bDisclaimer:/b Obviously, I don't own any of the characters, no matter how much I WISH I did. They belong whoever owns DAYS and/or NBC
I~ Warning from the author: This story will NOT be a Shawn/Belle, I don't think . . . I don't even know when he's going to come back! You people wouldn't object to an odd pairing now would you? Cause even the AUTHOR has no idea where this thing is going!
I guess we'll all be surprised when a romance finally happens. And actually, the MORE bad things people had to say for Brandon, the more it made me want to redeem him and give him to Belle! Basically him an ok guy! LOL! In fact, it got me to devote the first part of this chapter to him too. Do you like THIS guy better? Tell me what ya think. ~ /I
Life's Lessons
By Jules
Chapter 2
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
b** One week later **
** Late at night ** /b
Brandon Walker stared out at the night, the lights twinkling back at him, as if mocking him for thinking of the blond teen whom he Ibknew/I/b he shouldn't be thinking about. The first word that should have come to mind when he thought of her that way should have been JAILBAIT, but it wasn't, what he thought was, beautiful.
Brandon would never have recognized the blond he'd sat next to at the bar. Normally, he wouldn't have just slept with her either, but there had just been, this pull, that night, drawing him to her. Forcing him to sit next to her, letting her buy him, and he her, drink after drink.
But the recognition had hit him hard the next morning and as she lay there, looking so innocent with her golden hair fanned out around her head like a halo after she'd fallen back to sleep subsequent to the realization of what had happened. He had watched her sleep for awhile, since it had only been four am when they'd awoken.
Brandon had since learned about what had driven her to the bar, Belle's parents were separated, and the girl she'd always been hanging out with the year before had apparently been found living in a cardboard box. Brandon guessed that the poor teen had blamed bherself/b for not noticing anything was wrong with her friend.
What had driven bhim/b to that bar that night was just as distressing, his sister Nicole had found out she had cancer, and was dying I(just a way of getting the evil wench out of the way)/I. Brandon had always felt the need to be in control, and for once, there was a situation that he had no power over, he was going to lose her.
Taylor had come back since then, to support her sister in this time of need, so things had gotten a little better. But Nicole would still die by the end of the year. Nicole's "devoted husband"'s nearly-stepfather had hired someone to take away all of her money, so now she not only was dying, but she was broke once more.
All she'd ever wanted was to make enough money that she'd never have to worry about it again, then return to Eric, but now that would never happen.
But Brandon's thoughts were completely caught up in Belle, there was just something about her that made his mind constantly drift to the flaxen haired beauty. Brandon turned away from the window, cursing himself for letting himself get infatuated like this, letting himself lose control of his feelings.
He threw himself down on his bed, praying that sleep would over come him soon, hoping it would be a dreamless sleep, because even in his dreams, the girl was always present, occupying his every thought . . .
~*~
Belle lay in bed, wishing that sleep would overtake her, but it just eluded her that night. What the hell was happening to her life? Why did this have to happen? Since that night, which she'd thought back to it more often then she cared to admit.
Truthfully, if the whole being pregnant thing wouldn't have happened, she'd be thinking about going after Brandon again, he still was a very fine piece of male specimen . . . it was just everyone else who hated him.
Sometimes she'd wondered what had driven Brandon to that bar as well that night. Why had he happened to be there, sitting right next to her, looking so damn sexy? His arms had brought her the comfort she had desired, though the morning after had been extremely awkward, especially when they recognized who each other were.
Her thoughts strayed to him often, more than they ever had the year before when she'd had that inane crush on him. No, this time, there was just something that made her thoughts turn to him at the weirdest times, like when she was all alone, in her bed at night, waiting for sleep to take her, she'd close her eyes and his face would pop up where Shawn's used to be. Since then, she'd heard about his sister from Eric, Nicole that is, that she was dying. Finally Belle had a name for that pained look in his eyes at the bar that night, misery. She realized that Brandon had been at the bar trying to forget that he was going to lose a sister. Belle couldn't imagine what that would be like. She didn't even want to try to consider of what it would be like to lose Eric, Sami, or Brady.
Belle sighed then tossed restlessly in her bed, she knew that keeping this from Brandon wasn't an option, he had the right to know his own child. Finally accepting that sleep would elude her for the night once more. She gave up trying, knowing what she had to do . . .
She wrote out a note to Bo and Hope, pretending that it was early morning, saying that she went out for an early jog, and she didn't know when she's be home.
b** One am **/b
Belle's hand shook as she knocked on the apartment door. It swung open about three minutes later, with a sleepy looking male on the other side.
Brandon opened his door, and was surprised to see Belle there, he had been asleep, dreaming of her as usual.
"We have to talk." Belle stated, as calmly as she could.
"About what?" Brandon asked.
Belle gave him a look, "Can I come in first? I don't think your neighbors want to know every little detail of your life, especially at one in the morning."
"Right, sorry. Please, come in. Sit down."
Belle sat down and let out a shaky breath.
Brandon gathered himself, then sat down next to the teen, "What's going on?"
Belle stared at her hands, "I assume you remember a night about seven weeks ago, right?"
Brandon gulped, "Yeah . . ."
"Well, in case you were wondering, you didn't use protection . . . and well, we proved that you really can get pregnant the first time."
"Oh damn it no!" Brandon jumped up and started pacing.
"WELL HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL?!" Belle screamed at him.
"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?!" Brandon yelled back, "I'm too young to be a father! I'm only 24. [Obviously I'm guessing, since I have no idea!]."
"Yeah? Well II'm/I not even 17 yet! And I'm only ½ way through high school!"
"Oh God, oh God . . . your dad's going to kill me!"
"Oh quit whining." Belle ordered, pouting.
Brandon took a couple of deep breaths, then sat back down and leaned back against the couch, covering his eyes with his hands, "Ok, we've got to think here, we do have options . . ."
"I already made THAT decision. I'm keeping the baby. And giving one up can cause WAY too many problems in the long run around here."
"So basically, what you're saying is, it's up to me now right? I need to make a decision, whether I'm involved or not."
"I don't know what I'm saying!" Belle wailed, "I couldn't sleep again, I had to tell you . . . you had a right to know a-a-and" she started crying, "I don't know what I'm doing anymore, I haven't for so long. This baby just makes things much more confusing. Now I can't even ignore my thoughts about you now!" she sobbed.
Brandon was shocked at the last confession, but he hugged her, hating to see her cry. There was something about it that gave him the worst feeling inside. Brandon cradled her to him, as the sobs racked her tiny frame, when she finally started to calm down he looked into her eyes, and noticed the dark circles under them.
Using his thumbs to wipe away her tears he asked her, "When's the last time to slept?"
Belle just shrugged her shoulders, sniffing, "I don't know . . . I've gotten a little on and off. But not much since I noticed I missed my period, then after the doctor told me that . . . . A few days." She admitted, starting to cry again, "I've just been so scared. I'm so scared Brandon."
Her sobs tore at his heart, and he held her to him whispering words of comfort in her ear, soothing her, until she finally cried herself to sleep on his shoulder. Brandon picked her up, and then carried her to his bedroom. Laying her gently on his bed, careful not to wake her up. He covered her up with the blankets, and then sat in a chair near his window, to think, and watch over her.
b** Three am **/b
Brandon still sat in his chair, thinking. His mind raced with different scenarios on how he could deal with this.
But in the end he always somehow ended up in a hospital room, with Belle, who was looking beautiful as usual, glowing with the new appearance of motherhood. Cradling their child in her arms, both of them gazing down at the amazing new life which had just arrived into their lives. The thought actually made him content! For the first time in his life, the thought of having something tying him down somewhere was making him feel happy.
Brandon fell asleep, uncomfortably in the chair, finally knowing what he would do.
~*~
b** The Bo & Hope Brady home **
** Eight am ** /b
Bo stifled a yawn as he walked into the kitchen, giving Hope a kiss on the lips, "Morning beautiful. Where's Belle?" he asked pouring himself a cup of coffee, "She's normally up by now, making breakfast. Man do I love her breakfasts . . ."
"She's out, apparently. She left a note saying that she got up early. She said she was going for a jog, but had no idea when she'd be back today. Maybe not until really late." Hope told him, her tone of voice tipping him off.
"Are you worried about something?"
"It's probably nothing . . . I'm just worried FOR her. I mean, she's only 16, practically 17, but she's pregnant. She can't be in the best frame of mind right now."
"I'm sure she's fine. Belle's a strong girl. I'm sure she can handle this." He told her, massaging her shoulders.
Hope smiled up at him, "I'm sure your right."
~*~
b** Around eleven am **/b
Belle had woken up about five minutes ago, yet she still pretended to sleep, she knew she was in Ihis/I bed, it smelled like him, like cinnamon and soap, sort of an unusual combination, but somehow it relaxed her.
She was a little embarrassed about breaking down in front of Brandon, she'd just been so tired, and frightened. She couldn't hold it in anymore.
Belle finally opened her eyes and looked around, the room was empty. She sat up, then flopped right back down,I~ Whoa, now if that isn't the ickiest feeling I've ever had, I don't know what is. ~/I Belle wasn't sure how to describe what she was felt, she was dizzy, and light headed, like she had been for a couple of weeks now. She knew exactly what was coming next. Slowly, she stood up, and went into the other room, where Brandon was making breakfast.
"Hi." Belle mumbled, feeling a bit awkward, pouring out your feelings to a guy just moment after you tell him your pregnant with his baby thanks to a one night stand, the night before, generally tended to cause tense moments the morning after.
Brandon looked up, "Morning . . ." he undeniably felt more nervous around her, I~ I guess stay up most of the night watching somebody you've gotten pregnant sleep does that to a guy. ~, /I"Are you hungry? I'm making pancakes."
Belle looked at the griddle, the smell of the food hit her nose, and she immediately turned green, "I'll be right back . . ."
Then she ran to the bathroom, and started tossing her cookies.
Brandon turned off the stove, then went after Belle when he saw what color her face turned. He kneeled down next to her holding her hair back for her.
Finally she stopped getting sick. Brandon handed her a tissue, and got her a cup of water from the sink, "Are you ok?"
Belle looked up at him with her pale face, "Yeah, but I swear to you, if this doesn't go away by my sixth month, I guarantee, I'm going to strap one of those sympathy pregnant pads on you and make you wear it until the baby is on solid foods."
"You are a very hostile person sometimes!"
"Only when hung-over or battling morning sickness." She revealed to him smiling.
"Good, otherwise, I'd have to considering relocating to another continent to make sure you don't kill me for doing this to you."
Belle bit her lip and looked searchingly into his eyes, "Have you made any type of decision . . . about what we talked about last night?" she solicited hesitantly.
Brandon nodded his head, "I weighed all my options, thought out how we could do this, but my heart would only let me do one thing. I have to be there for my child. I want to see it grow up, learn to walk and talk, teach it how to ride a bike, swim, and all that stuff. I don't want to miss out on being a father."
Belle's eyes filled with tears, it was the sweetest thing he could possibly have said. Impulsively, she hugged him, "You don't know how amazing a person that makes you in my book."
Brandon gladly reciprocated the hug, "I only have one question. How do we tell your family . . ."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Please, I want replies, I know it sounds pathetic, but I live for feedback, good or bad! I need to know what you think so I know where to go with this.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I~ Warning from the author: This story will NOT be a Shawn/Belle, I don't think . . . I don't even know when he's going to come back! You people wouldn't object to an odd pairing now would you? Cause even the AUTHOR has no idea where this thing is going!
I guess we'll all be surprised when a romance finally happens. And actually, the MORE bad things people had to say for Brandon, the more it made me want to redeem him and give him to Belle! Basically him an ok guy! LOL! In fact, it got me to devote the first part of this chapter to him too. Do you like THIS guy better? Tell me what ya think. ~ /I
Life's Lessons
By Jules
Chapter 2
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
b** One week later **
** Late at night ** /b
Brandon Walker stared out at the night, the lights twinkling back at him, as if mocking him for thinking of the blond teen whom he Ibknew/I/b he shouldn't be thinking about. The first word that should have come to mind when he thought of her that way should have been JAILBAIT, but it wasn't, what he thought was, beautiful.
Brandon would never have recognized the blond he'd sat next to at the bar. Normally, he wouldn't have just slept with her either, but there had just been, this pull, that night, drawing him to her. Forcing him to sit next to her, letting her buy him, and he her, drink after drink.
But the recognition had hit him hard the next morning and as she lay there, looking so innocent with her golden hair fanned out around her head like a halo after she'd fallen back to sleep subsequent to the realization of what had happened. He had watched her sleep for awhile, since it had only been four am when they'd awoken.
Brandon had since learned about what had driven her to the bar, Belle's parents were separated, and the girl she'd always been hanging out with the year before had apparently been found living in a cardboard box. Brandon guessed that the poor teen had blamed bherself/b for not noticing anything was wrong with her friend.
What had driven bhim/b to that bar that night was just as distressing, his sister Nicole had found out she had cancer, and was dying I(just a way of getting the evil wench out of the way)/I. Brandon had always felt the need to be in control, and for once, there was a situation that he had no power over, he was going to lose her.
Taylor had come back since then, to support her sister in this time of need, so things had gotten a little better. But Nicole would still die by the end of the year. Nicole's "devoted husband"'s nearly-stepfather had hired someone to take away all of her money, so now she not only was dying, but she was broke once more.
All she'd ever wanted was to make enough money that she'd never have to worry about it again, then return to Eric, but now that would never happen.
But Brandon's thoughts were completely caught up in Belle, there was just something about her that made his mind constantly drift to the flaxen haired beauty. Brandon turned away from the window, cursing himself for letting himself get infatuated like this, letting himself lose control of his feelings.
He threw himself down on his bed, praying that sleep would over come him soon, hoping it would be a dreamless sleep, because even in his dreams, the girl was always present, occupying his every thought . . .
~*~
Belle lay in bed, wishing that sleep would overtake her, but it just eluded her that night. What the hell was happening to her life? Why did this have to happen? Since that night, which she'd thought back to it more often then she cared to admit.
Truthfully, if the whole being pregnant thing wouldn't have happened, she'd be thinking about going after Brandon again, he still was a very fine piece of male specimen . . . it was just everyone else who hated him.
Sometimes she'd wondered what had driven Brandon to that bar as well that night. Why had he happened to be there, sitting right next to her, looking so damn sexy? His arms had brought her the comfort she had desired, though the morning after had been extremely awkward, especially when they recognized who each other were.
Her thoughts strayed to him often, more than they ever had the year before when she'd had that inane crush on him. No, this time, there was just something that made her thoughts turn to him at the weirdest times, like when she was all alone, in her bed at night, waiting for sleep to take her, she'd close her eyes and his face would pop up where Shawn's used to be. Since then, she'd heard about his sister from Eric, Nicole that is, that she was dying. Finally Belle had a name for that pained look in his eyes at the bar that night, misery. She realized that Brandon had been at the bar trying to forget that he was going to lose a sister. Belle couldn't imagine what that would be like. She didn't even want to try to consider of what it would be like to lose Eric, Sami, or Brady.
Belle sighed then tossed restlessly in her bed, she knew that keeping this from Brandon wasn't an option, he had the right to know his own child. Finally accepting that sleep would elude her for the night once more. She gave up trying, knowing what she had to do . . .
She wrote out a note to Bo and Hope, pretending that it was early morning, saying that she went out for an early jog, and she didn't know when she's be home.
b** One am **/b
Belle's hand shook as she knocked on the apartment door. It swung open about three minutes later, with a sleepy looking male on the other side.
Brandon opened his door, and was surprised to see Belle there, he had been asleep, dreaming of her as usual.
"We have to talk." Belle stated, as calmly as she could.
"About what?" Brandon asked.
Belle gave him a look, "Can I come in first? I don't think your neighbors want to know every little detail of your life, especially at one in the morning."
"Right, sorry. Please, come in. Sit down."
Belle sat down and let out a shaky breath.
Brandon gathered himself, then sat down next to the teen, "What's going on?"
Belle stared at her hands, "I assume you remember a night about seven weeks ago, right?"
Brandon gulped, "Yeah . . ."
"Well, in case you were wondering, you didn't use protection . . . and well, we proved that you really can get pregnant the first time."
"Oh damn it no!" Brandon jumped up and started pacing.
"WELL HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL?!" Belle screamed at him.
"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?!" Brandon yelled back, "I'm too young to be a father! I'm only 24. [Obviously I'm guessing, since I have no idea!]."
"Yeah? Well II'm/I not even 17 yet! And I'm only ½ way through high school!"
"Oh God, oh God . . . your dad's going to kill me!"
"Oh quit whining." Belle ordered, pouting.
Brandon took a couple of deep breaths, then sat back down and leaned back against the couch, covering his eyes with his hands, "Ok, we've got to think here, we do have options . . ."
"I already made THAT decision. I'm keeping the baby. And giving one up can cause WAY too many problems in the long run around here."
"So basically, what you're saying is, it's up to me now right? I need to make a decision, whether I'm involved or not."
"I don't know what I'm saying!" Belle wailed, "I couldn't sleep again, I had to tell you . . . you had a right to know a-a-and" she started crying, "I don't know what I'm doing anymore, I haven't for so long. This baby just makes things much more confusing. Now I can't even ignore my thoughts about you now!" she sobbed.
Brandon was shocked at the last confession, but he hugged her, hating to see her cry. There was something about it that gave him the worst feeling inside. Brandon cradled her to him, as the sobs racked her tiny frame, when she finally started to calm down he looked into her eyes, and noticed the dark circles under them.
Using his thumbs to wipe away her tears he asked her, "When's the last time to slept?"
Belle just shrugged her shoulders, sniffing, "I don't know . . . I've gotten a little on and off. But not much since I noticed I missed my period, then after the doctor told me that . . . . A few days." She admitted, starting to cry again, "I've just been so scared. I'm so scared Brandon."
Her sobs tore at his heart, and he held her to him whispering words of comfort in her ear, soothing her, until she finally cried herself to sleep on his shoulder. Brandon picked her up, and then carried her to his bedroom. Laying her gently on his bed, careful not to wake her up. He covered her up with the blankets, and then sat in a chair near his window, to think, and watch over her.
b** Three am **/b
Brandon still sat in his chair, thinking. His mind raced with different scenarios on how he could deal with this.
But in the end he always somehow ended up in a hospital room, with Belle, who was looking beautiful as usual, glowing with the new appearance of motherhood. Cradling their child in her arms, both of them gazing down at the amazing new life which had just arrived into their lives. The thought actually made him content! For the first time in his life, the thought of having something tying him down somewhere was making him feel happy.
Brandon fell asleep, uncomfortably in the chair, finally knowing what he would do.
~*~
b** The Bo & Hope Brady home **
** Eight am ** /b
Bo stifled a yawn as he walked into the kitchen, giving Hope a kiss on the lips, "Morning beautiful. Where's Belle?" he asked pouring himself a cup of coffee, "She's normally up by now, making breakfast. Man do I love her breakfasts . . ."
"She's out, apparently. She left a note saying that she got up early. She said she was going for a jog, but had no idea when she'd be back today. Maybe not until really late." Hope told him, her tone of voice tipping him off.
"Are you worried about something?"
"It's probably nothing . . . I'm just worried FOR her. I mean, she's only 16, practically 17, but she's pregnant. She can't be in the best frame of mind right now."
"I'm sure she's fine. Belle's a strong girl. I'm sure she can handle this." He told her, massaging her shoulders.
Hope smiled up at him, "I'm sure your right."
~*~
b** Around eleven am **/b
Belle had woken up about five minutes ago, yet she still pretended to sleep, she knew she was in Ihis/I bed, it smelled like him, like cinnamon and soap, sort of an unusual combination, but somehow it relaxed her.
She was a little embarrassed about breaking down in front of Brandon, she'd just been so tired, and frightened. She couldn't hold it in anymore.
Belle finally opened her eyes and looked around, the room was empty. She sat up, then flopped right back down,I~ Whoa, now if that isn't the ickiest feeling I've ever had, I don't know what is. ~/I Belle wasn't sure how to describe what she was felt, she was dizzy, and light headed, like she had been for a couple of weeks now. She knew exactly what was coming next. Slowly, she stood up, and went into the other room, where Brandon was making breakfast.
"Hi." Belle mumbled, feeling a bit awkward, pouring out your feelings to a guy just moment after you tell him your pregnant with his baby thanks to a one night stand, the night before, generally tended to cause tense moments the morning after.
Brandon looked up, "Morning . . ." he undeniably felt more nervous around her, I~ I guess stay up most of the night watching somebody you've gotten pregnant sleep does that to a guy. ~, /I"Are you hungry? I'm making pancakes."
Belle looked at the griddle, the smell of the food hit her nose, and she immediately turned green, "I'll be right back . . ."
Then she ran to the bathroom, and started tossing her cookies.
Brandon turned off the stove, then went after Belle when he saw what color her face turned. He kneeled down next to her holding her hair back for her.
Finally she stopped getting sick. Brandon handed her a tissue, and got her a cup of water from the sink, "Are you ok?"
Belle looked up at him with her pale face, "Yeah, but I swear to you, if this doesn't go away by my sixth month, I guarantee, I'm going to strap one of those sympathy pregnant pads on you and make you wear it until the baby is on solid foods."
"You are a very hostile person sometimes!"
"Only when hung-over or battling morning sickness." She revealed to him smiling.
"Good, otherwise, I'd have to considering relocating to another continent to make sure you don't kill me for doing this to you."
Belle bit her lip and looked searchingly into his eyes, "Have you made any type of decision . . . about what we talked about last night?" she solicited hesitantly.
Brandon nodded his head, "I weighed all my options, thought out how we could do this, but my heart would only let me do one thing. I have to be there for my child. I want to see it grow up, learn to walk and talk, teach it how to ride a bike, swim, and all that stuff. I don't want to miss out on being a father."
Belle's eyes filled with tears, it was the sweetest thing he could possibly have said. Impulsively, she hugged him, "You don't know how amazing a person that makes you in my book."
Brandon gladly reciprocated the hug, "I only have one question. How do we tell your family . . ."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Please, I want replies, I know it sounds pathetic, but I live for feedback, good or bad! I need to know what you think so I know where to go with this.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~