Byron suddenly clapped and jumped off his chair. "I knew it! No one knows my old boy better, I tell ya!" He hollered to whomever bothered to listen. Returning back into his chair to meet the amused face of Brandon, he let out a calming breath and confessed,"I never thought I'd see the day.""What day?""The day a woman humbled you.""And you know i'm humbled, how?""The fact that you were already delivering a heavy speech earlier on what she is, what she isn't and what I should and shouldn't regard her as isn't reason enough?"Brandon rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay, you have made your point. Anything else?""Brand?" Brandon caught the gleam in Byron's eyes. The one that spoke of numerous years of experience. "Yes, dad?" "Nothing good comes easy. Remember that."Brandon nodded once, holding eye contact with his father. "I will.""Whatever ride life takes you on... Enjoy it while it lasts, but never let go of what really matters. You have made me so proud, Brandon Oscar Wade. So proud

Beth woke up to the blaring of her phone. As the events of a few hours ago barraged into her mind, she hurried for her phone and answered. "Hello?" "His family wants to press charges. They claim assault," Frederico's voice hit her ears. Her heart jumped. "Assault? What?! He assaulted me!" "That's why the Wades are fighting back." "Oh my goodness." She ran shaky hands down her face. "Frederico, he touched me inappropriately. I didn't do anything wrong by defending myself, did I?" "No, but his family has power. But, so does Brandon." Her heart stilled. "Does he know?" Her voice came out in a whisper. "Turn on the tv," was all Frederico said. With dread licking at her heels, she dashed out of her room, her eyes quickly scanning over Sherlie's, Brian's and Colby's pensive faces before turning the the tv. Her face was pasted all over it. The news of what had happened at the function was what was being broadcasted. 'It has been reported that Benedict Rutherford, son of the owner o

Adamant on staying partially erect till she'd said her piece, Brandon gave up on trying to get her up and just sat on the ground."And-and so tiny." Her wavering voice reached Brandon's ears. Applying gentle force, he grabbed her shoulders and eased her away. Tears leaked down the sides of her face and cheeks. She looked up at him with pleading eyes, her mouth in a pregnant, childish pout."What's wrong, persik? Why're you crying?""Frederico never wears tights," she sputtered.Brandon blinked, frowned, then blinked again. "Uh...""Tink-tinkerbell wears tights," she got out on a sob. "And shoes with pompoms. Frederico doesn't even wear dresses."Even whilst confusion gnawed at him, his lips began curving up in a rougish smile, prompted wider by Frederico's muted words of annoyed disagreement. "You want him to wear a dress?"Frederico's declining yell was all too amusing. Whimpering sadly, Beth nodded. "And shoes with pompoms?" "And tights.""Then he will."Her eyes instantly grew t

Tears rushed to her eyes. Cupping his face, she rose his head. "Anima gemella," she whispered, giving him the tenderest of smiles. When he frowned, confused at her tears, she chuckled shakily. "I feel so honored that you let me see all this. See you." She nodded solemnly, holding his gaze. "Thank you. For you, I will not doubt myself again. I see now that my fear was unnecessary. You have never tired to butt in and make me feel incapable. It was just a stupid fear. I'm sorry." A gentle hand cupped her cheek, his thumb catching a tear even as a smile remained on her lips. "Just don't push me away," he whispered, his eyes beseeching. She shook her head. "Never." Never again. Her lips crashed down on his. They shared a gentle, passionate and sealing kiss. A kiss of a promise made and established. A kiss of new beginnings and revealed personalities. A kiss... Of love. With her forehead resting against his, she sniffled and said quietly, "In case you haven't gotten the memo, I'm you

Nothing silenced the streets of New York quite like rain. They rushed out of the car and ran into her apartment building with the rain pelting harshly against their backs. Sharing a laugh at the feat, they stood by the window, watching the rain flog the asphalt road. "What's the plan now, Beth?" Beth turned to Brandon, her eyes still alight with laughter. "What plan?" "The plan for work." Her smile didn't dim. Her chest didn't cave in. Though it was surprising, she wasn't ready to start investigating the feeling. All she did was tilt her head to the side and shrug. Something in her refused to feel discouraged. It was like her gut knew something she didn't. That someway, somehow, she would be fine. Very fine. And she relished the feeling. "I don't know." With that pixie smile still on her face, she turned back to the window. Monday morning birthed the bright sun and even brighter laptop screens. Though it was the fourth of December, the working class were still hard at work.