*ONE YEAR LATER* Normal POV

“Matt! Did you pick up the cake?!” Val shouted to Matt from the doorway.

Matt chuckled and lifted the huge white box that was in his arms up a little higher.

“Yes, babe calm down.” He said.

He walked up the stairs and planted a soft kiss on Val’s cheek. She sighed in frustration and walked in the house. Matt shook his head and followed her in.

“I just want everything to be perfect. You only turn one, once.” Val said as she picked Elijah up off of floor.

Today was his first birthday and Val planned a huge party for him. The whole Avenged family was going to be there plus some other friends.

“Where is the birthday boy!” Kate called from the doorway.

Elijah saw her and reached for her.

“Kay!” He shouted. Kate giggled and ran over to him and took him from Val’s arms.

“Happy birthday baby.” She said as she gave him kisses.

Since the incident with Aubrey, Kate cut her long hair to her shoulders and dyed it red. Brian walked in behind her and took Elijah out of her arms.

“There’s the birthday boy. Look with Uncle Brian got you.” He said as he handed Eli a soft, red ball.

Eli threw it outside and Brian and Matt took him to play.

Val was stressing over something in the kitchen so Kate went over to help.

“Everything alright Val?” She asked. Val huffed and blew her bangs out of her face.

“Kate, promise you won’t say anything?” She said in a hushed voice.

Kate looked out to Brian and Matt and then nodded.

“Of course Val, what is it?” She said.

Val sighed and leaned on the table.

“Kate I’m pregnant again.” She whispered.

Kate giggled and brought her hands to her mouth.

“Oh my God, Val!” She squealed. Val tried to hold back a smile, but failed miserably.

“Have you told Matt yet?” Kate asked. Val shook her head and looked out to see if the boys were still outside.

“No, I just found out this morning.” She said. Kate smiled and hugged her best friend tight.

“Val, this is wonderful.” Kate said softly.

Val sighed and hugged Kate back.

“Yeah, you’re right.” She said with a smile.

Kate pulled away and took Val’s hand.

“Now, relax and enjoy Eli’s party. You can talk to Matt about it later.” Kate said. Val agreed and went outside with the boys.

Kate followed and opened up a beer. She sat beside Val and watched Brian play with Eli. He was so good with him. He picked Eli up and held him high above his head and spun him around. Eli squealed with joy and Brian laughed and grinned.

“He’ll make a great father.” Val said as she caught Kate’s gaze. Kate smiled and took a sip of her beer.

Brian saw she was looking at him and put Eli down and walked over. He scooped Kate up and sat down in the chair and set her in his lap. She giggled and he kissed her temple.

“I love you.” He whispered in her ear. Kate smiled and kissed his lips.

“I love you.” She said. Brian smiled and held her tight.

“Okay everyone, time to cut the cake!” Val said from the kitchen.

Kate hopped out of the chair and Brian took her hand and they filed into the house with everyone else. Val picked up Eli and everyone sung happy birthday to him. He was turning into quite the looker. His brown hair was thicker and Matt styled it so it was a faux hawk.

“Blow the candle out Eli.” Matt said after the song was over.

Eli bent over and tried to blow. With Matt and Val’s help, the giant candle was blown out. Everyone cheered and clapped. Matt took Eli and Val started cutting the cake. After it was served, Val put Eli to sleep and the adults had their own party outside.

Kate looked up at the stars and smiled to herself. Everything was going right in her life. She and Brian’s relationship was better than ever. She was working steadily again as a photographer and the best part was that she was alive. Before she’d realized it, she was on the edge of the water, letting the waves run over her feet.

Brian had followed her and wrapped his arms around her. Kate closed her eyes and turned around and held him tight.

“You okay?” He asked her softly. She nodded and looked up and kissed him softly.

“I’m perfect.” She said. He smiled and kissed her again.

He took a deep breath and pulled himself away from her. Kate raised her eyebrow and tilted her head.

“Kate, I wanted to talk to you about something.” He said slowly.

Kate’s heart quickened and she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Is this where the other shoe drops?” She asked. Brian chuckled and shook his head.

“No, this is where I tell you how much I love you and how I couldn’t possibly dream of spending one day without you by my side.” He said seriously.

Kate swallowed hard and opened her mouth. Brian put his fingers on her lips and shook his head.

“After everything that’s happened to us in this past year, I realized that I couldn’t stand to lose you. Kate, I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you. I don’t ever want to be close to anyone else in my life, so I need to ask you something very important.” He said.

Kate’s world was spinning. She felt light headed and her heart was pounding. The only thing she could do at the moment was nod and wait for him to continue.

“Katelyn Lee Moore, will you marry me?” He asked.

His words came out quickly and his whole body was shaking. Kate smiled and touched his face.

“Yes.” She said softly, so softly Brian couldn’t hear her over his heart pounding so loudly.

“What?” He asked. Kate giggled and pressed her lips to his and kissed him hard.

“Yes.” She whispered in his ear.

Brian let out a breath and picked Kate up and spun her around. Kate laughed and held on tight. When he put her down, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. He opened it up and Kate gasped when she saw the ring. It was beautiful, the band looked like it was twisted with small diamonds all around it and it one big square cut diamond in the center.

“Oh Brian, it’s beautiful.” Kate whispered as he put it on her finger.

He smiled and shrugged.

“Your dad helped me pick it out.” He said. Kate raised her eyebrow.

“He did?” She asked. Brian nodded.

“Yeah, when we were in New York on tour, I dropped by and asked his permission to marry you and I asked if he’d help me pick out the ring.” He said.

Kate shook her head and kissed him again.

“You’ve been planning this for that long?” She asked in astonishment. Brian blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Well yeah, but I pussied out every time I tried to as you.” He said.

“You are full of surprises aren’t you?” She said. Brian chuckled and laced his fingers with hers.

“Let’s go surprise everyone else.” He said with a grin.

Kate matched his and they ran up to the house to tell all of their friends and family that they were about to become Mr. and Mrs. Brian Elwin Haner Jr.

*Thank you so much to everyone that's read this! You don't know how much it means to me. When I finished I'd Rather Trade it all, I never dreamed of writing a sequel but now I'm glad I did. I'm thinking about writing and epilogue so if you want one, tell me! Thanks again, I love you all!!*