1Meg,
Don't wait up for me tonight. I will be home late.
Andrew
Meg scowled as she crumpled thenote her husband had left her that morning and tossed it into the waste basket. She was well into her sixth month of pregnancy and was nearly going mad with boredom. Christine was busy today with the Comtess, her mother was arranging preliminary rehearsals for the newly acquired corps de ballet at the opera and Brett was...well, come to think of it Brett hadn't spoken to her since before she and Andrew had left for London. Meg would have liked to get to know Roxana, but Andrew wasn't too fond of the idea and more or less forbade her from interacting with the woman. Flopping back on the bed, she growled at the same time her stomach did, alerting her she was starving.
"Are you hungry?" She asked her active little companion who seemed to respond by pressing on the area which made her need to go to the bathroom all the time. Sighing she got up and nodded.
"I suppose that is yes." She laughed and took care of that before pulling on a jacket. The December weather was beginning to become bitterly cold. She decided to walk to her favorite restaurant, the very same one she'd dined last with Brett. If Andrew knew she was out...he would likely have a heart attack, but she couldn't stand it in that dark silent house any longer. Especially on the servants' day off.
As she walked into the restaurant, the lovely smells comforted her nose. She was finally over the horrible sickness. She heard a familiar voice and looked over to see Raoul and Christine waving at her. She grinned. They were there with their family and the Reynolds family, no doubt celebrating the coming wedding of Alana and Garrett this weekend. Raoul waved for her to come over to them as sit between he and Christine. Happily, she obliged, grateful to see friends.
"Meg, what are you doing here?" Christine whispered as she wedged herself between the husband and wife. She sighed.
"If I had to spend one more minute in that wretched lonely house, I would have died." She whispered back. Meg nodded politely at the Comte and Comtess as well as the Reynolds. She noticed Brett was sitting beside his mother on the other side of Raoul looking straight into his cup of soup.
"You all remember Lady Westcliff?" Raoul asked as the Comte nodded.
"Of course...who could forget a pretty face like that?" He winked at her in a fatherly way and Meg blushed, laughing.
"How is the pregnancy coming dear?" The Comtess asked her and Meg smiled, touching her round belly.
"It's much better now, thank you..." She said as Brett scooped at his soup intently. She frowned, feeling as though she was being avoided. Raoul and Christine were whispering something to each other behind Meg who finally stood.
"Raoul, let's switch...it would probably be best if you sat beside your wife." She laughed as he agreed.
Carefully, they adjusted the seating as Alana chattered on to her mother and sisters about the final fitting for her gown later that day. Meg nudged Brett.
"How are you?" She whispered, to which he simply nodded.
"Don't you worry about me..." He said softly, pushing his empty cup away. He dared not look at her, though her could smell her silken blonde hair as close as she now was. He stole one glance at her delicate profile and felt the need to double over with how badly it hurt to look at her. Her blue eyes were framed with long dark blonde lashes, her nose was small and lovely. Her lips, though on the thinner side, were perfectly shaped and a lovely shade of pink. He knew she was looking at him and he strained to keep his attention off of her, though his gaze had wandered to the bump that now complimented her once flat stomach, and of all things, the only thing that ran through his mind was, I wish that child was mine...
Brett Reynolds had never been in love. He'd never stayed up all night thinking about a girl, he wasn't the type to write poetry or try and win a girl's affections. Sure, he had courted girls, but they'd never left any impression on him. He'd been perfectly content being a bachelor and caring only about himself and his needs. Now, he found himself up all night like those men he'd always called crazy saps. He remembered the day that Raoul had come into their house over a year ago, the day after he'd seen Hannibal and had gone on about Christine this and that and how devastated he was that she had stood him up for dinner. Raoul had been sure she was being courted after hearing a man's voice in her dressing room. Apparently, that had not been the case, but Brett didn't know or care to know the full story. He'd thought Raoul to be a lovestruck sissy and had told him so. He now regretted those words.
He also regretted rolling his eyes at the way his brother looked at Alana de Chagny, his soon to be sister-in-law, for he was looking at Meg Giry the exact same way. Unable to take it much longer, he pushed away from the table as soon as they had all eaten. Everyone turned to look at him.
"I'm sorry...I have to...I need to go." He said and grabbed his coat before rushing from the restaurant. Meg frowned.
"I should go too...it's getting late." She said softly, hugging Christine and Raoul quickly before leaving too. She found him sitting on the bench outside the restaurant and sat beside him. He had his head, leaning on the back of the bench as he sighed.
"Meggie...you shouldn't be here." He said, his voice laced with tender affection. She smiled sadly.
"Why not?" She asked softly, taking his hand and inspecting it very closely as she bit her lip. She wanted to see every line, every cut, every inch of it. He winced as if it hurt.
"Because...you're married..." He said lamely and she let go of his hand.
"Yes I am...but you are my friend Brett! Doesn't that mean anything?" She asked pleadingly and he looked at her desperately.
"More than you know. In the words of a wise man, I shouldn't be out with another man's wife. People could talk." He said and her eyes blazed.
"Let them." She said and he sat up, looking straight at her.
"No, I won't let them. I won't let you tarnish your reputation Meg." He said, standing up to go and she grabbed his arm.
"If you're worried about Andrew getting upset, I don't care Brett! I am not afraid of him." She said as he look down at her, just as the slightest traces of snow began to fall.
"You should be Meggie." He said and turned again but she held his arm still and he didn't have the heart to pull away from her.
"Why? Did he do something to you?" She asked and he shook his head.
"Meg look...forget I said anything. Just go...please." He begged her as she began to cry.
"Ever since I got married, no one seems to want to be my friend." She sobbed, unable to control her emotions as her hormones took over. Her face, wet with tears and cold stabbed him.
"Meggie...It's not that I don't want to be your friend...I just...can't..." He said, blinking back his own tears, unwilling to allow her to see him weep like some schoolgirl.
"Why? Is it so terrible? Christine is married and she has friends. Roxana is married and she has friends!" Her voice had raised in pitch and lowered in volume.
"Meg...please...stop crying..." He whispered, looking around the streets a bit worriedly. He hailed a hansom cab and ushered her in.
"Come on...there is no need for a pregnant woman out in the cold streets of Paris." He said, rubbing her shoulders to keep her warm. She sniffed in the cab as he kept quite a bit of distance between them.
"Brett..." She said finally and he looked over at her.
"What?" He asked and she looked at him seriously.
"Why does everyone warn me about Andrew?" She asked and he closed his eyes. He didn't want to be the one to answer this question. He just wanted to go on with his life, happy and ignorant. Sighing, he rubbed his eyes.
"Look Meggie...as you know...Andrew's brother, Roxana's husband was killed three years ago. They never found his murderer but most people think he'd gotten himself into some trouble. A few of us never bought that. Justin was like a brother to me and in all my life I'd never known him to gamble or get into trouble. We think Andrew had something to do with it." He said and her mouth dropped.
"You don't honestly think Andrew would kill his own brother!" She cried and then stopped for a moment before asking in a smaller voice. "Do you?" Brett nodded.
"I certainly do. I also know he is a womanizer, a gambler and a liar." He said and she glared at him.
"He loves me Brett! He wouldn't stray on me!" She said to convince him...though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself more.
"Meg! Would you listen to yourself? You yourself said he was locked in his office with Jacqueline Marquet! She's the biggest whore in Paris!" He said as she shook her head.
"No! Stop it!" She cried, hitting at him, "He loves me!" Brett stared at her sadly.
"How do you know? Because he says so? Words are just words Meggie! I could tell you I loved you right now and you wouldn't believe me!" He said, stopping himself in horror. What are you doing Brett? Proving a point. She didn't have to know it was true!
"Then tell me! Prove it!" She challenged staring straight into his blue eyes. He shook his head.
"I was just..."
"Say it!" She said and he grabbed her hands.
"Meggie, I love you...I think you're the most beautiful woman in this world...I've loved you from the moment I first saw you...If I had to choose my favorite thing in this world it would be looking into your eyes...those crystal clear ice blue eyes of yours. The only thing I ever want to do is kiss your pretty pink lips and hold you in my arms. I want you to have my children and be my wife..." He stopped, knowing damn well he'd gotten carried away as he cleared his throat. He could see she was visibly shaken.
"See? Just words." He said and her mouth dropped.
"You're crying..." She said and he wiped at his face, feeling the tears, but putting on a smile.
"I'm a good actor aren't I?" He said casually but she shook her head, remembering the point.
"Words aren't everything Brett." She said softly and he looked at her in horror.
"What do you mean?" He asked and she sat back against the seat.
"I feel something when Andrew kisses me too!" She said and he practically snorted in disgust.
"Please Meg...any man who knows how to kiss can make you feel those things." He said and she folded her arms.
"You couldn't." She retorted as he stared at her for a few moments, before grabbing her by the shoulders and bringing his lips down on hers. She resisted for a moment, but only a moment as she kissed him back, her arms coming around the sides of him and as the carriage stopped, they pulled apart.
"I...Meg...I'm sorry..." He said and she touched her lips.
"I have to go." She said suddenly, as the cab driver opened the door and helped her out. Brett told him to wait as he saw her to the door. He caught up with her and realized she was once again sobbing. She stopped, turning on him and pushed at him with her tiny hands.
"You weren't lying were you? In there? You meant it!" He stood, stunned and unsure of what to say. Her blue eyes were bearing into him.
"I...yes. I meant it. Every goddamn word." He said, looking at his feet. Before he could say another word she slapped him hard.
"I love Andrew! Andrew loves me! You just wanted me to leave him for you! I can't...I can't..." She couldn't look away from him and her eyes were pouring over with tears as his began to. He didn't hide it this time.
"Meg don't...he's going to ruin you..." He begged, holding to her hand.
"No! He's my husband and we're going to have our baby! Our baby! Take your lies somewhere else!" She cried, unsure of why she was still holding his hand.
"Meggie...please..." He cried brokenly, "I love you...I love you!" He kissed her palm and held it to his cheek but she snatched it away.
"I...have to go. Goodbye Brett." She said and pulled away, fleeing into the house and leaning against the door holding her stomach. Brett slumped against front door until he heard her shriek from inside. He practically ripped the doorknob from the door as he threw it open.
"Meg?" He asked, frightened at seeing her doubled over. She looked up at him, tears forgotten and her eyes full of fear. He put his hand on her back and held her steady.
"Brett..." She cried in pain, "The baby...something's wrong..."
