TWENTY TWO
Brenda could not believe what was happening.
She was in complete disbelief.
She remembers walking into Christian's parents' house and saying her hellos.
That particular night, it was only his parents and siblings in attendance.
The last and only time she had dinner with them, there were quite a few people there.
She guess Christian requested that it only be immediate family, and he wasted no time telling them that he had gotten married.
His family thought he was joking at first, until their eyes collectively looked down at their left hands.
After that, it was just chaos.
Of course his parents were in shock, well they were all in shock.
His siblings were shocked but their reactions were tame compared to his parents' reactions.
His mom seemed to be more hurt than anything.
She didn't understand why she wasn't invited.
She shed quite a few tears, which didn't make Brenda feel great.
For the most part, Brenda just stayed silent.
His father wasn't hurt, he was angry, and he did not hold back.
He said that he couldn't believe Christian would do something so dumb.
He also said that they barely knew each other and had no idea what marriage even meant.
He also asked them if they really knew what they were doing.
Brenda didn't even have time to respond, because Christian and his father started having a shouting match.
Things really got out of control when he asked Christian if he was smart enough to get a prenup which pushed Christian over the edge.
Brenda didn't know what to do.
She hardly knew these people which was proving his father's point.
His sister did manage to introduce herself in between all of the chaos.
Elliot even found the time to congratulate them.
And they did not stay for dinner.
Christian took her hand and practically dragged her out of there.
She didn't want to leave like that.
She felt like she should say something, because she felt horrible.
They really didn't think this through.
His father made some very valid points and asked some serious questions.
It had her questioning things.
Did they know each other well enough to be getting married?
At one point his father even said that they were just in lust and had no idea what they were doing.
Maybe he was right?
They are on the way home.
Christian was yelling because obviously he was still upset.
She just couldn't stop thinking about how upset his parents were.
But deep down in her gut, she knew it was not going to go well.
That's why she didn't want to go.
She looked over at him. "Why did you just blurt it out?"
"Because I was annoyed with you."
"Well, that didn't help anything."
"Brenda, I hope you didn't let what they said upset you."
"To be honest, I think maybe your father was right. Maybe we didn't think this through?"
At that moment he pulled the car over and threw on his hazard lights.
He turned to her. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, maybe he is right? We did rush into this. We don't really know each other, not well enough to get married. We were only dating for a few months and in that time we broke up! And this is your first relationship. Maybe we should have waited, Christian? I've been in a relationship before and at one point I thought it was going to be my last relationship. Things can change and it takes more than love to make a relationship work. What if things change between us? We can't just break up, we have to go through a whole process now."
"You are right, I have never been in a relationship, but that doesn't mean that I don't know what I feel for you is real. You aren't the first woman I have met, Brenda."
"I wasn't implying that, Christian. I'm sure you have met and dealt with quite a few women."
"Yes, I have. You just happen to be the one that I want. Did you mean what you said when we exchanged our vows?"
"Of course, I did. I wasn't lying about how I feel about you. I just don't know if we should have rushed and gotten married."
Christian sighed. "I thought you were sure, Brenda. I asked you and you said yes."
"I was when we did it, but after listening to your father, he made some valid points. And your mother was so hurt, Christian."
"So, what do you want to do? Do you want to get it annulled?"
"I mean…if you think it is best?"
"I married you because I wanted to, so no I don't think it's best!" He looked off. "I think you were right. I should not have taken you."
"I told you that they were going to hate me."
"They don't hate you."
"Yes, they do. I'm the evil bitch that talked their son into marrying her after a few months of dating."
"Brenda, my mom is just upset we didn't invite her. She does not think you are evil."
"Well, your father does."
"He might."
"Christian, that is not funny."
"I wasn't joking."
"I'm never going back there."
"Yes, you will. They will get used to the idea, that's if you don't want an annulment."
"I just don't want you and your family to have a fallen out because of something we did. They just love you and want the best for you. They have been loving you longer than I have."
"I think you are what's best for me. Do you want to get an annulment?"
"No, I don't. I really do love you, Christian. But what if we are in lust?"
"I am in lust with you. You know that. It's not all I feel for you but I can't deny that I have a crazy physical attraction to you. Why do you think we have so much damn vanilla sex? I don't typically do that. And I haven't been in a relationship because I didn't want one, until you. So, don't think you are taking advantage of me."
"I never said I was."
"I just don't want you to think I'm some naive little boy."
"I definitely don't think that, Christian. I could never think that."
"Well, I'm good with us. I didn't ask you to marry me because I was bored. I knew what I wanted, it was as simple as that. Now, what do you want to eat?"
"Taco Bell."
He laughed. "Taco Bell?"
"Yes, I'm serious. I would love some Taco Bell."
"That's trash food."
"Maybe, but that's what I want. After what you made me go through, you definitely should get me some Taco Bell. It's what I deserve. And it will not kill you, if you eat some this one time."
"If I get sick, I'm blaming you."
He turned off his hazards and pulled off…
"You loved every bit of it."
Christian shrugged. "It was OK."
"Well, you ate everything I ordered. It tastes better than salmon and green beans, doesn't it?"
"No, it doesn't."
They are sitting in the entertainment room watching TV.
They have just finished eating.
Christian took out his phone. "I forgot to tell you, the photographer sent me a few photos."
Brenda moved closer and looked down at his phone. "We look so good."
"Yeah, we do. I really appreciate Ned and Lois coming to support us. I will never forget that. I know you were happy to see them."
"I'm always happy to see them. I have a confession. I saw them after we broke up. I actually went to Port Charles for a day because I was so heartbroken."
Christian continued swiping through the photos. "I didn't know that."
"I just needed to get out of Seattle for a little bit."
"So, you and Lois spent the day bashing me?"
She laughed. "No, Lois had to work. I actually ended up running into Sonny and we hung out."
Christian stopped looking through the photos and looked at her. "You hung out with your ex? Doing what?"
"We…just hung out…around town."
"Did you fuck him?"
"Are you crazy, Christian?"
"I can be. Answer the fucking question."
She got up. "I just can't do this with you. Not after the night we've had. You are unbelievable."
She put all the empty wrappers and containers back in the takeout bag, grabbed her cup, and left.
Christian got up and followed her. "Brenda, we are not done."
"I am done, Christian."
He followed her into the kitchen. "Why aren't you answering the question?"
"Because it is a dumb question."
She tossed the bag in the trash and headed to their room, with him following.
"Why didn't you tell me you went to Port Charles?"
"It slipped my mind."
"Bullshit!"
She stopped and turned. "It was not planned. I went to Port Charles because I was upset and needed a break from Seattle. I was walking in town and I ran into Sonny. I told him what happened, he offered to spend the day with me, to take my mind off things. He didn't touch me and I didn't touch him. Question answered."
She continued walking towards their bedroom.
He didn't follow her.
He turned and went in the opposite direction.
She was happy he chose not to follow her.
She didn't feel like arguing.
She was still not over what happened at his parents' house.
She was not in the mood for anything else.
She was mentally exhausted.
She took a shower, slipped on a pajama set, and got into bed.
It had been a long tiresome day.
If he wanted to argue, it would have to wait until tomorrow….
Christian came in about a couple hours later.
He showered and slipped in next to her.
Brenda was still up but her back was facing him.
She had time to think and she knew why he was upset.
He listened to her whine about Sonny for months.
Of course, he wouldn't like her hanging out with him.
Yes, they had broken up, but if she found out he hung out with one of his submissives she would be upset too.
Especially so soon after their breakup.
She felt like she should apologize.
"I'm sorry."
"For what? Did something happen between the two of you?"
"No, I told you the truth, Christian. I'm sorry because I didn't put myself in your shoes. I would have been angry if I found out you spent time with someone else, so soon after we broke up."
She turned to face him. "Do you accept my apology?"
He nodded. "And you don't have to wear pajamas to bed, to keep me from touching you. I would never lay a hand on you, if we are having a disagreement about something. And don't lie and say you were cold or some shit, because you haven't been cold since Aspen."
"I was just angry."
"I know, but for future reference you don't have to worry about that. And if you don't want to be intimate with me…for any reason, just say no. I can accept rejection."
"I know that. I've never felt like I had to do anything."
She turned her back towards him again.
This night just kept getting worse and worse.
After that last exchange, they didn't say anything else to each other, they just went to sleep….
The next morning he got up and went through his normal routine.
He worked out, ate, showered, and went to work.
There was still a little tension between them.
He said that he accepted her apology but he was obviously still bothered by her spending the day with Sonny.
He could also be angry that she wore pajamas to bed.
Honestly, she didn't know, but it was one of the two, or maybe it was something else.
A lot happened yesterday…..
Brenda ended up meeting Kristina and they spent the day together.
Kristina already knew she married Christian.
Brenda called her a few days after it happened.
She was shocked like everybody else, but she told Brenda that she would support her no matter what.
They spent the day doing what they loved, which was shopping.
Brenda was also getting ready to go to LA for a few days.
She booked another job and needed a few travel sized items.
She was actually shooting a perfume campaign.
She was so excited when she found out that she booked that job, but with everything going on, now she didn't know how she felt.…..
They ran into Matthew while they were out and they ended up having an early dinner together.
Brenda got home around seven.
Christian was already there.
He was just getting out of the shower when she walked in.
She placed her bags down and went inside the bathroom, where he was busy toweling off.
"Did you have fun?"
"Yeah, I always have a good time with Kristina."
She texted him earlier and let him know she would be hanging out with Kristina.
She leaned up against the counter. "How was work?"
"It was work. Have you already eaten? I was thinking about ordering something."
"Yeah, we ran into Matthew, and we all went to dinner."
"Matthew?"
"The guy from the bar. My friend."
"The guy who carried you to your car."
"Yeah, my friend."
"Yeah right, Brenda. Your friend."
"What does that supposed to mean?"
"Just what I said."
"Ok, Christian, whatever."
She walked out of the bathroom.
He wrapped a towel around his waist and followed her out.
"Before I forget, I need to ask you a question. Where are you going to get your hair done and your beauty treatments done?"
"A new place, The Oasis. Why?"
He sat down on the bed. "I just noticed that my card hasn't been charged in weeks."
"I'm not going to that place anymore. I don't like Elena, you know that."
"Why didn't you tell me you found another place?"
"We were broken up. Also, it slipped my mind. I didn't think you would care to be honest."
"It's your choice, Brenda. I don't really care. I never said you had to keep going there. Well, I guess I need to get you your own black card."
"No, Christian, I can pay for things. You do enough."
"Brenda, I feel like there is a disconnect with us."
"Do you remember what happened last night at your parents' house and after we left?"
"Yes, but I told you, how my parents feel…should have no effect on us."
"Christian, that is not realistic. I feel horrible that they are upset because of something we did."
"At the end of the day, it is our lives."
"Yeah, but I still feel horrible. They met me one time and now I'm the daughter in law from hell that they hate. We didn't give them time to get to know me. We didn't even really get to know each other."
"I told you, my mom doesn't hate you. My dad is just worried I didn't protect myself financially."
"I didn't marry you for your money, but because he doesn't know me, he doesn't know that."
"Well, I know you well enough to know that. You didn't even blink when I mentioned a prenup."
"Because it's your money. It's not mine. Did you call and tell your dad you had one?"
"No, not yet. He thinks I'm a pretend businessman. My company is not real. I have no clue what I'm doing."
"He just loves you and you will just always be his little boy."
"Brenda, I really just want you to be all in. Everything else, I'll deal with."
"I am, Christian."
"Ok." He got up and went back into the bathroom….
It is a couple days later and Brenda is in LA.
Things were still not great between her and Christian.
They had not laid a hand on each other in days, which was so unlike them.
And he would normally take the weekends off.
Not this past weekend, he worked both days.
He said he was working on a deal but she felt like he was avoiding her.
She spent the weekend with Kristina and a few of her other girlfriends.
They only saw each other at night and they talked, but that was it.
And when they went to bed…they just slept.
Brenda had a lot on her mind, but she didn't have time to think about it, because when she landed in LA, she checked into her hotel, and went straight to the set.
It was a long day of shooting and everything came out great.
There were no fires that needed to be put out, it was a breeze.
Brenda was grateful that at least something went right.
It was so good, they didn't think they would need a second day.
She was to stay in LA just in case, but they honestly didn't think she would be called back.
She was exhausted when she got back to her hotel.
She showered and ordered room service.
She received a text from Jax earlier and he stated that he was in town.
He would be stopping by later.
They had spoken on the phone several times, so he already knew she was married.
She was sitting in the middle of the bed watching television when there was a knock at her door.
She got up, looked out the peephole, and smiled.
She opened the door. "Jasper!"
They embraced and he followed her inside.
"I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."
He sat down on the sofa. "It has only been a couple of weeks. And in that time you got married."
"I know. And we are already having issues. But I'm so happy you were able to swing by LA."
"Swing by?" He laughed. "LA isn't anywhere near New York."
"Whatever, I'm just happy you flew out here. You said that you would try to come, I didn't really believe you would though."
"I had a little business out here, so I thought what the hell."
"Liar, you came because you missed me, your best friend forever."
"Just a little, but why are you and your new husband already at odds? You should be in the honeymoon phase."
Brenda gave him a quick summary of what happened at Christian's parents' house, as well as their annulment talk in the car.
"So…you see, I don't want to come in between him and his family and we have some tension from some other stuff on top of all of that. I want to stay married but his father wasn't wrong."
"Did you mean what you said when you married him?"
"Every word, Jax."
"Well, why were you willing to throw the towel in at the first obstacle? That has to be frustrating for him."
"Because his father is right, we hardly know each other, and we rushed into this marriage."
"Yes, you actually did, but if you really love him, don't give up so quickly. I'm sure he is questioning if you meant anything you said."
"He knows I did."
"He probably thought he did, but your actions say otherwise. I'm not an expert on relationships, just giving you my opinion on things. Brenda, you are saying that you want to remain married, but in the next breath you are agreeing with his father."
"His father is right. Two things can be true. Yes, I want to stay married, but yes we rushed into it."
"I mean, yeah, I guess you are right. I'm just trying to be supportive. I'm sure it will work itself out. But what are you eating tonight?"
"I ordered room service."
"You can eat it later. Let's go grab something."
"I'm tired, but you know what? OK. I can sleep when I'm dead. I'm not in LA everyday. Just get the room service when it comes."
She got up and went into the bathroom….
Brenda is back in her hotel room.
She took another shower, slipped on her pajamas, and got into bed.
She still had not heard from Christian.
She grabbed her phone and scrolled down to his name.
She wanted to call him but decided against it.
She would just talk to him when she got back to Seattle…..
Brenda got back to Seattle the next day.
The photographer got what she needed the first day, so as soon as Brenda got the all clear, she headed back home.
She was actually having breakfast with Jax when she got the call.
She would have loved to have stayed a little longer but Jax couldn't hang out because he really did have business out there.
He had to go to some meeting, so she left as soon as they parted after breakfast.
She went back to the hotel, packed, and went straight to the airport.
She had no problem getting a flight.
Christian was at work when she got there.
Well, she assumed he was at work.
She hadn't talked to him, so she wouldn't know.
She didn't like not talking to him.
It really bothered her.
It was still kind of early when she got back to Seattle.
She didn't want to stay inside, so she left, and decided to spend the day with herself.
She went to the movies first, then an art gallery, and finally took herself out to a late lunch, early dinner.
When she got back home, Christian was there.
He was sitting in the kitchen talking to Taylor.
She threw up her hand and headed to their bedroom.
She was so tired.
Between the traveling, the long shoot, and the day she spent out, it just all caught up to her.
She didn't really feel it until after she ate.
Her body was exhausted.
She showered and got into bed.
It took her no time to fall asleep…
It's a few hours later, around nine o'clock that night.
Brenda yawned and stretched.
She flipped over and looked to her left.
Christian was staring at her. "Do you want something to eat?"
She shook her head. "I ate before I came home."
"Did you hang out all day?"
"As soon as I got back. I just hung out around town. I went to the movies and a few other places."
"With who?"
"Myself."
"Why didn't I hear from you while you were away?"
"Why didn't I hear from you? And plus you avoided me the whole weekend, so I didn't want to bother you."
"No, I was working. There are times when I have to work on the weekends. I'm acquiring a new company and there were things that I needed to do."
"I honestly thought you were avoiding me."
"I wouldn't do that. And then you walk in and wave at me like I'm not even your husband. What in the fuck was that?"
"I told you, I thought you wanted your space."
"I really should not have taken you to my parents, because you have really let it affect you."
"You finding out I hung out with Sonny didn't help either."
"I told you that I accepted your apology. I'm not thinking about him. Brenda, I'm going to ask you again, do you want to stay married?"
"Do you?"
"Brenda, I meant every word when I married you. Of course, I do."
"I meant every word too."
"Why are you acting like you want to give up?"
"I'm sorry if that is what it seems like, but I don't want to give up."
"Just so we are clear, I didn't marry my family, I married you."
"I just don't want to come in between you and your family."
"I told you, they will be fine. So, how was LA? You came back early. I wasn't expecting you back until Wednesday."
"We were able to knock the shoot out in one day. It was a long day but it was successful."
"You just worked and came back?"
"Jax showed up and we picked up food, but for the most part, that's all I did was work."
"What is up with that motherfucking guy? Does he know you are married or did you take off your rings?"
"Yes, Jax knows I'm married. And there isn't anything up with him. He is my friend."
"Bullshit. How did he end up in LA? That shoot had nothing to do with him."
"I asked him to come a few weeks ago."
"Brenda, you are unreal."
"Christian, there isn't anything going on between Jax and me."
"There isn't anything going on between you and any of the men in your life. They are just…friends. I got it. I just wonder how you would feel, if women came and visited me, while I'm on a business trip?"
"I invited him while we were broken up, not that it matters, because we are just friends."
"There you go again."
Brenda was so annoyed with him. "I'm going back to sleep, I'm tired, and I'm not in the mood for this."
"Yeah, whatever."
She sat up. "And Christian you work with a lot of beautiful women. I've been to Grey Enterprises, they are everywhere."
"They aren't going to dinner with me or hanging out at my fucking beach house."
"That predator Elena is a staple at your family's functions and you are part owner of her business. I don't know what sick shit you two have going on."
"There isn't anything going on between me and Elena. And you know that."
"I don't know anything. I just know what you tell me."
"And I know what you tell me, when it comes to you and your friends."
She laid back down and turned her back to him. "Whatever, Christian. Whatever."
He stared at the back of her head. "You are so full of shit."
She got out of bed, grabbed her robe, and threw it on.
His eyes followed her. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to sleep in the other room."
"There is no bed in there. Have you forgotten we are in the process of moving?"
"I'll sleep on the floor."
"Brenda, get back in the bed."
"I don't want to argue with you all night, Christian."
She took off her robe and got back in bed because she really didn't want to sleep on the floor.
Although, she could have slept in the entertainment room.
To her delight, Christian didn't say anything else, so she was able to go back to sleep…
Brenda woke up around three to use the bathroom.
After using the bathroom, she turned the light off, and walked back out into the room.
Christian was asleep.
She slipped back in bed.
Her body was facing him now.
Her eyes roamed over him.
She missed him and she was tired of fighting.
She meant every word she said at their ceremony.
Yes, what happened at his parents' bothered her, but she wanted to stay married to him.
She didn't want an annulment or anything else.
She wanted to stay married because she did love him.
She just stared at him, for what seemed like forever.
It was his turn to wake up.
He stretched, got out of bed, and went into the bathroom.
He returned a few minutes later, got back in bed, and flipped on his side.
His eyes met hers. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"Like you, I had to use the bathroom. Are you still angry with me?"
"I'm frustrated, not angry."
"You gave a good impression of being angry."
"You gave a good impression of being clueless."
"Ok, Christian. Let's just stop talking. This was a bad idea."
He apologized. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. We aren't going to get anywhere trading jabs."
"No, we are not."
"I'm just a little moody."
"Christian, being moody is just who you are."
"Brenda, it might not be the best time to ask this, but I just need to know if you want to stay married. You never answered the question earlier."
"In spite of our recent drama, yes, I do want to remain married to you, because I do love you."
"I love you too, Brenda. I don't think you understand how much and I won't ask you that again."
"I'm glad, because you have been asking me that a lot."
"Because you have been acting questionable."
She corrected him. "We both have."
"I've just been frustrated."
"Christian, I just want us to get back to us."
"That's all I want too."
Out of the blue, she leaned over and pressed her lips softly against his, then returned to her pillow.
"I guess I have to make the first move, since you won't."
"I wasn't going to touch you, Brenda. Not with you and your pajama sets."
"So, you aren't just going to let that go?"
"No, because you didn't have to do all of that."
"Ok, Christian. Were you punishing me?"
"I would never punish you like that. Punishing you like that, is punishing myself."
"Ok." She reached over and caressed his cheek. "And just so we are clear, I'm not interested in anyone but you."
"I know that. I just don't trust your friends. I told you that."
"Let's table that discussion because I don't want to start fighting again. There are other things we could be doing. It has been a while."
He smiled. "An eternity for us."
"Don't you miss me?"
He answered her question with a question. "What do you think?"
"I miss you too."
"It was all on you, Baby. I was just waiting on you. I was trying to respect your pajama strike or whatever you want to call it."
"You are not funny, Christian."
"I wasn't trying to be."
All of a sudden it got quiet and they just laid there staring at each other for a few seconds, until she spoke again.
"Christian…I want you, so badly."
"How badly?"
She grabbed his hand and placed it inside of her panties.
He could feel the slickness against his fingers.
He removed his hand. "Take those panties off."
She was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of panties.
She reached up under the covers and did as she was told.
He usually slept in the nude but he was wearing underwear that night.
She reached over and ran her hand down his toned torso.
"Christian, you know, it doesn't matter what you have on or don't have on, I'm still touching you."
He laughed. "You are always welcome to, Baby."
Her hand disappeared inside of his underwear.
She wrapped her hand around him then pulled him up and out. "Oh, I see you want me too."
She started stroking his length.
He closed his eyes and groaned. "No foreplay tonight, Baby. I don't need any of that."
He removed her hand and quickly took off his underwear.
He leaned over and kissed her, while moving in between her legs.
He wasted no time entering her.
She closed her eyes and moaned. "Goddamn….go slow, Christian….."
It's the next morning, which happened to be only a few hours later.
Brenda is lying on her stomach.
Her hair was a mess and her whole body was in pain.
Christian made up for everyday they were not together.
He was still in bed sleeping which was unlike him.
Normally, he would be gone by now.
Maybe he was taking the day off?
At that moment her phone started vibrating.
She sat up, reached over, and grabbed it off the nightstand.
It was Jax.
She answered. "Hey, Jax."
"Brenda, I hope I didn't wake you, but I just had to call and tell you that I just received our quarterly report, and our sales are up. We are talking by forty percent."
"Really, I can't believe it."
"I just had to call and tell you personally, because I'm not delusional, those ads, and all of your hard work, along with the rest of the team, made that happen."
"I'm so happy, Jax."
"We are going to throw a party to celebrate the whole team. I'll be in contact with the details. Take a bow. Well done."
"Thanks, I'm so happy. Talk to you later."
She disconnected the call.
Christian was up now.
She laid back down and looked over at him. "Sales are up and Jax called to tell me."
"That's great. I know you had a hand in that. Congrats, Baby."
She smiled. "Thanks."
"Brenda, I still don't trust your…friend. If he does anything disrespectful and I find out, and I will, because we don't lie to each other, it's over for him."
She just shook her head and sighed "Christian, stop."
"Brenda, no…."
