Walking Fragile Lines

What About Us?

"I guess you talked to mom", she said with a sigh as she played with her food. Brian nodded before reaching out and taking her hand.

"You've got nothing to be ashamed of - you know that, right?", he asked as he watched her sadly. Maci nodded her head hesitantly. "I'm so proud of you", he told her. Maci looked up at him, furrowing her brow in confusion.

"You are?", she questioned. Brian nodded his head confidently.

"Of course I am!", he told her with a smile. "Do you have any idea how brave it was of you to talk to, not just your mom, but your Principle about all of this?", he asked. Maci shook her head as she waited for him to continue. "Anyone can throw a punch or say something mean - but it takes a lot of guts to ask for help and do things the right way", he smiled warmly as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"You really think so?", Maci asked as she smiled back at him. Brian reached over, kissing her forehead before cupping her jaw in his hands.

"I know so", he winked, letting her go so she could finish her breakfast. "Make sure you go upstairs and get ready after you've finished your cereal", he told her as he placed his now empty coffee mug in the sink.

"Why? Are we going somewhere?", she asked.

"You, your mom and I are gonna head out for some ice cream and take a walk", he grinned at her. Maci grinned back at him from ear to ear.

"Really?", she asked enthusiastically. Brian nodded as he chuckled.

"I think some family time is just what we need", he told her.

"What about Zac?", Maci asked.

"He'll be with us in spirit. Maybe don't tell him about the ice cream though", Brian winked. Maci chuckled before finishing her breakfast as quickly as possible and running up the stairs to get ready. Brian gave a breathy chuckle as he watched her. God, he loved his family so much.

Liv returned home whilst Maci was upstairs still getting ready and Brian smiled warmly at her as she set her purse down on the kitchen counter, huffing as she chuckled.

"Honestly, the kid throws a tantrum if you jokingly call him a mama's boy and yet - he cries and begs for me to stay at school with him", she shook her head as she continued to chuckle. Brian chuckled with her as he got up from his seat and kissed her on the cheek.

"Don't get too comfortable - we're taking Maci out for ice cream", he told her.

"Gee I don't know if I can stomach ice cream - my stomachs in knots this morning", she told him as she pressed her hand against her stomach.

"You don't have to eat the ice cream", Brian smirked as he raised his eyebrow. "Just thought it'd be nice if the three of us went out and had some family fun", he told her.

"That's a lovely idea", she smiled warmly at him, pressing her lips softly against his.

"I'm ready!", Maci declared as she raced down the stairs, already wearing her coat and shoes. Brian smiled brightly at his wife and daughter before the family headed out for their ice cream.

The three of them sat outside Egger's ice cream parlour as they enjoyed the cool autumn air. Brian and Maci both had the two scoop sundae whilst Liv enjoyed a milkshake. It was peaceful as Maci begun to tell them about the new book she had been reading at school for her next book report when Brian was suddenly tapped on the shoulder. He turned on the bench to see two young women smiling bashfully at him.

"Sorry but - are you Q from Impractical Jokers?", one of the girls asked. Brian sighed as he chuckled, nodding before giving them a short wave.

"Oh my god! We love your show!", the other girl squealed.

"Thank you! I'm glad", Brian said politely. "But if you don't mind - I'm having some family time right now", he continued.

"Oh okay, sorry!", the first girl apologised.

"But, could we get a picture real quick? Our friend Lacey is not going to believe we met you", the other girl chuckled. Brian sighed as he pondered the request. He didn't like to let down his fans, and it was only a picture after all. Mouthing an apology to his wife and daughter, Brian took the picture with the girls before wishing them well and saying goodbye. But he had been sat back down for all of two minutes when he was soon approached once again by more fans. Now that the people around them had witnessed two people successfully get a picture with him, they all wanted to try. Brian loved his fans, and he was grateful to them and fully aware that without them he and the guys would be nothing, but he was so desperately trying to spend some time with Liv and Maci and was doing a terrible job of doing so.

After having taken several pictures with a group of people, Brian sat back down at the picnic table once again. The atmosphere was now icy and a little awkward as he looked between them. Maci looked disappointed and a little bored as she pushed around the remainder of her sundae with a plastic spoon. Liv, on the other hand, looked furious as she stared him down.

"I'm real sorry you guys. How about we go somewhere else?", Brian suggested.

"I think we've had enough for one day", Liv said shortly.

"Maci?", Brian turned in to face her, hoping he could appeal to her somehow. But, Maci simply shook her head.

"Let's just go home", she said quietly. Without another word, Liv and Maci got up and began to make their way back to the car. How was Brian ever supposed to make things right back at home when he seemed to constantly make things worse?