Hey Everyone, there maybe some spelling mistakes as I have only just finished it and not had a chance to spell check & just to give you all the heads up this is quite a long chapter, its just filling in the blanks with some information about characters that will be needed in future chapters, the whole thing between Taylor and Brooke was/is about Brooke giving Taylor a Bone Marrow transplant when she became seriously ill with Leukemia (she was 14 when she was diagnosed), if you have any questions then please review and ask or inbox me. Hope you all enjoy this chapter and please review the chapter all reviews are welcome :-) ...
Chapter Twenty
Character Ages and Clothing:
Taylor-15 Years Old (Black Nike Jogging Bottoms, Black Nike trainers & Pink Soul Cal t-shirt)
Alexis- 13 Years Old (Navy Blue Adidas Tracksuit and Navy & Light Blue Adidas trainers)
Sebastian-4 Years Old (Red T-shirt 'No1 Bro' written on the front Blue Jeans & White Socks)
Lily-3 Years & 4 Months Old (Purple T-shirt 'No1 Sis' Written on Front Black Socks & Purple Skirt)
Olivia-1 Year and 5 Months (Pink Denim Jacket with Pink Denim Jeans & Plain White T-shirt)
Frankee-27 Years Old (She's under Two years older than Brooke)
Cassie-25 Years Old
Kaleigh-25 Years Old
Melaine-24 Years Old (She's three months younger than Brooke)
As the song faded out Brooke wiped the tears from her cheeks drying her hands on the front of her jeans, she looked at Taylor who was wiping her own tears away with the sleeve of Brooke's hoody she took a deep breath in trying to stop herself crying even more. Brooke looked at Taylor unsure weither the tears were bad or good she picked the mic up and moved it over to the side of the booth. Brooke walked over to Taylor and wiped away even more tears that had escaped from her eyes and were rolling down her cheeks, Taylor stood up and wrapped her arms tightly around Brooke's waist, Brooke was slightly worried but hugged Taylor back holding her just as tightly. After a few minutes of just standing still hugging each other Taylor pulled out of the hug looking up at Brooke she smiled "Thank You B, that was great"
"I know it's a sad song but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone with this, I know that we probably have the worst mother in history but we have the best siblings and before you say it I know they don't really understand but you still have me, Joey and Mel, if you need to talk we're here for you"
"I know but everytime I talk to someone about it or how I feel about what happened or could happen they get upset and I feel bad for making them upset"
Brooke took a deep breath in softly squeezing Taylor "How about this no matter how you feel good or bad you come and talk to me, I promise that I won't get upset with you, okay?" She asked looking down at her younger sister, Taylor looked up at her questioningly,
"I can't?" Taylor replied lowering her head slightly so she didn't have to look Brooke in the eyes
"Why not Tay?" Brooke asked slightly confused
"Because you've done enough for me already"
Brooke took a deep breath in knowing that Taylor was referring to the bone marrow transplant and the hours she had sat up all night holding Taylor when the chemo had kicked in so bad that she couldn't stop her body shaking, along with staying with Taylor all day and night for weeks in the hospital because she knew Taylor had a massive fear of them. But not once when she was doing any of those things did she once think that Taylor would think it was a debt she had to repay, it broke her heart to see how different her little sister had become over the last year she didn't know what to say or do to help.
She placed either of her hands on Taylors cheeks and looked deep into her eyes "Taylor, I'm gonna keep saying this until you remember. You DO NOT OWE ME ANYTHING I did everything I did for you because you are my little sister because I love you more than I could ever tell you, the reason I gave you that bone marrow was because I was being selfish"
"Selfish how?" Taylor asked confused
"I couldn't bare the thought of losing you, your my mini me" As Brooke said that they both let out a laugh "I remember when you were born I was only Nine years old and Mum sat me down and told me that I had to be extra careful when I held you and as soon as she put you into my arms that was it end game you stole my heart with those eyes, the way you looked at me all this happiness and joy in your eyes I promised that I would never let anything or anyone hurt you because I loved you that much and as I've got older that love for you and that promise has only got stronger and stronger just like our bond and just like I promised on that day nothing is ever gonna stop me from protecting you" Taylor smilied brightly as Brooke described her love towards her she again hugged Brooke tightly tears running down her cheeks
"I love you Brooke"
"I love you too Tay" Brooke hugged Taylor tightly remaining silent for a few minutes as she opened her eyes and looked down at Taylor who she noticed was now smiling into her chest "Now how about we go celebrate you kicking Cancers ass?"
"Yeah as long as I get the first piece of cake" Taylor replied brightly as she and Brooke headed towards the booth door, as she walked towards the studio door Taylor looked at Brooke who was walking a step behind her, she stopped letting Brooke catch up to her, and as they walked through the Studio door and began walking through the garden back upto the house she playfully pushed Brooke who stumbled sidewards as she regained her footing she sent Taylor of look of 'Oh really' raising her eyebrows at her she quickly rushed towards Taylor who quickly sprinted towards the house through the kitchen door and into the frontroom where she quickly spotted Mel and jumped behind her. Brooke tried to get to Taylor but was stopped by Mel who would move in her way everytime she moved to get Taylor, Taylor smiled brightly behind Mel she knew that Mel wouldn't let Brooke past her, she also knew that Brooke wouldn't push Mel out of the way because that would end badly for her, She laughed at Brooke turned on the spot and skipped up the stairs as she looked back to make sure Brooke wasn't chasing her she saw Mel had her arms firmly against Brooke's shoulders preventing her from going any further she grinned at Brooke who then shouted up to her "I'll get you later Tay"
She instantly replied to Brooke's remark with her own "In your dreams Big Sis" as she dissapeared onto the landing and into her room.
Brooke was about to move away from Mel when she heard a song come on the radio she smiled at Mel as she recognised it as the bands new single -Jay Sean's Down- They both smiled at each other, Brooke pulled Mel into her and placed a soft kiss on her lips Mel looked at her somewhat confused she was almost 100% sure that Brooke was gonna make her go all night long without a kiss, Acting on her confusion Mel looked Brooke in the eyes and asked "What was that for?"
Brooke smiled at her "For standing by me last year, it's because of you that we still have a group and now a new single"
"I didn't do anything"
"Yeah you did, you stood by me when everything was going wrong with Taylor and Alexis' meltdown you never once asked me for a way out even though I offered it to you on a number of occassions"
Mel pulled Brooke tightly against her she wanted to tell Brooke the truth about her and Frankee but she didn't want to lose Brooke if anything what had happened between her and Frankee was a wake up call as to how much she loved Brooke and wanted to spend the rest of her life with her she only wished that she realised that before she slept with Frankee she whispered softly into Brooke's ear. "When I said those vows I meant them for better or worse, but now we're over the worse part we can concentrate on the better part" As she pulled Brooke to her slightly she placed a soft kiss on Brooke lips holding them there for a few minutes they pulled apart when they heard Alexis behind them "Ewwww" They both laughed softly as Brooke let go of Mel and walked over to Joey and Alexis "The decorations look great guys" she honestly stated looking at the banners one some said Happy Birthday and the others said Congratulations as she continued to look around she noticed that the two sofas had been pushed out of the way to make room all the guests, there were also about twenty or thirty different coloured balloons scattered round the room
"Thanks" Joey replied smiling at Brooke, her smile grew even more when she saw Frankee coming down the stairs she quickly forced herself to stop smiling so much otherwise it would be obvious that she like Frankee then she would have all the questions from Brooke. Even though the smile only lasted a few seconds unknown to Joey Brooke had noticed it and made a mental note to ask Joey what is what about mainly because to her it looked like the smile Joey always had whenever she was in love. Mel however wasn't at all happy that Frankee was now in the room and unnoticed by Brooke she glared at Frankee the anger she felt inside her bubbling.
"Hey guys how is everyone?" Frankee happily asked almost bouncing down the stairs, walking past Mel and noticing the glare was being directed at her she quickly moved towards Brooke and Joey, quickly hugging Brooke "Happy Birthday B" She said handing over a birthday card to Brooke.
"Thanks Frank" Brooke replied noticing the look Frankee was giving Joey she bit her lip not wanting to jump to conclusion before talking to Joey "So Frank, When is your date getting here?"
"She's not, I haven't got one tonight its a celebration the last thing I need is some woman clinging to me all night then crying when I let her down" Frankee paused looking at Mel who was still glaring at her, she couldn't help but smile at knowing that she was getting to Mel and that maybe that meant she was getting to Brooke and Mel's relationship as well which was exactly she wanted even though Brooke was her best friend she had never got over the fact that Mel wanted Brooke and not her and she was determined to get Mel not matter what she had to do even breaking Brooke's heart. She looked at Joey and openly eyed her up and down "Your looking good Joey" She went to move forward to hug Joey when she was stopped by Brooke's hand on her chest "What can't I hug your cousin now?"
"No you can't not after the way you just eyed her up, a handshake or touching fists with do" Brooke replied straight faced
"Fair enough B, Fair enough" She replied gently shaking Joey quickly winking at her so Brooke didn't see, she smirked at Brooke knowing that she had absolutley now idea that she was having sex with Joey every single night under Brooke's nose
Joey quickly exitted the Living Room and entered the kitchen, Brooke was about to say something when the doorbell rang, everyone's attention turned to the door, Brooke quickly walked upto the door pulling it carefully open, she smiled as she was meet with Cassie and Kaleigh the other two members of Fifth Element one at a time they both hugged Brooke wishing her a Happy Birthday and handing her a card, once they had hugged Brooke they both walked into the house and made their way around the room saying hello to everyone, when they got to Frankee and Mel they hugged them both they then made their way to the sofa positioned near the window taking off their jackets theyoff they both sat down, Cassie and Kaleighs mouths both dropped slightly as they caught sight of Joey as she re-entered the room carrying two plates of pizza -one pepperoni and the other American Hot- in her hands
"Wow, Joey you scrub up well" Cassie commented as Joey walked towards her, she quickly jumped up taking one of the plates from Joey and asking where she wanted it
"Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself" Joey relpied blushing slightly then remebering Cassie's question "Can you put on that table please" She said pointing to a table which was against the wall on the opposite side of where the DJ equipment was set up
Kaleigh got up of her seat and walked over to Joey hugging her quickly "Nice to see you Joey, and Cas is right you look great"
"Thanks its good to see you too" She politely replied again blushing at another comment
"No problem" Kaleigh replied she sat down again as she did she looked at everyone and asked "Did anyone hear what was on the radio about five minutes ago?"
Brooke smiled at her and replied high fiving Kaleigh and then Cassie "Yeah me and Mel heard it" Frankee looked at them blanky wondering what they were on about, as did everyone else in the room, noticing the looks of confusion and wonder on their faces Brooke answered "They just played Down"
"Down?" Frankee repeated a little confused when Brooke nodded at her she thought to heself for a second "Hang on, our new single Down" Brooke again nodded smiling at Frankee following what Brooke had done a moment before she high fived Cassie and Kaleigh she went to high five Mel but was completely blanked by her, she brushed it off and walked back to where she was standing before. Brooke however looked at Mel slightly worried about her she knew that Mel wasn't Frankee's biggest fan but she normal would just go along with everything to keep the peace she wasn't the kind of person that was rude to people even if she didn't like them.
Brooke was distracted from her thoughts when she heard Lily crying out, she quickly walked over to her picking her up she examined the little girl to see if she was hurt but found nothing "Hey Buttercup what's wrong?" When the little girl shrugged at her Brooke smiled and asked "You don't know what's wrong?" She paused as the little girl nodded "Well are you sleepy?" Lily shook her head at Brooke, reaching her hand through the neck of Brooke's top and underneath it then pulling out the dogtags which were hidden from plain sight, everyone looked a little surprised at Lily's action the only one who wasn't was Brooke she was shocked the first time Lily did it but that was a couple days ago, now she was more impressed that Lily knew exactly where her dogtags were "Ok, you wanna play with my dogtags is that it?" Lily again shook her head "Are you hungry?" Again Lily shook her head at Brooke's question, Brooke thought to herself there wasn't anything of the top of her head, when Lily wanted to go to the toliet she would tell Brooke straight away so Brooke could help her navigate the staircase. She was about to suggest something else when Lily softly spoke "Cadel" She looked at Lily quizzingly "Say that again Lily" Brooke replied wanting Lily to get the wording right without her help, instead of complying with Brooke, Lily instead rested her head on Brooke's shoulder and turned her body so instead of being on Brooke's side she was resting on her chest as Lily moved in her arms Brooke adjusted her grip so Lily didn't slip out of her arms and hurt herself "You want a cuddle?" Brooke asked looking down at Lily, Lily pushed herself softly up, smiled at Brooke nodded and lowered herself so she was again resting on Brooke's chest gripping firmly onto Brooke.
All the others were watching on as Brooke interacted with Lily, Mel couldn't help but think if this was how Brooke would be with their own kids or wither she found it so easy to look after all four of her siblings because they were exactly that her siblings, she had always admired that about Brooke it was one of the things that made Brooke her perfect woman she loved her younger siblings with her every breath everything she did was for them and their future. Though they had never talked about having children of their own Mel often imagined it but lately she found it harder and harder to imagine all she could see in her and Brooke's future was Brooke finding out about her and Frankee and ending it, it was starting to take control of her mind she did everything she could to avoid making love to Brooke, but today seemed different seeing the tattoo Brooke had got on her right wrist had sparked something inside her it made her realise that maybe Brooke loved her more than she thought she did. And this made her think about them having kids she didn't know who would carry the child but she knew that Brooke would be a great mother, Well she already is to Seb, Lily and Olivia, especially Olivia now she was learning to talk it was becoming difficult for her to understand that Brooke wasn't her mother, everytime she saw Brooke walk into a room she would shout out 'mama' though it made Brooke smile cause she knew it meant Olivia loved her, she always corrected her for fear that her mother would hear and get upset by it. That was another thing Mel admired about Brooke no matter what her mother did to her she always thought about her feelings even if she didn't like to admit it Brooke loved her mother the only hard part was loving a mother who obviously loved many things more than her children mainly men and alcohol. All these thoughts in her mind were again interrupted by the relisation that if Brooke found out about her and Frankee it would be over as the scene played out in her head all she could she was Brooke looking at her with complete hatred in her eyes slamming a door in her face as the thought of losing Brooke became to emotional for her to contain tears spilled down her cheeks without her even knowing they were falling.
Lily laid peacefully in Brooke's arms closing her eyes as Brooke moved from side to side on the spot, Lily kept a tight grip on the dogtags in her hand squeezing them everytime it felt like Brooke was going to place her back on the floor, Brooke looked down at Sebastian who was contently playing with a fire engine he had got for his last birthday he smiled up at Brooke and waved excitedly at her. She waved back at him and smiled brightly at him then turned her attention to Mel, who she now noticed had tears running down her cheeks the wife in her took over and walked quickly over to Mel, placing her hand on Mel's waist she guided her through the kitchen and into the the garden as she did so Lily moved in her arms her movement clearly from her being annoyed that Brooke's quick movement had woken her slightly. As they got outside Brooke carefully guided Mel to the bench she and Taylor had been sitting on a mere hour before, Mel sat down on the bench not agruing with anthing Brooke had done, partly because she was too deep into her thoughts to argue and partly because she thought this would be the part in their relationship where her nightmare came to life. Brooke cautiously sat down next to Mel, she placed Lily carefully down on her lap making sure not to disturb the little girl even more than she knew she already had, she kept her left arm around Lily's back so that if the little girl went to lay down on her back she could move her in the right direction for her not to fall of her lap and the bench, she placed her right arm on the bench reaching her right hand out to rest on Mel's left shoulder she felt Mel flench slightly at the placement of her hand.
"Mel whats wrong?" She asked the worry evadent in her voice, Mel didn't reply she just stared down at her feet tears continuing to fall from her eyes, after a few seconds Brooke continued "What every it is we can get through it? Unless that's the problem?" Mel looked from her feet up to Brooke in confusion "I mean if the us part is the problem?" Her words only made the tears on Mel's face fall faster causing her body to shake slightly from the emotion flowing through her body. As she felt Mel's body begin to shake under her hand, Brooke decided to take Lily inside mainly because it was cold outside but also because she sensed that this conversation wasn't something a child should be able to listen in on "Stay here ok, I'll be two minutes I promise" Mel didn't move from her postion she just continued to stare at her feet, her body still shaking and the tears still flowing. Brooke got to her feet and quickly walked back to the kitchen, as she entered the kitchen she saw Joey and called her over
"Hey B, what's up?" Joey asked as she approached Brooke and Lily
"I need to speak to Mel in private, and I can't do the private part with this little one earwigging, Can you take her for me please?"
"Of course" She replied placing her hands in the air signalling for Brooke to hand Lily over, as Brooke moved Lily away from her chest Lily refused to release her grip on Brooke's dogtags, Brooke smiled at the little girls attempt to stay with her but instead of arguing with Lily she slipped the dogtags from around her neck, once Lily was in Joey's arms Brooke placed the dogtags carefully around Joey's neck, winking at Joey. Brooke turned around and headed out the kitchen door grabbing her Black Ed Hardy hoody of the coat hanger behind the door as she exitted the door.
Brooke quickly walked back to the bench, were she found Mel in the exact same postion she was before she back down on the bench this time she sat on the bench as she normally would, with her right knee folded on the bench and her body turned to the right so she could look at Mel and study her body language. As she studied the way Mel was sitting, she noticed how different it was from the way she would normally sit it looked as if she was sitting in a defence position like she was protecting herself from something or someone.
"Mel" Brooke softly said hoping to grab Mel's attention when that didn't work she placed her hand on Mel's lower back as Mel felt the contact her back straightened up immediately Brooke felt panic rise inside her she tried to think if she had done something to her when she couldn't think of anything she decided to ask "Babe, have I done something wrong?" Mel quickly turned to her and looked at her completely confused at the question after a few minutes of silence she spoke again "If you talk to me maybe I can explain or apologise or whatever you want me to do?"
"You haven't done anything wrong" Mel said looking at Brooke's facial features she could see how worried Brooke was and how scared she was that she had done something, but she couldn't see any anger, She quickly realised that everything that had just played out seemingly infront of her was in her mind, her body immediatley relaxed, she turned her body to the left so she was looking straight at Brooke she reached her hand up and softly touched Brooke's cheek "I don't deserve you" She firmly said she felt Brooke's facial expression change in confusion and shock under her hand, she moved her hand away from Brooke's cheek and rested it on her lap
"What are you talking about? Of course you do" Brooke agrued against Mel's comment
"No I don't, I never have, All that stuff I put you through when we were teenagers I was a complete bitch...I still am" Mel counteracted Brooke's comment
"Your not a bitch Mel, you never have been"
"But..." As Mel went to argue again Brooke stopped her completely
"No buts about it Babe, Things were different when we were teenagers you were worried about your family finding out you were gay so you didn't want to get close to me, I get it not everyones families are as accepting as mine, and that's only because my mum was to drunk most of the time to even notice if I was bringing home boys or girls. And you were right to worry about your family, because of us being together you lost all your family except your mum and that was because I didn't leave you alone when you asked , so if anyone is a bitch her it's me"
"Your not a bitch" Mel honestly replied, she wanted to cry even more knowing that Brooke thought she was the bitch "Your the most honest, loving, caring and amazing person I have ever meet" She replied reaching out for Brooke's hand which Brooke gladly accepted "That's why I don't deserve you"
"Why do you keep saying that? You do deserve me why don't you believe that?"
"Because your you" When Brooke looked at her confused she explained "You have the kindest and most patient heart and soul of anyone I have ever met, you deserve someone who can be the exact same thing for you" Brooke looked at her shaking her head "You don't know how unmade we are for each other, your everything I'm not"
"Why would you say think that?"
"Because it's true" Mel quickly replied not hestating for a second that what she said was true
"How in god's name is that true"
"You care about your family, I don't. Your the glue in your household I'm the reason my family needs glue to stay together, Your the strong link of the band I'm the weak link" Mel relpied looking at Brooke, her voice filled with conviction and honestisty, although the look of confusion and sadness on Brooke's face made it harder to tell her what she believed to be true, she paused when she saw Brooke open her mouth to speak
"I don't know why you think all this crap, but your not any of those things"
"It's not crap Brooke it's the truth"
"Really the truth, the truth is you love your family, Your family only need glue to hold them together because they couldn't accept that you loved me and I'm only the strong link in the band because of you, whenever I get tired or I'm annoyed or angry you calm me down and help me find a way around it, if you didn't then I probably would have hit every single member of the band and Carl along with it" Brooke honestly replied looking Mel squarely in the eyes
"You are the only one that thinks that about me nobody else would because you only see the good in me"
"Can I honestly tell you what I think of you without to counteracting it or interrupting me?"
Mel nodded her approval to Brooke, as she nodded her eyes moved down to left hand, it was holding on tightly to Brooke's left hand, their wedding rings sitting on top of each other. She smiled softly and looked back up at Brooke focusing on her. "Go for it"
"Good" Brooke replied taking a deep and softly squeezing Mel's hand for comfort "Honestly everything you think I thought about you was true when we first meet, You were this rude, popular and extremely stuck up Latina who didn't have a problem telling people what she thought of them, When we got put together on that Music project I honestly tried everything to get out of it, But I'm really glad I didn't because I'd probably be really miserable without you. The girl that I sat down and did this music project with was so different to the person that everyone including me thought you were, I had no idea what to say to you at first which was the first and only time I've ever had to think of something casual to talk to a girl or woman about" She paused smiling at Mel then looking down at her and Mel's hands and smiling as Mel sqeezed her hand softly "I remember sitting there with you and thinking through everything I could to talk about and then once we had decided that we were going to study Dusty Springfield or as you called her the legend of original R'n'B, you were writing some stuff down on your notepad, I was writing in mine and then I looked up at you and I swear it took my breathe completely away, then we started listening to her greatest hits album and Son of a Preacher came on and you got up and started to dance. Wathcing you sing and dance around seeing how free you were I realised that everything you pretended to be was completely fake and was the furthest from the real you as possible so I decided to dance with you we started of on complete opposite sides of the room then with every second of the song we got closer and closer until we were dancing our hands entwined and then you threw your arm around my neck and pulled me towards you so we were pelvis to pelvis I placed my arms around your waist and you placed your right hand on my cheek and you just stared into my eyes" Brooke paused again for a second when she noticed tears falling down Mel's cheeks, she reached up with her right hand carefully wiping away Mel's tears away. "As the last few lines of the song played you moved your face closer to mine then closer and closer until our lips were less than an inch away from each others then the room went silent, we stood there looking at each other seeing what the other would do when you went to move forward more when Taylor came running into my room and jumped in between us and jumped up at me asking me for a cuddle" They both laughed as the memory flashed in both of their minds, Brooke carefully caressed Mel's cheek and continued with her point "Anyway thats what I think of you, on first glance your whatever you want people to think of you and some times thats a bitch. But the real Mel is kind caring and loving, I knew that from the first evening I spent with you"
Mel looked at Brooke and smiled at her words and how much Brooke thought of her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and spoke "You forgot to mention the part where I ran out of your house like I was being chased by a rabid wolf" Mel pointed out when Brooke went to speak she continued "And before you defend me, it wasn't because I realised I was gay because I knew that long before we meet"
"You really don't want me to defend you, do you?" Brooke asked looking at Mel, who shook her head instantly "Ok, can I ask you something then?" When Mel nodded she asked "How many girls had you fancied before me?"
"I don't know but I had fancied girls before"
"Ok, How many girls did you have a sexual attraction to before me?"
"One maybe Two"
"So why did you run from me?" Brooke asked already knowing the answer from previous conversations she had with Mel
"You already know the answer to these questions"
"Mel just humour me please"
"Fine, It was different with you because it wasn't a normal attraction it was stronger than anything I had or have felt."
"Doesn't that tell you something about yourself" When Mel looked at her confused she explained "You ran away from me because you wanted me that much so much it scared you, But what was the whole reason you ran away from me that day?"
"Because I knew I wouldn't be able to let you go and I knew it wuld upset my family"
"So you sacrificed your happiness for your family's happiness?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Because if you were such a bad person why would you sacrifice your happiness for your family, because your not a bitch or a bad person your selfless, If I hadn't have pursued you then you would still be in the preverbial closet" Brooke said looking Mel deadly in the eyes and taking a deep breath, still not knowing what was wrong with Mel "Can you tell me something?" Mel looked at Brooke slightly confused and nodded softly at Brooke's question "Why do you think your a bitch?"
"Its nothing, I'm probably overreacting"
"You don't overreact Mel, it's not you" When Mel raised her eyebrows at her, she knew exactly what it was for "Ok, but that was because of what I did and I'm so sorry that I every made you feel like that, I'm sorry that I made you doubt my feelings for you"
"You have nothing to be sorry for Babe, You told me you wouldn't cheat and I should have believed you instead of accusing you all the time"
"So is this why you think your a bitch"
"No, I told you I'm just overreacting, its nothing..." Mel went to get up but Brooke kept their hands entwined together and softly pulled Mel back down onto the bench looking her in the eyes
"I'm not moving until you tell me whats wrong?"
Mel settled back into the bench and looked deep into Brooke's eyes smiling at how much Brooke still cared about her after nearly ten years together "It's just something Fr...someone said"
"Someone?"
"Ok, Frankee"
"What exactly did she say?"
"She said that I would never be enough for you, that I was never gonna be what you really wanted, and that if I really loved you I would let you go before I ruined your life for good"
"You are over reacting, why would you listen to her?"
"Because I keep thinking that maybe she's right, that maybe if we weren't together then maybe you would have a better life than you do know"
"Why would I have a better life without you?" When Mel offered no response she continued "My problems aren't because I'm with you it's because my mother is an alcoholic and my father left her the first chance he had, my family problems are nothing that you could help, in fact I would probably be completely crazy if it wasn't for you, I told you before and I'll keep telling you until you remember this, You keep me going when everything is getting to me and I can't take anymore you get me through it even if its something as small as a smile you save me every single time" Brooke completed as tears ran freely down Mel's cheeks
Mel smilied through the tears, she pulled Brooke into a hug holding onto her tightly "I'm sorry I was being over sensative, and for what its worth I don't think I could live without you" When Brooke pulled back from the hug and looked at her confused she explained "You know how some people need certain things to be able to function properly" When Brooke nodded she continued "Well your my thing...I need you, It's like I can't think straight when your not there, and I hate every second that we're apart. I honestly could cope with losing you"
Brooke smiled brightly at her, a few tears escaping from her eyes as she pulled Mel closer to her "Well it's a good thing you never have to find out isn't it" She said as she pulled out of the hug and looked Mel in the eyes they stayed still for a few minutes looking into each others eyes and losing themselves after three or four minutes they both refocused looking at the others facial features, Mel slowly closed the gap between their lips until they were connected in a completely love filled kiss, it didn't esculate as their kisses normally did it was just each of them showing the other exactly how much they loved them.
As the kiss continued, Mel brought her right arm up to rest on Brooke's shoulder as it landed on Brooke's shoulder she felt Brooke wrap her arms around her waist and slide her towards her so Brooke's right knee which was bent on the bench was now pushed against Mel's hip, Brooke smiled into the kiss she unwrapped her arms from Mel's waist when she felt Mel stand up slightly still not breaking the kiss, Mel reached for Brooke's right knee and straightened it out as she did that she sat back down on the bench but as she did so she bent her left leg on the bench and placed her right leg on top of Brooke's left leg (knee)-which was on the floor- as Mel's leg landed on her knee Brooke placed her left hand on Mel's leg feeling her way up to Mel's hips as her hand reached Mel's hip she snaked it around Mel's hips bringing her right hand up to Mel's neck. As they both ran out of oxygen they both slowly pulled out of the kiss neither of them wanted to break the kiss but along with the lack of oxygen there was also a high chance that they were being watched and if they didn't break it, it may have lead to a very public display of affection and many other things
Brooke looked at Mel, she noticed that from that small amount of time they were talking Mel's body language wasn't defensive anymore and she was smiling, She leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Mel's cheek "Your absolutely stunning You know that" She watched as Mel's cheeks turned a very dark shade of red. But she smiled at Brooke gripping hold of her neck she pulled Brooke towards her placing a tender kiss on the lips and pulled back smiling at Brooke, "What was that for?"
"Calling me stunning, I'm many things and I'm not sure stunning is one of them but more than anything I am proud to call you my wife" Mel looked at Brooke who was now slightly blushing at Mel's honesty " And it was also for not letting me think badly of myself, anyone else would have walked away and not bothered asking what was wrong let along trying to help me"
"You may not think your stunning but I'm telling you that you are the most stunning woman I have ever meet, and the reason I wont let you think badly of yourself is because your a good person, maybe sometimes you get lead in the wrong direction but only because you don't believe in yourself enough"
"Thank you, it means everything to me to know that your in my corner fighting for me and that you love me that much"
"Of course I love you that much I wouldn't have maried you otherwise, and personally I think it's stupid that your letting Frankee get to you when you know full well that she's still probably jealous of me and you getting together because she wanted you for herself"
"But that was ten years ago, surely she isn't that bitter" Mel responded trying not to show in her voice that she knew Franke was still jealous of her and Brooke, she knew from experience that Frankee was extremely bitter, she wouldn't leave Mel alone sometimes because she was convinced that they were 'meant to' be together she even went as far as to blackmail Mel into sleeping with her time after time, she didn't seem to care about Brooke's feelings at all.
"Frankee is a weird one, I'm not many people would openly eye up their best mate's cousin when they know that their best mate is very protective of her cousin" Brooke explained looking at Mel who didn't seem the tiniest bit shocked that Frankee was eyeing up Joey in front of Brooke, she was looking for a reason to provoke Brooke "But I still don't get why what she said would get to you so much?"
Mel looked down at her feet and looked then looked up at Brooke looking her in the eyes she answered honestly "I'm just scared I suppose?"
"Scared of what?" Brooke asked slightly conserned my Mel's tone
"That I'm not enough for you" Mel looked at Brooke trying to see what she was thinking
"Not enough for me?" Brooke asked slightly confused, Mel had never showed any signs of doubting herself before. "Of course your enough for me, I wouldn't be married to you otherwise"
"I know you believe I'm enough, but I don't think I am. I mean you've seen sense before, we've broke up what if you see sense again and end it with me"
"Why would I break up with you, I have never wanted us to be apart, I mean isn't how long we were broke up for enough to tell you how I feel?" Mel looked at Brooke raising her eyebrows not knowing exactly what she meant "We were apart for just over two days and we got back together, it was so quick that nobody noticed we had broke up" She explained to Mel looking deep into her eyes she spoke completely from the heart "I don't know how many different ways I can say this but I don't ever want to lose you, when we're not together all I can think about is you, about how your lips curl up a certain way when you smile, the way when you laugh your right foot twitches slighty, how your whole body is absolutely perfect from top to bottom" Mel blushed slightly at the mention of her body, although it made her blush the comment also made her smile knowing that Brooke thought of her body as perfect "And how when we've just finished making love you always wrap your leg around mine and rest you head on my shoulder" Brooke blushed slightly as she said 'making love'
"You really think my body is perfect?" Mel asked not knowing if Brooke was just trying to make her feel better about herself
"Of course I do, I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it" She raised her right hand upto Mel's cheek and softly caressed it "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever meet, every inch of you is perfect"
"Are you sure that I'm enough for you though?" Mel asked, she still counldn't shake the feeling that Brooke was only saying these things to make her feel better
"Mel your more than enough for me"
"I mean..." Mel paused struggling to find the right words "Ummm...in the bedr...physically...sexually" Mel finally finished blushing even more
"Mel, you really think your not good enough in the bed for me?" Brooke asked starting to worry even more about Mel
"I don't know I mean, I've only ever been with one other woman than you and...You were my first and I want you to be my last...but I don't want you to stay with me out of pity because you can't tell me that I'm rubbish in bed..." Mel was going to continue but was cut of by Brooke.
"Mel of course your enough for me, you should know by now that if you were rubbish in bed then I would tell you, I'm not one to shy away from the truth." Brooke paused and looked deep into Mel's eyes and took a deep breath "I wanna tell you something and don't be all weird when I tell you ok?" She waited for Mel's reponse when Mel nodded she continued "You were and are the only woman I ever let touch me down there or go down on me" She honestly revealed to Mel, she waited nervously for a reply
"Are you being honest?...Your not just saying it to make me feel better" Mel asked slightly took back by Brooke's confession, she had never even thought she might have been the first, let alone the only, woman to have touched or gone down on Brooke
"I'm being honest with you"
"How comes you never told me before?"
"Honestly, I was always kind of embarrassed about it" Mel's facial expression changed from a smile to a almost grimace, when she saw the expression she explained "No no, I'm not embarrased of it being you or anything, it was more that I wasn't the girl you thought you were fell for. I didn't want to make your nervous our first time by telling you that technically your were my first. All those others girls I slept with in school they all cared about themselves getting pleasured that why I never let them touch me but you, you were different I trusted you and I knew that you trusted me enough for me to take your virginity"
"Thats nothing to be embarrased about babe, it just means you wait until your in love with someone to let them touch you" Mel replied a silent tear escaping her eyes as she realised that Brooke must have loved extremely deeply to let her be her first, When Brooke reached her right hand up to Mel's cheek again wiping away Mel's tears, Mel placed her right hand on top of it and held it to her face "You must have really loved me to give me that honour"
Brooke merely smiled at Mel and anwsered "I did and I still do, I think if I lost you I'd be incomplete as soppy as it sounds you are the love of my life, I will never love anyone as much as I love you, well apart from the kids and Jojo but you know what I mean..."Brooke explained beginning to ramble a little bit, before she could continue she was cut of from her ramble when Mel placed a soft kiss on her lips and whispered to her "I know what you mean"
As they looked at each other, Mel nervously bit her lip she couldn't believe how the day had played out so far, she had woke up alone in bed instantly thinking Brooke had left her, she was relieved when Brooke texted her saying she would be back at noon, then Brooke got back revealed her new tattoo (with Melaine and their wedding date) and suprised her with gifts including their long awaited wedding rings, then they had spent hours making love with her taking the lead and giving Brooke her own present after that she had finally got ready after just under an hour of her trying and failing to persuade Brooke to stay in bed for longer. Then when she had got downstairs Taylor had ran into her leading to her and Brooke sharing a intermate moment together which was inturrupted by the kids shouting how disgusting kissing was. Then 'That Bitch' showed her face and started sending her looks across the room, which again made her worry that Brooke would find out about them and not give her a chance to explain herself before kicking her out. All the thoughts that rushed around in her head played out infront of her as if it was real which from what she remembered was the reason Brooke had taken her outside and was the reason they had that whole conversation. It felt like maybe just maybe her and Brooke were a solid couple she finally knew just how deeply Brooke loved her.
As the whole day ran through her head she shivered slightly as her body finally reacted to the cold weather, she quickly moved her hands to her arms moving them quickly up and down trying to warm herself up she smiled brightly when Brooke took of her hoody and placed it on her shoulders, she smiled leaning in and placing a gentle loving kiss on Brooke cheek then one kiss at a time moving towards Brooke's lips, as she placed a gentle loving kiss on Brooke lips Brooke immediatley reacted and kissed her back with just as much love in her kiss.
Inside the house Joey was still holding Lily, who was now fast asleep, in her arms not wanting to place the little girl in bed incase she woke up. Taylor was back in the frontroom sitting with Alexis who was showing her pictures of movie stars from the magazine she had been looking through. Frankee was sitting in one of the armchairs her eyes looked firmly on Joey and her every move. Kaleigh and Cassie were still sitting on the sofa the had sat down on just after they had arrived. Maxine was still in the kitchen making more sandwiches and snacks. Sebastian was sitting in the playpen area and Olivia was upstairs asleep in her cot. Numerous members of Brooke and Joey's family had began to arrive include about seven or eight cousins- three women and five men- who Joey was pretty sure she had never meet before, along with three of their aunties all of whom Joey had only meet once or twice when she was a bit younger but they all regonised her, each of them telling her she hadn't changed a bit that she was still cute as the last time they saw her. The latest person to arrive at the house was the band's manager Carl.
Frankee was still looking at Joey, who had noticed her looking over at her on a few occasions but had choose to look away not sending her any signals incase one of the others noticed and told Brooke, Joey felt a small rush go through her everytime she notice Frankee sending her a flirtatious smile she didn't know if it was the excitment of her and Frankee's relationship being a secret to everyone else or if she was slowly falling for her, the rush she felt running through her was the same one that she felt that first time she nearly kissed Charlie when they were on the Blaxland. She decided that instead of worrying about what could happen in future and what could happen she'd take things with Frankee step by step. As she again turned and noticed Frankee looking at her she couldn't help but smile back at her this time, when she realised that Cassie had seen the exchange between them she quickly turned away from them avoiding looking at either of them, her head started to whirl with all kinds of thought and images that all involved Brooke finding out that her and Frankee where sleeping together and all of them involved Brooke kicking either her or Frankee out of the house.
Joey shook her head trying to get ride of all of the thoughts running through her head when she felt Lily move in her arms she looked down noticing that Lily was beginning to stir from her sleep, she decided that the best thing for Lily would be to put her in her bed then if she woke up she wouldn't be scared by all the people around her. She walked quickly up the stairs and into Lily and Sebastians bedroom as she walked into the room she quitely closed the door to. She walked gingerly over to Lily's bed pulling the covers back then carefully placing Lily in the bed and placing the cover over Lily, as she took her hand away from the cover she smiled when Lily turned onto her left side and grabbed the cover with her left pulling the cover into her, as she looked at Lily adjusting the covers Lily was doing the exact same thing that Brooke did when they were younger, it amazed her how alike to Brooke each of her siblings were she didn't know how it was possible, the things that were alike in them and Brooke were not things that many people shared. Joey was disturbed from her thoughts when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind, she looked down at the pair of hands that were now resting on her stomach, she smiled when she saw Frankee's ring turning around in Frankee's embrace she looked into her eyes and couldn't help but smile. As Frankee moved in for a kiss Joey pulled back looking Frankee in the eyes she explained why she pulled away, "We can't in here, what if Lily wakes up?"
"Jo, she is out of it and we may not get a chance to be together until tomorrow"
"I know but I don't wanna risk her seeing something, it could mess with her mind, she's only a kid she wouldn't understand what it meant"
"She won't see anything, I swear just a quick kiss" When Joey didn't reply she continued giving Joey her version of puppy dog eyes "Please Babe, just one quick kiss" Joey looked at Frankee and nodded softly at Frankee, On seeing the nod Frankee quickly moved in for a kiss capturing Joey lips with her own the kiss quickly became very passionate, Joey was trying to stop the kiss escalating but couldn't help but give into the heat she felt rising inside of her, she was just about to pull away from Frankee when they were interuppted by a voice coming from the bedroom door.
"What the hell is going on?"
Coming up in the next chapter
-Joey and Charlie get a little more closer
-Brooke and Joey have an honest talk about their feelings
-Taylor opens up...but to who?