Chapter 10
A few days later:
"I am Suicide," Paul sneaked up behind Briana, growling in her ear and making her jump.
"Paul!" she cried. "You scared the hell out of me! How did you get in?"
"Your beloved husband left the garage door open again."
"Brian's lucky it was you that came in here or he would be dying a slow and painful death by now. Good God, the kids are playing down there."
"Speaking of which, how has Brady been doing since his little incident the other day?"
Briana smiled. "Much better, I'm happy to say. He passed that test the second time around and Father Malucci said any time Brady feels frustrated, he's free to come and talk."
"Hey, that's great," Paul said.
"Yes, I'm rather glad about the choice of Catholic educations for the kids. It seems they're progressing so much further ahead with it."
"Do the nuns still whack their knuckles with rulers?" Paul wondered.
"Of course not. You and I both know Brian would throw a fit to end all fits if they did, not to mention have those kids of ours pulled out of there in a heartbeat and home schooled."
"Brian would throw a bitch fit if anyone as much as looked at those kids the wrong way," Paul agreed. "Especially Brady. Jesus, I thought he was bad with Bella."
"Truth be told, he's worse than I am with all three," Briana replied.
"Someone mention my name?" Brian asked, coming in and grinning.
"No one said 'Midget Section,' so I think not," Paul cracked.
"Oh, you're so hilarious, amigo," Brian answered. "Who invited you in here anyway?"
"The Midget Section left the garage door open again," Briana said. "Jesus, Brian, how many times have I told you to make sure that was closed and locked? The kids play in the basement down there."
"Freaking hell, I'm home three hours and she nags my ass already," Brian groaned.
Briana handed him a bag. "While you're here, you can take out the garbage."
Brian made a face. "This fucking stinks. What the hell do you have in here, Paul's brains?"
"Now who's being funny?" Paul asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just take it out," Briana sighed, "and lock the garage door on the way back."
A short time later:
"Hey guys!" Brady cried excitedly as he ran up the steps from the basement. "Guess what!"
Briana immediately snapped to attention. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Brady chattered. "Uncle Paul was on TV!"
"Where?" Brian asked jokingly. "on Cops?"
"Very fucking funny, dude," Paul said. "So I'm guessing you kids saw the commercial?"
Brady nodded eagerly. "Yep! And Belly taped it."
Paul looked over at the other two. "She did?"
"Yeah. You guys want to see it?" Brady grinned up at them.
"So what was this commercial exactly?" Brian wondered. "One of those 'I've fallen and I can't get up' ones?"
Briana smacked him. "For the love of God, Brian, do you ever stop?"
"I was kidding. Seriously, man, why didn't you let us in on this stuff?"
"I didn't think a big time superstar like you would be interested in my little pizza commercial."
"Dude, I'm interested in everything you're doing. And I'm hardly qualified as 'big time' to say the least."
"Come on, let's go see it again!" Brady begged.
"Sure why not?" Brian grinned. "Let's go see Paul in his acting debut. While we're at it, I have a sudden craving for pizza. Who's with me?"
"Let's see the commercial first," Paul said. "Then I will treat everyone to dinner."
"Now there is a rare offer I won't refuse," Brian replied.
Later that evening:
"Did you even leave anything back at the pizza shop?" Briana asked after they had finished dinner, clearing the dishes.
"Hey, if I was going to treat, do it right," Paul grinned.
"There's going to be enough here for a week."
"Not with Daddy and Brett around," Brady giggled. "They eat a lot."
"Hey, watch it, boy," Brian laughed, ruffling Brady's hair, making him giggle more.
"Oh God, I think I am stuffed to the gills," Paul said.
Brian let out a loud belch, making the kids howl with laughter and Briana give him a dirty look.
"What?" he asked, confused.
"Nice role model you're being for your children, Brian," she shook her head.
"Thank you, dear."
Briana rolled her eyes, taking dishes to the kitchen. "You're a piece of work sometimes."
Brady followed, carrying pizza boxes. "Why is Daddy so weird sometimes?"
"I've been asking myself that since I met him," Briana laughed, putting plates in the dishwasher. "All I really know about your dad as a whole is that he has some crazy hair, a crazy personality, and he's just crazy in general."
"But you still like him." Brady looked over the counter, eyes shining.
"Of course."
"I thought so," Brady nodded. "I can tell, because he still likes you too."
Briana smiled again. "Yes, even with all of his craziness, sometimes people are just meant to be together in more ways than one."