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~Ok, I planned to have Phimi smut in the last chapter, but right before I was going to, my best friend called, and after talking to my 1 & 2 year-old-goddaughters, I was unable to . . . they were all saying goodnight Auntie and . . . I just couldn't write smut anymore, and I won't be able to for a couple of days (you have no idea how guilty taking to your goddaughters right after you started to write smut makes you feel . . . ).
Oh, and one more thing, the whole Belle being only 16 is kind of making me feel kind of . . . dirty writing this, so I'm going to age her one year. I have tried to write her as only 16, like she was on the show, but my SISTER'S 16 . . . and then when I think of what she's like, the idea of her sleeping and marrying a guy in his twenties . . . I just couldn't do it. So she's 17, that way I can sleep at night. ~ /I
Life's Lessons
By Jules
Chapter 5
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
b** Monday **
** Salem Place **/b
Mimi knew that the money she was given was charity, and she was ashamed of that fact. She had wanted to refuse the offer, but when she had seen the relieved look on her parents' faces when they'd heard they wouldn't need to buy new clothes for Mimi this year, she'd had no choice but to accept the "gift". She was grateful for everyone's kindness, but it was just another reminder for her of all they had, and she didn't.
There was also a self-protective reason Mimi had taken the money, which she was more ashamed of. It was because she knew that if she showed up at school in the few outfits she had left when school started in two weeks, she would be giving Jan more things to tease her about.
Chloe had noticed that Mimi was acting more distant than usual to her, but believe it was because Mimi hated that she couldn't' pay for her own clothes. In the months since Mimi had moved in to the Wesley home, Chloe had noticed Mimi's hostility increased ten fold when offered, what she believed to be charity or given something out of pity. Chloe knew how that felt, and she knew exactly why she was hearing Mimi crying every night when she thought everyone else was asleep.
Belle was so excited to be having a normal day out, she barely thought about her own problems. That day was a day for her to forget all about her family, Shawn, and anything else that was bugging her. Belle was in her element, her temple. The act of shopping was her own personal heaven, and she was eager to make a huge dent in many stores' stock.
Hope watched the three girls, all so different, all with their own problems.
Mimi, living on the support of others, and resentful of it. She hated pity. Hope saw through the girl's façade of being strong, and saw the vulnerable girl inside.
Then Chloe, who had hidden behind dark, baggy clothes, and unnecessary glasses. She'd been in and out of foster homes all her life since her adoptive parents had died, and now she was thrown back into the home of the mother who had been forced to give her up.
And Belle. The poor girl was living with her, 17, pregnant, and engaged to guy she said she was falling in love with. Hope was scared for her, and what the future might hold for Belle. She just prayed it was a good one.
Hope was glad she could give them one day of teenage normalcy, hopefully for a little while at least. They were all good girls, and didn't deserve everything life had tossed at them. But they were surviving, and Hope knew that this was exactly what they needed.
Mimi picked out her clothes carefully. She made sure everything she bought she really liked, would last, was a good deal, and could be worn in many different outfit combinations. Mimi ensured that she obtained as much as she could with the money she had been given.
She wasn't going to let any of it go to waste on foolish possessions she'd never wear or even look at again.
Belle and Chloe followed her example.
Belle was beginning to realize for the first time how wasteful it was to buy clothes she would never wear and just hung in her closet. All the clothes she bought, she made sure would giver her room for her soon expanding stomach. Lots of loose shirts, peasant tops, empire-waisted shirts, dresses with empire waists, stretch pants, skirts with elastic, and other stuff. Hope helped her make wise clothing choices, being well versed in maternity do's and don'ts.
Chloe bought things that weren't black. Colorful things, skirts, jeans, and other items with Belle and Mimi's eager help.
They had spent three hours shopping when they finally collapsed on a bench.
"I still have lots of money left, what do I do with it?" Mimi questioned them all.
It was Chloe who came up with the idea, "Won't you have to decorate your new room?"
"Yes . . ." Mimi admitted hesitantly, trying to be nice to Chloe. Her guilt about Philip was weighting heavily on her conscious, so she decided to try and be nicer to the teen girl.
"Then why don't you use the rest of your money on that. Save your parents the trouble of having to buy it for you."
Everyone agreed that it was a good idea. But first they decided to load up the two cars they had brought with them, so they wouldn't have to carry the bags around the rest of the day.
Belle and Hope were walking in step with each other. Both were silent. Belle was deep in thought. Hope had been so nice to her, and so understanding about everything. She wanted to tell Hope, but she didn't want Bo to know . . .
"Hope?"
"Yes?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
Hope gave the girl a look, "You know I can. I don't like to, but I can."
"But will you? From Bo, if I asked you to?" Belle asked hopefully.
"Well, it depends on the secret. But if it's not a life threatening situation, yes."
"Well it might be, if Bo finds out." Belle admitted.
"Is this about who the father of your baby is?" Hope questioned, realizing what could make the girl so nervous about Bo knowing.
"Yeah."
"Belle, sweetie, I'd keep that quiet if you really wanted me to."
Belle closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, "The baby's father is Brandon Walker."
"Oh wow . . . well . . . it's not that much of a shock. I mean, I knew he had to be over 21 since you met him at that bar, and I knew it had to be somebody you knew prior to getting pregnant if you planned on marrying him. But I'm not sure if Bo would react as badly as you expect him to. But I promised I wouldn't tell him, and I won't."
"Oh thank you Hope. You have no idea how much of a relief it is that you know that Brandon's the father. You're the closest thing to a mother I have right now, and I've always admired you. Your opinion means so much to me, and I'm just so happy you're not angry with me."
"Oh Belle." Hope gave the girl a warm hug, tearing up "I want you to know that you've always been like a daughter to me. And if you love Brandon, you have my support of your marriage."
"I do Hope, I really do." Belle revealed, a few of her own tears falling.
"Good." Hope pulled away and wiped away her tears, "Now let's go get some lunch."
"I second that!" Mimi called out from behind them.
The group was headed to the furniture shop after having eaten a quick lunch. Belle was lagging at the rear, when she was suddenly grabbed from behind. Before she could scream, an identifiable pair of lips covered her own, her scream died in her throat, and turned into a moan as she eagerly kissed the man who had grabbed her.
Eventually she pulled away from the lips, grinning, "Well hello to you too!"
Brandon's smile mirrored his fiancée's, "I decided to visit my bride to be and tell her the good news on my lunch hour."
"What?" She asked excitedly.
"Well, because my fiancée hasn't visited me since I gave her the engagement ring, I've had a lot of time on my hands. I used it wisely, and I found us an apartment."
"A possible apartment." She corrected him warningly.
"Right, a potential apartment."
"So what does the place look like?"
"Well, it's a warehouse actually. It's huge. But part of it was converted into an apartment though. It's got three-bedrooms on a loft, giant windows. Hard wood floors, kitchen, a den, and a living area."
"Is it in a good neighborhood and structurally sound?"
"Yes. And if anyone knew it was on the market, everybody in this town would be after it. The building's owner, however, is a friend of mine, who owes me a few favors, and he said it's our if I call within . . ." he checked his watch, "15 minutes."
"Ok . . . a couple more questions. Any electrical problems?"
"The whole building was rewired when it was renovated a few years ago."
"Heating and AC?"
"Yep, and did I mention the whirlpool in the master bedroom, plus a shower?" Brandon asked.
"Take it." Belle ordered.
"Are you sure?"
"If you don't call that guy right now, we are not getting married."
Two minutes later they were the proud owners of their very own warehouse.
"Um, how much did we just spend?" Belle asked tentatively.
"Five thousand, and it's our free and clear."
"That's it?!"
"Well, my buddy is in the middle of this really messy divorce, and he was willing to sell it really cheap, as long as his future ex didn't get it."
"That's so sad . . . but if it means that we got to buy a warehouse that cheep, this is the one time I condone divorce!"
"You are so . . ." Brandon laughed.
"Be careful how you finish that." Belle warned.
"Incredible?"
"Good answer." Belle proclaimed then she kissed him, "But what about all the extra space? What are we going to do with it? What do we need it for?"
Brandon shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe rent it out. It doesn't matter now. We'll figure something out eventually. So what are you girls doing right now? I mean you've been here since ten o'clock, can you possibly still be shopping?"
"Well, now we're picking out things for Mimi's new bedroom."
"I see. That reminds me. My apartment came furnished . . ."
"Which means we're going to have to furnish the new apartment."
"Yeah, and my lease is up on my current apartment at the end of the month, and I didn't renew it since we were moving. Which means I've got to be out by the first of the month." Brandon explained
"Then we're going to need some furniture." Belle stated matter of factly.
"Yep." He pulled out his wallet and gave her a couple of his credit cards, "I'm trusting you with these. And don't spend as much as you usually would. Only buy the basics. My salary is much, much smaller then even just your mothers."
"I know. I'll look for sales, used stuff, and fixer uppers. I like fixing things!"
"That's a relief! Oh, and there's one last thing before I go. My sister, Taylor, she needs a place to stay, and since we're going to have all that extra room . . ."
"You want to know if she can live with us too?" She finished, "Of course she can! She's your sister. She'll be family."
"Oh thank you. She'll pay rent, she can't pay much, but she'll pay as much as she can."
"Your making her pay rent?!"
"No, she insisted." He shook his head, and then glanced at his watch, "I have to go if I'm going to grab something before I have to be back. Here's the warehouse's address. Have everything delivered there. Oh, don't forget to pick something out for Taylor's room. Bye baby!" He gave her a short, but ardent kiss, then ran off.
Belle shook her head in amusement, then ran to catch up with Mimi, Chloe, and Hope, who were waiting for her in front of the furniture store, looking very worried.
"What happened to you?!" Mimi demanded when she spotted Belle, "One minute you're right behind us, the next you've disappeared!"
"I know, I'm sorry. Brandon literally grabbed be from behind. He needed to know my thoughts about an apartment immediately because his friend could only hold it for 15 more minutes."
"And? Did you take it?" Chloe questioned.
"Are you kidding? Of course we did! It's a converted warehouse with hardwood floors, but do you think I am? Insane?!"
"Sounds great!" Hope remarked as they went inside.
"I know, but now I've got to have the place furnished with the basics as soon as possible because Brandon's current apartment came furnished. So he basically has nothing, not even a bed; and his lease is up in two weeks."
"So the job of furnishing the place has fallen upon us." Mimi finished for her.
"Exactly."
"Sounds like fun!" Hope declared.
"I know, but I wish I didn't have the time constraints. I want it to be perfect . . . . Oh well! Let's get to work. We've got a tight budget, so look for sales, this has turned into a bigger buying trip to this store than planned. We've got to get two bedroom sets, and stuff for my place now plus Mimi's stuff."
"That is true, but Belle, this is our element. We are the experts at shopping and finding deals. We were born to shop." Mimi pointed out seriously.
"You're right." Hope agreed, "We're women, we can do this. We can do this calmly, and rationally. We'll start with decorating the bedrooms. That means beds, dressers, night stands, hampers, mirrors . . ."
"Oh man, this is going to take until the stores close." Belle moaned.
"And we're going to have to come back tomorrow to buy linins, house wares, bathroom stuff, lamps, and paint!" Hope revealed.
"Well what are we waiting for?!" Mimi questioned, "Let's get started! This is going to be fun!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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~Ok, I planned to have Phimi smut in the last chapter, but right before I was going to, my best friend called, and after talking to my 1 & 2 year-old-goddaughters, I was unable to . . . they were all saying goodnight Auntie and . . . I just couldn't write smut anymore, and I won't be able to for a couple of days (you have no idea how guilty taking to your goddaughters right after you started to write smut makes you feel . . . ).
Oh, and one more thing, the whole Belle being only 16 is kind of making me feel kind of . . . dirty writing this, so I'm going to age her one year. I have tried to write her as only 16, like she was on the show, but my SISTER'S 16 . . . and then when I think of what she's like, the idea of her sleeping and marrying a guy in his twenties . . . I just couldn't do it. So she's 17, that way I can sleep at night. ~ /I
Life's Lessons
By Jules
Chapter 5
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
b** Monday **
** Salem Place **/b
Mimi knew that the money she was given was charity, and she was ashamed of that fact. She had wanted to refuse the offer, but when she had seen the relieved look on her parents' faces when they'd heard they wouldn't need to buy new clothes for Mimi this year, she'd had no choice but to accept the "gift". She was grateful for everyone's kindness, but it was just another reminder for her of all they had, and she didn't.
There was also a self-protective reason Mimi had taken the money, which she was more ashamed of. It was because she knew that if she showed up at school in the few outfits she had left when school started in two weeks, she would be giving Jan more things to tease her about.
Chloe had noticed that Mimi was acting more distant than usual to her, but believe it was because Mimi hated that she couldn't' pay for her own clothes. In the months since Mimi had moved in to the Wesley home, Chloe had noticed Mimi's hostility increased ten fold when offered, what she believed to be charity or given something out of pity. Chloe knew how that felt, and she knew exactly why she was hearing Mimi crying every night when she thought everyone else was asleep.
Belle was so excited to be having a normal day out, she barely thought about her own problems. That day was a day for her to forget all about her family, Shawn, and anything else that was bugging her. Belle was in her element, her temple. The act of shopping was her own personal heaven, and she was eager to make a huge dent in many stores' stock.
Hope watched the three girls, all so different, all with their own problems.
Mimi, living on the support of others, and resentful of it. She hated pity. Hope saw through the girl's façade of being strong, and saw the vulnerable girl inside.
Then Chloe, who had hidden behind dark, baggy clothes, and unnecessary glasses. She'd been in and out of foster homes all her life since her adoptive parents had died, and now she was thrown back into the home of the mother who had been forced to give her up.
And Belle. The poor girl was living with her, 17, pregnant, and engaged to guy she said she was falling in love with. Hope was scared for her, and what the future might hold for Belle. She just prayed it was a good one.
Hope was glad she could give them one day of teenage normalcy, hopefully for a little while at least. They were all good girls, and didn't deserve everything life had tossed at them. But they were surviving, and Hope knew that this was exactly what they needed.
Mimi picked out her clothes carefully. She made sure everything she bought she really liked, would last, was a good deal, and could be worn in many different outfit combinations. Mimi ensured that she obtained as much as she could with the money she had been given.
She wasn't going to let any of it go to waste on foolish possessions she'd never wear or even look at again.
Belle and Chloe followed her example.
Belle was beginning to realize for the first time how wasteful it was to buy clothes she would never wear and just hung in her closet. All the clothes she bought, she made sure would giver her room for her soon expanding stomach. Lots of loose shirts, peasant tops, empire-waisted shirts, dresses with empire waists, stretch pants, skirts with elastic, and other stuff. Hope helped her make wise clothing choices, being well versed in maternity do's and don'ts.
Chloe bought things that weren't black. Colorful things, skirts, jeans, and other items with Belle and Mimi's eager help.
They had spent three hours shopping when they finally collapsed on a bench.
"I still have lots of money left, what do I do with it?" Mimi questioned them all.
It was Chloe who came up with the idea, "Won't you have to decorate your new room?"
"Yes . . ." Mimi admitted hesitantly, trying to be nice to Chloe. Her guilt about Philip was weighting heavily on her conscious, so she decided to try and be nicer to the teen girl.
"Then why don't you use the rest of your money on that. Save your parents the trouble of having to buy it for you."
Everyone agreed that it was a good idea. But first they decided to load up the two cars they had brought with them, so they wouldn't have to carry the bags around the rest of the day.
Belle and Hope were walking in step with each other. Both were silent. Belle was deep in thought. Hope had been so nice to her, and so understanding about everything. She wanted to tell Hope, but she didn't want Bo to know . . .
"Hope?"
"Yes?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
Hope gave the girl a look, "You know I can. I don't like to, but I can."
"But will you? From Bo, if I asked you to?" Belle asked hopefully.
"Well, it depends on the secret. But if it's not a life threatening situation, yes."
"Well it might be, if Bo finds out." Belle admitted.
"Is this about who the father of your baby is?" Hope questioned, realizing what could make the girl so nervous about Bo knowing.
"Yeah."
"Belle, sweetie, I'd keep that quiet if you really wanted me to."
Belle closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, "The baby's father is Brandon Walker."
"Oh wow . . . well . . . it's not that much of a shock. I mean, I knew he had to be over 21 since you met him at that bar, and I knew it had to be somebody you knew prior to getting pregnant if you planned on marrying him. But I'm not sure if Bo would react as badly as you expect him to. But I promised I wouldn't tell him, and I won't."
"Oh thank you Hope. You have no idea how much of a relief it is that you know that Brandon's the father. You're the closest thing to a mother I have right now, and I've always admired you. Your opinion means so much to me, and I'm just so happy you're not angry with me."
"Oh Belle." Hope gave the girl a warm hug, tearing up "I want you to know that you've always been like a daughter to me. And if you love Brandon, you have my support of your marriage."
"I do Hope, I really do." Belle revealed, a few of her own tears falling.
"Good." Hope pulled away and wiped away her tears, "Now let's go get some lunch."
"I second that!" Mimi called out from behind them.
The group was headed to the furniture shop after having eaten a quick lunch. Belle was lagging at the rear, when she was suddenly grabbed from behind. Before she could scream, an identifiable pair of lips covered her own, her scream died in her throat, and turned into a moan as she eagerly kissed the man who had grabbed her.
Eventually she pulled away from the lips, grinning, "Well hello to you too!"
Brandon's smile mirrored his fiancée's, "I decided to visit my bride to be and tell her the good news on my lunch hour."
"What?" She asked excitedly.
"Well, because my fiancée hasn't visited me since I gave her the engagement ring, I've had a lot of time on my hands. I used it wisely, and I found us an apartment."
"A possible apartment." She corrected him warningly.
"Right, a potential apartment."
"So what does the place look like?"
"Well, it's a warehouse actually. It's huge. But part of it was converted into an apartment though. It's got three-bedrooms on a loft, giant windows. Hard wood floors, kitchen, a den, and a living area."
"Is it in a good neighborhood and structurally sound?"
"Yes. And if anyone knew it was on the market, everybody in this town would be after it. The building's owner, however, is a friend of mine, who owes me a few favors, and he said it's our if I call within . . ." he checked his watch, "15 minutes."
"Ok . . . a couple more questions. Any electrical problems?"
"The whole building was rewired when it was renovated a few years ago."
"Heating and AC?"
"Yep, and did I mention the whirlpool in the master bedroom, plus a shower?" Brandon asked.
"Take it." Belle ordered.
"Are you sure?"
"If you don't call that guy right now, we are not getting married."
Two minutes later they were the proud owners of their very own warehouse.
"Um, how much did we just spend?" Belle asked tentatively.
"Five thousand, and it's our free and clear."
"That's it?!"
"Well, my buddy is in the middle of this really messy divorce, and he was willing to sell it really cheap, as long as his future ex didn't get it."
"That's so sad . . . but if it means that we got to buy a warehouse that cheep, this is the one time I condone divorce!"
"You are so . . ." Brandon laughed.
"Be careful how you finish that." Belle warned.
"Incredible?"
"Good answer." Belle proclaimed then she kissed him, "But what about all the extra space? What are we going to do with it? What do we need it for?"
Brandon shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe rent it out. It doesn't matter now. We'll figure something out eventually. So what are you girls doing right now? I mean you've been here since ten o'clock, can you possibly still be shopping?"
"Well, now we're picking out things for Mimi's new bedroom."
"I see. That reminds me. My apartment came furnished . . ."
"Which means we're going to have to furnish the new apartment."
"Yeah, and my lease is up on my current apartment at the end of the month, and I didn't renew it since we were moving. Which means I've got to be out by the first of the month." Brandon explained
"Then we're going to need some furniture." Belle stated matter of factly.
"Yep." He pulled out his wallet and gave her a couple of his credit cards, "I'm trusting you with these. And don't spend as much as you usually would. Only buy the basics. My salary is much, much smaller then even just your mothers."
"I know. I'll look for sales, used stuff, and fixer uppers. I like fixing things!"
"That's a relief! Oh, and there's one last thing before I go. My sister, Taylor, she needs a place to stay, and since we're going to have all that extra room . . ."
"You want to know if she can live with us too?" She finished, "Of course she can! She's your sister. She'll be family."
"Oh thank you. She'll pay rent, she can't pay much, but she'll pay as much as she can."
"Your making her pay rent?!"
"No, she insisted." He shook his head, and then glanced at his watch, "I have to go if I'm going to grab something before I have to be back. Here's the warehouse's address. Have everything delivered there. Oh, don't forget to pick something out for Taylor's room. Bye baby!" He gave her a short, but ardent kiss, then ran off.
Belle shook her head in amusement, then ran to catch up with Mimi, Chloe, and Hope, who were waiting for her in front of the furniture store, looking very worried.
"What happened to you?!" Mimi demanded when she spotted Belle, "One minute you're right behind us, the next you've disappeared!"
"I know, I'm sorry. Brandon literally grabbed be from behind. He needed to know my thoughts about an apartment immediately because his friend could only hold it for 15 more minutes."
"And? Did you take it?" Chloe questioned.
"Are you kidding? Of course we did! It's a converted warehouse with hardwood floors, but do you think I am? Insane?!"
"Sounds great!" Hope remarked as they went inside.
"I know, but now I've got to have the place furnished with the basics as soon as possible because Brandon's current apartment came furnished. So he basically has nothing, not even a bed; and his lease is up in two weeks."
"So the job of furnishing the place has fallen upon us." Mimi finished for her.
"Exactly."
"Sounds like fun!" Hope declared.
"I know, but I wish I didn't have the time constraints. I want it to be perfect . . . . Oh well! Let's get to work. We've got a tight budget, so look for sales, this has turned into a bigger buying trip to this store than planned. We've got to get two bedroom sets, and stuff for my place now plus Mimi's stuff."
"That is true, but Belle, this is our element. We are the experts at shopping and finding deals. We were born to shop." Mimi pointed out seriously.
"You're right." Hope agreed, "We're women, we can do this. We can do this calmly, and rationally. We'll start with decorating the bedrooms. That means beds, dressers, night stands, hampers, mirrors . . ."
"Oh man, this is going to take until the stores close." Belle moaned.
"And we're going to have to come back tomorrow to buy linins, house wares, bathroom stuff, lamps, and paint!" Hope revealed.
"Well what are we waiting for?!" Mimi questioned, "Let's get started! This is going to be fun!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~