Chapter 1
"Wait wait wait" he couldn't keep from laughing as Alex retold the story her large brown eyes alight with laughter "you said what?"
"I told her that I'm sure my brother and his wife would love to go to lunch with her" they burst out laughing. It was ridiculous to even pretend it was anything else but a joke, Elrina's been after the Dalton's sons for as long as this town has been alive and if he was being honest a very specific Dalton. "I doubt she'll give up so easily"
"giving up isn't in that woman's vocabulary, darling" he reached out and pushed a strand of hair just behind her ear smiling as he caught the pink tint lighting up her pale cheeks. "As much as I adore our impromptu lunch dates, it usually means I've forgotten something; tell me and I'll do my best to make it up."
"Can't a wife just want to be near her husband?" A smile that could only be read as cheeky graced her delicate features making Barry chuckle
"now I've done it. What have I forgotten?" She grabbed his hand brushing a kiss across his fingers before holding it in both of hers
"oh Barry" she let out a breathless laugh "you really have done it." The knock on his door made the both of them shift expectantly
"Mr. Mayor," Buttercup looking highly harassed opened the door making his stomach fall to his feet "I believe I forgot to put them on your schedule but I told them to wait or at least just one of them—!"
"We agreed," the smooth English accent cut in almost recognizing it right away Barry stood "the mayor can't be seen pulling favors after all" the honey eyed curly haired brunette came sauntering in. A smile that always seemed to light up a room and the freckles that danced across her nose and high cheekbones
"Beaux!" Forgetting all formalities he ran to her and gave her a bone crushing hug
"still the same," he heard her smile and nearly melted into her embrace instantly glad she'd been the one to come. Rose would've never forgiven him, she'd always say that she loved him most "but Mayor now? My oh my, little brother you've grown" pulling back he recognized the twinkle in her honey eyes "still no beard I see" her hand grabbed his face "Basil's losing the bet" he chuckled grabbing her hands he'd missed her
"Where are they? Are they here now?" He looked expectedly towards the door, Rose was not one to wait patiently
"your pitbull of a secretary would only allow one of us in here." Buttercup stood frowning and true to her nature guarded the door "but in all honesty, I much prefer her than a horde of bodyguards at least she knows how to talk" so Buttercup is the one who kept Rose at bay. He couldn't help chuckling to himself, their father had bodyguards round the clock for all of their childhood and none of them would talk to any of them. A small cough alerted him that someone else was in the room
"Beaux!" He turned to face his short and slightly rounder companion "this is Alex, Alex this is one of my sisters: Beaux"
"the famous Alex" Beaux gave her a hug leave it to her to smooth over the rough edges "Barry hasn't stopped talking about you, and forgot to tell us just how stunning you are!" Alex gave her a wide smile
"how sweet of you! I believe your brother forgot to mention how beautiful you are!" Beaux batted the comment aside,
"save the compliments for Rose." Beaux returned her smile with such warmth Alex's smile became genuine "I assume Barry filled you in on Rose"
"just that she's very protective," She gave a tiny shrug "it would have been nice to have you all at the wedding. But this is just as nice!" Barry swallowed, seeing Beaux's face drop before her eyes cut towards him
"so I'll see you at home?" Barry grabbed Beaux's shoulders flipping her around "I'm sure Rose is not patiently waiting for her turn" he started to guide her towards the door
"which is why I sent her home" Beaux deftly maneuvered out of his hold making her way back to Alex "speaking of home. Rose is insisting on a gala, not to be out done she's throwing it tonight, so come my dear" Barry bit the inside of his cheek "and if you must, bring Barry along" at that he whirled around
"we have dinner with her family tonight," silently thanking his wife for planning it in advance smiling at Alex "it's been put off for too long."
"Oh, I think this is perfect!" Alex beamed back at him "now our families can finally meet each other, let me call my mom!" Alex hopped grabbing Barry by the tie and tugging him down enough to plant a light kiss on his cheek "be home early to change" she called over her shoulder "this is going to be great!"
"...great" he groaned, afraid to look at his sister
"you should bring your pitbull as well," Beaux's voice has ice in it "you might be safer with her there."
"Beaux I can explain—!"
"Quite frankly, I understand why you did it Barry" she sighed gently squeezing his arm "but that doesn't mean anyone else will—and I promise not to say a word to Rose I just hope father is just as mindful" the pit forming in his stomach expanded. "I love you, Barry" she captured him in a hug again her eyes a liquid gold "don't be late."
"I'll make arrangements," Buttercup cut in "May I also have the guest list? It might be wise for the mayor to network at the party" Barry sighed
"of course, Rose has most definitely invited everyone for that specific reason, I'm sure Mr. Morebucks has already emailed the list to you."
"I'm sorry?" Buttercup had a tight smile
"Mr. Morebucks? Surely you've heard of him?" Beaux frowned glancing at Barry "Barry's father?"
"Ah...I'm sorry, I uh didn't know he was…"
"you've been working for him this whole time and you didn't even know his name?" Beaux didn't laugh at that but she looked at Barry in hopes of it
"that's because I took my wife's name in hopes of getting out from under our mogul of a father" Barry quickly tried to explain
"Barry…" she sighed, "say you'll come" she was addressing Buttercup
"I'm sure Buttercup has better Friday evening plans than to come to a dinner party at our house." Barry sighed rubbing his face tiredly
"I think it might be best if I'm there." Buttercup sighed "I'll make some arrangements"
"good. Your boss might need more than just my protection."
—
"You have to come!" Alex was near begging, Blossom just wanted a nice night in with her research and maybe a nice book or two. Nothing could persuade her from dropping everything just for a party "I don't know how I'll be able to coupe with his sisters there! But if I have you then at least someone there wouldn't want to kill me!"
"Alex, don't be so dramatic" Blossom rolled her pink eyes glancing back into the microscope "I'm sure they're really sweet"
"sweet? Sweet?!" Alex huffed "you should have seen this woman! She had the body and height of an Amazonian woman! I mean caramel skin, these golden eyes that could see into your very soul! Not to mention the physique of the woman. Now I don't swing that way but even I would do her" now Blossom sighed giving Alex the attention she so desperately craved "now imagine all 3 of his sisters looking like this woman! Then me" Alex motioned to her petite frame "no wonder she wants to kill me! But at the same time thank all the gods from every religion that they weren't there at the wedding. I would have been instantly forgotten!"
"They didn't go to your wedding?"
"Barry said they were busy"
"and you believed him?!" Blossom's jaw dropped half laughing half shocked "oh Alex, you know Barry as well as I do…" a nervous chuckle escaped her "that man, did not tell his family he was married" Alex's onyx eyes got even more wide
"you don't think...he's embarrassed of me do you?" Blossom bit her tongue forcing herself not to laugh a bitter laugh
"Alex," like a tip toe "why do you think Barry didn't tell his family?"
"Probably because of my brothers," Alex sighed into a chair next to her Blossom always heard about the terrorizing trio but hadn't actually met them yet. They honestly can't be as bad as she says "or maybe my dad, could be my mom and her connections? I don't know!"
"Alex," Blossom sighed "you know the reason!" Alex was frowning her lip in a pout "it wasn't something he did lightly, he didn't tell his family to protect you. You've heard his stories and how vicious his sister can be, I doubt that man could ever be embarrassed by you." Blossom huffed tossing her long ginger hair over her shoulder
"exactly my point." Alex hopped off her stool "I need protection! And I need my girl right there with me! Who else do you think I can possibly ask to go with me?"
"Your husband"
"he'll be much too busy networking to really stay by my side! Blossom, come on! Please?"
—
"Can you believe that monster is back?!" Bubbles ground the pestle slightly too hard into the mortar splitting it soundly in pieces. She winced
"Bubbles, darling" Anita started to shovel the mess into a nearby rubbish bin "perhaps you should pace" a very graceful way of telling her not to break everything. "Maybe start from the beginning, my love"
Bubbles filled Anita in on the awful cafe experience and how not even Lavender's friendly face could assuage her utter feelings of turmoil
"when Max came back, he hardly even spoke to me! His eyes were glued to his phone!"
"Darling, weren't you also on your phone?"
"That's my point Anita!" Bubbles groaned collapsing on the dining room chair "I was texting him! He didn't even look at it! I mean what could he possibly be looking at and ignoring all of my texts, when I'm right in front of him?!"
"Bubbles," Anita's calming aura seemed to pulsate out "you are a strong, cheerful, beautiful young woman" Anita had paused in the meal preparation sitting across from Bubbles her hand placed gently on top of hers "do you truly love this young man?"
Bubbles pouted, flinging her hands up in utter despair
"I don't know!" The answer came out watery which made her angry only making her even more watery "oh, Anita why doesn't he like me?"
"Bub—!" In a rush of baby blue Bubbles tore off to her room slamming the door so hard it broke in half clean off the hinges.
Her tears crashed through her, a pain she hadn't thought she could or would ever feel gnawed at her insides like a perfectly placed black hole.
Catching her reflection in the vanity Blossom had received for her birthday, Bubbles was instantly revolted by what she saw.
The rolls laid on top of rolls, her hair was greasy and had lost a lot of its original sheen. Her cheeks were ruddy, and chubbier than they used to be
"Bubbles, you're fat…" echoing in her head to the point where all she could hear. With a scream Bubbles collapsed again on her bed, agonizing sobs tore through her chest
"Buttercup was right!" She sniffled feeling the presence of another "I'm just a tub of lard!"
"Bubbles!" Anita's voice cut the air "that is enough," she was shocked to the point where she felt her tears dry instantly. Anita has never raised her voice, not even through their teenage years when they deserved it "what is it you want from all this?" Bubbles just blinked up at her "has crying ever gotten you what you wanted?" She felt herself start to feel warmer "has crying ever gotten you a man? Do you feel like a proud woman crying over a boy?" Her voice was no longer loud but it ached with thunder that she'd never heard before "Bubbles, I don't care or I don't know have never been a part of your vocabulary" Anita's dark almond eyes softened "you care and you do know."
Her eyes seemed to see right through Bubbles' soul, a shaky sigh escaped her. Anita was right wasn't she? Max had always been a guy she admired, with his perfect hair and those eyes she could get lost in. Had he ever seen her like she saw him? Maybe once? "Come with me, Bubbles, I think I may have something that'll cheer you up."