Chapter 7
The Struggle With In
A/N: Bonus chapter thanks for all the reviews I love reading them. I will warn not everything is all nice in this story. It will get dark in the future. All I can say is trust the writer, who is a huge Brallie fan.
Callie was in her little apartment like pool house. She was putting away the things she had just went and bought. She had gotten 7 new tops and 7 new pairs of jeans along with a skirt and blouse suit like out fit and a couple of dresses. She bought a few pairs of short shorts and tank tops to wear around the house and to bed. She was wearing one of them now a blue pair of shorts with pink stripes down the side and a pink top with a skull and crossbones on it. When her phone buzzes. She sees it is Sophia calling so she answers it.
"You could have just came out here." Callie says.
"You have a visitor on the way to your door." Sophia says.
"Did Mariana bring my stuff?" Callie asks.
"Someone did, but not Mariana." Sophia says as a knock comes to her door.
Callie already standing at the door opens it to find the last person on earth she ever expected to be there.
"Brandon?" She says into the phone and can hear Sophia laugh as she hangs up.
"Mariana thought you might need your stuff before tomorrow. She had to do something and no one else was ready to see you yet. So I got the job." He says taking in how she is dressed.
"Are you ready to see me?" Callie asks.
"Honestly, no."
"Then why did you come?" She asks.
"I have been asking myself that very question since I pulled into the drive way here. Which I sat in for 10 minutes before I knocked on the door. I think your dad thinks I am a stalker now." Brandon tells her, she smirks.
"Trust me he doesn't think that. Since you are here do you want to come in?" She asks.
"I am not sure. The last time we were alone in a place like this we did something that screwed my life up." He says.
"No we didn't. What we did in that cabin was an act of love. What I did in that courtroom was an act of stupidity and betrayal. I am so sorry for doing that." She says.
"Still."
"Brandon please come in. lets sit down drink a Pepsi and talk." She says, he nods his head and walks through the door for the first time.
Callie leads him into the living room and motions for him to sit on the couch. She walks into the kitchenette and grabs a couple of Pepsi's from the fridge and takes a deep breath, then walks back into the living room handing one to Brandon. She then sits in the chair opposite of the couch so as not to crowd him.
"Ok Brandon I know you heard what I said today. I am also going to assume you read the note I gave you, and that Mariana gave you the address I text her. Since you are here I figure it is your turn to talk while I listen." Callie says.
"Why do you think I have anything to say to you?" Brandon asks.
"Cause you are here. You could have said no, or made Mariana bring my stuff later. But you didn't you are here sitting on my couch. To me that means you wanted to see me even if it is just to tell me to go to hell to my face." Callie says.
"Those words have gone through my head a few times today. But I don't think they would sound the same now that you have said them first." He says.
"Sorry I will shut up and let you talk." She tells him.
"Not sure where to begin? Trying to decide if I should call you stupid or a bitch." Brandon says as she flinches away.
"Ouch." She says but says no more, it is his time to have his say what ever it may be. Only way the healing can start.
"Yeah. The bottom line Callie is you once again turned your back on us, on me. This time though it was after something that I thought was so meaningful and something that showed our true feelings for each other. Then you walk into that courtroom and instead of standing up for something that for me was so special, especially after what happened to me last year." He pauses.
"Brandon what happened last year?" Callie asks confused.
"The day I asked you to come over to my dad's the night before my audition and you bailed on me to help Wyatt. Well something happened that night." Brandon says.
"First I want to say I am sorry I should have showed up so we could have talked. Maybe things might have turned out different. What happened, please tell me." Callie says.
"Yeah well to late for changing things. I got some beer and was drinking. I was pretty wasted when Dani showed up. She noticed I was drunk and asked why. When I said it was cause you stood me up. She said then you didn't deserve a guy like me. She lead me to my room telling me I needed to get some sleep so I would be ready for the next day. She started undressing me to put me to bed. One thing led to another and before I knew it we had slept together. Honestly it took me most of the next day to remember all of it as I was really drunk when it happened. It may not have been rape in the traditional sense, but it sure as hell wasn't right of her to do that. That messed me up for a while. I couldn't even think about sex. Lou tried on more than one occasion to have sex with me. I just couldn't do it. So that night we made love was huge for me. It was the first time I could even think about that. For me I was not surprised that it was you that I was able to go there for the first time after Dani." Brandon says.
"Brandon I didn't know. I am so sorry that happened to you. I really want to get up and come hug you right now." She says.
"I am not ready for that." He tells her.
"I know which is why I am still sitting here. It is hard though." She says.
"Well after that, and then what we were able to do. I know it was a mile stone for you as well, after Liam and the failed attempt with Wyatt." Brandon starts.
"Nope we will deal with that another time today is about you." Callie says.
"Ok. You really hurt me Callie. I mean really ripped my heart out threw it on the ground stomped on it and then threw it through a meat grinder. I know what you did was in your eyes a gesture to show me how you felt. To be honest it is going to take a hell of a lot more than gestures to get back what we had, and right now I am not even sure I want to. I think I should go now before I say something I can't take back and ruin whatever chance we may have." He says.
"Nothing you could say could ever make me turn away from you ever again Brandon. Nothing is going to make me stop fighting for you. I will do so till the day I get you back or the day I die which ever comes first, and you are not leaving here till you say everything you need to say even if it is to call me a bitch some more." Callie says.
"That might only happen when hell freezes over, us getting back together." Brandon says.
Just as Callie was about to say something there is a knock at the door. Callie not wanting to move just yells to come in. She is surprised by her dad walking in. He looks at both of them then clears his throat.
"Callie I hate to interrupt but do you think I could borrow Brandon for a few minutes. I promise to have him come back when we are done." Robert says.
"Sure dad I think we could use a break. To gather our thoughts and take in what we have already said. Is that ok with you Brandon." She asks.
"Yeah might do us some good to step away for a few minutes. I promise I will come back before I leave." Brandon tells her.
"Great see you in a little while Callie." Robert says as he leads Brandon out the door.
They continue to walk till they are out in the front of the house where there is a patio with chairs and a table. It is actually a nice little cubbyhole to relax in. on the table is two glasses and a pitcher of what looks like lemonade.
"Have a set Brandon." Robert gestures to a chair.
"Ok Mr. Quinn."
"None of that just call me Robert."
"Ok, Robert. What was it you wanted to see me about. I promise nothing was going on in there. We were just talking." Brandon says a little nervous.
"Calm down Brandon. I know you were just talking. I did want to talk to you about Callie, but not about that. You two are old enough to know if you are ready for that kind of relationship, even though there are people out there that might disagree with me. I will not try to stop that. No this has to do with what happened today. I am not sure you are fully aware of just what she did today or exactly why she did it." Robert says.
"I know what she did and why. Just not sure she should have." Brandon says.
"Let me tell you any way. She went to the judge and confessed everything. She did all of this for you. Now I am not saying you are the only reason, we both know that isn't true." He says as Brandon nods. "But we both know also that you are the biggest reason. If it wasn't for you I am not sure she would have done it."
"But as I said I am not sure she should have. I am not sure I can forgive or forget this one. It hurt to bad and cut to deep." Brandon tells him.
"I understand how you feel I do. Tell me this though, 6 months ago would you have believed she would have done what she did today for the same reasons?" Robert asks.
"No she would never have done this 6 months ago. Maybe not even 3 months ago." Brandon says.
"Maybe that is telling you something then." Robert says.
"Maybe, I know she is your daughter and that you are trying to protect and help her. I know you feel you have failed her in several ways, and that maybe this would make up for some of that. But tell me how do I learn to trust her again. I have done so several times over and each time I get put through the ringer. I just don't see how I will ever be able to trust her again, and with out trust there can be no relationship. It just doesn't work with out it." Brandon says.
"You are right with out trust you can't be in a relationship with someone. But after what she did today, standing up to your moms and telling them what she did. Hell telling us all what she did. That you are who she is choosing, that your relationship is more important to her than anything else in this world. Even her relationship with her brother Jude, how does that not earn her at least a little of your trust back. I was talking to judge Ringer today. I am going to tell you something, that I am sure Callie will kill me if she ever finds out I know and told you. When Ringer set up the plea and punishment for her with another judge he told this judge who wanted to bar her from seeing all of you guys, that if he did that he would be sending her to jail cause she would never agree. He was right she told him to send her to jail, cause the one thing that mattered most was fixing her relationship with you and that couldn't happen if she couldn't see you. So he agreed to leave that out. She did that for you, for there to be a chance of you two being together. That says a lot about all of this Brandon. Now I know I can't tell you what to do. But if you really and truly love my daughter, maybe you will be able to find it in your heart to forgive her." Robert informs him.
"You have given me a lot to think about. Do you mind if I walk around your property for a bit? I promise I will go talk to Callie before I leave." Brandon asks.
"Sure go right ahead. When you are here please consider this as if it were your home as well." Robert says as Brandon nods and walks away.
Brandon is leaning against the rock wall that runs along the back of the property. He is looking at the view and the ocean in the distance. The sun is slowly starting to set as he thinks about everything that has happened today. What everyone has said both in his defense and in Callie's. When he hears her approach, he knows it is her just from the feeling he has. She leans against the wall as well looking at the sitting sun.
"I should get a pat on the back. As I was walking up here I so wanted to wrap my arms around you and hold you so tight. But I didn't. My dad said you went for a walk I was just making sure you were ok. I will leave and let you continue to think. Though please come talk to me before you leave." Callie says as she turns to leave.
"You can stay and watch with me if you want." Brandon says.
Callie doesn't say anything she just turns and watches as the sun slowly slides into the ocean. Since all of this has started when she first went to the judge, this is the first calm and peaceful moment she has known. She steals glance at him never looking to long. She knows there is a war going on inside of him, and she is the cause of it. What she wouldn't give to be able to take it all back. All of the hurt and pain and suffering she had caused him.
They had both been lost in their thoughts that they didn't realize it had gotten chilly out. Brandon notices Callie shiver even though it doesn't appear as if she even notices. He moves to stand behind her and wraps his arms around her pulling her close. Her only reaction is to lean back into his embrace and enjoy the warmth his body so close to her brings. She closes her eyes and knows this is right where she belongs.
"Lets go back inside you are shivering." Brandon says.
"I am kind of liking this right now. I feel warmer than I have since the cabin." She says.
He can still feel her shiver so he steps away and holds out his hand. She sighs at the loss of contact but reaches for his hand. He leads her back to her room. (A/N: Her pool house will be called her room from here on out.)
"Dad bought pizza for dinner. He also brought out a couple of beers for each of us. Said nothing better than Pepperoni pizza and a cold beer. He just said not to tell anyone about the beer. Thought maybe we could eat together and talk some more?" Callie asks.
"Sure sounds good though I am not sure about the beer." Brandon says.
"You can sleep on the couch. I can give you a pillow and blanket. I promise to stay in my room and keeps my hands off of you." Callie says.
"Lets see how the talk goes ok." He tells her.
They walk into her room and Brandon sees she has a couple of paper plates set on the table in the nook. There is a pizza box set in the middle and napkins by each plate. Callie motions for him to take a seat and she walks to the fridge and pulls out a couple of beers. Hoping eating a meal together might relax some of the tention in the air. She sets a beer down in front of Brandon just as her phone goes off. She glances at it and gets a confused look on her face. She would never have thought Stef would be calling her so soon.
"It's your mom." Callie says.
"I turned my phone off I forgot. Here let me answer it." He takes the phone from her hand.
She places her hand on his shoulder so as to give support knowing that this is going to end in him exploding. Stef has always been a passionate person, but she can go to far sometimes. To her surprise he doesn't shake it off.
"Hello."
"Brandon were the hell are you?" Stef asks.
"Well mom who's phone am I talking to you on?" he asks.
"Callie's, which I had to get her number from Mariana." Stef informs him.
"Something tells me you only had to cause you deleted the text Callie sent you saying it was her new number and to text or call anytime. Even I got one." Brandon says.
"That is besides the point. When are you coming home we need to talk?" Stef asks.
"When we get done talking here. I am not sure how long that will be. But I am not going to Idyllwild tomorrow so there will be plenty of time for you to yell at me then." Brandon tells her.
"What makes you think I am going to yell at you?" Stef asks.
"Cause in your mind I cost you the daughter you wanted. But guess what mom it takes two to tango. Callie wanted what happened as much as I did. We both made the choice to do what we did. We both decided to keep it a secret from everyone. So yeah I am partially to blame but so is she. Until you get over your anger and sit down and talk to her about it all and really listen to her, you will continue to blame me and I will get the shit end of the stick. It's ok I have been getting that through out this whole relationship, so I am use to it." Brandon says.
When he says this Callie can hear the pain in his voice, she instinctively snakes her arms around his neck from behind and hugs him. His only reaction is to place a hand on top of hers. She does a little dance in her mind cause he is not pushing her away. She wants to support him as much as he will let her.
"Brandon come home. We need to talk now." Stef says.
"I will be home when I get there. Guess you could always call the cops and report me as a run away. Then I can get sent to juvie like Callie. Maybe a group home where you can abandon me like you did her. Look mom right now figuring out what is going on between me and her is the most important thing to me. If that hurts your feelings I am sorry. But since even you admitted that you haven't always considered my feelings I think I should get a pass on this one." Brandon says as he looks up into Callie's eyes.
He stands up forcing her to let go as he walks a few steps away from her. Callie feels the loss the moment her arms leave his neck. She knew it was more than she could hope for. But the fact he allowed it even for a time said there was still hope there.
"Fine Brandon we will talk in the morning." Stef says and then hangs up not waiting for his reply.
"Well that went better than I expected." he says handing her the phone back.
"Sorry about the hug. It just looked like you could use someone in your corner even if it is the person who put you were you are." Callie says.
"It is ok. Thanks for that it did help a little. I think I might be taking you up on the offer of your couch. Hell you may get a visitor a few times if things go south when I talk with the moms." Brandon says.
"If you need a place to crash Brandon, my couch is always here, and with no strings attached. We don't even have to talk. I would rather you sleep here than In your car somewhere. Or at your dads, I know you kind of buried the hatchet with AJ but I also know he isn't your favorite person. So yeah it is yours anytime you need it. I will let my dad know about the offer just so there are no complications. From here on out everything about us will be in the open, and I don't care who doesn't like it. This is about US, you and me and everyone else can take a long walk off a short pier if they have a problem with it." Callie says.
"Callie do you honestly want us to go back to the way we were?" He asks.
"No Brandon I don't." She says.
"Then why fight so hard for us?" He asks.
"Because I want us to go to a new place. Somewhere I know we can go. Cause it is only a place where two people who feel the way we do about each other can go. Once we get there, nothing or no one will be able to tear us down again." Callie says.
"Except us." Brandon says.
"I deserved that. But Brandon you are going to have to tell me what I can do to make it up to you. We have to get past you feeling that way so we can move forward." Callie says.
"Right now I am not sure how to get past these feelings. It hurt more than words could say when I heard you say it was over. Then I heard the words that have haunted my dreams and even my waking world. You are now an Adams-Foster. They have kept me up at night. Haunted my music, my everything. So you are going to have to forgive me if I can't answer that question yet." Brandon says.
"I don't think you know how hard it was for me to say that. Or to try to live that lie. All I wanted to do was run into your arms. But I was guided by what everyone else wanted and didn't fully realize what it was I wanted or truly needed. What I needed was you. Was your love, your embrace, the way you use to look at me. I didn't get that till it was gone. I think you feel the same way which is why it is haunting you. You have to let it all out before you will be able to get past it. So come on tell me what you are holding back Brandon." Callie says.
"Callie." Brandon says as he goes to walk by her.
She stops him with her hands on his chest. He looks down at them and then to the floor.
"Tell me Brandon."
"I can't." He says as he goes to move by her.