"Do I really have to get ready right now?" I groaned as Mike was standing by the closet, choosing something that he could wear from all the clothes he had brought with him. I was doing the opposite laying in a big pullover and undies, under the blanket, not wanting to move. I had already showered and curled my hair, what more did he want from me?

He chuckled, "Yes Luce. Now get your ass up and get ready! It's kind of a big night." He reminded me. I rolled my eyes and sat up, staring at him as he chewed on his lip; trying to find the perfect attire.

Tonight Mama and Papa Fuentes were meeting my grandma, Matt and Brittany. I was a little nervous because this was going to be the first time our families had intertwined and were together in one room. Mike was determined to make it perfect, I don't know why. He had chosen a restaurant here in San Diego that we could all go too. Him and I had arrived here at Vic's house last night, and my brother and Britt got to my grandma's this morning from San Francisco.

I rolled off of the bed, complaining the entire way to where Mike was. He looked at me and laughed softly ruffling up my hair and pulling me into his chest all while kissing my head. He didn't say anything, and neither did I; we just looked at one another and smiled.

I grabbed the hanger that my dress was hanging on and straightened it out with my hands. I hung it back up and grabbed my makeup bag and sat down in front of the long mirror and began to do my makeup. I kept it nice and neutral looking, with soft golds on my eyelids and my favorite lipstick from MAC; Lady Danger. Once I was done, I stood up and walked to go get my dress, and every other item needed to complete my outfit for tonight then got myself dressed.

While I was still accessorizing, Mike complained for a good ten minutes that I was taking too long, thus leading me to tell him to shut the fuck up or I'm staying home with Vic and he can go with our families. “Whatever, don’t be a dick.” He said attempting to be serious, but failing as he let out a laugh. I shook my head, smiling yet choosing to ignore his comments.

I looked over at myself in the mirror once I had placed my bag on my arm, making sure everything was looking perfect. “Okay, I’m ready.” I announced to Mike causing him to look over to me and get off of his old bed.

He walked over to me and taking a piece of my hair and running his fingers through it. “You look beautiful, princess.” He bent down and kissed the top of my head, then grabbed my hand and walked us to the front of the bedroom door. I looked up at him and squeezed his hand, my nose scrunching up and he winked at me making my heart skip beats.

We walked down the stairs and Vic was sitting on the couch with his guitar. The eldest Fuentes brother’s big, brown eyes looked over at us at lightened up as he smiled. “You guys look great! Are you nervous?”

Mike slightly nodded but I shook my head. “Your parents and my grandma will get along just fine. They are pretty similar people.”

Vic nodded in agreement, looking over to Mike to calm his nerves. “Yeah, I agree with Lucy on this one. It’ll be fine.” I walked to the kitchen to take a water bottle from the fridge. I stood near it, drinking the liquid and letting it swim down my throat. I overheard Mike responding to Vic’s comment.

“No, I know it will. But it’s kinda like a big step for her and I. I’ve never done this before. I guess I’m just overreacting, right?” Mike put his hands in the pockets of his black skinny jeans.
Vic shook his head, “I don’t think so. I think it’s normal to feel nervous. It is kind of huge especially for you.”

I softly smiled as I took a couple more sips then placed the bottle back in the fridge and then walking back to where Mike and Vic were. “Ready?” I questioned, acting like I didn’t hear their little conversation just moments ago. Mike nodded as he looked at me, then we told his brother bye, and left the house.

We drove to the restaurant where we told our families to meet. If Mike's nerves were a person, I could've seen it right in front of me. I had never seen Mike so anxious before in my life. Not even for Pierce the Veil's first show, or asking me out on a date, or anything really. He was a very outspoken person. I'd seen him shy, but never on the verge of a panic attack because he was so nervous. I grabbed a hold of his free hand as he was driving, and held it in my own. "It's going to go so smoothly, baby doll. I promise."

He looked over to me and smiled with half of his mouth. "I'm just extremely nervous. I don't know, I've never got to this point in a relationship before; like being so serious, and I just don't want anything to fuck up. I want it to be perfect." He admitted, adding a bite to his lip that was so cute that I could have died in that second and floated into the heavens.

"Don't worry about perfection. Just breathe, I'll be there right next to you, don't forget that."

Stopping at a red light, he turned to me and unexpectedly placed a kiss on my lips, holding onto my cheek. He backed away, looking me into my eyes, so deeply that I could see his soul. "I love you more than anything in the world, Lucy. More than anything."

I smiled, "Cross your heart?"

He drew an X over his heart using his index finger, a slight grin playing on his full lips, "Cross my heart."

He turned back to the red light in front of us, and took my hand in his, lacing his fingers with mine. He continued to drive once the light had turned green, and we turned into the restaurant, finding a parking spot not too far, nor too close. He killed the engine, and took a look in the mirror before glancing over to me. "You ready?"

"Waiting on you, buggie."

He nodded and we got out of the car in unison. He locked his car, and waited on me to walk towards him. We walked in together, hand-in-hand and asked the hostess if our party was here, and they were. The thin blonde, with short hair lead us to the table where my grandma, Matt, Britt, Viv, and Victor were sitting. They looked as if they just sat down because my grandma was still adjusting herself and placing her purse on the side of the chair, so it hung.

"Hey guys." Mike greeted, earning smiles and responses from all of them. We hugged each family member, then sat down beside each other. I looked at Brittany who sat to my right, "Look at you, glowing already." I complimented her with a grin.

"Did you guys get the chance to meet her grandma, Marcy?" Mike questioned his parents and they nodded happily answering him.

"We did! I told her that she reminded me of Lucy! I see where she got her humor and sass." Vivian winked at me, and I grinned, softly giggling looking at my grandma. It never felt awkward or anything in this atmosphere with everyone. We all sat around and ate dinner, cracking jokes and Mike's parents getting to know where I came from straight from those who raised me, my grandma and Matt. It was nice to have everyone together all at once. I saw Mike ease as the minutes passed. I was happy here, I felt whole.

"When are we gonna get to see the new house?" Vivian questioned, eager to see the place.

"I already told you mom, when we have everything moved in and perfect. We're in the packing and unpacking boxes stage. It'll be ready for you guys to see before I leave for tour in a couple of weeks. I promise."

"Yeah," I nodded in agreement. "We're setting up everything and we got the new furniture in two days ago and set that up. So yeah, before he leaves, we wanted everyone over for like a little barbecue or something."

"Sounds wonderful." My grandma said, her eyes lighting up.

The night went on and eventually dinner ended. We gave everyone kisses on the cheek and then went back to Vic's place. "How'd it go?" He asked, looking straight at us as soon as we walked in. Their roommate Dave from The Devil Wears Prada was there as well, sipping on a bottle of beer.

I went and gave him a hug, sitting down, Mike grabbing us beers. "It went really good." He answered, grinning from ear to ear. He dressed up our drinks and handed it to me.

"I never thought I'd see the day where Mike Fuentes settled down." Dave said, pointing at Mike.

"Settled down?" I asked, laughing. "Are we settled down?" I turned to Mike.

He shrugged, smiling slyly. "I think we live together. I mean, are we married or something?"

I shook my head, "Not that I know of." Mike and I were laughing, sarcastically reacting to Dave's comment. Vic shook his head, laughing at us.

He chuckled. "No, no, fuck you guys. I mean that Mike has never lived with another woman except his mom. I never thought he'd even leave San Diego, first of all. You guys are like, I don't know, serious. He's never been serious in a relationship, ever. Mike's all grown up." He jokingly wiped a tear away.

"Whatever, man." Mike brushed his comment away with his hand. I looked at him and chuckled lightly. Dave isn't the first person to say this, and not the last. Those six years that Mike and I were separated, were apparently his player days. I didn't care, that didn't matter to me. He and I were on another level than him being a player.

I looked down at my phone and it was a notification on Instagram. I opened it and it sent me to Austin's profile and an old picture of him and I from a couple of years ago. He was wearing an all black suit and I was wearing a nice black dress. Tal was in the photo, dressed in a white button up shirt with black suspenders. Austin had his left arm wrapped around me in a hug and we were both smiling big. I remembered that day clearly. It was my birthday, and he was home from tour and I was so happy because he surprised me. Tal was beginning to irritate me so I was pretty happy to have my other best friend back.

I read the caption, ignoring the conversation going on around me.

"I know it isn't Throwback Thursday or whatever, but I was going through my phone and found this gem. I can't remember what this occasion was or where we took this photo, but @lucygarcia and I were having a 'Dapper Day' as we so called it with our friend Tal. I miss her more than anything, and I wish she was back in my life. Luce, if you're reading this, I never intended losing you. I never wanted it and frankly, I still don't. I see how happy you are in your life and I only wish I were apart of it again. I love you so much, and I hope you're doing well. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you."

There were tons of likes on the photo, and the amount of comments to match it asking what happened, and that I was a bitch for dropping him, and even more saying that he didn't need me in his life, that it was better off without me in it. My eyes watered as I looked down at what seemed like the last great moment that him and I had.

I was so mad at him. How could he blame Mike for everything? That's what hurt me the most out of all of this. You can't just blame somebody because you didn't get what you wanted. That was a very bratty move to me. I had been there for him always, no matter what, before and after his surgery, no matter who he dated, when he was with that bitch Gielle, then Chrissy. I didn't say a thing or judge him.

I couldn't stop looking at the picture, I couldn't stop my eyes from watering and I couldn't stop thinking about Austin's words on this caption. It pissed me off. He really pissed me off. But it was typical of him, typical Austin Carlile. Austin 'Let Me Sweet Talk My Way Through Life' Carlile.

"Hey baby, are you okay?" Mike's voice brought me from my thoughts, and when I looked up, the tears fell from my eyes. I frowned, but nodded. "What happened?" He walked to me and placed his beer on the counter. He looked at my phone and saw the picture, reading the caption and everything. He sighed, clicking the light off of my phone by pressing the lock button.

"He thinks he can fucking do that and say that after all the shit he did and said and I can't stand him, Mike. I am so mad at him, still. I can't handle this shit anymore. Everyone thinks he's this fucking saint and such a great friend and he isn't. He was never there for me, ever! I never said anything about how bad of a friend he was to me. If this is about you, he needs to just shut the fuck up. I never..." I stopped talking as I was now in his embrace. He hugged me tightly, rubbing circles in my back.

"As much as you say that you're mad at him, you miss him don't you?"

I pulled away from him, "Not this Austin. Not this fucking egotistical Austin. The old him. And that him, went away a long time ago." I wiped my tears. "Whatever, sorry." I scooted myself off of the stool and I apologized to Vic and Dave, then went up to the room. I opened my phone and went to Austin's Instagram again, unfollowing him. I was done. And, I meant it this time.

I locked my phone again and collapsed on the bed, sighing. I did miss him as a friend, as someone close to me. All I kept thinking about was the upcoming tour that Mike as about to join in on. I kept worrying because I know Mike, I know he'd snap if Austin said one thing about me. He's done it before; we can't forget about his fight with Jakob years ago. I had to be here to work, I was only going for a couple of days and it was the LA and SD shows. I couldn't be there to make sure Austin wasn't being an asshole to Mike, I had no control. And that drove me insane.

There was a knock on the door, and expecting Mike, I said, "Come in." Vic walked in and closed the door.

"You okay, Luce?" He sat down beside me, looking down as I continued to stay laying.

I let out a small laugh, "Have you ever had a best friend who hated your girlfriends?"

He chuckled, "Yeah. How about my brother, your boyfriend, hated my ex, Cara? Man, Mike hated her. He always said he had a feeling about her. Turns out, he was right. He said my ex Nicole was a far better person than Cara was. I didn't believe him, I continued to be with her, and even after she broke my heart I took her back. Then, she tells me she's pregnant and that kid sure ain't mine. I was, man, I was done. Mike was right..." He paused, thinking about this story he was telling me. "I don't agree with Austin, though. I'm not being biased because Mike's my brother, but I know Mike. And yes, he's made mistakes in the past. Who hasn't? But, Austin wasn't there when you and Mike first met. He didn't see the way he looked at you. He didn't hear him talk my ear off about you.

I've never in my life seen Mike love somebody. Because I really don't believe he was in love before he met you, even after you and him broke up. I don't think he was in love. I see where Austin is coming from because Mike hasn't made it easy for people to trust him, given his past. But, he isn't being fair to Mike. Not at all. Mike fucking loves you, Lucy. I see that, you see that, everyone on the planet sees that except Austin. And, that's okay. I know you're nervous about the tour with Of Mice, but we aren't. It'll be okay, Luce. I promise you. Drama like that doesn't happen on tour." Vic looked at me with sincere eyes, and for the first time in my life, I'd felt on the same page as him. We'd never had a heart-to-heart so to speak, so this was our first.

I sat up for the first time since I'd come in here and looked over to Vic. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

He smiled, "It's not a problem. You know, I've never had a sister before, and you totally feel like one."

"That means a lot, Vic. It really does." He leaned in and hugged me tightly.

"I care about you a whole bunch, Luce. I'll keep an eye on things on tour. I'll make sure nothing gets out of hand." As soon as he spoke those words, I felt relieved.

"You're the best, Vic. Thank you." I hugged him tightly again and he smiled. He got up and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

I couldn't be more thankful for people like him and the guys in my life. They made it easier to breathe.

Notes

I finally updated! What are your thoughts on this chapter? Another filler because I have some awesome things planned for the rest of this story. So, the Fuentes' finally met grandma Marcy, Matt, and Britt! Mike was really nervous about it but Lucy wasn't, any thoughts on that?

And what do you think about the whole Austin thing? He is still an issue and Lucy is so anxious about the upcoming tour. Do you think anything will happen?

Let me know your thoughts and feelings and questions. I'd love to hear your theories :)

Thank you for reading. I love you all so much!

xoxo,
Amber