The Runaway [The Killers]

Friday Night

Brandon POV (December 2002)

Months pasted and I fell in love with her more and more. She seemed to be the only one to calm my frantic brain down before a gig. Granted she couldn't make it to every single gig being a bartender. I moved in with her after three months, my aunt was surely grateful to have the house back to herself even though she did enjoy my company. Last month Braden Merrick had taken us out to California to record demos. Yet still no one had signed us. I was beginning to worry, yet she persistently kept telling me it was going to be okay. Her money from bartending was plenty to keep us afloat. I still felt like a slacker somehow even with the constant demos going out and shows across town.

"Brandon?"

"Huh?"

"Day dreaming about Brook again?" Ronnie chuckled before fiddling with his drumstick as he glanced at me.

"I wasn't day dreaming about her. I was just thinking about her. Day dreaming is for things you don't already have Ronnie."

"Same thing." He rolled his eyes playfully before clearing his throat. "You're crazy about her."

"I haven't seen her in a few days. She's been working the hours I've been home."

"You've been thinking of popping the question haven't you?" They all wolf whistled as my face burned up. I stood and put my jacket on before looking to Dave. "Let me know if Merrick calls at all."

"Bye lover boy!" Dave yelled as I walked out the door of his house and towards my car. It was beat up, but it served it's purpose for now. I got in and started the engine before heading off towards our home, tapping my thumbs against the steering wheel and humming along to whatever was playing on the radio. The tan one floor home was decorated with dessert flowers and palm trees neatly trimmed outside. I took a deep breath and parked my car before wandering up the path and to the house. I'll never forget the look on her face that December evening when I walked in that door. A mixture of excitement and fear hidden behind her hazel eyes.

"Hey beautiful." I smiled and wrapped my arms around her before pressing my lips to hers. "You okay?"

"I have something I need to tell you about Bee" I left one hand on her side while the other stroked her cheek as I searched her eyes. She'd always called me Bee as a nickname from the beginning. More than likely because I could be innocent unless provoked.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm pregnant." Tears welled in her eyes, yet I found myself nearly grinning.

"Really? We're gonna have a baby?!" She soon started smiling and nodded before I pressed my lips roughly to hers, her hand resting on my cheeks.

"Yes were gonna have a baby. You're not mad?"

"Brooks. Why would I be mad about us having a baby?"

"You're busy with the band and I'm busy at the bar and that record company wants me to focus on working with them. It just isn't good timing I suppose."

"It doesn't matter. I'm having a baby with the woman of my dreams." I stroked her cheek as I kissed her forehead, a giggle passing her lips. "Have you told anyone?"

"I told my brother Jason, but that's it. O my gosh what about your parents?!"

"They'll be overjoyed!"

"I haven't even met your parents yet and we aren't married. They're going to hate me!"

"We'll get married."

"What?" I laughed weakly and dug into my pocket, biting my lips together.

"I said we'll get married, but right now I've got a surprise for you." I took her hand and smirked slightly. "Grab your jacket?" She blushed before wandering down the hall, coming back with a sweater and leather jacket before following me back out to the car. "You've gotta close your eyes."

"Is it that big of a surprise?"

"I had it planned for awhile. I think it would be fitting for this friday night." She laughed softly and kept her eyes closed as I drove. It was a mere twenty minutes to get out to the desert and pull off to the side of the road. I got out of the car and wandered to the passenger side, opening her door and taking her hand. I sat her on the hood and joined her, leaning against the front window as I pulled to velvet black box out of my pocket and opened it facing her slightly. "Alright open..." Her eyes were on the sky first then slowly trailed down to me before they grew wide. Her hands went over her mouth in shock. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes, Yes I'm marry you." I took the ring out and slipped it onto her finger before pressing my lips to hers.

"I promise I'll take care of the three of us."

"I trust you." She giggled before placing her head on my shoulder as we looked up at the sky. My mind was already picturing this beautiful baby girl of ours in our lives. We'd take her to the beach and she'd be the happiness thing in the world. I couldn't help but smile at the mental image crossing my brain. "Brandon?"

"Mmmm?"

"How did I end up with the perfect man?" I chuckled softly and ran my hand over her stomach, it was crazy to think there was a baby in there. My baby.

"I'm not perfect darling, but I try my best."

"Mmm you're my definition of perfect." She kissed over my heart before we sat there in silence for awhile. This was the rise to the fall. Our perfect world torn from us in the form of silence. I'll never forget the day I lost my family. The day I lost the thing that meant the most to me in that white room. I think I lost myself that early Tuesday morning too. I lost a huge part of who I was and I hadn't seen him since that day.