... It's kind of obvious, now." 

She raised her eyebrows impressed by his assumptions from his friends' behavior. "Glad you can put two and two together... But honestly, assuming it's the right thing to do." 

"It's not assuming, though. It's common sense. So, the baby is mine?" 

"No, my child is mine. It's none of your business, whether it isn't or is. You were the one who didn't want anything to do with it, so this past event shouldn't even brush curiosity on your mind. If the baby is your's, you won't need to worry because Austin's offered to help father it." 

"I should be doing tha-" 

"You should have thought of that before you sent me to exile. It's none of your business so drop this conversation, now." 

He lowered his head, taking a seat. "I've made mistakes in the past and I'm so guilty of them, I admit that much. But this is a mistake that I do not regret. If you tell me this child is my child, I'll grow up and man up. No more games." 

"Like I said, whether it is, or isn't Austin's playing the role of a dad to a T... Drop it or leave." 

"Are you being serious with me right now?" He questioned her cold behavior. "I'm trying to step up to the plate and you're striking me out before I got the bat in my hands. Give me a chance." 

"Brian you have a wife. Why don't you forget about me and this baby and go fuck her and impregnate her like you were supposed to?" 

"She's not fertile. We found out a few weeks ago. We don't want to tell anyone..." He was heart broken by the news, and finding that out, made him want to love that child that Isabella was expecting even more than what he did already. "That's why I'm begging you to tell me if the baby is mine or Aus-" 

"Hell's Bells!" Marco, one of Austin's close friends said moving the curtain aside, exposing Brian and Bella. He took a step back, seeing they were in the middle of a heated arguement. "Oh shit, am I interrupting something?" 

Brian was frustrated-- He was going to be a father, though she wouldn't admit it, and his marriage was walking on pins and needles. "No..." He responded getting up from the seat. "I was just leaving cause I have to meet with my wife. You can have the seat. Hope you feel better Isabella..." 

Exiting the room, Brian felt a lump form in his throat. He threw his head back and took deep breaths, praying he wouldn't cry out of stress. 

But prayers only go so far, for as he hid in the restroom, it was a stream of tears and anger... At Isabella... At Matt... At himself...