"I'm being serious!" Brie chuckles, doing her best to quieten the tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Nikki said that she trusts me..? Sorry, I just don't buy it.." Stephanie giggles, searching through her wardrobe on the other side of the phone.
Thankfully, Steph hadn't noticed the sadness in Brie's voice yet. Originally, she called in hopes of talking to Steph about her pregnancy - something which speaks volumes, considering her own husband doesn't even know yet. The younger woman was just hoping to get some advice about the baby; after all, Steph was the only person who even somewhat understood Brianna's reservations about having another child.
Although, when Stephanie answered the call, they both found it ever so easy to chat their way into a different conversation entirely. To be honest, Brie was almost glad to talk about non-important things for a change; recently, her life just seems so serious.. she's all business and babies, it's rare she gets to simply laugh with a friend. At some point, she'll mention the pregnancy.. but not yet, she can't face it.
Besides, Stephanie was the perfect person to have conversations like this with - when they're being serious, they're serious, and can talk about absolutely anything. But when they're talking about the nonsensical stuff, the things that mean nothing but can still, somehow make them laugh.. they make one another feel lighter, in a sense.
"Hit me then, what outfit are you looking for?" Brie asks, doing her best to perk up a little.
"Well, Paul's supposed to be at home tonight, and I have some making up to do.. so hopefully, just something that'll make him look twice at me.."
Internally, Brie rolls her eyes. 'Making up to do' - like Stephanie is capable of doing anything so wrong.
"Well, if you wear nothing, I'm pretty sure that'll catch his attention." Brie laughs, prompting Stephanie to burst into a fit of giggles herself. "But really, you'd look amazing in whatever you put on.."
Smiling softly, Stephanie can feel her cheeks beginning to glow. With Paul seemingly paying less and less attention to her every day, receiving compliments like that are a rarity - even if it's only a throwaway comment, Steph appreciates it more than Brie could know. Of course, it wasn't a throwaway comment; Brie knows just how beautiful Stephanie is, there's no mistaking her for anything else.
Although, Steph can't confidently say that she's felt very pretty recently. After all, her husband's hardly home - most of the time, without any explanation - and when the rare occasion occurs that Paul does spend an evening with her, he isn't particularly affectionate. That's why she wants to dress up for him; maybe, if she makes more of an effort, she'll be kore likely to get a reaction.
As odd as it may sound, it isn't really the affection Stephanie misses.. she truly just misses feeling loved. She can't remember the last time Paul, or either of her daughters gave her a hug - it's like she's completely invisible. Hopefully, with a posh dress and some lipstick, Stephanie will bring out the Paul she once fell in love with - the attractive, handsome, caring man who protected her from the world.. if he's still there.
"What dress have you got on right now?" Brie asks.
"This red one I haven't worn in a while.. Paul used to like it.." Stephanie answers, looking herself up and down in a floor length mirror.
"Used to?"
"Well, last time I wore it somewhere, he said he liked it - but that was ages ago now, and I've gained weight since then.. I'm not sure something figure hugging would be such a good idea."
Brie scoffs. Gained weight? Like there's an ounce of anything but muscle on that woman. "Text me a picture?" She suggests.
Complying, Stephanie opens her camera and smiles as she takes a photo in the mirror. Normally, she isn't one for selfies - but this is about the dress, not herself. Besides, it's only Brie.. no online internet trolls to judge every part of her body, no gossip magazines to trash her outfit.. it would only be seen by a pair of extremely kind eyes. She sends the photo to Brie and awaits her judgement. Even if she knows that Brie will tell her it looks good either way, it's still nice to have that reassurance.
There's a long pause as Brie gazes at the picture for longer than she knows is acceptable. If she's being entirely honest, she isn't thinking about how beautiful the dress is, more so the woman in it. Of course, the dress is gorgeous, but put it on anybody else and it wouldn't be nearly as pretty; the way the red fabric perfectly rested along Steph's even more prefect curves.. it was almost like the garment was tailored specifically for her. Brie was simply in awe of Stephanie's beauty, and she's rendered speechless because of it.
"What do you think..?" The older woman gently prompts.
"Sorry Steph, I.. you look absolutely stunning - Paul's one lucky man.."
As she said Paul's name, a sharp sting of jealousy runs through Brie. She can just imagine it; Paul catching a glimpse of Stephanie's beauty, then pouncing on her and showing her all the love and worship in the world. And who could blame him? When his wife looks like that, he'd be a fool to resist her. Brie would give anything for Bryan to see her in the same light.
Then, thinking of Bryan, it hits Brie all over again - she's pregnant. She's pregnant with his baby.. and rather than celebrating with him, she's sat in a lonely living room, feeling jealous of the relationship between one of her closest friends and a man she barely knows.
Yes, Brianna had initially phoned Stephanie with the intention of telling her about the pregnancy.. but she was still in tatters about it herself, how could she tell anyone else? It's a near miracle she found it within herself to tell Nikki, and they're twins for God's sake! Even then, Brianna couldn't face telling her she was sad about it.. granted, she was crying, but managed to explain it away by blaming hormones.
"I don't think it suits me that well.. do you think it's too much?" Stephanie ponders.
And with that simple question, Brie's mind was off her pregnancy, and back to focusing on/appreciating the beauty of her friend. While she understands insecurity very well, she'll never understand Steph's insecurities. All you have to do is merely glance at her to be completely captivated; she isn't just beautiful, she's near angelic.
"Steph, trust me.. you don't have anything to worry about.. you're so beaut- the dress. The dress is beautiful." Brie stumbles.
Of course, it's normal to recognise, or even admire, the beauty of your friends - but Stephanie's different. Maybe everyone just looks at her a certain way? After all, it's not exactly difficult to be left in a trance by her. But Brie found herself almost in awe of Stephanie.. and it wasn't that long ago they hated one another. Now, it's a different story, and they feel almost the opposite.
Before she could say anything too embarrassing, Brie finds a way to finish the conversation, sweetly saying goodbye before hanging up the phone. She takes a deep sigh, regretting not mentioning about her baby. Stephanie didn't seem all too happy herself, maybe it's a good thing she didn't bring it up? But at the moment, it feels like Stephanie's the only person who can help her..
It's not like this pregnancy will go away, Brie's having another child in nine months, wether she likes it or not. All she wants is for Stephanie to tell her that she'll get through it.. because if Steph told her, she might just believe it.
Brie begins to tear up once again, curling her legs up to her chest; she cried telling Nikki, couldn't even face telling Stephanie.. how in hell is she going to tell Bryan..?
Later in the evening, Stephanie sits on the sofa while reading a magazine, waiting for Paul to turn up. He should've been home an hour ago; why she's still surprised, she never knows. Part of her wants to know where Paul is, another part of her already knows..
Here she is, all dressed up in sexy red dress, plastered in makeup, and foolishly waiting for a husband who hasn't shown interest in her for God knows how long. She feels like an idiot, but what else is she supposed to do? Lying in an empty bed gets so lonely after a while, waiting for Paul nearly seems worth it.
The front door clicks, and Stephanie's eyes light up. Finally, he was home, and she could get some attention.
Eagerly, she stands up, throwing the magazine to the side, and walking the the hallway. The moment her husband walks through the door, Steph's heart drops. Paul's shirt is untucked, his buttons are done up in the wrong holes, and he once again smells like a perfume Stephanie doesn't wear. Quite upsettingly, this is a sight she's become accustomed to, but it doesn't make it hurt any less.
"Where've you been..?" Steph asks, welling up with fear of his answer.
"Work.." he slurs in response.
Oh great. And he's drunk too? Thankfully, he doesn't appear wasted, but he's definitely had a drink. Now she's thinking about it, that smell of perfume might actually be a cocktail - something which she can't decide on if it's comforting or enraging.
"Hey.. why've you put that on..?" Paul smirks, walking over to his wife and taking hold of her waist.
Firmly, Stephanie steps backward and folds her arms. "Where were you, Paul?" She repeats, trying not to cry. "I can smell the alcohol on you, so don't tell me you were at work."
"Fine. I was at work, then I went for a drink after with Seth." He defends. "Is that illegal now?"
"Stop being such a child, Paul - you know I wouldn't have minded. But you could've texted me and told me, I've been reading that magazine for nearly an hour, waiting for you.."
"I didn't ask you to wait for me.. if you're going to be like this, I'm just gonna go to bed. Join me if you want or sleep down here, I really couldn't care less." Paul spits, angrily storming up the stairs.
The moment her husband was out of sight, Stephanie allows herself to weep. Once again, he manages to make her feel deeply insecure; when she showed Brie this dress, the younger woman near convinced her that she actually looked quite nice.. any feeling of confidence has definitely left Stephanie now.
For a brief second, she considers phoning Brie again, or even texting her - but soon enough, she decides against it. Even though she feels perfectly comfortable talking to Brie, she still feels embarrassed about putting so much effort into looking nice for a man who's priorities clearly lie somewhere else. Besides, Brie deserves a break from constantly hearing about Steph's problems.
Disappointed, Stephanie collapses onto her sofa and gives herself the time to cry out all the emotions.