What about Brian
Chapter 5
The next morning
She awoke up first she immediately remembered she was suppose to call her mother " Oh god" she thought to herself "I am never going to hear the end of it because I forgot to call her"
She picked up her cell and saw that her mother had tried to call her numerous times She threw some clothes on and put coffee on and thought to herself "Well its too early to call or is it Well it is 630. What the hell I might as well get this over with"
She called her mother, and the she answered on the second ring
" Hello Laura"
" Hi mom I didn't wake you did I?"
"No I have been up for a while," Sorry I didn't call you last night I got busy with things and then I lay down for a second and I fell asleep."
" Well you are calling me now that's the main thing" her mother replied "I would like to meet that young man of yours, I am not sure I really want to go up Venice Beach, how about you bring him here?"
" Mom I am not really comfortable with that, Besides he doesn't know anything remember I have you maiden name He doesn't know my Who my grandparents are of that they are worth 6.3 Billion dollars. But what I do know is that Brian loves me for me not my money besides you know I am no debutant no matter how much you and daddy want me to be."
"OK have it you way darling I guess I can come to Venice Beach on Saturday for lunch. Where is the APARTMENT located?"
She gave her the address. I will pick the two of you up and we can find a nice restaurant. CASUAL but not too CASUAL "
"Ok Mom I will tell Brian" with than she hung up. and said out loud to herself "Boy I am so NOT looking forward to Saturday after having lunch with her Brian may very well run away as fast as he can he may move to another country to get away,"
She hadn't heard him come up behind her. "Why am I going to run away and possibly move to another country?" he asked as he grabbed a coffee
She turned to him "I just got off the phone with my mother"
"You called her this early?" he said
"I knew she would be up and I was so preoccupied last night I didn't call her back. So I figured I would get it over with. I hope you don't have plans Saturday because we are having lunch with her, she will come her pick us up and we will go out somewhere. She originally wanted me to take you to their home but I uh declined."
"Why, we could have gone there I would have been fine with it."
"No I am not ready for that yet, And promise me you will not say a word about our engagement yet"
Brian had a hurt expression on his face. "Oh sweetie its nothing to do with you its just If she knows this early on she will take control of the wedding and just make it something we don't want. I told this to Nicole and at first she thought I was kidding. I am going to say it to you, unless you want some 10 million dollar wedding with all the media hype to go with it We don't want my family knowing just yet ok"
" Now your being funny" Brian said.
"I am dead serious, remember, I changed my last name for anonymity"
"Ok Laura I will keep everything to myself on one condition I want to understand who is your family why won't you tell me, It won't change anything between us, it will just make me understand you better."
"Ok I will tell you who my grandparents are but you can not tell anyone else at least for now Swear it"
" OK I swear it" She paced back and forth "my grand parents are...Eli and Edythe Broadstreet. "
He looked at her kind of funny I know the names sound familiar but I can't place them she went to the computer and pulled up there information on Wikipedia it listed everything about then he was a world famous philanthropist whose estimate worth was over 6 billion dollars he sat there shell shocked,
"Now you see why I don't tell everyone "
"Yeah I get it now holy crap oh wow how is your mom , your family going to judge me I suddenly feel quite inadequate"
She went over to him held him then backed up and took his face in her hands. "I love you don't you dare feel that way, you are everything to me."
The rest of the week went by pretty uneventful She came home Friday afternoon with new outfit for herself and Brian to wear for the lunch with her mother, Brian was already home and he surprised her by trying to make dinner. She smelled the aroma of what else Mexican food. He saw her come in.
" I got out of work early and thought I would surprise you with dinner. Looks like you went shopping."
"Yeah I figured we would need new clothes for tomorrow." she replied
"You figured WE would need new clothes. Your dressing me to meet you mother." He questioned
"Well I know you were worried about meeting her. Oh by the way my father is joining us too he phoned me to tell me this afternoon."
"Oh swell" Brian replied
"Oh Brian you have to meet them sometime. I have to warn you they can be a bit well...condescending they don't mean anything by it. its just the lifestyle they lead" she told him.
He put down the spoon he was using and went to the living room
"Ok show me what you bought" he said
"Don't worry I didn't buy you anything to make you feel like a stuffed shirt, its just that my parents especially my mom really notices designer clothes.
"Hey this is nice he said as he pulled out the clothes she got him. "Hey this is Perry Ellis" then he looked at the price tag, His mouth hit the floor "My whole wardrobe doesn't cost this much" he exclaimed
"Well we are going to work on that, I have to work on mine too. My mother wouldn't be too happy with what I have in my closet, well our closet these days either. I don't want you to worry I am still the same person. I am still the T shirt and sweats sort of person. We just have to step it up a bit around my family If I hadn't told you about my family you wouldn't be acting this way just think of it this way now you just happen to have a bit more information on me and where I came from that's all. We may have to dress up a little more, at least when we are around my family but I don't want you to try to change yourself to please them and make yourself something you are not I love you the way you are." then she laughed and said "If you suddenly became a snob or just plain full of yourself, I would have to kick you to the curb."
He then just laughed and pulled her to himself and kissed her hard. He then let her go and walked back to the kitchen.
"Let me finish the food. I bet that power shopping made you hungry"
"Yeah I am kind of hungry" She went in to help him in the kitchen. They sat to eat Laura noticed Brian was just picking at his food.
"Your not eating Brian, what's wrong?" she asked.
He sat back and pushed his plate away, "My stomach is in knots. I am worried about tomorrow"
She got up and knelt beside him kissed him and then held has face. "You have nothing to worry about how can they not love you"
Her encouraging words didn't make him feel any better. After they were done and the kitchen was cleaned up she sat at the table and pulled out her lap top to work on her term paper. He headed for the bedroom and "I am just going to lay down for a while. He stripped down to his underwear. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Saturday Morning
He awoke to see the sunlight streaming through the window. Laura at some point had come to bed and she was laying with her head on his chest. He went to move to get up she snuggled closer.
He whispered, "You are not going to make this easy for me are you." He gently woke her"
"Hmmm " she smiled at him "Good morning" she said
"I hate to make you move but I have to get up Laura"
She frowned but moved to let him up. He went to go to the bathroom then hopped in the shower, he had just gotten under the water when she hopped in with him. "I hope you don't mind if I join you"
she grabbed a face cloth and lathered it up and started to wash his body
He kissed her and said "no I don't mind at all. They sensually washed each other then he turned her so her back side face him then claimed her from behind, When they were done the were both wrapped up in towels they sat next to each other on the bed he looked at the clock. He hadn't realized it was so late it was 10:30.
He tensed up "What time will they be here do you see the time"
"Don't worry Brian we have time not until at least 11:30 but probably closer to 12noon"
he sat at his lap top half dressed and did some work follow up for a new Game he and Dave were developing. Laura came out in her new outfit perfectly coiffed. She always was beautiful but she looked different somehow her hair was pulled up in a chignon at the nape of her neck
"Wow don't you look amazing" he said "Thanks, not it is your turn come on you have to get ready 10 minutes later he came in usually he went with the unshaven scruffy look but today he was clean shaven and had his hair gelled so his newly shortened hair wouldn't be unruly. He had on his new clothes she had for him they were a perfect fit.
"Well do you think I will pass inspection?" he said trying to manage a smile on his face.
Brian was standing in front of the window. Promptly at noon a black Mercedes Benz pulled up in front of the apartment, Brian's stomach sank "Uh Laura they are here."
"Well they drove themselves today no limo today this is a surprise"
She said as she went to the door to open it for them as they walked up the stairs In walked her parents late 50's early 60's they looked like they walked out of a fortune 500 magazine. She kissed her mom and dad on the cheek. Then went to introduce Brian before she was able to her mother noticed her left hand Laura had meant to take off her engagement ring but had forgotten to do Her mother grabbed her Laura's hand
"I guess congratulations are in order her mother said stoically.
Laura thought to herself " So much for keeping this a secret from my family how could I have been so Stupid" then she said out loud "Well Uhm yes Well Mom , Dad this is Brian" Brian these are my parents John and Claire"
Brian held out his hand ready to shake her dad's hand. Instead her father gave him a hug and said "congratulations welcome to the family son." Brian was taken aback " Uhm Thanks" was his only reply.
Her mother wasn't as forthcoming but she did manage to let him kiss her on the cheek. "Well, shall we go to lunch We thought since we already belong to Riviera country club in LA its only 20 minutes from here we could go there."
Then Brian shocked them "Yes I really like that place I am a member of the same country club all the VPs at KC Gaming are I really enjoy the Golf course. I play there quite a bit with a my best friend. His name is Adam Hillman he just made partner at Collaborative Law" Perhaps you have heard of it."
"Oh yes that is a very prestigious firm. Well my boy in just this little bit of time in which we have spoke you have so far impressed the Hell out of me, I think you will be very good for my daughter, isn't that right Claire." John said
Laura's mother nodded her head in agreement she never openly disagreed with her husband , and even though so far she liked Brian she still was going to wait to give her unwavering approval until she got to know him better.
They all got in the car and headed to the country club there was a little bit of traffic so it took them about a half hour to get there. Laura and Brian sat in the back,
He whispered to her, "so much for keeping our engagement a secret"
then she whispered back, "I forgot to take the ring off, I just hope there won't be a big battle with my mom in regards to the wedding plans, but I guess we will cross that bridge when we come to it."
They pulled up to the entrance of the restaurant which was right next to the golf course entrance. Adam and Jimmy were there to play golf, they only saw Brian at first
"Hey Brian I thought you were to busy to play golf" Adam said
"Do I look like I am dressed for golf Adam"
As he was speaking Laura and her parents came into view.
"Oh Hi Laura" Adam said
Then before Brian had a chance to introduce then His soon to be father in law held out his hand "You must be Adam Hillman that lawyer friend of Brian's and this is my associate James Miller he is a partner at the law firm too"
Jimmy held out his hand You can call me Jimmy"
"I am John Broadstreet and this is my wife Claire we are Laura's parents We are just heading in for lunch, I am sure we will see you soon since as Brian said, you are his best friend so I am sure you will be in on any plans for there Wedding or at least the bachelor party" he said softly as he nudged him and laughed.
Claire didn't catch her husband's comment but Laura did as she felt the blush creep up her face. She gave her dad a scowl. The four of them went inside and were seated right away. They were asked if they wanted a drink her father scotch and soda as always her mom just a glass of chardonnay.
Brian and Laura Just had water, he wanted a beer but he knew he needed to keep his wits about him while dealing with her parents. Laura filled her in on her schooling her mother thought of it as a trivial little hobby
"I already have a job lined up for after graduation" she told them.
"Well it will be only temporary until you get married from what Brian is telling us doing rather well, you won't have to work, Now tell me where do you plan to live after you are married you can't live in THAT tiny place in Venice Beach no less"
"Mom Pleeeaase first of all Yes I still plan to work and second Brian and I only JUST got engaged we haven't thought that far ahead yet we are fine right where we are" She said as she blew out an exasperated breath
"Fine Laura is there a topic we can talk about that you won't get upset with how about the wedding " Claire asked, " Do you plan to make a formal announcement in the proper way in the society pages? "
"Oh mom if you mean do we plan to make a simple announcement in the newspaper once we set a wedding date, Which by the way will be soon because we are not planning on anything big just close family and friends. We had thought of a beach wedding but... "
"Oh no not that kind of wedding that is so tacky Laura" Claire cut her off,
"Can I continue mom"
Brian and John sat there in silence watching the two of them go at it.
Then John said to Brian "How about you and I go over to the bar and chat while these too duke it out. Will you two excuse us?"
Claire waved them off Brian got up and went over to Laura, "are you going to be ok if I go off with your dad?"
She kissed him on the cheek "Sure go ahead, you are safer with my dad anyway"
They went over to the bar. Brian forgot himself and said "After listening to that I could sure use a beer, Oh I am sorry I didn't mean to say that out loud"
"Son you took the words out of my mouth, Corona ok for you," Brian nodded yes,
John said to the Bartender "2 Corona's with a lime each please." Are they always like that Brian asked"
"Yes pretty much, I will tell you that Claire and I are a lot different in the way we raised our children, I always wanted them to go their own way, And when you meet my parents, they are just like me, I am assuming she told you who they are?"
"Yes but actually she only told me last night I had no idea before. Not that it changes anything well only the fact that honesty because of the way she went on about it she had me scared to death."
John just laughed at him. "
"Sorry my daughter did that but my daughter is right about her mother , but she will come around."
They walked back over to the table Claire and Laura had come to a truce. They agreed to disagree her mother didn't like the fact that Laura wouldn't let her basically take over the Wedding plans and told her that she and Brian's friends were handling things.
Her mother told her she would discuss it with her later. She only relented because Laura had agreed to let her help pick out the dress. So the tabled any other had a nice rest of the afternoon. Laura's parent's brought them back to the apartment around 4,
They all got out of the car and John kissed his daughter and gave Brian a slap on the back and a firm hand shake, "So glad you are going to be part of the Family Brian, You take care of my little girl,"
Claire by this time decided she liked Brian and had warmed up to him, after kissing Laura gave she then gave Brian a kiss on the cheek as well. They said their goodbyes and told then they would talk with them sometime next week. Then they got in the car and drove off,
" I am glad that's over with" Laura said
"Why, they weren't so bad I actually really like your dad we are going to set up a time to play golf,"
"Well I am glad you and Dad hit it off, he really wasn't the one I was worried about it was my mother," Laura said
"after she got to know me a bit she seemed to like me I think anyway"
"Yeah she did Bri, Its just well it is like I told you before she wants to make our wedding a big society HUGE wedding I am their only daughter. But I am not having a huge 10 million dollar wedding with 500 people most of which we wouldn't know. I put my foot down with her, I don't know how much she will listen though."
There were several messages on the answering machine when they went in. Most were from either Nicole or Deena. They wanted to get together with Laura to go over some wedding stuff more importantly the DRESS. Laura picked up the phone to call Nicole, first Nicole answered after a couple of rings
"Hey Nicole I got your message,"
" Oh great and to let you know Deena is with me she called you too "Where have you been all day?"
"Oh we were at Riviera country club for lunch" "WOW FANCY HUH" Nicole said,
"Yeah a bit well too fancy for my taste anyway."
" So why did Brian take you there I mean I know he plays golf there but the county club part that's not his style?" Nicole asked
"Well we had lunch with my parents it was their idea" replied Laura
"Holy crap, Brian met your parents. I thought you wanted to hold off on that, You were pretty adamant about it, wait do they know you are engaged?"
"Well yes I was going to take off my engagement ring but I forgot and my mother spotted it, and now she wants to take over the whole wedding, I only agreed to let her help pick out a dress, I put my foot down or tried to at least about anything else."
"Well Deena and I want to get together tomorrow to go over some ideas we had. Dave is watching his 3 kids and he agreed to sort of watch Bella too if Brian went to their house to help with all 4 of the kids."
"I don't think he would mind but I don't want to volunteer him without asking can you hold on a sec while I get him so you can talk to him?" Laura asked "Hey Bri what are you or we doing tomorrow?"
"Nothing is planned why what did you have in mind?"
"Nicole wants to talk to you she has a favor to ask you."
Brian took the phone, "Hey Nic what's up?"
"Well Deena and I want to get together with Laura to go over wedding stuff."
"Ok so what's the favor?" he asked
"Can you go to Dave and Deena's to help watch the 4 kids, theirs 3 plus Bella while we have some girl time to plan some wedding stuff?" Nicole asked hopefully
"Sure no problem." He replied "Do you want to talk to Laura again?"
"Yeah please" Laura got on the phone and they made their plans for Sunday.