Ok I wrote nothing of this chapter! Paulsgirlygirl wrote it so a huge thank you to her! I know you all wanted Brian and CJ together and the ending I wrote where they were together sucked big time and was a load of crap compared to this so I'm posting this for all you CJ and Brian lovers (lol) thanks again to Paulsgirlygirl and all of you who kept reading and reviewing this I am so sad that it's finished but it had to finish some where!
In order for this chapter to work, ignore chapter 35 it didnt happen. CJ and Roman made up and are talking they're just not as close as they use to be...enjoy!
CHAPTER 36 – Ending 2 - Brian
Mia looked frazzled, all the details of the wedding were piling up on her and instead of enjoying her last days as a single woman, she was on the verge of a breakdown. Meanwhile CJ was acting the happy friend, but inside, unbeknownst to everyone around her, she also, was on the verge of a breakdown for different reasons. Brian was about to become a married man, married to her friend, her ex-lovers sister... and well to her ex-lover. CJ wasn't sure how she was going to make it through the wedding, she didn't want to help out Mia with getting ready before hand, that wouldMean she'd have to suffer through all Mia's jitters, her happiness, watching how beautiful she would look in her wedding gown. It'd be sweet torture. Maybe she deserved it – maybe this was punishment for being 'the other woman' with Brian… obviously whoever looked down on her, whether it be God or not, didn't have much of a sense of humour lately.
So CJ had a plan, "Mia… look, I know you're stressed about the caterers and the reception hall decorations, but you need to stop worrying… otherwise you're going to look 90 when you walk down that aisle." CJ put a comforting hand on Mia's shoulder, who was sitting at the kitchen table with a list of people to call for confirm all was well for tomorrow… her wedding. To add the drama, she was supposed to be having a last fitting in the wedding dress, but she had so many things to do, she wasn't sure she was going to get there.
"STOP WORRYING!" Mia cried, pushing her hair back from her face with exasperation. "I have a MILLION and one things to do before tomorrow… you don't know what it's like trying to be the bride!" she snapped. CJ bit her tongue, and refused to snap back at Mia.
"Look, I'll take care of the caterers and the reception hall decorations and I'll ring the florists. You go for you dress fitting and leave the phone calls to me. I'll… uhh... I'll manage the reception details tomorrow... I'll visit the hall and make sure it's all ready to go, so I umm... I wont be able to help you get ready tomorrow, and I may be a little late for the ceremony." CJ put on her best disappointed face, 'hopefully I'll be able to miss the ceremony all together' she thought, without showing it on her face.
"Oh CJ, thank you so much!" Mia jumped to her feet; "You're a lifesaver!" she called over her shoulder as she ran up the stairs toward her room. "Yeah… a real life saver..." CJ muttered to herself, falling into the chair Mia had been sitting at, and proceeded to dial the florist's phone number.
Brian sat on the floor in his bedroom, papers spread out all around him. Mia had given him the task of catching up on all the details he had missed concerning Brianna. The medical records, old photos, baby book and albums that Mia had created. She wanted Brian to get to know his little girl – so he had to start from where it all began. Instead of reading the medical details, he got caught up in looking at Brianna's Baby book and the photo albums Mia had created. There were tonnes of photos of Brianna and Mia smiling at the camera, Brian noticed the gaps in all the photos. Next to Mia… there should've been something else there. He realised…. It was supposed to be him. He should've been there to help raise Brianna right from the start… he should've been at the birth of his first... and maybe only, child.
He sighed sadly, looking at a photo of Brianna at one day old, he ran his index finger over her tiny body, this was a part of him. And he had missed it. Trying to ignore the seething disappointment weighing heavily in the pit of his stomach he rifled through more papers, and read some of the medical reports about Mia before the baby was born. There was a 'photo' from a scan she had down, just visible was a just recognisable foetus. He smiled, and continued on through the papers, reading about her birth and the doctors Birth Summary, stating that both mother and child were healthy and happy. He smiled, imagining the scene when Brianna had first come into the world.
He wondered if he'd get to see that miracle again, a part of him, arriving and taking its first breath in the world. His eyes stung, but he ignored it and read on,Suddenly he stopped for a moment, eyeing their clinical details, he frowned for a moment, and looked back at the paper; then reached over and picked up the image of the foetal scan, reading the summary at the bottom. He let the papers fall back to the floor, and stared up at the ceiling, and sighed loudly "God help me." He muttered before getting up and leaving the room.
Wedding Day
CJ looked at her watch as she walked up the Church steps. The ceremony was well under way; in fact, it would probably be finishing very soon. She was relieved to have missed the speeches and declarations of undying love… she was no longer sure if she believed in love, or… if love believed in her, enough to grant her its presence. CJ crept into the church and slid into a pew at the back, the person in front of her turned around. Roman. "Hey... where you been?" he whispered.
"Sorting out the reception… did I miss much?" she whispered back, trying to act disappointed.
"I now pronounce you Man and Wife, you may kiss the Bride." The Priest directed to Brian. Roman raised his eyebrows,
"Well... only most of the ceremony." He chuckled slightly. The guests clapped as Brian and Mia kissed, for the first time as Husband and Wife. CJ joined in on the clapping distractedly,
"Well… I got to see the most important part… they're now legal." She raised her eyebrows back at him.
"Not until the registers signed." Roman countered. CJ nodded, remembering the special table set up at the front of the reception hall, that was for the Bride and Groom to sign the wedding papers in front of all their guests, to finally make it legal. She shivered slightly, despite the warmth outside; the Church had a cold air about it.
CJ looked up at the front of the Church once more; Brian and Mia were still kissing… Mr and Mrs O'Connor, CJs stomach turned, she wasn't sure how much more she could take. Finally they began to pull apart, surfacing for air, and in the instant Brian's eyes caught hers. CJ flinched as if his eyes had stabbed her like blades of ice. Brian rubbed the spot of hair just under his bottom lip… CJ knew that habit so well, his nervous habit that he couldn't help but do when he was uncomfortable, CJ looked away from him, and stared down at her hands while the priest introduced them for the first time as Mr and Mrs Brian O'Connor.
At the Reception
CJ jumped slightly as someone approached her from behind, she turned just as Jades fingers intertwined with hers. "How're you holding up?" Jade asked, absently running her free hand over her expanding belly.
CJ frowned, ever the actress, "What do you mean how am I holding up? Everything's good." She shrugged.
Jade shrugged, "If you want to front to your own sister, go right ahead. But remember, I can see through it." She muttered, with an air of indifference and a maturity that surprised CJ.
CJ sniffed, "Jade... I'm fine okay. I'm not fronting. I thought it would be hard, butReally... its not." She replied.
Jade clutched CJs hand tighter, and turned to look at her, "It's okay for it not to be okay, CJ… you know that right? I mean, you love this man-"
CJ interrupted "Loved. Past tense. As in, no longer…I'm over it now Jade." CJ half-lied.
Jade shrugged, "I always thought I'd be the bridesmaid at yours and Brian's wedding, not Mia's and Brian's." She sighed almost sadly. "I mean... you and Brian… he's… he's your Ross. You're his Rachel. At least... that's what I thought." CJ laughed, despite not being in the mood,
"I'm his Rachel? He's my Ross? What the hell are you on about!" Jade looked hard at CJ,
"You know! From Friends! Rachel and Ross… no matter how much shit they went through, no matter what fights they had, what other people they saw… they were MEANT to be together. And inevitably they ended up together. There was no other way for it to be." She replied.
CJ frowned and shook her head, "You watch too much TV, the script writer of my life obviously isn't into happy endings, cos I haven't had one yet." She looked away from Jade, hearing those words had been hurtful. "Look, Jade – I'm fine with this okay. And I need everyone else to be as well, I need them to stop talking about me and Brian. That was so long ago now, and it's over. He has a new life, with a beautiful family. And He and Mia deserve to be happy." She completed her well rehearsed speech with satisfaction, it sounded perfect. Jade nodded,
"Okay CJ... I'm sorry." She slowly let go of her hand and drifted away into the crowd to find Jesse. CJ watched from a distance and Mia and Brian walked around hand in hand, thanking the guests for attending and receiving the obligatory 'Congratulations'. Then Letty walked up to the couple, and grabbed Mia's hand excitedly, and pulled her to the side. Mia rolled her eyes as Letty pulled out a camcorder and started to interview her, while Brian laughed and started talking with Roman. The scene seemed so happy, yet CJ felt empty. Roman walked forward and grabbed a microphone, as Brian faded back into the crowd.
"Excuse me…" he tapped the mic, conversations started to fade, and all attention turned to Roman. "I'd just like to welcome you all, and thank you for attending the Wedding of my two good friends, Mia and Brian. As y'all know, Brian and I have been friends since we were rug rats, so it was only fitting that I am the best man.." he grinned, "although if I'm supposed to be the best man… why is he getting married and I'm not?" he laughed to himself as he delivered an old joke. The guests laughed politely. "So, I thought I'd give y'all my best man speech… embarrass the happy couple a bit, and do my lovey-dovey bit, before they sign the register and become a legally wedded couple. Back in the day, Brian…." Roman launched into his speech, while the crowd listened with interest. He drew many laughs, as he recounted tales of their mischievous behaviour.
CJ listened on, smiling as he told of funny memories and things that most people would remember. Thankfully Roman left out moments of Brian's history that were either too colourful or wouldn't have earned him any fans. At the end of Romans speech the crowd clapped, and raised a toast to him.
"So, now I've finished my entertainment… lets get the couple up here to sign the register… so we can get this party started!" the crowd cheered, looking forward to the food, the dancing, and of course the drinking. Mia walked slowly towards Roman, the train of her wedding dress trailing elegantly across the ground. CJ smiled, she really did look beautiful – no one would have guessed she had barely slept the night before. Roman put his arm around Mia, and turned to do the same to Brian. Roman frowned. "Come on Brian, get yo' ass up here." Some of the guests laughed, while others turned to look at him... or rather, look for him. He hadn't arrived at the front of the hall, and no one else could see where he was.
"He's probably in the bathroom... spilling' his guts" someone yelled from the crowd, others laughed. Jade let go of Jesse's hand, as he announced he would go retrieve him. Jesse jogged through the crowd, out to the hallway, and down towards the bathrooms.
He opened the door of the men's, "Brian? Yo... Brian man, they're waitin on you out there." He called as walked down the line of cubicles. The very last door was closed, but did not have the busy sign on it. Jesse frowned and knocked, "Brian? Yo... you alright?" He was met with only silence. Jesse gently nudged the door open, and jumped back with a crashing. "SHIT" he clutched at his chest, as he almost jumped and hit the ceiling. He had jumped back and knocked over the rubbish bin behind him. He turned and looked "Oh man..." he sighed, there on the floor, hanging out of the rubbish bin, was Brian's suit jacket. Brian was gone. Jesse walked slowly out of the men's toilets, wondering what on earth he was going to say to everyone... Mia especially. Just as he walked into the hallway, Jade rounded the corner.
"Jess... where is he" she asked, slightly out of breath.
"I don't know Jade. He's not here... "Jesse shrugged. "What? Well he's not out there... where else could he be" Jade cried.
Jesse bit his lip a moment, looking downwards"I found his suit jacket, stuffed in the bin in there." he gestured over his shoulder to the toilet door. Jades shoulders fell as she too realised what had happened"Oh my God... this is a nightmare."
few days after wedding disaster
CJ stuffed another pair of jeans into her bag and zipped it up afterwards. Jade stood in the doorway watching, finally she spoke up. "CJ, you don't have to go. Seriously, no one is blaming you" CJ snorted and turned abruptly to look at her sister in disbelief
"No one is blaming me! Yeah right" she snapped "I can't take it Jade... I'm getting the cold shoulder from everyone... Mia won't talk to me; all I get are accusing looks and cold stares. They're all avoiding me like I've got the plague" she added and sank down onto the bed with resignation. "They all think I have something to do with Brian's disappearance! They may not say it out right, but I know they are blaming me" she looked down at her hands, pale and clammy.
CJ, I KNOW it's not your fault... and it's only a matter of time before they realise that too." CJ shook her head
"No... I don't see that happening. Look" she stood up and pulled out a folded piece of paper from her back pocket"After I've gone give them this. Don't tell them anything, just give it to them." she handed it to Jade, who took is reluctantly.
"What's it say" Jade asked, looking at it curiously, but not opening it.
"It just explains a few things... they wont listen to me in person, so I'm telling them on paper. I had no idea Brian was going to disappear, I had no idea what was happening or where he had gone. We hadn't even spoken to each other in so long because Mia had forbidden him too." she threw her hands up in frustration.
Jade stepped back "CJ… I know all this; you don't have to yell at me." CJ sighed heavily, and picked up her bag
"I have to go." she replied sadly and sidestepped Jade to walk out the door.
"Are you at least going to tell me where you're going" Jade demanded.
CJ shook her head"I… I can't right now. Partly because I don't really know... and partly because I know Dom will get it out of you. I don't want anyone to come looking for me, I just need some time on my own, sort things out in my head and just get away from this... mess that has become my life." Jade leant against the wall, a hurt look on her face.
"What if I need you" she asked quietly. CJ stopped in her tracks
"I'll stay in touch with you Jade… just give me a little while okay? Besides you've got Jesse and he'll take really good care of you. You've got everything you need, don't worry." CJ replied.
Jade nodded, staying where she was, watching CJ leave. As the door close behind her Jade sighed"except my big sister." she muttered to herself.
next afternoon
As she pulled into a diner, CJs phone rang, she was sick of it ringing, but couldn't bare to turn it off. Dom had rang her last night; obviously he had received her little letter. But she wasn't going to answer any of their phone calls. The call was from a number she didn't recognise so she picked it up. Before she even had a chance to say anything"Where are you" came at her from the other end. "About to get Coffee." She replied then hung up the phone.
She got out of the car, and headed into the diner. She looked around hoping for a table near the back that wouldn't be noticeable; she smiled as she saw one free. "Took you long enough." a voice from behind her said.
CJ smiled and turned around "Got a late start this morning..." she replied.
"I've been waiting here for an hour already."
"I'm sorry... I was tired." she shrugged, getting in line to order.
"I've already ordered for you..."
"Oh... well, I don't want coffee." she wrung her hands together, suddenly she was very nervous.
"I knew you wouldn't... that's why I got something stronger."
CJ smiled; "You know me better than I thought you did..." she started walking towards the empty back table. When she got to the table she turned around, her insides were shaking "God... I missed you Brian…" she murmured before latching onto him and giving him the most intense kiss she'd ever given.
At a motel later the same day.
"So... why'd you do it" CJ asked, looking up at Brian as she lay wrapped up in his arms.
Brian sighed "I... I couldn't go through with it. I don't love Mia the way I would need too to make a marriage work. I realised I was only doing it to give my child a proper family... so Brianna would have her father around." he replied, with a sigh. CJ nodded, she wondered about what would become of Brianna now her and Brian had eloped. The question lay on the tip of her tongue but she didn't want to verbalise it, in case it ruined the mood. Brian smiled "Go on... say it."
CJ rolled her eyes"You know me too well."
"It's okay... I want you to ask." he replied.
"So... if the wedding was for Brianna... what about her now" she bit her lip, looking up at Brian.
"Well... I hope Brianna will... be able to spend time with her father. Her real father."CJ frowned. "I'm not her father... I was looking through her baby stuff, and found her birth details. The blood types don't match." CJ gasped, her stomach churning. Her thoughts raced a mile a minute, but she couldn't ignore one emotion...it was relief. Brian was rightfully hers now.
"But..." CJ began, not even sure what she wanted to say.
"I don't know who is... but it isn't me. I feel bad for the girl... but you know, Mia didn't even give me enough time with her to form an attachment... so it's like losing something that never was mine to begin with... it hasn't really affected me that much. I mean, yeah she was cute, and I felt happy to have a child. But under the circumstances, there was so much shit going on - I couldn't really focus. I guess itsA good thing in a way, because she didn't form an attachment to me... and I didn't form an attachment to her." he explained.
"But still..." CJ vocalised.
"Yeah... still." he shrugged.
"But it's okay... I have you now... and I don't know what in the hell we're going to do from here on out... but we'll manage somehow." CJ pondered for a moment, right now they had nothing. No plans, no security, no one knew where they were, no one would approve of where they were - together. It was just another crazy chapter in her mixed up life… but somehow it felt right.
CJ sighed, snuggling closer to Brian "Maybe you are my Ross..." she murmured, closing her eyes.
"What" Brian frowned, looking down at her with a smile on his face.
"Never mind..." she shook her head, smiling, thinking about what Jade had said. 'Rachel and Ross… no matter how much shit they went through, no matter what fights they had, what other people they saw… they were MEANT to be together. And inevitably they ended up together. There was no other way for it to be.' CJ smiled, 'Rachel and Ross indeed' she thought to herself.
Let me know what you think of this chap and the story overall and what your favourite chapter was! Thanks again Stacey