1. Changes

Canyon Springs, Four years later...

They say it pays to be the it girl. The one with the sweet smile and golden heart; the life of the party with the best grades, fashions sense, and flawless skin enhanced by perfectly styled hair that shines like a black diamond. The girl with the perfect blue-eyed curly blond boyfriend that could be considered nothing less than perfect but if things were truly perfect, she’d be in a nice restaurant enjoying his company instead of a lonely corner of some sports bar on their anniversary. 

Bianca peered up at Daniel as he booed the other team’s touchdown, shouting and screaming at the screen with the other bar patrons and engaging in bets over the final score. He glanced over his shoulder quickly, flashing a smile, completely ignoring her disappointed stare and irritated fingers drumming against the marble table top. “Danny!” She screaming over the loud cheering with her hands cupped around her mouth to help her voice carry. “Danny!” She shouted a second time growing even more irritated when he held up his finger and returned his attention to the screen. 

Bianca rolled her eyes, pushing away form the table harshly. They’re been for the last 3 hours and he was out of him mind if he thought she was going to wait. She’d waited enough in the last year and wouldn’t wait one more minute. She snatched her purse from the table walking pass him with slow steps hoping he’d turn around and stop her but her move went unnoticed as the entire bar erupted into a loud cheer. 

Her steps grew faster as she neared the exit, shoving through the door forcefully. He didn’t care that she was leaving. At one point, he would have. Would have jumped in front of her and begged her to stay with his saddest expression but today, now- she was lucky if he’d even notice the empty corner seat before she made it back to her dorm. 

Submerged in the chilly night air, Bianca fought against huge gusts of wind that threatened to blow her away. “I have to get a car!” She mumbled to herself as she pulled her hair away from her face and fumbled through her purse for her phone with the intention of calling a cab that would most likely run her somewhere between fifty and sixty dollars. The small quilted clutched hit its bottom quickly sending Bianca into a panicked frenzy. She pulled open each of the pockets checking a second time to no avail. Silently kicking herself, she realized she left it plugged next to bed when Danny insisted they were going to be late. Noticing a payphone on the corner of the building she dug through her purse in search of the only two coins she had in her possession, praying the cost of a call had not gone up. When the silver coins rolled through the machine and appeared in the bottom tray she growling in anger as her night continued on in a downward spiral. To make things worse, several drops of rain began to fall without warning, soaking into her hair within seconds. Bianca marched toward the corner to take shelter under the bus port, blaming Daniel for her bad mood. Why did she allow this? Allow him to ruin this night that was supposed to theirs and treat her like she wasn’t a priority when she could be single and no one’s priority. She held herself as a cool breeze created goose bumps up across her base arms and caused her to shiver violently.

“Want a ride?” A soothing voice jolted her from her thoughts.

“No. I’m fine.” She turned her head slightly towards the speaker. Her irritation was apparent in each word.

“You sure? That bus stops running at 11:30 on Fridays and you’re about,” He glanced at the screen of his phone, “ten minutes late.”

Great! Bianca thought as she pinched the bridge of her nose with frustration. This night had gone from bad to worse with no sign of improving as she felt her head begin to throb. A flash of lightening filled the sky as a dull rumble ripped through the air. “Miss-”

“You have a hearing problem or something? I said I’m fine!” She snapped, folding her arms firmly across her chest. “Shouldn’t you be somewhere watching the game and ignoring some poor girl like all men do during football season?” She blurted, turning in her seat to face him.

“No,” He flatly replied shoving his hands into his pockets, “my team isn’t have a great season and I’m single.” He smiled as she smirked and returned her attention to the building before her. “Come on,” He pulled a hand from his pocket, holding it out to her, “I don’t feel right leaving you here alone.”

“I’m not alone.” She retorted with a cold tone.

“Right! You’re waiting for a bus that’s no longer running in the rain while your boyfriend is inside throwing beer nuts at the screen. Suit yourself!” He coolly replied turning away from her. Bianca looked up to see him heading toward the corner, gnawing on her lip as she debated on if she should take him up on his offer or wait for Daniel. Her head as throbbing and her hair was wet; she needed to end this day as soon as possible and the more she thought about it, the angrier at Daniel and herself for what she was about to do.  

“Wait!” She jumped up, closing the gap between them, “I do need a ride but I don’t need you turning me into a Life-time movie!”

He chuckled, digging his hand deep into his pocket, stealing glances of admiration. “Here, call someone, a friend or someone you can stay with tonight. Tell them a man named Rodney Trent is bringing you there in a black Audi, plate number QNB 912. Ask them to look out for you.” Bianca took the phone as she glanced down at the plastic card he held between his fingers. She placed a quick call to Cian, relaying everything he told her with a detailed description of the man before her.

“If you really are a serial killer, rapist type creep, you’re not a smart one!” She laughed, handing him his phone as she followed him to his car, noting the exact arrangement of number and letter making up his license plate. “I’m nothing of the sort Baby girl!” He opened the door for her like a gentleman and closed it after she buckled herself in. As the car pulled off in the direction of the interstate, Bianca made a silent vow. If she made it to Will and Cian’s without this man trying to attack her, there would be some serious changes in her life, starting with Daniel.

******

“Casey is about to steal your husband!” Renee giggled as she peered out of the huge window. 

“She’ll give him back! Trust me!” Cian laughed joining her at the window with her hand planted confidently on her hips. She smiled contentedly as she watched him engage in a game of peek-a-boo that induced hysterical laughter from the baby and brought about his own. He was a great uncle just as he was a Dad, spending each moment he could with Renee’s children to make sure their childhood was as memorable as theirs had been.

“That’s what you think! She stole Eric from me and has yet to return him!” Renee turned with a smirk following Cian toward the strong scent of coffee. “It must be nice to have your husband home on the weekend. I wish mine was!”

“You say that now! If Eric had weekends off, you’d be on baby number three right now!” Cian snorted into her mug.

“I actually don’t mind that! He was so hands on with my pregnancies, I’d enjoy his company.”

“But that’s what you have me for!” Cian tilted her head to the side with a child-like grin. After months of watching the two of them pout through video chats over being so far away from each other, Eric had his job relocate him to the island Wilson and Cian moved to and luckily found a house four blocks away form their beach house. Since moving to Canyon Springs, the two of them had been inseparable, spending each Saturday morning chatting over breakfast and giggling like little girls.

“I really shouldn’t be complaining.” Renee shook her head at her selfish thoughts, “He’s working those long hours so I don’t have to! I mean, that’s sweet right? Not only did he move us out here so I could be close to you but he works hard to make sure the kids and I never want for anything.”

“Yeah, but I see why you’re be upset.”

“You do? So I’m not being selfish for wanting him all to myself for a few days?” Renee’s eyes widened with hope.

“Of course not! He gets off so late that you only have time to eat dinner together and get the kids ready for bed.”

“Speaking of late…” Renee smiled pressing the rim of the mug against her lips as Bianca entered the room looking like she’d been up all night. “Morning Sunshine!” She beamed when Bianca waved her off and joined them at the table.  “Had a long night?”

“A very trying night!” She rubbed at the lingering headache hovering above her right eye.

“So who is this Rodney?” Cian wasted no time asking questions about the man who took it upon himself to see Bianca to the door at 12 in the morning.
Bianca closed her eyes while massaging her right cheekbone to relieve the pressure, “Just a guy who offered me a ride last night.”

“What happened to Danny?”

“That loser took me to some sports bar where he completely ignored me while he enjoyed the stupid football game! I should let Wilson kick his ass like he has been itching to do but instead I’ll just let him see me doing my own thing!”

“You mean let him see you with someone who actually deserves you?” Cian smirked.

“Nope, dumping him would be too easy. I’ll let him see me out with my best girls, partying until the sun comes up!” She managed a smile wiggling her eyebrows at them both.

“I am so in!” Cian high-fived her, pleased with the thought of Bianca making a step toward seeing Daniel for what he was. Their relationship was one of convenience and everyone knew it. His father was the owner of a large chain of banks in which Claudio now had partial ownership of. As long as Richard Mason’s spoiled brat son was happy, the world of Claudio was too. Ironically, Daniel was attending Lynden State in Canyon Springs, the very island that housed the brother Bianca wasn’t supposed to have contact with. Naturally she chose the same University gaining the best of both worlds; a relationship with her brother and his family while being in her father’s good graces.

“Great!” Bianca cheered after Renee also agreed. “We can do it next weekend since Giana is coming to visit!” She clapped excitedly. “This is going to be so much fun! The first time all of us will get to party without one being home with a pregnant belly!” She cut her eyes at Renee.

“Oh lord! Don’t let my husband hear that!” Cian laughed.

“Let me hear what?” Wilson placed Casey on the floor, grinning as she quickly crawled toward her mother.

“Nothing Honey!” They burst into laughter trying to avoid Wilson’s curious glare.

“Yeah…Okay.” He shrugged deciding not to press it. He was out numbered and wouldn’t dare question a room full of women about their conversation. Cian and Renee were already a strong team but with Bianca there, he stood no chance. “Ladies, can I borrow my wife for a minute?”  

“Let’s see,” Bianca dramatically placed her finger against her lips, “Wife, can he borrow you for a minute?”

Wilson waved his fist at her, holding it against his eye with a silent threat. Cian eased out of the chair stifling a laugh as the two engaged in a brief verbal battle. 

Placing her hand in his, Cian was led to the same window she and Renee watched him from. 

They both smiled as Cillian and Peyton rammed their toys into each other, laughing so loud they could be heard from inside the house. “Who do they remind you of?” He rubbed her shoulders as he rested his chin against her head. “Us!” She laughed, watching Cillian trick Peyton into looking the other way while he switched toys. “He enjoys having a playmate.” Wilson tightened his arms around her, sliding one hand down to her stomach and rubbed it wishfully. 

Cian’s smile slowly dissolved as she realized why he’d brought her to the window. For month’s he’d been trying to convince her to have another baby and with Cillian starting school in two days, the need to do so was growing stronger. The fact that Cillian would be away from her and surrounded by other children frightened her despite his outgoing personality and friendly smile. Placing another child in that situation was the furthest thing from her mind at this point. Her father’s last words to her rang loudly in her ear as she looked at her son with sadness, hoping she could busy herself enough to keep the chancing of producing another child low.  In the next two days their lives would see many changes, ones she prayed wouldn’t place a dent in their marriage.

**And we're back with a boring Chapter! Sorry, I just couldn't seem to get the words flowing on this one and ran into a HUGE issue that kept me from getting more shots. Thank you for reading!