Colorblind

Moved:

2011-05-20T22:10:00.001-04:00

The last chapter was the beginning of a new storyline in which no longer fits under the Colorblind title. Please refer to the new blog which follows all three siblings in a format that will be easier to follow for those that only want to follow a certain storyline.

I've also added a brief summary for new readers located under Summary, so you can quickly catch up without having to go through all 50 prompts.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

New Updates here- Twisted Melody.

8. Oh What A Night

2011-05-17T00:18:00.015-04:00

“You look fine!” Bianca shouted over the music at Giana, swatting her hands away from the hem of her dress, She’d been obsessing over it since Bianca forced her into it and threatened to have Santino pull off without her.

Giana was still unable to shake the feeling that all eyes were on her as she walked in. The material to the dress was too clingy and she felt naked.

“You’ll feel better once we get a few drinks in you,” Bianca smiled.

The ladies entered inside without hassle. Renee pulled Cian to a small sitting area and ordered a round of drinks.

“That’s my song,” Tino smiled raising her hands in the air as she made her way to the dance floor.

“You’re sure this dress isn’t too short?” Giana asked once again.

Bianca rolled her eyes hopping on to the bar stool waving for assistance. She ordered the strongest drink listed on the menu handing the drink to her sister. “Try this,” she said watching the cool liquid pour down her sister’s throat. Giana didn’t come up for air until the last drop was gone.

“Better?”

“Another!” Giana ordered.

“Alright, but let’s pace ourselves, we have the whole night.”

Bianca turned and found Santino’s grinding against some guy on the dance floor and smiled. Her moves always made the men gravitate toward her with endless bottles of the finest champagne and the cheesiest pick up lines.

She glanced over at Cian and Renee, hidden inside their V.I.P tent chatting like old women with a glass of something clear in color turned against their lips. Even if they spent the whole night chatting she was happy to have them their. Her girls, her sisters, the distraction she needed to get her mind off of a man that was rapidly invading her thoughts. The thoughts of him were constant, bordering inappropriate and turning sexual with each hour she spent listening to him speak. His smooth voice and cool tone made love to her each time he spoke and he had no idea and if she could help it, would never know. This mess with Danny wouldn’t end anytime soon and before she opened another door, she wanted Danny’s to be bolted shut with no chances of reopening.

Bianca looked up, breaking free of the very thoughts she was trying to avoid to see Giana peel away from her side and move toward Santino on the dance floor. She laughed, cheering her on as she watched her sway her hips to the beat. “Don’t hurt yourself, G!” She burst into laughter making her way toward the tent to retrieve her camera from her purse.

Watching her feet carefully to avoid falling into the cracks of the stone path, she bumped into a tall figure nearly sending her to the ground.

“You…” She whispered staring into those beautiful brownish green eyes.

“Oh now I’m convinced you somehow had a tracking device planted into my butt!” Bianca laughed nervously running her finger through her hair and down the back of her neck. “I didn’t take you for the beating around the bush type so if there is something you want from me you need to spit it out now.” She crossed her arms with a smirk.

Without a single word, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips hard against his. His tongue worked against her lips prying them open until it danced across hers roughly.

“Ahem!” Santino cleared her throat loudly breaking the kissed that neither wanted to walk away from.

“Can I borrow her for a second? Thanks!” Santino dragged Bianca a few short feet away with Giana close behind them. “I need details!”
“Tino!”

“Parada! Okay? Stop because I saw that and chica I want to know if he tastes like warm caramel!”

“He sure looks like it!” Giana chimed in glancing in the direction he’d walked in.

“Good girls don’t kiss and tell!” Bianca smiled widely turning to see Cian and Renee rise from their seats.

"That sure doesn't look like Danny to me!" Cian teased the moment they approached the tent.

"Definitely not! Last time I checked he wasn't tall dark and sexy!" Renee added glancing at Cian with an approving smile.

"Details!" They demanded simultaneously.

"There is nothing to tell!" Bianca whined unable to hide her smile.

"Then who was that?!" Renee motioned for everyone to take a seat determined to get answers.

"Hot sex addiction teacher!" Santino looped her arms through Bianca's and fanned herself playfully. There was no way she'd escape this. Not with all of them seeing the kiss. Not with her mind replaying it and her heart still beating for it.

The night continued on with Cian, Renee, Giana, Bianca. and Santino gathered around the small wooden table sharing stories with bottomless glasses and endless laughter.

******

“You really should let her out more!” Bianca laughed carefully holding on to Cian until she saw Will grab hold of her arm. “Letting her out isn’t the problem, it’s getting her out! You should have called me instead of walking her to the door.”

“Ican walk.” Cian slurred with a slight frown that quickly turned into a smile, “Ilov youBianca!”

“I love you too!” She laughed backing away from the door. “Tell her to call me in the morning if she’s not too hung over.”

“I doubt that! Thank you Bianca.”

“No problem!”

Once she was back in the car and the door was locked behind them, Wilson scooped Cian up and headed for the stairs ignoring her pleas to let her walk. “I candoit!” She continued to mumble wiggling out of his arms before they could take a step forward.

Watching her stagger then make a move toward the floor he quickly slipped his arms around her, “That’s not the bed, Babe.” He calmly spoke with the urge to laugh carrying her despite her protest. By the time they reached the top of the stairs she’d wiggled out of his arms and burst through their bedroom door with extreme force. Wilson stood back and watched Cian struggle to get her dress down over her hips without undoing the zipper then as she tried to pull the zipper in the wrong direction. He couldn’t help but laugh at her frustration and finally resorted to pulling the still zipped dress over her head. “How man drinks did you have?” He chuckled catching the dress she tossed over her shoulder. “Three..foufive?” She mimicked his laughter and threw her arms around his neck. “Yaknow whatI want?” She removed his hands from her waist placing them on her hips as she pressed her body against his. Wilson laughed when she did a little jiggle against him, “Not while you’re drunk.”

“I’m ya wife. Itso k!”

He laughed again leading her to the bed. “If you don’t have a hangover in the morning, which I doubt, we’ll take care of that.” Wilson repeatedly forced her to lay down but each time she sat up and him toward her.

“Com’on Will!” She kneeled on the bed pulling him closer and placing his hands on her butt. “Make love ta me! Talk dirty ta me inatalin!” She moved in for a kiss and whispered against his lips, “Please Baby…wait…myphonez ringin?”
“No it’s not!” Wilson burst into laughter holding onto her arm as she tried to climb off of the bed to locate the source of the ringing only she could hear. “Lay down, Cian! I’ll find it.” He assured her to keep her on the bed. Wilson back tracked their actions before beginning his search. Had she even had a purse when she walked through the door?

He scanned the floor picking up the dress she threw at him then ripped out of his hand. Sitting slightly under the nightstand was her small quilted clutch. He picked it up to ensure that it hadn’t been ringing as she said and stumbled across a small yellow compact that he recognized from years ago. Both Anna and Angel carried one with them and on occasion, he witnessed them plucking a small pill from the pack and one day built up the nerve to question it. Out of disbelief, Wilson flipped open the pack and in fact was what he thought. Wilson froze for a second as he processed what she said. His eyes rolled over the big black letters in the center of the foil pack, each time sending himself into a new emotion that caused his shoulders to tense. He didn’t know how to take it but as a blow to the heart and consider an unforgivable reason for why she might need them. Wilson backed out the bedroom with the compact held tightly in his hand. He wasn’t staying in there tonight. Couldn’t stay. As much as he hated sleeping without her there was no other choice. He couldn’t get a hold of his emotions and couldn’t be next to her with the wild thoughts that were now swimming around his head.

******

Giana got back to her hotel around 2 am. After the night she just had with the girls, she was too wired to sleep. She headed into the small pub inside of the hotel and took a seat at the bar next to a man with a vaguely familiar face. He was drowning himself in double shots of Tequila. There were six empty glasses in front of him and he was working on another. The bartender was talking to a few girls at the other end and she cleared her throat to get his attention.

“What’ll it be?” he asked tossing a towel over his shoulder and shifting a toothpick mindlessly from one side of his mouth to the other.

“I’ll have an Apple Martini with sugar on the rim please.”

“Coming right up.” He moved away from her and she glanced again at the man on the stool to her left. His jet black hair was disheveled and his face covered in shiny piercings. She found herself staring at him trying to figure out where she knew him from.

“That’ll be $8 bucks,” he said placing the drink on a napkin in front of her.

She reached into her purse and the man she had been staring at moments ago put his hand on hers to stop her. “It’s on me,” he said with a nod to the bartender. “Everything else is.”

“No, I couldn’t,” she prepared herself to decline.

“And I insist.” He dropped a fifty on the counter and motioned for Giana to join him at a back table, leaving instructions for the bartender to keep the drinks flowing.

“Thank you,” she said as she slid into the booth.

“It’s no problem. I hate drinking alone.” He placed his Tequila on the table and adjusted on the cushion.

“I couldn’t tell from the 7 drinks you had sitting in front of you.”

He laughed. “7? That was just from when you came in. I’d already finished off a bottle.”

“Well, Tequila seems to agree with you. Were it me, I’d be topless and passed out by now,” she instantly blushed as she realized she was over sharing.

“This isn’t real Tequila. The best Tequila is in Baja, ever been?”

She shook her head no and he continued. “Well there, they cure it with raisins, lemon and orange peel. That’ll really knock you on your ass.”

She laughed and took a sip from her glass. “So you’re a musician?” Giana asked looking at the care he took with his hands and the way he positioned them on the table.

He smiled curiously at her. “You could say that. I do enjoy music and playing has its moments. What do you do?”

“I manage a few banks.”

“A few?” he said rubbing his chin. “Impressive.”

“It’s a family business, owned by my Father.”

“Here on the island?”

“No, I’m from Lansing. I just came to visit family. I leave in the morning.”

They continued chatting over the course of the next few hours, and the bartender kept refreshing their drinks as instructed.

By early morning, Giana had switched seats and was snuggled against his chest, enjoying the cool feel of his lip rings against her tongue as her veins coursed with liquid courage.

** OMG SEVER disconnection! This chapter was a headache and I needed to just get it out. Please excuse the mess!!
SPECIAL THANKS to Daijah for helping me through this and the next few chapters!

7. Change of Heart

2011-05-11T01:38:00.002-04:00

Claudio followed the sound of chatter, giggles, and oohs and aahs to his wife and daughter sitting in front of the computer with huge smiles upon their lips until he appeared in the doorway.

They froze, turned away from the screen with smaller smiles and a change of subject. “Hey Daddy! I wanted to come see you and mom before I left.” Giana beamed jumping from her position in the rolling chair. Their relationship had grown within the last few years to more of a father and daughter one with Giana having more freedom to do the things she wanted. The second the child was born they turned their backs on him, Colette, Giana, and Bianca. They despised him for forcing Wilson’s hand and making them miss out on the chance to be a grandmother and aunts. He easily dulled down the deadly flame within his daughters’ but Colette’s still remained. “Is that your way of asking for spending money?” He smoothed down her hair with a gentle smile.

Giana smiled with wide eyes and her hand out, ready to accept the cash gift, “I love you Daddy!”

“Oh you love me when money is involved?” He placed one of his credit cards in her hand and accepted a kiss on the cheek.

“I always love you old man!” Her smile widened as she waved for her mother to follow her into the other room.

Colette passed making minimal eye contact and ignored the gentle brushing of his hand against hers. He needed to fix that- the broken bonds in his once happy family. He glanced over his shoulder at her mimicking the frown she carried. He’d have to fix things soon.

The moment their voices faded deeper into the house, Claudio moved toward the open screen on the desktop. He’d heard his wife and daughter talking about the child; Cilly, they called him. Sliding his hand over the mouse, he shook it quickly banishing the colorful 3-dimentional shape bouncing across the screen. The bright light from the screen hit him instantly with a picture of the child that’d stolen his wife and daughters’ hearts. Claudio absently touched his face as he recognized his own chocolate brown eyes. He was a spitting image of Wilson, his son who’d always favored him. Staring into Cillian’s face, he recalled the day of Wilson’s birth. He’d never been so proud in his life. Daddy. He repeated in his head as he held him moments after his birth imagining his son running up to him when he arrived home from work, arms wide and with that smile that brightened his day. The smile that he’d passed on to a son of his of own. Scrolling down to the next picture, one of Cillian and Wilson together, his smile widened and heart filled with pride. Next to his father, the child was a clone with small traces of his mother. Ones in which made he perfect, beautiful, and a painful reminder of the foolish decision he made that broke up his family. Pulling himself away from the screen, he set out to the one place he would always retreat to when he needed his mind cleared repeating the name Grandpa in his head along the way.

******

After a long lunch break browsing the aisles of the art supply store, Cian returned to work with a heavy heart. In their place of business, they had to be a professional pair with no concerns other than what was best for their joint business, Notte e Giorno, but it was apparent in the way they looked at one another and the lack of conversation that there were issues just below the surface.

Pushing through the glass door, their eyes met and lingered for a brief second. Cian pulled herself away and made her slow journey back to her gallery.

Closing herself off in her office, she plopped down behind her desk with the intention of getting straight to work but an envelope stamped with a heart caught her eye. She turned it over, carefully breaking the seal and pulled out a handwritten letter:

Cian,

I’m not as strong as you think. I’ve grown dependant on your smile and your touch so these last two days have been painful. The words I love you have been said between us every morning for the past 4 years with yesterday and this morning being the exception. Something is going on. What? I wish I knew. I won’t push you to tell me but each day that we go without a kiss and without those words will add up until you decide to let me back in. I hope that day is soon because I really miss us.

She swallowed pass the lump in her throat as she read the bittersweet note a second time imagining him with sorrowed eyes speaking each written word to her. She felt guilty for what her fear was doing to them and the way he sweetly went about telling her how he felt. Cian neatly folded the letter and tucked it back into the envelope before dropping it into the top drawer of her desk. She sighed pressing her fingers into her temples and rotating them in a circular motion kneading the sudden ache of an approaching migraine. How could she explain it without hurting him? Express her fears and concerns of bringing another child into the world just to watch them suffer through the cruel treatment and hurtful terms created specifically for them. The mere thought of Cillian being shunned by both races broke her heart into a million pieces just as the neatly written words of the man she loves. Before she had the chance to rethink her decision to verbally reply to the letter, she pushed out of her office chair only to be stopped by the chiming of a new email. Cian rushed back to her computer and quickly read over the order for a custom painting. She smiled at the request then printed the order form and added it to the top of her list as she set out to talk to Wilson.

Watching Wilson move around the restaurant below, she couldn’t help but stare. The smile that graced his lips with each new face that walked through the door was hypnotizing and deeply missed in the last two days. She waited until all of the customers were taken care of before approaching him, nervously playing with her fingers, “Can I talk to you for a minute?” She motioned toward his office with her thumb. Wilson nodded, signaled for one of his employees to take over as host then followed Cian into his office with his eyes glued to her butt the entire way.

“I’m sorry.” She began before he could close the door behind them. “I just…I have a lot on my mind and I don’t want--I can’t--I’m sorry!” Cian’s rambling rapidly turned into a slew of jumbled words slurred but a heavy downpour of tears. Wilson advanced toward her lifting her chin with his finger to gain eye contact, “What’s on your mind? You know you can talk to me.” He spoke with a calm tone willing her to look up from the floor.

Cian stubbornly turn away from him, swatting the salty trail of tears on her chin with the back of her hand. He wouldn’t understand. There was no way she could look him in the eye and tell him that she was scared to bare the children he wanted more than anything. She took a deep breath expelling the last of her tears in preparation of getting it all out in the open. She took a second breath as the words she formulated on the spot rolled toward the tip of her tongue. Cian faced him with her lips pursed together forming a straight but tense line. The moment she opened them to speak, she was met with a kiss; one that was so sweet, so tender, and genuinely missed. Her words of fear that dangled on the tip of her tongue dissolved between them and her mind was wiped clean. Even as her husband’s hands slid around to her back and enclosed her in his arms, she could think of nothing more than how much she truly missed his touch. The warmth of his body caused her to melt against him deepening the kiss to a dangerous level.

Feeling the heat build within her, she broke the kiss but allowed their lips to linger against his, “Will I-”

“I’m sorry.” He interrupted in a whisper, his tone increasing slightly as he spoke, “I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did the other night. Our marriage is not based on sex and if you’re not in the mood, it’s my job to understand it and respect it.”

“But it’s my job as your wife to make sure that your needs are taken care of.” She retorted despite the finger pressing against her lips. “My needs are taken care of as long as you’re by my side.” It was too late to take back the smile that’d spread across her face. He’d seen it and mimicked it placing kiss on her nose and caressing her back with left hand. “Forgive me?” He asked her in a hushed tone leveling his eyes with hers.

“You apologized and ask for forgiveness when you didn’t really do anything wrong?”

“Yeah,” Wilson shrugged with a sly smile, “I figure, I’ll apologize this time and you take the next one.”

“What if the next time is your fault?” She pulled back and smirked.

“If the next time is my fault, I’ll let you apologize and make it up to you with wall climbing hot sweaty-”

“So you’re getting two treats for your fault?”

“Exactly!”

***Many issues. Lost shots. BLAH

6. Front of the class

2011-05-01T16:53:00.002-04:00

For the second morning in a row, Cian woke up alone. Wilson’s side of the bed was cold and untouched and traces of him being in their bedroom were minimal.

All of Sunday was spent avoiding each other and on Cillian’s first day of school, there was no change.

She sat quietly across from Cillian as he stuffed his mouth with tiny bites of waffles and bananas rambling on about school and the other kids he hoped to me. If Cian could pry herself away from her guilt long enough to see the excitement in his eyes, she’d see that this was all for nothing. The worrying and making her husband suffer was for nothing.

Entering the colorful classroom filled with toys and several small desks, Cillian eagerly ran ahead of them and located his desk. “Right here, Mommy!” He waved to her, pointing at the rectangular strip taped to the very front of the desk with his name written on it in big black letters.

His parents smiled with his recognition. He’d learned to spell his name months before and grew excited each time he saw it, reading it aloud with confidence.

“Hello Mommy and Daddy!” A gray haired woman greeted them as they approached Cillian’s desk. “Hello Cillian! My name is Mrs. Preston. It’s very nice to meet you!” She extended her hand, surprised when he immediately accepted it and gave it a good shake. “Nice to meet you too! Can I play with those toys please?” He replied with wide eyes, glancing back and forth from his parents to Mrs. Preston unsure of who he needed permission from. “Yes you may!” Mrs. Preston nodded with a smile.

“He certainly is pleasant!” She redirected her gaze to Wilson and Cian, “Most kids come in kicking and scream!” On cue, a little girl’s cries rang through the room and echoed as she was carried down the hall by one of her parents. “See what I mean!” She nodded with an embarrassed smile.

Cian’s eyes drifted around the room then to Cillian. He seemed to be at home with the other kids. Talking and playing with them as he did with Renee’s children.

Tears formed along her lower lashes as she felt Wilson pull her toward the door. She completely missed everything the teacher was saying to them and found herself pulling away from Will and blurting out questions. “He’ll be fine Mrs. De Luca!” Was all she said with a gentle smile warning them to leave while they could. After one quick glance over her shoulder, Cian reluctantly followed Wilson out the door wiping away tears that saw no end.

******

Still reeling in her anger over the public spat, Bianca woke up that morning feeling sluggish and indifferent about her PSYC 351 Psychology of Addiction class. To be a therapist meant being about to put your own issues to the side to take on whatever the day brought but she was in no mood to do so or really try.

The confusion she felt over what she wanted was overpowering everything in her life especially her usual level headed thinking and open mind which Rodney pointed out. For someone who didn’t know her from a hole in the wall he was able to point out small indications for her to notice a change in herself; something Daniel couldn’t do even with a year under his belt.

Throwing on the first pair of jeans she came across and a plain t-shirt, she slapped her hair into a quick bun and headed to class.

The room was filled with the hum of many conversations. All of which Bianca could care less about. She absently counted the floor tiles on her way to her desk while glaring the ugly flat shoes that she walked out of her dorm in. “Ruff morning?” Santino’s question fell upon deaf ears. Bianca’s text books hit the desk with a loud thud sending Santino’s papers floating through the air weaving back and forth until is gently landed on the polished hardwood floor. The blank look in her eyes, the lowered brows and turned down corners of her lips said it all.

Bianca exhaled roughly as she leaned forward to collect the sheet, recoiling when a pair of feet and a hand came into view. He knelt down at the same moment and their fingers held separate ends of the paper, looking up into each other’s eyes with surprise.

“Good Morning Everyone,” their eye contact was broken by Professor White’s cheerful greeting, “As you all are aware of the next subject area we will cover is sex addiction and the psychology of sexual behavior. It has been brought to my attention that this is supposed to be a fun class, at least that’s what you thought when you signed up-” The professor’s words faded out like a bad cell phone connection as Bianca stood and slowly made her way to her seat. The palms of her hands grew cold and clammy with each second that the man before her returned the look of recognition. What is he doing here? God he looks good in that suit. Why didn’t I put on something cute today?! She quickly lowered her eyes tuning back into the conversation just in time to hear, “I’m going to sit back and allow our guest speaker to teach you for the time being. Please welcome Dr, Rodney Trent”. Doctor? That asshole counseled me? She frowned at the thought of spilling her guts to the man over an expensive lunch the day before. No wonder he was so good with her. Able to pick up on the things about her that Danny couldn’t. From underneath her lowered lids she saw him move and instantly attached herself to his words when she hear a female from the back row purr at him, “I’m a former student of Lynden State blah blah blah, certified Relationship Counselor and Sex Therapist blah blah blah and I despised school more than anything. When it comes to learning, you have to be sure that your interest in the subject is genuine and it’s also your teacher’s job to keep you interested. The best way to learn is from each other and the only way we can do that is if we’re ready and willing to say what we think and feel. With that being said, can anyone tell me one of the main reasons people fall into sex addictions? Remember, say what you honestly think.” Rodney scanned the rows of students while trying his hardest not to focus on Bianca.

“Orgasms!” Someone shouted from the back row and instantly cause the corners of Rodney’s lips to curl into a smile with the laughter of the entire room. “Not exactly.” He shook his head.

“The thrill!” Another shouted.

“Close.” He pointed in the direction of the voice.

“Love.” Bianca answered softly but loud enough for him to hear.

He zeroed in on her almost instantly, dragging his feet closer to her as he spoke, “Exactly, Miss?”

“Bianca De Luca.” She said with a smirk, finally revealing her name to him.

“Bianca…” He whispered with a smirk of his own and a wink that would be the beginning of his silent seduction. “Why do you think that is?” He stood in front of her with his eyes locked on hers, secretly blocking out every other student in the room. “Sex is an intimate part of human life. We thrive off of the closeness. The need to be loved and wanted. Sex addicts find those things through sexual activity. Unlike like relationships that can start and end in the blink of an eye, each person gives a piece of themselves to the addict when engaged in any kind of sexual activity. A piece of them that they can never give back.” She ended with another smirk, showing him that she too knew what she was doing. A simple nod from him acknowledged her answer, the one he was looking from somewhere in the classroom but happy it came from her. “As Bianca said,” He forced himself away from her and paced the room as he went into detail about the dynamics of their subject all the while glancing at her with a smile from time to time.

________________________________________________________________________

Waiting for the last person to file out of the room, Bianca slowly slipped out of her chair, her eyes locked on his as he sat on the edge of Professor White’s desk with a knowing smile. “You jerk!” The sweet smile on her lips turned into a slight scowl. “You counseled me yesterday! You brought me a $18 steak and counseled me! I don’t appreciate being a practice case!”

“I didn’t counsel you Bianca.” He grinned putting special emphasis on her name. “That’s beautiful you know? Your name.” He switched subjects purposely while allowing her to see his eyes admiring her facial features.

“Do you know what my grade in this class? You asked me a ton of questions about my boyfriend and then told me about myself. You counseled me!”

“I promise you I did not. My quest to gain knowledge of your situation with this Danny,” He lifted his shoulders in a careless motion, “was to see what my chances of getting to know you were.”

Bianca bit back a smile. If this man was flirting, he definitely wasn’t hiding it. From the way he licked his lips before stating her name to the way his eyes held her gaze and sent silent messages to her brain, he was in deed, flirting. She remained quiet to allow his last words to linger. It’d been a long time since she’d had someone pay that much attention to her and felt the need to reel in it.

“You should have dinner with me.” He snapped her back to reality as he eased off of the desk. Each moment she spent in his presence she noticed something different. Something else to add to the list of this that she liked about his exterior.

“I have a boyfriend.” She smirked shifting her weight to the other side of her body.

“And I have patience.”

** Sorry to end it this way! I just wanted to show his determination without a long drawn out conversation. This chapter was getting a little long and once they reach a certain point, I lose focus.

5. Differences

2011-04-28T22:31:00.001-04:00

For it to be early fall, the weather was a lot warm than expected. The sun beamed down from its highest point bringing with it hot rays that made it feel more like summer.
Other than a slight breeze and a few trees that housed multicolored leaves of yellow and green, there was no sign of a season change. Bianca and Daniel took advantage of the weather as they strolled down the block toward a popular hangout not too far from campus. Despite Bianca’s protest and request to go to the beach for private time, they ended up on Lyndhurst St, walking side by side toward the always crowded pizza shop. Stepping over a large crack in the pavement, Bianca briefly lost her balance and out of reflex grabbed onto Danny’s hand. “Are you ok?” He helped her back to her feet but quickly pulled his hand away.

Bianca noticed his haste to put a small gap between them. “You have a problem with holding my hand Danny?” She stopped in her tracks with no intention of going any further until she had an answer. With a sharp release from his nose he replied with an annoyed tone, “No Bianca. Can we go?”

“Then why were you so quick to let go of my hand?”

“I didn’t! I just let go.”

“Yes you did! You pulled your hand away from me like I have some kind of disease or something!”

“Bianca,” He ran his hand across his face and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was in no mood for her petty bullshit but knew she’d drag it out until he told her she was right but today she wouldn’t get her way. “Are we really going to argue about this right now? It’s not that serious!” He laughed through his frustration.

“Ok, well then hold my hand Danny.” She smirked and held her hand out for him to grasp it and lead her to their destination. Instead, Daniel exhaled again and crossed his arms. “Why are you being so childish?”

“I’m being childish because I want you to hold my hand?”

“You’re being childish because you’re making a big deal out of nothing!”

“If it’s nothing to you Danny, hold my hand! That’s all I’m asking!” She retorted with her hand still lingering in the space between them. The two held their ground for a few intense seconds, neither wanting to make the first move and determined not to give in to the other.

“So much for trying!” Bianca dropped her arm to her side and brushed by Daniel like a raging gust of wind, yanking her arm away when he barely tried to stop her. Instead of following her, chasing her down and begging her to forgive him, he continued on his path into the pizza shop and never looked back.

Livid over her decision to give him another undeserved chance, she kept her eyes focused on her feet, commanding them to keep going until she reached her dorm.

The moment she looked up she crashed into a tall man causing him to drop the cup of piping hot coffee that was in his hand. “I’m so sorry!” She looked up into the strangest brown eyes she’d ever seen. They sparkled like diamonds with an odd green tint to them that seemed to bright as his smile reached them. “Don’t be! That was a sign that I really don’t need it anyway.” He quickly checked his clothes for any traces of the spilled coffee. Bianca squinted, recognizing his voice, “Do you have some kind of radar or something?” Her question seemed to come out of left field and with just as much attitude as before. “How is it every time I get into a fight with my boyfriend you come swooping in with your Captain Save Em’ cape and rescue the damsel in distress?” She placed her hands on her hip and tapped her foot against the pavement impatiently. The man laughed folding his arms across his chest, “You bumped into me and saved me from substituting a real lunch with a cup of caffeine I really didn’t need in the first place. I’d say you’re the one wearing a cape.” He retorted with a sly smirk. Bianca looked him over in silence, taking in each detail she’d missed the night before last. She was right about his height and definitely his voice; both in which gave her chills that she discreetly reacted from as she stood before him. She admired the flawlessness of his skin and the perfect teeth that were nearly blinding her as he noticed her staring. She lowered her eyes quickly with a nervous laugh. “I-I’m sorry! Here,” She pulled her wallet from her purse but Rodney pushed her hand away as she handed him a crisp five dollar bill to replace his beverage. “No, that’s not necessary!”

“Please! After the way you helped me the other night, the least I can do is replace a cup of coffee!”

Rodney paused and considered her offer for a brief minute staring back with the same admiration. The glimpse of her he had in his mind from the other night did her no justice and quickly vanished into the breeze the moment she returned his smile. “If you really want to repay me,” He shoved his hands into his pockets and shot her knee weakening smile, “let me buy you lunch.”

“How is that repaying you?” She tilted her head to the side.

“You’re repaying me with your company.” He said slyly.

“I have a boyfriend.”

“And I have about thirty-five minutes.” He gave a quick glance to his wrist watch, returning his hand to his pocket.

Bianca reluctantly smiled in agreement, walking ahead of him as he insisted with a simple hand gesture.

“So,” Rodney began as he tucked Bianca’s chair in and joined her on the other side of the table, “I made the mistake of not asking you your name before. May I have the pleasure now?” He clasped his hands together neatly on top of the table.

Bianca snorted, adjusting her position on the chair with her chin resting on her hand, “What’s in a name?” She raised an eyebrow with her question awaiting something foolish, childish, and along the lines of ‘I asked you first’.

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet, but it's your name I'd love to speak.” He ended with another one of those smiles that widened with Bianca’s shocked expression. “You know Shakespeare.” She said simply looking down at the table.

“You’re surprised by that?”

“Most men don’t know anything pass the opening line.”

“I’m not most men.”

Bianca chuckled lightly meeting his gaze once again. “Danny said the same thing.” She mumbled under her breath.

“I take it Danny is your reason why you’ve lost your faith in men.” He unexpectedly answered moving further into the table.

“I haven’t lost my faith I just see the male species for what they are.”

“And that would be?” He asked just as quickly as she answered.

“Post pubescent boys with two heads and the tendency to think more with the one that has no brain.”

“Ouch!” Rodney laughed drumming his finger on the table lightly before bringing them together neatly as he had before.

“That’s it?” Bianca chuckled. “No snappy come back? Defense argument?”

Rodney shook his head slowly with his eyes set on hers. Despite her previous answer he could sense her anger; bitterness towards all men for this one man’s mistakes. “You’re right. I cannot and will not defend someone when I know they’re at fault but I will tell you this, all of us are not alike.”

“Pffft!” Bianca hissed with a roll of her eyes.

Seeing her reaction as a challenge, Rodney shifted on his chair, preparing for an in-depth conversation he knew he’d enjoy. “Let’s discuss this, shall we?” He shifted again making himself more comfortable, “How are all men the same?”

“For one,” Bianca sat up confidently, “there is the sex thing.”

“Both genders think about sex equally.” Rodney interjected before she could complete her thought.

“Men think about sex and don’t care about who it’s with or where things go afterwards. With us,” She placed her hand against her chest, “its love and sex or sex and emotions. There are very few of us who can engage in sexual activity without the interference of one of the two.”

“We’re the same way. Men form emotional attachments through sex as well. Some choose not to display them.”

“You don’t display emotions because you can’t.”

“Not true but that is where we differ.”

Bianca smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder absently, “I’m still having a hard time seeing a difference.”

“The other night, I watched you storm out of that bar and wander out into the dark streets on your own while your Danny stayed inside and enjoyed the game. First difference, I don’t know you but I came after you to ensure your safety because that’s what men like me do. Today, you said the two of you had another fight. Second difference,” He looked around the room then back to Bianca, “where is he now? A better question, what was your spat over that he allowed you to walk away without giving chase?”

Bianca shrugged, “Him not wanting to hold my hand.” She hesitated for a minute releasing a deep breath with the basic details of their argument. She was surprised when Rodney’s response was a simple shrug with a knowing expression.

“You understand what I mean?” She tuned back into the conversation just in time for a small recap. “A man’s display of love and emotions is a sign of weakness in the eyes of the world but it doesn’t make him less of a man to hold the hand of the woman he loves. If that simple gesture is too much for him, then you need to find yourself a new man or sit back and let one find you.” He said flatly sitting back in his chair. He was right. Just like Santino was right. The argument they’d had was minor and very petty but the fact that he’d responded to an act of affection in that matter spoke volumes. Bianca rubbed the back of her neck; her muscles were aching from tension and stress. Tension and stress that could easily be relieved with the two simple words she should have told Danny long ago.

“You’re almost out of time.” She pointed to his wrist watch then the untouched menu sitting on the edge of the table.

He glanced at it then returned his eyes to hers with a smile, “I can make time.

**Thank you Freedom and Daijah for being my eyes!

4. The Hold Out

2011-04-18T01:39:00.002-04:00

warning: mild sexual content

A long hot bath and two short stories was all it took for Cillian to fall asleep. Wilson backed out of the room slowly, pulling Cillian’s door to as he exited with a small prayer that he wouldn’t awaken until morning.
He followed a small string of light streaming from underneath his bedroom door, tugging at his clothes along the way. For the last two weeks, Cian had a reason for not wanting to be intimate. Everything from headaches to Cillian being in their bed had come about. Pulling his shirt over his head as he entered the room, he recalled the way he and Cian couldn’t keep their hands off of each other and all the wild nights they shared as recently as three months before. What’d happened between then and now was beyond him but he was sure the night would end with his wife naked and in his arms.

Cian was coming out of the bathroom when he reached for the knob, pulling at the hem of a short piece of colorful satin that clung to her partial damp skin. He grabbed her hand as she tried to pass him, his fingers trailing down to her finger tips of both hands. She looked into his eyes with question and only received a kiss as an answer.

“Will,” She began but he silenced her with another kiss, pulled her closer to him while his hands took advantage of the exposed skin of her thighs. “Will,” She broke her lips away from his but this time he shushed her. The kiss was deepened as he backed her into the wall then inched his way down to her neck. Cian sighed the moment she felt his tongue gently graze her skin, tickling, taunting, and coaxing her to give in to him. “Cillian…” She whispered through another sigh forcing her hands to stay by her side. “He won’t wake up,” Wilson’s voice vibrated through her as he continued to tenderly stroke her neck with his lips, “you’re all mine.” He assured her slowly moving his hand up her thigh. His knuckles brushed against something soft, more satin that appeared to be trimmed with lace. Wilson froze for a second then went back to what he was doing. Cian never wore panties to bed and when she did it was a sign that she didn’t want to be touched. Wilson disregarded the thin satin barrier and continued to rub his hands up and down her hips before sliding his fingers underneath the straps on her hips, pulling them down slowly. Cian grabbed at his hands stopping him before his hands came over her hips, “I’m not in the mood Will.” Her words weren’t even convincing to her. Her head filled with images the moment she stepped out of the bathroom and saw him standing there shirtless and with eyes glossed over with lust. She wanted his touch just as badly as he was trying to give it but thoughts of another child and images of Cillian crying earlier in the day blurred her need. “Liar!” He whispered running his index finger down the outside of her panties and between her legs. “You want me.” His lips grazed hers for a second.

He pulled her lip into his mouth, releasing it with a growl, “Admit it. You want me, Baby! I want you.” He purred seductively in her ear causing her to melt with each word. “You want it in Spanish? Italian? Mi permetta di fare l'amore con te, Cian. Let me make love to you.” Cian’s wobbling knees turned to jello and her mind was lost in between his words. Overcome with the desire, she allowed him to successfully remove her panties before she stopped him once again. “Seriously Will,” She eased away from him, “not tonight.”

“You’ve been saying that for the last two week!” He growled following her toward the bed. “What is it Cian? Really? You were just as into it as I was and all of a sudden it’s not tonight?” His agitated tone took on one of concern. What was once a healthy sex life was reduced to cold showers and failing attempts that he was grown tired of.

“Go to bed Will!” She plopped down on the bed, shoving the covers over herself with her back to him.

Wilson stood there for a few seconds watching her lay motionless on the edge of the bed. Something was wrong with her. What, he didn’t know but if she was going to keep denying him the one thing they were both in need of, there was no way he could sleep next to her.

3. Behind Closed Doors

2011-04-15T08:29:00.001-04:00

After the 15 minute car ride to campus and one of Wilson’s long drawn out break up with that idiot lectures, Bianca was back at her dorm with the intention of taking a long hot shower.
Wilson was right to be angry over what Danny did but the father-like talks were un-needed. She had enough of that coming from Claudio each time Danny ran back to him with their relationship dramas and each time Bianca ended their relationship. As predictable as the change in time every autumn and spring, Claudio would call Bianca and express his concerns while persuading her to give it another chance. There were at least 3 another chances within that year, all of them given because of Claudio and his deeply disappointed tone and Danny’s promise to change.

“And where have you been?” Santino greeted Bianca at the door just as she placed her hand on the handle. “Walk of shame?” She wiggled her brows with a huge smile,” Your loser was here asking me 21 questions so I know you weren’t with him! Details!” She placed her hand on her hip allowing Bianca entry into their room. She followed Bianca over to her bed, plopping down on it like a child preparing for a good story. Danny wasn’t Santino’s favorite person. Unlike Bianca, she saw no good in him and wanted nothing more than for her best friend to drop him like a pair of outdated stilettos. On occasion she’d approach Danny and threaten to end his chances of ever becoming a father if Bianca ended up with a broken heart but remained out of their spats at Bianca’s request. Bianca looked over at Santino as she made herself comfortable with an even wider smile and a pillow propped underneath her. “There’s nothing to tell, Tino! Danny took me to a sports bar and ignored me. A nice guy gave me a ride to my brother’s house. The end.” She burst into laughter at her friend’s pouting lips.

“A nice guy gave you a ride to your brother’s? A stranger?” Santino threw her hands up with her brows lowered in confusion. “Was he cute?” Her smile returned with a devious flare in her eyes.

“I don’t know!” Bianca huffed through her laughter. Santino’s one trace mind never failed to amuse her. “I was so pissed that I wasn’t looking at him in that way.”

“Yeah but I’m sure you noticed how tall he was, what his hair looked like, if he had a nice ass and-”

“Ok Tino, I get it!” Bianca replied but hadn’t made an attempt to move forward with the details. His looks really were the last thing she was concerned about as she sat on the freezing cold bus stop while the wind blew freezing beads of rain onto her skin and into her hair. If the situation had taken a turn for the worse, she at least knew his name and the address that was on the ID card he showed her. To her, that was enough security.

“So…” Santino motioned.

“What does is matter? He dropped me off and that was it.”

“Bianca…” She gave her a stern look, shifting into a more comfortable position on the bed.

A defeated sigh escaped through Bianca’s nose with a quick roll of her eyes, “He said his name was Rodney. He was tall, maybe the same height as Wilson. He looked neat.” She shrugged referring to his crisp white button down shirt and fitting jeans but unsure if that detail was important.

“He had a nice voice. A really nice voice!”

“Ok…and his face?” Santino waved her hand in a circular motion for Bianca to jump to the good part.

“It was almost mid-night! The only time I could see his face clear enough was the split second the light came on as he was getting into the car and even then I wasn’t focused on what he looked like. Danny had just ruined my night, my phone was dead, my hair was wet, and I’m pretty sure my headlights,” She pointed to her nipples, “were on because of the sudden drop in the temperature!”

“Did you at least give him your number?” She exhaled sharply and waved her hand again.

“No! Regardless of how the night went, I’m still with Danny.” Bianca threw over her shoulder with irritation as she pulled through her dresser draws for something to wear.

“So what! You never know, he might turn out to be that good thing that sweeps you off your feet when you wise up and lose the loser.”

“Who says things won’t work out?”

“Who says it will?” Santino countered with a quick response that threw Bianca off.

“I’m just saying, Daniel is your weakness. One that can be corrected before it get’s too bad. I’m only concerned about what’s best for you Bianca and I don’t see that in him!” She made her way toward Bianca and wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “No pressure but really give it some thought! I have some studying to do.”

The second the door closed behind Santino it reopened and Danny appeared in the doorway with a sly smile.

“What do you want Danny?” She blocked his kiss then quick attempt to hug her. After a year he still thought he could win her over with small gestures of affection, something she led him to believe each time she accepted it with one of his bullshit apologies. Danny pulled his hand from behind his back, a tall glass vase filled with bright red roses reflected in his widened eyes and puppy down pout. “I know I messed up Bianca.” Was all he said as he pushed the flowers toward her. That’s all it took before. A simple ass I know I was wrong and he’d be off the hook. Realizing her previous errors, Bianca held her hands up as she backed away. She made slow steps toward the round mirror where she gazed at herself with displeasure.

He hadn’t been in the room a whole two minutes and all she could think about was his arms around her. She was just as weak as Santino said and she couldn’t deny it. From the corner of her eye she saw him sit the vase down on the edge of her desk and move toward her scratching his head as if he were at a loss for words. He wasn’t used to her rejection, this sudden ability to hold a grudge against him. “We can’t keep doing this Danny.” She mumbled through another deep sigh.

“Things aren’t what they used to be and honestly, I rather be alone than to be ignored.”

“Babe,” He took small steps toward her to test the waters before pulling her into a tight hug, “I know you don’t mean that! We can work this out. We always do.”

“That’s the problem!” Bianca pulled away from him, turning back toward the mirror. This time she refused to look into it fearing his reflection would weaken her further. The need to uphold the perfect image had been embedded in her brain and darkened her heart. Love wasn’t keeping her there, but something close to it. Strange feelings that didn't go very far but somehow managed to keep her within his grasp. Daniel was the key to her easy life, the reason why her father allowed her to move to this island despite the fact that she’d be close to Wilson. “You know just like I do, this wasn’t meant. We came into this for the wrong reasons. No matter how hard we try to force it, there is no love between us. I feel something Danny but we both know you don't.” She faced him with her eyes trailing from the dresser to the floor just to avoid the mirror. The look on his face was telling. The expression he carried spoke loud and clear. Before she could try to determine exactly what his features depicted, Daniel knelt before her.

This action was foreign, something she’d never seen him do. Mr. High and Mighty never bowed before anyone and yet there he was, on his knees with her fingers clasped in his hand. Behind closed doors he was as much of a jerk as he was in public but right then and there, that simple move made her think differently. “You’re right.” He began with his head hung low and slowly dragged his eyes up to hers, “We came into this for the wrong reasons but I assure you Bianca, I do love you. I’ve had a year of you to myself and I hate to admit it this way but it wasn’t until now that I realize how much I really want another year with you. I really fucked up last night but if you give me the chance, I promise I’ll make it up to you.” His pale blue eyes were pleading with her with each word. She felt them tug at her heart with each second passed in their silence. “You love me?” She repeated softly, latching onto that part of his quick confession. “I do Bianca. I mean it.” He stood, pulling her into a hug before stealing a quick kiss.

If breaking things off with him was her plan, she was failing miserably. Although she still felt empty and like she was making a mistake, he held onto her and lovingly trailed him hand up and down her back, inducing a smile. If he could try, so could she.

******

What was supposed to be a quick apology turned into hours of cuddling with Bianca, providing her with good reason to believe they should continue moving forward. Entering his private dorm room he froze at the sight of black satin and lace. His eyes slowly traveled up the length of her legs, moving steadily over her hips until they reached her eyes. “What took you so long?” Her child like voice cut through the silence and broke his trace.

Danny shook his head furiously, “The question is, what are you doing in here? What if I had Bianca with me?” He belted, yanking her from the bed by her arm.

“Then she’d know!” Ashley retorted planting her feet on the floor to stop him from pushing her out the door. A month into his relationship with Bianca, Daniel awakened for a night of heavy drinking completely naked and next to one of her best friends. That mistake that shouldn’t have occurred once became an ongoing thing; frequent sexual encounters that meant nothing to Danny but everything to Ashley. “I’m tried of hiding this anyway! I want to be the one by your side Daniel! When will it be me?” Daniel shushed her as she began to wail, holding her arms down with his hands as he heard feet moving outside his door. “You know what this is Ashley! You knew from the start! If you’re even thinking about speaking one word of this to Bianca, then you can get the hell out now and never speak to me again!” Ashley dropped her arms to her side with surprise. He wouldn’t let her go that easy. She was sure of it. The fact that he’d even said it was appalling and placed more anger within her. Bianca always had everything she wanted and this little slice of heaven she managed to steal away from her wasn’t going anywhere.

“I’m sorry Danny!” She caressed his chest with her right hand bringing herself closer to him. “I can’t help it. I just want you all to myself.” She pouted throwing kissing on his chin through each word. Daniel embraced her back by accepting her lips against him, “I can’t give you that Ashley and I need you to stop being so reckless. Don’t show up here like this.” He kissed her again, “I'm trying to work things out with Bianca. If you want us to keep going on like this you have to stop trying to get us caught.” Ashley agreed with a quick nod as she helped Daniel remove his jeans and no real intention of keeping her word.

2. Color Words

2011-04-06T21:47:00.004-04:00

Later that day...

Cian’s mind wandered back and forth from her conversation with Will to the words her father planted in her head years ago. She dropped the last of the dinner dishes in the sink, comparing the actions to the situation before her.
Like the ceramic plate’s gifted to them by Wilson’s mother as a wedding present sank to the bottom of the metal basin, she felt as if she too were sinking. The hot soapy water was her fears and the metal bottom was the pit of sad loneliness she was sure to end up in if she didn’t overcome these fears. You’re selfish if you keep this baby! What are you going to do when this child comes home crying because neither race accepts them? Her brain kept those words running like a Breaking News headline, shouting at her in the loudest manner verses the stern tone he’d used to get his point across. She absently ran the damp rag across each plate, rinsing it off and carelessly dropping it in the dish drainer.

“What’s on your mind?” Wilson’s hands slipped around her arms in a warm embrace as he pulled himself closer to her. “Nothing.” She shook her head, turning slightly to steal a kiss from him. “You’re a great kisser but terrible liar!” He mumbled against her ear before pressing his lips tenderly just below it. He continued a path down to her shoulder fueled by the breathless sighs escaping through her nose. “Cillian.” She sighed pulling away from Will just as his fingers worked at the button on her jeans. “He’s outside! He won’t come in until we call him!”

Wilson lifted her effortlessly, sitting her on the edge of the sink as he brought his lips back to hers. Despite the growing pressure between them, he kissed her slowly to savory each second of her soft lips.

“Mommy!” They heard Cillian cry as he came through the door. Cian jumped down from the counter just as he entered the kitchen with huge tears streaming down his face.

“I don’t want to be a zebra!” He whined, furiously swatting his tears with the back of his hand. “What are you talking about Cilly?” Wilson put his hand up to keep Cian from running to his side and babying him as she always did. “The boy on the playground called me a zebra! He said his daddy said I’m black and white like a zebra and he can’t play with me!” He sniffled, looking up at them with the widest eyes. Cian looked to Wilson with an I told you so smirk and her hands planted on her hips. “What boy Cilly? Show him to me!” She was stopped by Wilson’s hand again. “You can’t beat up a 4 year old Cian!” He laughed, “Let me handle this.” Wilson waved for Cillian to follow him into the living room. He motioned for Cillian to wait by the sofa as he retrieved a book from the bookshelf. He flipped through the pages as he took a seat next to his son, stopping on a page with a picture of a zebra. “How many legs does this zebra have, Cilly?”

“One…two…three…four!” Cillian counted each of them out loud.

“How many legs do you have?” Wilson asked, point to his legs.

“Two.” Cillian replied excitedly.

“This zebra has stripes. Do you have stripes?” He poked at Cillian’s cheeks and nose.

“Nope!” He laughed hysterically as the pokes turned into tickles.

“This zebra eats hay. You want me and Mommy to start feeding you hay?”

“No!” He continued to laugh as he stuck out his tongue with disgust.

“See Cilly, you can’t be a zebra with only two legs and no stripes. You are black and white but that makes you special. You know what you say the next time someone calls you a name?”

Cillian nodded, “I say, I know you are but what am I!”

“No Cillian!” Cian cut in from the doorway as Wilson laughed at their son’s response.

“No Cilly, you say Sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me! Can you say that?”

“Yup! Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!”

Cian smiled as Wilson whipped the remaining tears from Cillian’s face, scrubbing his thumb over a patch on his chin. “You need a bath mini me!”

“Nuh uh!”

“Uh huh!”

“Nuh uh!”

“You’ve been outside playing since the sun came up and I saw you scratching your butt at these three times today! You’re getting a bath!”

“Ohhhh Dad!” He whined throwing on his over his face with his best puppy dog expression.

“Bath Cilly! No woman wants to kiss a dirty man!”

“Mommy will!” He skipped toward Cian with his lips puckered for a kiss. Cian giggled, giving into his silent demand.

“Hey hey hey!” Wilson added extra base in his voice, “Lips off of my woman! Go get your pajamas together.” He playfully rubbed his son’s head as he passed him.

“You handled that perfectly, Daddy!” Her hands slid up his waist and around his back. Wilson was a good father and that she couldn’t deny. When it came to Cillian he always made the best decisions based on the best possible outcome and how he thought Cillian would benefit from it but the way Cillian came in with eyes full of tears pushed her feelings further. School hadn’t even started yet and he was already running home with tears in his eyes from being called a name.

“I handle a lot of things perfectly, Mommy. Want me to show you?” He pulled her bottom lip into his mouth gently nibbling on it as his hands made their way down her back. They felt good, warm and gentle like mid-morning sunshine heating up her skin. His need for her pressed against her stomach as their kiss deepened, making her lose all thoughts of keeping her distance from him until one of his hands accidentally rubbed against her stomach.

“Cillian is waiting for his bath!” She tried to break away from him but Wilson pulled her back in whispering against her lips, “I see you! Try to hold out if you want. I have a few tricks that are guaranteed to break you.” He passed her, backed away licking his lips at her before disappearing up the stairs.

1. Changes

2011-04-06T11:18:00.002-04:00

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!

The Sequel

2011-03-31T02:06:00.002-04:00

A quick update for those checking for a sequel. After consideration and rereading this story, I've decided to take a new avenue. I realize that I didn't go as far as I could have with the racial differences and strayed off course with Ramone being in the mix so I am introducing a new couple. I must warn you now that this will contain racial slurs, inner city lingo, and a lot more adult content. If you're sensitive to this subject or easily offended, you might not want to take part in this. I will be adding a Q&A section for the characters, you ask and they answer or you can ask me.

Enough with my rambling. Coming soon. Possibly the next week.

The once sweet and bubbly teenager that was determined to break her father's rules is now the sweet and bubbly girl on campus. To all who know her name, she has it all, beauty, popularity, the perfect boyfriend, and a chance to reconnect with her brother but that prefect world of her's will be turned upside down when she follows her big brother's footsteps across the forbidden line that lead her to an older man.

81. Proud

2011-03-02T01:04:00.002-05:00

Genre: Drama, Romance
Characters: Wilson, Cian
Prompt: 81. Proud
Word Count: 579
Rating: PG
Type: series
Summary: Cian and Wilson reflect on their new life part II
Warnings: none
**
Two weeks later...

Cian watched proudly as Wilson rocked their son, humming a lullaby to sooth him. He’d made it a habit of doing so every night, his own bonding ritual that saw no interruptions. He took to fatherhood really well and embraced the new role and jokingly corrected Cian each time she called him anything by ‘Daddy’.

With each kiss he placed on Cillian’s head she felt her love for him grow deeper. He’d loved Cillian the moment he learned of this existence and loved her just the same. Moving to the quietest end of the island, being away from everyone else permitted them to have moments like this; peaceful moments that didn’t require words or any kind of sound for everything was said through their eyes, smiles, and touch.

Wilson glanced over at her and mimicked her smiled before ducking his head to whisper something into the baby’s ear. During Cian’s pregnancy he had his own tradition of pressing his mouth against her stomach while she slept to have small conversation with the baby just to feel him move and make sure he knew everyday how much he was loved and wanted. He’d tell him stories of his childhood with mommy, the good memories that he and Cian still looked back on and laughed about and all of the plans he had for them. He looked forward to their future together and very often reflected on the past to help him appreciate the position they were currently in.

He walked Cillian over to his mother, turning him slightly so she could kiss his cheek before laying him in his bassinet. “Can Daddy get one of those now?” He wiggled his eyebrows pulling her into a kiss without waiting for an answer. She obliged still smiling as the softness of his lips brushed against hers.

“Why are you in such a good mood?” He couldn’t help but to return the smile as he pulled his lips away and brushed her hair away from her face. “Because of this.” She motioned between them then to Cillian. “Because of us.” She shook her head with another proud smile as she locked eyes with her son. Wilson turned his head in the same direction with his arms wrapped tight around Cian’s waist. The realization hit them both at that moment and they knew this time of never ending smiles and sunshine would be met by cloudy days and even storms. Although their parents were out of their lives and Ramone was in prison serving 5 years for each rape he’d been linked to including the cases in the states, they were parents now and had a new set of issues that neither was exactly prepared for. They’d proven their love and devotion to each other by leaving everyone behind and starting a new life on the island despite the protests and threats from both families but the real test would come as they watched their son grow older and face a different type of discrimination that they’d never be able to run away from. Being of two different races, two different cultures, they’d have to teach him how to be confident with both as well as how to live life proud of who he is, where he comes from, and how to stand strong through the storms sure to come. Most of all, they’d have to teach him the one thing they fought so hard to be, colorblind.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! For following this challenge with me! This is the end of the SimFic50 Challenge but I am working on a solid plot for a sequel. I appreciate every comment, every kind word, and all the time taken to read this! Please feel free to leave a comment about what you'd like to see in the sequel if you'd like. Thank you again!
Qui

**Oh and new story until the sequel comes out. The End Of Night.

79. Months

2011-02-27T18:48:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama, Romance
Characters: Wilson, Cian, Renee
Prompt: 79. Months
Word Count: 730
Rating: PG
Type: series
Summary: Cian and Will’s new life
Warnings: none
** Sappy stuff.

A few shot weeks after leaving the hospital Cian and Wilson stood on the sandy edge of the beach in the back of their new home, gazing into each other’s eye, hand in hand, promising to love and cherish each other until the end of time. Wilson allowed his eyes to travel up and down Cian’s body with admiration. The way her black hair fell loosely over her shoulder added contrast to the strapless satin dress enhancing the new shape of her body. Despite her complaints over the tiny bulge extending from her pelvis to her navel, she felt beautiful, alive, happy to have finally realized that all the love she needed was there on the beach, pledging his love and devotion to her.

“Kiss her!” Renee shouted, causing them both to laugh with a quick flashback from their childhood. She’d convinced them kiss and quiet possibly forced them to fall in love at that very moment.

Cian stood on her toes as she draped her arms around his shoulder, finalizing their marriage with deep kiss conveyed with an immense amount of passion and ended with a smile against his lips.

She was doing that a lot lately, smiling from ear to ear, making him love her more and more with each passing day, week, and month. As if the thought of his child growing inside of her wasn’t enough, he took pleasure in watching her pregnancy progress and almost wished it would never end.

When she wasn’t pulling through the refrigerator and stuffing everything in sight down her throat,

She was carrying around a bucket of hot soapy water, scrubbing everything she could get her hands on and washing nitpicking over the arrangement of the furniture both in and outside of the baby’s room. Cian had done everything to prepare for their son’s arrival, all but chosen a name.

She stood in front of a painting she’d been working on for a little over two months, fighting back the urge to laugh at the names Wilson had come up with. “Anything but Will Jr, huh?” She shot him a cute smirk and went back to pushing the brush across the canvas. “No. He needs his own identity. I don’t want him to feel like he has to follow in my footsteps because he’s my namesake. How about Ian?”

“Too short.” She answered quickly.

“Anthony?”

“Too average.”

“Jaden?”

“Over used!”

Wilson released a frustrated sigh, tossing a clean paint brush that’d fallen to the floor into the small tray in front of the canvas. “You come up with something then!”

“Nope! We had an agreement!” She kept her eyes focused on the painting ahead of her. “He has to have a name that will stand out. One that if we called his name in a crowd full of people, he’d be the only one to turn around.” She glanced quickly at him then back to her painting. No painting ever took this long or consumed her as much as this one. She obsessed over the color, perspective, proportion and accuracy of each image and on many occasions, thought about scrapping it and starting over. The absence of Wilson’s sisters at Claudio’s hand prompted her to paint this reminder, perfect image that would always symbolize the one thing they’d never want him to forget. “What do you think, Babe?” She handed Wilson the paint covered palette and took a step back. On first glance she noticed a few mistakes she’d correct after the paint dried but overall, she was content and sure the message was clear.

“I love it!” Wilson pushed off the stool and pulled her into an embrace as he looked on in amazement. “One request though,” He dropped his hands from her round belly to her hips, “Can I get this model to pose naked for me? I want to take mental pictures of-” Cian turned and swatted his arm, “It’s in the name of art, I swear!” He chuckled, pulling her back into his arms.
“You’re so silly!” She brushed her nose against his lovingly.

“Silly huh?” He pulled back slightly and looked down at her stomach between them. “I have a name for him. Cillian.”

Cian grinned, loving the name the second it slipped through his lips. It was the perfect combination of their names and just as unique as he was destined to be.

“Cillian it is.”

74. Home

2011-02-23T22:00:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama, Romance
Characters: Gary, Cian, Wilson
Prompt: 74. Home
Word Count: 1,096
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: Cian puts her foot down once and for all; later makes another decision
Warnings: language
** Blah shots AGAIN

Days earlier...

Since making eye contact with her father during the ultrasound, she felt the weight of his displeasure holding her down, silently giving her an ultimatum. Once Wilson left the room, Gary made his way to her bedside. He yanked the chair from the corner and positioned it in front her, staring at her with an intense gaze until she sadly looked away.
“Even after I told you to stay away from him, you slept with him.” He kept his voice low and calm, using his body language to convey his disappointment. “I apologize for not realizing what was going on with Ramone but I can’t accept this thing you have with the De Luca boy.”

“You don’t have to accept it.” She mumbled, tracing hearts on her exposed legs with her fingers still avoid his eyes.

“Cian, you’re selfish if you keep this baby!” His voice changed drastically as he moved to the edge of the chair. “This child will be confused! Black on one side and Italian on the other? Who will this child identify with? You know first hand what it’s like to grow up black and discriminated upon for it. What are you going to do when this child comes home crying because neither race accepts them? Be smart about this! Give yourself a chance! You’ll find someone within our race who will love you and give you children that you both can stand tall for.”

“I already found him.” She delivered another short answer, leveling her eyes with his. He’d unknowingly struck a nerve and quietly she allowed him to speak his peace, hoping the choice to be quiet would calm her by the time he finished.

“You think you have! Just wait until the next pretty white girl strolls by, he’ll drop you quicker than rumors in a gossip column!”

“Oh like you did with Mommy?” She snapped, no longer able to contain herself, “Funny thing, Dad, you still haven't owned up to it! You’re so stuck in you ways that you can’t even see your own faults! You caused all of this Dad! You and Wilson’s mother caused all of this! Have you even told Mom sorry?” She threw her hands up and laughed, “Of course you didn’t because you did nothing wrong, right? Sleeping with your friend’s white wife isn’t wrong yet I do it with their son and I committed the ultimate crime?”

“This is different!”

“You know what, you’re right, it is! You were just fucking her and Wilson and I are in love!”

“Watch your mouth!” He roared at her, lowering his brows further.

“Watch yours!” She retorted.

“You have only one chance to right this Cian and that’s now! I will not be connected to those people and that’s the end of it! Either get rid of this child or get out of my life!” He rose from the chair with his arms crossed. Cian looked up at him with a hate filled glare then reached over and hit the call button. “Nurse’s station.” The lady on the other end beamed. “Yes can you please have security escort this man from my room please? I’d do it myself but I’m PREGNANT” She said loudly, looking him in the eyes as she did, “and don’t think Dr. Pindell would approve of me shoving my foot down his throat.” She let go of the button and positioned herself on the bed with her legs hanging over the side and her hands folded neatly in her lap. She smiles sweetly, nodding toward the door, “Good-bye father. Now you shall have the perfect life with your favorite daughter like you always wanted!”

Gary shot her a lopsided smile before he retreated. Deep down in his heart he was proud of the way she’d stood up to him, a move he too once pulled on his own father. She’d made her decision loud and clear and from that day on, she was no longer his child and no longer welcome in his home.

------

One week later...

Under the doctor’s care and Wilson’s watchful eye, Cian’s condition improved greatly. The color was returning to her skin and the constant headaches had subsided and were replaced by normal but sporadic bouts of morning sickness. After the conversation with her father a week earlier, Cian retreated to a mute state and refused to even look in Wilson’s direction. He wheeled his chair to the side of her bed and massaged her back, recoiling the second he realized she was crying. “How can they be so hateful?” She cried, “How can they hate an innocent child so much? My father called me selfish for wanting this baby and wanted me to get an abortion. How could he ask me to do that?” She turned to face Wilson, “Choose between us and him! I know they hate each other but it runs that deep that our baby has to suffer?”

“Our baby won’t suffer!” Wilson brushed away her tears with his thumb and fought back his own. It pained him to see her distraught and even more knowing that his father felt the same way. “Move over.” He rose slowly from his wheelchair and eased onto the bed next to her.

She positioned herself to the right of him, careful not to lean against his healing wound. “Remember what we talked about on the island?” He asked as he stroked her hair, “You weren’t so sure that we could make it through this hate between them and I told you there wasn’t enough in the world to keep me from you. The same goes for our child.” He paused, allowing the word, the thought of their baby to dance across his mind. He was excited, and proud to say that he’d created a life with the love of his life and as soon as they were both free to leave, he’d give her the happily ever after she deserved. “Can we move?” Cian lifted her head off of his chest enough to see his eyes. “And take you away from Renee? She’d hunt us down and kill me!” His chuckle vibrated through her and induced a smile of her own. “She can always come for a visit. Bianca and Giana too. Please Will! I want our own home like you spoke of with the balcony overseeing the beach and a studio that we can work out to be a combination of my art and the restaurant you said you want.” She looked up once again with puppy dog eyes and her lower lip poked out like a child. Wilson grinned, tilted her chin and dropped his lips on hers, “I thought you’d never ask.”

100. Free

2011-02-23T13:31:00.001-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Ramone, Angel, Raul, Yolanda
Prompt: 100. Writer's Choice -Free
Word Count: 633 ish
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: Justice from and unlikely source
Warnings: language
** Blah shots

“You should have left her alone like I said!” Angel whispered in Ramone’s ear as she adjusted the pillows behind him. It’s been five days and he was still battered, bruised and recovering from the loss of a kidney. Since the arrival at the hospital they’d dealt with a series of events including Eric’s attempt to get to Ramone, police interrogations, and there was still the absence of Yolanda.

“Had she not called for help I would have died.”

“But she didn’t call for you! She called for Wilson! You were stabbed in the kidney and you missed his appendix by an inch! If Wilson hadn’t been hurt, she would have left you out there to die!”
“Eso es suficiente, Angel.” Raul eased out the chair to defuse his daughter’s anger. “The point is, she called and they got him here in time.”

“But Papi-” Their eyes drifted to a figure standing in the doorway.

“Yoyo!” Ramone grinned as Angel and Raul rushed her, throwing their arms around her, flooding her with kisses. “¿Dónde has estado mi amor?” Raul caressed her check lovingly, examining her fully.

“I had some things I had to take care of.” She lowered her arms and walked toward Ramone. By his bedside, she hugged him tight, kissing the top of his head with her eyes shut. “What did you have to take care of for five days, Ma?” Angel crossed her arms suspiciously. Another knock on the door, a tall pale man with thick brown curly hair stepped in, the letters “F.B.I” in big bold letters were on his vest.

Ramone’s eyes flew to his side in disbelief. “Yoyo?”

“The bruises Ramone. The bruises on that girl’s ribs were a wake up call for me. A reminder that not only was I failing those girls but failing you too.” She took a step back. “After we left the bridal shop, I went to see Anna and apologized for every way that I’ve wronged her by ignoring our granddaughter,” She looked up at Raul briefly then shamefully lowered her eyes, “I found my way to Renee’s and begged her for her forgiveness as well before I turned myself in. I told them everything. How I followed you to that dirty shack and how I heard that girl cry while you…” She trailed off. “It just so happens that they were on to you since you left DNA behind.”

“Congratulations, it’s a boy!” The agent said sarcastically.

“I should have done this a long time ago. Maybe had I, no one else would have suffered as Anna, Cian and Renee have. I love you Ramone! All I ever wanted was to protect you but instead, I enabled you and for that I will suffer. You’re my baby boy but you’re also a monster and the very sight of you and my own reflection disgusts me!”

“Ma?” His turned as quickly as he could toward her and quickly glance over his shoulder at his father and sister. “Ma, don’t do this!” He held his hand out for her. “Tell him it’s a lie! That none of that happened!” He wailed frantically.

“I’m sorry, Angel, Raul! Please do everything you can to help Anna out. Kayla is a beautiful little girl and she is going to need you now more than ever!”

“Mi amor?” Raul pulled her into an embraced that she quickly removed herself from, sliding her 10k diamond ring from her finger. “Forgive me. I never deserved this and don’t deserve you.” She kissed his chin gently. “I’m ready now.” She turned toward the agent with her head hung low.

“What’s happening?” Angel mumbled through her tears, jumping in her mother’s path.

“I’m freeing the world of a ruthless rapist and accepting my responsibility in this.”

“Ma!” Ramone cried from the bed behind her. “Ma please!”

“I love you Ramone. I love you all.” She backed out of the room barely able to contain her own tears. The second she disappeared from the doorway, two more agents appeared, waiting for the doctor's ok to take Ramone into custody and escorting him back to Mexico.

75. Heart

2011-02-22T22:47:00.001-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Cian, Wilson, Gary, Vivian, Dr. Pindell
Prompt: 745. Heart
Word Count: 1,288
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: It all makes sense
Warnings: language,
** Fraps ate up my shots! Lacking “wow” again

Cian awoke to her cheek being stroked delicately with a bright light beaming straight into her eyes. She grimaced, opening one at a time pushing herself up on her elbows. “Wilson?” She whispered as she rubbed her head, dragging her hand toward him and caressing his cheek. Her eyes darted from his face to the spot on stomach that’d been bleeding profusely when she last saw him, then to the wheelchair he was sitting in. “They wouldn’t allow me to leave my room unless I promised to stay in this chair.” He followed her eyes and ended with a light smile. After her eyes had fully adjusted to the light, they trail around the room and landed on her parents and their discontented expressions. “What happened?” She looked from her mother to her father. “You fainted.” Wilson brought her attention back to him with a mellow yet worried tone. She knitted her eyebrows close together in thought. The silence in the room and his sharp intake of air was unsettling. “What’s going on? Did Ramone…” She trailed off, unable to bring herself to say the word.

“No.” Wilson caught is lower lip between his teeth, “He’s expected to make a full recovery.” He took another deep breath, running his hand up her arm, silently enjoying the feel of her skin against his. “Then what?” She looked to her parents again. Wilson shifted in the wheelchair, holding his wound with a frown as he did so. He felt her eyes willing him to look at her, willing him to speak, begging him to stop stalling and just get on with it. He took her hand into his and finally allowed her the eye contact he knew she wanted. “You’re pregnant.” He said quietly allowing his eyes to lock with hers. The words rushed through her ears and echoed loudly inside her head but failed to register. “They ran a few tests on you to figure out why you fainted and what they needed to treat you for and one of the tests was a pregnancy test.”

Cian shook her head in disbelief, her eyes drifted toward her parents for the third time. “No I’m not!” She shook her head again. “I’m just tired and stressed out!”

“You’re pregnant, Cian. You’re also dehydrated and undernourished.”

She sat up on the bed and swung her legs over the side. “Don’t get up!” Wilson held her knees together to keep her from running away. She had that look in her eyes, the look that told him she was about to bolt from the room and find a private place to bawl her eyes out. He watched them fill and wonder around the room, her chest moved up and down rapidly with each panicked breath. “Cian?” She ignored him and ran her fingers roughly through her hair. “Cian look at me!” His calm tone went unheard once again.

“I…I can’t! What if it’s Ramone’s?” She struggled to catch her breath as she burst into tears.

“You better hope it is!” Gary belted from his position next to the door.

“Did you not hear her say that the motherfucker was beating on her? Or does the fact that he’s part black cancel it out for you?” Vivian retorted from the corner of the room. She’d remain quiet throughout this entire ordeal since she lived in another state and knew less than everyone else. Gary made sure of it by keeping their daughters busy with the diner and filling their heads with whatever was needed to keep a gap between them.

“No one asked you Vivian! This is my child and I will say and do what’s best for her!”

“If you cared about what was best for her you’d be in there waiting for that hispanic motherfucker to come to so you can knock his ass into a coma!” She retorted.

While they continued to go back and forth Wilson tried desperately to get Cian’s attention. “Don’t listen to them Cian, listen to me! If this is Ramone’s baby, I’ll still be by your side! Remember what you asked me? My answer is still-”
A knock at the door silenced them all as a lean redheaded woman entered with a smile.

“Sorry to interrupt but I just wanted to come check on you. Glad to see you sitting up! My name is Dr. Pindell.

How are you feeling?” She lowered the clipboard slightly and began to scribble something across it.

“Stressed. Dizzy.” Cian rubbed her face to rid herself of the urge to cry.

“Hmm, just dizzy? No waves of nausea, headache, or cramps?” She tilted her head with her question.

Cian nodded. Though it all made sense, the sudden loss of interest in eating, the inability to keep food down, and the tenderness of her body, she refused to admit it and withheld the information and nodded again.

“Ok. Well, I have a few questions for you and then we’ll conduct an ultrasound to check on your baby, ok?” She nodded, flipping through a few pages on the clipboard.

“When was the first day of your last period?”

Cian’s eyes widened, “October?” She frowned with embarrassment, unable to pinpoint the exact date. She looked toward Wilson then back at the doctor who still harbored a smile.

“Have experienced any abnormal bleeding, spotting, or cramps since then?”

Cian shook her head again, “I’ve had cramps on and off since mid November. Dull cramps.”

“Mild cramps?” Dr. Pindell repeated as she scribbled some more. “A lot of women experience cramping during implantation and a few weeks after. It usually stops around the end of the first trimester. Have you felt any flutters? A dull popping inside your stomach?”

Cian nervously rubbed her neck, “I haven’t recently.”

The doctor glanced over the clipboard, her gazed laced with concern but eased it with a smile, “I’ll be back in a few minutes and we’ll conduct an ultrasound to make sure everything is ok with your baby, ok?” She smiled, moving closer to rub Cian’s shoulder before exited the room.”

------

“And there’s your baby!” Dr. Pindell beamed, gliding the small globe across Cian’s stomach. She tapped a few buttons on the keyboard causing the screen to freeze and the small box underneath it to buzz. When the screen moved again, Wilson’s eyes lit up as he watched the fetus move, the tiny heart beating fast strong. Cian was in fact pregnant and there was no denying it now. Despite the grunts of displeasure coming from Gary’s side of the room and Cian’s silence, Wilson was overjoyed with an irreversible smile curling his lips and well as Vivian’s.

“Everything looks fine.” Dr Pindell turned toward Cian and Will. “You’re about eleven weeks which makes your due date around the 20^th of July. By early March, we should be able to tell you what you’re having.”

“Eleven weeks?” Wilson’s face lit up once again. Eleven weeks ago they were on the island. Eleven weeks ago, she was tucked safely in his arms and causing his heart to beat faster, eleven weeks meant he was going to be a father.

“I’m still concerned about your blood levels and your state of dehydration so I want to keep you for a few days and get some liquids in you and monitor your eating. Someone will come up shortly to see that you get something to eat and plenty of fluids.” The doctor wiped Cian’s stomach clean and exited the room. Wilson kissed Cian’s hand excitedly while Vivian smoothed her hair from her face and Gary started at her intensely conveying his own thoughts and opinions through his eyes. Eleven weeks meant a lifetime tie to the De Luca’s, a lifetime of feuding amongst them, and nine weeks to get rid of this common bond.

91. Wrath

2011-02-22T22:38:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Cian, Renee, Gary, Claudio
Prompt: 91. Wrath
Word Count: 933
Rating: M
Type: series
Summary: Tempers flare at the hospital
Warnings: LANGUAGE, racial slurs
** Fraps ate up my shots! Lacking “wow”

Cian sat in the corner of the waiting room, her hands were still shaking and her eyes were swollen and red from all the tears. Her brain involuntarily replayed the moment Wilson turned around and collapsed in front of her like a broken record. She screamed, frantically digging through his pockets for his phone as she held her hand against his, helping him apply pressure to his wound. She recoiled when she saw Ramone’s eyes open, his head turned toward her and a cryptic laughed slipped through his lips. “Look what you’ve done… killed us both.” He coughed and laughed again. She called for help, begged Wilson to keep his eyes open, cradling him in her arms as they closed and his breathing slowed while ignoring Ramone’s pleas for her to be by his side.

Against her better judgment she dialed the number to Wilson’s father and explained that there’d been an accident. Without a single word or question, he hung up on her and made it to the hospital just as the ambulance arrived. She’d been sitting in the same spot in the lobby since Wilson was taken into the emergency room while his father paced the hall just outside of the door.

“Are you ok?” Renee placed her hand on Cian’s knee, rubbing gently as a steady stream of hot tears made its way down her cheeks. She nodded, brushing away her own tears with a damp Kleenex clenched in her hand. She frowned, thoughts of Wilson lying on the ground with blood spewing from his stomach burned in the back of her mind, triggering an uncontrollable sob that she muffled with her hands.

“Why couldn’t you just stay away from my son?!” Claudio’s voice cut through the silence and shook her from her thoughts. “All these years he was fine without you and the very second you pop up he is sent on a roller coaster of emotions, sulking and crying over yo-”

“Clau-” Wilson’s mother Colette tried to quiet him.

“Now he is clinging to life because you got him stabbed!”

“No one told him to show up at their engagement party!” Gary pressed off of the vending machine, moving dangerously close to Claudio. “He got himself stabbed!”

“Oh just like you got yourself fired fifteen years ago? You had your own family at home but couldn’t keep your prick away from my wife, figures she couldn’t decide which one she wanted!” He jerked his head in Cian’s direction.

“Don’t blame me for giving your wife what she wanted! Had you done so, she wouldn’t have needed me!”
Cian dropped her head into her hands and shook it back and forth, desperately trying to drown out the argument that’d quickly converted from the actual events of the night to something that’s happened fifteen years earlier. Her body was beginning to heat up with each insult exchanged. Her head throbbed tremendously as a sick feeling dwelled in the pit of her stomach, making its way through her body like an injected drug.

“Tell the truth Claudio, you had me fired because you feared I’d walk away with your job and your wife!” Cian heard her father shout back.

Claudio threw his head back and chuckled, “The day my wife leaves me for a fucking moolie!”

“WOULD YOU TWO JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Cian sprung from the chair unable to listen to the childish bickering and racial slurs any longer. Her cheeks were flushed a bright pink hue, her eyebrows lowered and almost covered her eyes. “This isn’t about either of you! This is about Wilson! He is in here fighting for his life because he saved me from a man that was using me as a punching bag!” She stumbled over her words with each tear. She was so angry that the room was spinning and everything around her was getting darker. “Everything that has happened has happened because of you! You’re so stuck on the past and bullshit that has nothing to do with Wilson and me that we’re the ones who’ve suffered!”

The room was spinning faster, her body felt as if it were overheating, “Dad you were making me fight for your love and approval like you were some fucking king and like and idiot, I bowed to you! Phaedra and I lost the chance to have a complete family because of you and I hope your sorry ass lives with that guilt everyday!” She swung around to face Wilson’s father, her breathing heavy and voice almost horse, “And you Mr. De Luca, how dare you part your lips to say anything about me when you know nothing! You don’t even know your fucking children! If it weren’t for me, Wilson wouldn’t have anything to do with you! Your fifteen year old runs away from home to get away from you and Giana is walking around angry at the world because you have her by the throat and won’t let her live her own life! It’s easy for you to turn your nose down at me because to you, I’m a moolie, but guess what…” She closed her eyes tight feeling her entire body become numb, “this moolie has your son’s heart and there is nothing you can do or say to change that! If Wilson…” She paused, raising her hand to forehead as she swayed back and forth, “If Wilson…” She repeated, fighting to keep her eyes open. “Cian?” Renee stood, watching Cian fight to keep her balance.

“If…” Her words trailed off and the concerned faces of both Gary and Claudio faded before her.

68. Storm

2011-02-20T02:38:00.001-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Wilson, Cian, Ramone
Prompt: 68. Storm
Word Count: 600 ish
Rating: M
Type: series
Summary: Wilson goes off
Warnings: Language, violence
** Sucky photoshoped rain. Sucky writing.

Wilson’s fist connected with the soft flesh of Ramone’s lips, the single blow knocked him off of his feet.

"I don't hear you talking that shit now!" Wilson shouted, circling him like a shark to it's wounded prey.

“You get off on hurting women, huh?” Wilson paced, “Mr. Cool, Rico motherfucking Suave himself is a woman beater?” He chuckled, nudging Ramone with his foot. "Has to force women to do what he wants?" He’d lost it, all sense of being calm, rational, and being strong for Cian. Ramone had pushed him to the point of no return and he'd allowed it, charged him like a raging bull, an angry lion protecting its mate.

“Get up, Bitch!” Wilson shouted, drawing back his foot, kicking Ramone hard in his ribs. “You can hit women, get up and hit me!” He continued to kick Ramone with each attempt to get up. Ramone turned to his back, looked up at the sky as it released heavy drops of rain onto his face and laughed, spitting out blood in Wilson's direction. Livid, Wilson bent over and pulled Ramone to his feet, half way up, he punched Ramone again, splitting his lip further.

He held Ramone by his neck delivering blow after blow, ignoring Cian’s cries for him to stop. He was too far gone for reason and for a split second, thought about continuing until Ramone’s body lay motionless on the cold wet concrete. With each blow, he thought of Renee, thought of what Ramone said about hurting Cian,and the hell he couldn’t only imagine Ramone had put Anna through.

“Wilson please!” Cian begged him, crying over the loud patter of rain and rumble of thunder. “Let’s just go Wilson, please!” She ran toward him and held his arm. He glance over his shoulder at her and instantly felt guilt for allowing her to see him that way. Wilson roughly released the back of Ramone’s neck, allowing his head the hit the ground with a popping sound. He stood over him straightening his clothes, “This is the last time I’m going to tell you,” He stepped over him and roped his arm around Cian’s, “Stay away from her!”

Wilson pulled Cian toward his car, too overwhelmed with guilt to look at her. Would she still love him after this? See him as some angry, violent monster, incapable of self-control? No better than Ramone? He’d pushed her in his quest to get to Ramone, a regrettable action he'd never stop apologizing for, something he’d never forgive himself for doing.

Wilson dug his hand into his pocket to retrieve the keys when they both heard shuffling behind them.

Wilson glanced over his shoulder slightly and for the second time, pushed Cian out of the way. Ramone lunged at them with a sharp six inch blade tightly clenched in his fist. Wilson raised his hand, catching Ramone’s arm in the air. They struggled, fell onto the ground and began to roll around, the knife buried between them.

Cian was slow getting up from the ground, everything around her was spinning, and the cool wet ground sent her body into shock. She heard a deep gasp and forced her eyes to adjust to the sight as her ears tried to pinpoint the sound. In a split second, Ramone laid still on the ground, Wilson knelt before him, pushing himself to his feet. “Wilson?” She called to him in a low broken tone.

He backed up toward her, his eyes focused on Ramone as a pool of blood formed around his body and his chest heaved rapidly. “Wilson?” She called to him again.

Wilson turned to her, his face apologetic as he held his hands firmly against his abdomen. He took another step toward her and dropped to his knees, his eyes conveying one last apology.

**Thank you SO MUCH Karima for editing the last shot for me!

66.Rain

2011-02-20T02:37:00.002-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Wilson, Cian, Ramone
Prompt: 66. Rain
Word Count: 467 ish
Rating: M
Type: series
Summary: Ramone and Wilson have it out
Warnings: Language, violence
** Sucky photoshoped rain. Sucky writing.

With each step, small drops of rain grew bigger, accumulated at their feet into giant reflective pools of water and ice. “Wilson,” Ramone’s voice chilled them, rang out in a sing-song tone, “how nice of you to grace us with you presence but if it’s all the same to you,” Ramone took a step down and placed his hands neatly behind his back, “I’ll take my fiancée back now.” Furious blows from the frigid wind shook the surrounding trees; branches scrapped against the brick building snapped and fell to the ground with a loud thud.

Wilson pushed Cian behind him, whispering for Cian to get in the car. “Come near her again, Ramone, and I will kill you!”

A thunderous laugh ripped from his throat. A sinister, demented laugh that raised the fine hairs on the back of Cian’s neck as she froze behind Wilson. “You don’t have it in you, mi amigo.” He took several more steps toward them, “To kill requires finesse, passion, balls that we both know you do not have. Now if you please,” He held his hand out, “Cian and I have guests attend to.”

Cian gripped Wilson's arm tighter. A loud boom in the distance communicated the severity of the approaching storm.

Cian turned her head toward the sound, fear welling up inside of her, her hand held the back of Wilson’s jacket tighter.

“Get out of here Cian!” He yelled turning slightly to push her towards the car with his attention focused on Ramone. “Not without you!” She tearfully mumbled through a shaky voice re-adjusting her hold on his arm.

Debris, dirt, thin branches, and leaves carried by the wind swirled around them, the sky released heavier drops of rains. “By the way, thank you for breaking her in! Popping cherries isn’t my thing although I’d love to have had the pleasure of splitting her open and making her cry!” He switched to a new tactic.

Wilson’s jaw clenched, his finger nails dug deep into the palms of his hands. He took a step forward; Cian’s grip on the back of his shirt kept him form lunging at Ramone, ending his life right there on those stairs.

“Please Will,” She begged, “Let’s just go!” Her tears were endless her body trembling.

“Begging. You must show him more of the tricks I taught you!” He laughed again, enjoying the rise he was getting out of Wilson, the rage overshadowing Cian’s presence behind him.

“I had her pretty little ass so many ways and she took it like a champion! Too bad she only cried when I choked her…her cries are a turn on.”

Thunder roared above them, the sky opened up with a blinding strike of lightening.

Wilson pushed Cian away from him, sending her to the ground as he rushed toward Ramone with a crippling punch that connected with extreme force. The storm had arrived.

Next...

61. Holiday

2011-02-20T02:36:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama, Romance
Characters: Cian, Ramone, Raul, Wilson
Prompt: 61. Holiday
Word Count: 1,439
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: The engagement party
Warnings: Abuse, language
** One of three prompts, sucky writing

Christmas day...

As the party was underway, Cian observed the expressions of their guests and tuned into the many conversations buzzing around her. People were talking about their morning and already forming plans for New Years Eve, her parents were being surprisingly civil, Angel was flipping her hair over her shoulder while flirting with some guy old enough to be her father, and Raul was pacing back and forth, concerned over the absence of his wife. Cian had expected certain people not to show up, like Phaedra and Renee but it didn’t make sense for Yolanda not to be there.

Cian stood by Ramone’s side with a glass of untouched champagne in her hand like the perfectly programmed robot he wanted her to be, shaking the hands of strangers that would soon become her family while he pretended to be the prefect loving fiancé’.

“I asked you to smile.” Ramone spoke through his teeth, nodding and waving at their guests.

“I’m tired.” She retorted exhaling sharply.

“I don’t care. You shouldn’t have stayed up all night trying to avoid the punishment you deserved. You ought to know by now that the ‘I’m sick’ card you keep pulling is not working anymore. Now smile!”

He knitted his fingers with hers; squeezing them together until he was sure he was causing her pain. She held back the urge to scream by closing her eyes tight and counting until the pain ceased. This simple, discreet form of punishment was his way of keeping her in line in public, his own little leash, appetizer for what was to come. Ramone eased up when he saw Raul approaching them, his expression still laced with worry, “Your mother should have been here by now and she is not answering the phone. I’m going to go home and see if she’s there.”

“I’m sure she’s fin-” Ramone stopped speaking as he felt Cian’s grip loosen, “Where are you going?”

“Bathroom.” She whispered, pulling her hand away completely. Ramone leaned toward her, pressing his mouth against her ear to keep his father from reading his lips, “I promised Yoyo I’d keep my hands off of you but if you try some slick shit, I’ll fuck you up. You have five minutes.” He pulled back with fake kisses trailing down her cheek, watching her as she walked away.

Cian sighed as she left his side feeling like she could breathe on her own for the first time in little over a month. She’d purposely used Raul’s presence to get away from Ramone and planned to use that time to think on her own and let her guard down without fear of being struck.

******

Wilson discreetly watched the interaction been Cian and Ramone from the other side of the venue as he took quick sips from his glass. He’d managed to slip in unnoticed and planted himself against a wall where he could see without being seen.

It’d taken every ounce of strength he had to keep from walking over there and snapping Ramone’s neck right there on the spot as he watched him squeeze Cian’s hand and her desperate attempts to fight the pain. After a short exchange that ended with a kiss, Cian unknowingly made her way toward him.

He quickly noticed the change in her shape. The way her body had gone from a cute little hourglass to a coke bottle, her breast fuller, her hips and thighs spread, silently begged him to grip them. He tried hard to focus, brush back the thoughts of what he could and would do as soon as he got his hands on her and focused on his mission. While his eyes continued to digest every curve of her full figure, he following her every move until she disappeared into the bathroom. Wilson looked both ways and sitting the glass down on the edge of the table but before he could step foot out of his hiding spot, Raul walked toward the front entrance and stood there, gazing out of the door, rocking back and worth as he dialed the same number repeatedly. Wilson stepped back, held himself against the wall and waited for the perfect moment to stealthily follow behind her.

Entering the empty bathroom, she felt her heart quicken at the thought of being alone. Never before had she treasured the silence that she was now engulfed in and overwhelmed by. Cian entered the first stall and locked it behind her with no intention of actually using it. She pressed her back against the side panel and instantly fell apart. All hopes of being rescued had escaped her and the reality of being stuck with Ramone had sunk in deep. This couldn’t last much longer. She couldn’t allow her life to go on this way. Even if that meant ending her own life, she’d get out of this arrangement, away from his beatings, the headaches, and stress induced sickness. Cian threw her head back, staring at the tiled ceiling praying for a miracle, something, anything to take her pain away. The bathroom door opened slowly prompting Cian to pull herself together. Ramone had only given her five minutes and she knew he wasn’t above coming in there to get her. She flushed the toilet, and shuffled her feet to appear like she was fixing her clothes and preparing herself for another two hours by his side. After a quick breath and exiling leftover tears, she exited the stall with her eyes glued to the floor.

“Cian.”

She froze; her eyes shot up from the floor and settled on the figure leaning against the wall. She stood in place questioning if it were a dream, this man standing before her with Wilson’s face and eyes but with longer hair pulled back into a neat ponytail.

“Will?” She breathed, feeling her chest tighten as a smile formed on his face.

She rushed into his arms, crying as she held onto him for dear life. Her knees buckled underneath her as he lifted her from the floor and his scent took her breath away. Her body trembled against him, feeling the strain and stress of the last few weeks fall from her shoulders and hit the floor like a two ton weight. Wilson kissed her shoulder, eagerly making his way to her lips, his excitement just as apparent as hers. She broke, sobbed harder than before with each kiss he placed upon her, holding her tighter, staring into her eyes. “I’m sorry Will! I’m so sorry! I...I went to my Dad to tell him about us and Ramone was there and he said he’d-”

“Shhh,” Wilson pressed his finger against her lips, “its ok! We will talk about this later but right now I have to get you out of here.” He gently lowered her to the floor and grabbed her hand pulling her toward the door. Cian stopped before he reached the door, “Will, do you love me?”

“What?” He almost snapped when he turned to face her.

“I just need to hear you say it Wilson! Do you love me?” Her eyes filled with fresh tears.

Wilson stepped toward her cupping her cheeks, “More than anything in this world.” He felt her shoulders loosen, “Will you marry me?” She whispered through her tears. Her eyes widened as she heard her own words penetrate the air between them. It was sudden and out of the blue but after everything she’d just endured at the hands of Ramone and how close she’d come to being his wife, forever with Wilson was worth that giant leap.

“You want to get married?” His confusion caused her internal panic. “But your father-”

“Doesn’t matter! I don’t care about him, your family or anyone else that who doesn’t understand us as long as I have you.”

Wilson pressed his lips against hers and felt his own knees buckle. She felt so good in her arms and her words were music to his ears. Their lips parted, a smile shared between them, “Yes, I’ll marry you but we’ll talk about this later and you’ll have to let me do the whole ‘down on one knee thing’.” He grinned, “For my ego.”

They both laughed and kissed one more time before easing out of the bathroom. They’d made it to the front of the venue and out the door when the sky began to change colors and small drops of rain were crashing to the ground. With each step they took, Cian’s heart picked up speed and she felt dizzy from excitement. Her prayers had been answered and she was finally back in Wilson's arms and going to get away from the torture, pain, and despair caused by…

Ramone.

Next...

95. Pride

2011-02-16T19:34:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Wilson, Giana
Prompt: 95. Pride
Word Count: 600 ish
Rating: PG
Type: series
Summary: Giana swallows her pride and makes a confession.
Warnings: None
** Filler. Quiet before the storm. Lacking shots.

Hours later...

“Hey,” Giana called to Wilson, hurrying across the street, “going somewhere?” She asked curiously looking over the boxes next to his car. He looked up at her briefly and pulled his keys from his pocket to open the trunk, nodding his answer. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days and his hair was growing out of control, something that even she knew Wilson never let happen. “Damn, did you forget how to shave?” She couldn’t resist the urge to pick on his appearance despite the events that’d just taken place. “You look…like a bum.” She winced.

Wilson paused and delivered half a smile, “Yeah…Thanks Giana.” Then quickly turned to retrieve another box.

“I’m sorry you missed her.” She tried to recover from her poor attempt to lighten his mood.

Internally he was bawling his eyes out, enraged over being so close but so far away at the same time. Though he wanted to break down and punch the next person that crossed his path, his pride held him back. Instead of opening his mouth to reply to Giana, he nodded once again and pick up another box. Giana reach out and grabbed his arm, willing him to drop the box in front of him, “You’re just going to disregard my question like that?”

“What question?!” He unintentionally snapped.

“I asked if you’re going somewhere!”
Wilson ignored her again but Giana reached for his arm once again and caught his shirt, stretching it as he moved away from her. “Wilson, please! I understand that you’re upset but please, just talk to me!” She pleaded in a tone that he’d never heard her speak in. She seemed genuinely concerned and determined to help him. She sounded more like Bianca. “Why do you care all of a sudden?” He yanked his arm away from her.

“I’ve always cared Will! You and I haven’t always been close but I’ve always cared!”

“But why now Giana? Of all the times to reach out to me, why now?”

“Because of what you said to Dad!” She finally admitted, matching his anger. “You told Dad if he made you choose between Cian and the family, you’d choose her and it dawn on me that I really don’t want to lose you! Though my pride doesn’t allow me to show it, I hang onto the good times we shared as kids and deep down I want to go back to it. I want moments like you have with Bianca. I want to be able to call you with my problems and listen to yours.”

Wilson scratched his head in disbelief. “So all this time and you actually love me?”

“Hold on!” Giana crossed her arms, “I didn’t say all that!” She cracked a smile. “Now explain. I know you’re not planning on leaving without Cian, so what’s with the boxes?”

“Before all of this happened, I brought Cian and painting studio in Canopy Bay. I planned to surprise her with it on Christmas morning but…” He looked away, “Now that I know what she’s going through and that I have no way of knowing where she is, I can’t keep still so I’m going to set everything up for her.”

“But you do know where she’ll be tomorrow. The engagement party.”

Wilson’s face lit up like a million streetlights. Ramone called himself being the master of deception, doing everything in his power to keep them apart but in his quest to break Wilson he’d made a critical mistake by sending the De Lucas’ an invitation. “Shit!” Wilson palmed his face, “I balled it up and-”

Giana smiled from ear to ear, pulling the crumpled piece of paper from her jacket pocket, sat it on the trunk of Wilson’s car and walked away. “See, it pays off to have me around!” She called over her shoulder as she crossed the street.

“No hug?” He called behind her with a smile.

“Sorry,” Giana opened her car door glancing over her shoulder, “I don’t like you that much!”

Wilson took the rest of the boxes back into the house and jumped in the car. If he was going to crash this party, he’d need something to wear.

**Sorry if this doesn't make much sense. I needed to close the gap between the last prompt and the next one which will begin a chain of BIG events. Thank you so much Val and Shauna for being my eyes!

58. Shade

2011-02-15T19:24:00.003-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Cian, Giana
Prompt: 58. Shade
Word Count: 522 ish
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: Cian’s unexpected run-in
Warnings: none
** Used a different definition for Shade.

After carefully putting her clothes back on, Cian exited the changing room to find Yolanda and Ramone outside talking. She didn’t dare intrude on their conversation fearing it would lead to one of those bad days she always tried to avoid. She headed toward the make-up wall, eyeing the large variety of color pallets and bottles foundation in every shade. She picked up a bottle, squeezed a small amount on the back of her hand in search of the one matching her complexion to hide the bags under her eyes and bruises that might show depending on the dress Ramone wanted her to wear at tomorrow’s engagement party.

“Can I help you with something?” A feminine voice startled her causing her to squeeze too much foundation onto her hand.

“No thanks.” She said quickly, placing the bottle back onto the shelf, not allowing the woman to see her face.

“Are you sure?” She moved a little closer to Cian, “With the way he watches you, this might be your only chance to get a message to my brother.”

Cian glanced over her shoulder in shock. “Long time, Cian.” Giana’s smile faded as she scanned Cian’s face. She’d seen Cian when she walked in with Ramone and his mother, putting two and two together. In fifteen years she still looked the same to Giana, only taller and with longer hair. Cian nodded quickly, a faint smile curling the right corner of her mouth as she thought about the things Wilson told her about Giana and their strained relationship. Cian was almost certain that Giana would frown upon their relationship like everyone else but with her hands clammy and shaking underneath her arms, she was happy and hoping she was wrong. She glanced over at the door and saw Ramone and Yolanda engaging in what appeared to be a heated argument.

“Let me.” Giana picked up the right shade of foundations for Cian’s skin tone and dabbed it onto her face with a cosmetic sponge. “You know,” Giana dropped another small portion of foundation on the sponge, “Wilson is losing his mind over you too.” She brought the sponge up to Cian’s cheek and began patting it in. “I usually try to ignore him and all his bullshit but it’s kind of hard to when you can feel his pain. For a while he refused to move from in front of your house and only did it because Bianca got into trouble and he had to save her as always.” She rolled her eyes, screwing the top back onto the bottle. Giana's fast paced rambling covered everything from the way Wilson stormed into their house and confessed his love for her to the selling of his club and efforts put into finding her. Cian lowered her head once again feeling the need to bawl her eyes out over Wilson.

“Is there some way he can contact you?” She glanced over her shoulder before asking.

“No. Ramone only gives me my phone when my parents call. He monitors my e-mails and has me in and out of hotels to keep my friends from finding us.” Cian looked up at the door once again, “I need to get over by the door before he gets angry. He said he'd hurt him if I..." She hesitated tellingl her of Ramone's threat, "Please tell Wilson we’re at the Hillshire Hotel, room 420. Tell him I love him and…I’m sorry!”

Giana brushed her arms gently, smiling at the flash of light in Cian's eyes, "Don't worry! I'll tell him right away"

Feeling sadness and a flutter of hope in the pit of her stomach she moved toward the door with a little extra pep in her step. Little did she know Ramone was two steps ahead and they’d be moving again tonight. Long gone before Wilson or anyone else could even get to her.

67. Snow

2011-02-15T19:23:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Cian, Yolanda
Prompt: 67. Snow
Word Count: 894
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: An unlikely person comes to Cian’s aide
Warnings: Abuse
**

One week later..

Emerging from the small changing room in the last modern wedding dress Ramone had selected for her, all eyes seemed to be on her. It was a white as snow, clung to her body like a second skin, and contoured her curves with a rhinestone pattern that outlined her bust and hips. She gazed at her reflection, caring nothing about the dress or the way she looked in it but focused on the face she no longer recognized.

Her frown was permanent, and the dark circles underneath her eyes made her look aged, tired, and as if she were seconds away from death. She’d put on weight from binge eating her pain away and felt just as terrible as she looked but tried her best to hide it in front of Ramone’s company. She had to be on her best behavior like a child afraid of being scolded, in a way, that’s what she was. Every ounce of fight left in her had been beaten out through his verbal abuse, threats to harm Will, and constant need to inflict pain on her when she felt bold enough to rebel against him. She’d quickly learned not to fight him or even part her lips to protest something he wanted. Doing such would lead her to a twisted wrist, a new bruise, or humiliating sex that gave the feeling of being dirty and cheap.

Yolanda gasped, approaching her from behind, “You look gorgeous!” She clasped her hands, gazing at Cian through the mirror, “How do you feel?”

Cian lowered her head, something she’d be taught to do to avoid questions about her change in appearance, “Like a bride.” She mumbled in a low flat tone. She smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle on the front of her dress, carefully running her hand over a sensitive spot on her ribs underneath it, a deep bruise Ramone had left on her for asking her father if he’d seen Renee.

Yolanda waited for Cian’s eyes to meet hers but it never happened. Instead, Cian continued to look down at the floor, left with her thoughts. They were no longer centered on Will. Thinking of him would induce tears and that would infuriate Ramone ten times over. “Cian?” Yolanda grabbed her arm from behind, “You look tired and stressed. Are you sure you want to have this wedding so soon?” She tried again to catch Cian’s eyes.

Cian nodded, “Ramone wants to be married on Valentines Day. In the snow. It always snows on Valentines Day.” She mumbled, again brushing away and imaginary wrinkle.

“Yes, but what do you want?” Yolanda watched her through the mirror. She’d noticed the changes in Cian and instantly became concerned. Each time she questioned Cian about it, her son would step in and label it as wedding stress or PMS but Yolanda knew better.

She’d tried to get Cian alone on several occasions but Ramone was always there, watching her carefully, moving every time she moved.

“Here, let me help you out of this dress.” She pulled Cian close to her.

“No! I uh, it’s an easy zipper, I can get it.” Cian held her hand over the zipper trying to show Yolanda she could do it on her own but Yolanda insisted, brushing her hands out of the way to undo the long side zipper and clasps. Cian shivered as the cold air hit her ribs, lingered as Yolanda stopped and gaped at the enormous purple and green bruise extending from her ribs in the direction of her hip.

She zipped the dress up quickly, turning her back to Ramone while pulling Cian in front of her, pretending to adjust the dress, “Ramone hits you?” She growled in a low tone thinking of how Ramone claimed he loved this girl and needed her in his life. Cian’s lower lip answered for her as she bit back the urge to cry. “Listen and you listen to me good! I’ve made a lot of mistakes when it comes to the things I let Ramone get away with. I regretted it then and to this very day I’ve never forgiven myself for it. Don’t be like me, Cian! Don’t put up with his shit until you’re knee deep in it and can’t climb out! That is a mistake that will forever haunt you, trust me! Do you want to go through with this wedding?”

Cian looked up for the first time from underneath her brows. She mouthed a quick ‘no’ then returned her gaze back to the floor. “Get out of this dress and I’ll get rid of Ramone so we can talk more. I can never take back the things in the pass but with you there is still time.” She kissed Cian’s forehead and made her way down the small set of stairs. She noticed Ramone watching Cian like a hawk and wondered if her little chat would land the poor girl in trouble once they got back to their hotel room. He’d move Cian from room to room to keep her isolated but sold everyone else a story of them wanted to feel like they were completely alone.

“You, outside, right now!” Yolanda approached him with and apparent attitude. She’d once thought she was protecting her baby but now saw him for what he really was, a heartless animal that needed to be caged.

65. Winter

2011-02-15T15:15:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Wilson, Renee
Prompt: 65. Winter
Word Count: 481
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: Wilson is in search of answers
Warnings: Language
**

Two days eariler...

Wilson ran just about every light on the way to Cian’s apartment. Steering recklessly with one hand, he continued dialing her number repeatedly, each time going straight to voice mail. There was no doubt in his mind now that she was avoiding him but that was about to end. He pulled up in front of her building, barely waiting for the car to shut down completely before he hopped out and stomped toward her from door, crushing dehydrated leaves and grinding the gravel beneath his heavy boots.

He took the stairs two at a time, banging on the door as hard as he could until his fist was red and bruised. He wished it was Ramone’s face he was pounding, the so called friend that’d once again stolen his heart from him. He pounded the door again, gaining momentum as he thought more about the situation. She was marrying him, planning to spend the rest of her life allowing Ramone to kiss and hold her the way he should’ve been the last few weeks, the way he should be right this minute.

Wilson turned his back to the door and plopped down on the cold concrete step. It didn’t matter what would come of this situation when he did speak to her, he would still fuck Ramone’s world up! For every second he spent away from her, he’d repay Ramone with a bone shattering punch. For each image that floated across his brain of Cian and Ramone being intimate, he’d repay with another punch. For each time his heart bled over the thought of no longer having her, he’d repay Ramone for.

Despite the winter air blowing against his bare arms, chilling his bones harshly, he was fuming and refused to move from that very spot. She had to come home sometime and if that meant staying there on that step the entire winter, then so be it. Wilson rubbed his head, unable to brush back thoughts of Ramone’s last words. He’d stated his plans without saying it the day he’d found out about their relationship but why was Cian ignoring him? Why hadn’t she tried to contact him and at least tell him to his face that it was over? Wilson was confused. Torn between what he knew and what he thought he’d knew and there was only one thing he knew for sure; he’d lost Cian before and this time wasn’t beyond his control. She was his and he refused to let her go without a fight.

“Will?” Renee called to him with a shaky voice. She’d sat Eric down and was about to explain everything to him when she heard the banging at the front door. Telling Wilson what’d happen was the next step after telling Eric but now that he was here, she could kill two birds with one stone, “Will come in. We need to talk.”

90 Gluttony

2011-02-14T22:00:00.003-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Cian
Prompt: 90. Gluttony
Word Count: 362
Rating: PG
Type: series
Summary: Cian force feeds herself and over does it
Warnings: none really.
**
Two days later...

The smell of burgers, onions, and melted cheese filled the room and irritated Cian’s stomach. With everything going on inside her head, the stress, and sad reality of being forced to marry Ramone, she’d lost the desire to eat and it was beginning to take a toll on her. She was tired. Lacking the energy to stand up on her own two feet for more than 20 minutes and even snatch her hair out of that bun and into something that didn’t make her face look so fat.

She frowned upon the food, determined to make up for the days she went without. Leaning forward, she spooned a small portion of ice cream into her mouth, moaning as she chewed a chunk of cookie dough. It was sweet, creamy, a welcomed pleasure she’d been in need of for much too long. She missed chewing, missed the satisfied feeling of full. In a rush to get to that point, she began shoving handfuls of food in her mouth, mixing everything in her hands before she chewed it harshly and swallowed.

Out of nowhere her stomach pumped, sending the food back up her throat, filling her cheeks. Cian shut her eyes as tight as she could, forced it back down as it found its way back up. She swallowed hard once again, turning her face up to the ceiling to brush back the tears brought on by the force of her stomach.

A sour taste of grease and salt combined with stomach acid lingered on her tongue, threatening to make her stomach lurch again. After a few deep breaths, she kept it down, feeling the need to shove more into her mouth but unable to force herself to repeat the process. This was exhausting. She was exhausted. Each day brought about something different but it always resulted in discomfort. Her head was still hurting, her stomach pangs unbearable, and both her body and soul ached. Ached from the verbal and physical abuses she endured for only staring at a picture of Wilson she had taken while they were away, ached for Wilson's smile and touch, ached for Wilson all together.

We should have stayed on the island. She thought, breaking out into tears and crying harder than ever before. She’d been doing a lot of that too, crying over every little thing she encountered. Ramone stood on the other side of the room, watching the scene unfold with a smirk on his face, “Sick or not, you’ll give me what I want tonight.”

86. Laughter

2011-02-14T11:04:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Renee, Eric, Ramone
Prompt: 86. Laughter
Word Count: 336
Rating: PG
Type: series
Summary: Renee makes a discovery and falls apart
Warnings: none really.
**

“Flashing…flashing…” Renee repeated as she watched the test results slowly appear. It would make perfect sense if it came out to be positive, explain the sudden increase in emotions, and little patience she had for everyone. Ramone played a role in that change but she was content with this excuse. As the words began to appear she silently promised herself that she’d tell Eric about Ramone and also apologize to Cian for avoiding her. She missed her friend severely but couldn’t look her in the eye without falling apart over the fact that she’d once tried to convince Cian to give him a chance. Almost placed her in the hands of danger.

“Pregnant.” She mumbled, taking a deep breath and releasing it with a sigh. She blinked hard, looked at the test again and this time, laughed at the fact that she’d thought she was seeing things. It was positive. In bold black letters and clear as day. Renee sighed again as she made her way out of the bathroom. It was best to tell him while she was still trying the digest the idea of being a mother.

Renee followed the sound of laughter, knitting her brows as she saw Eric sitting next to the TV instead of in front of it. Who was he talking to? Laughing with? “Eric?” She inched forward and stopped when Ramone’s eye’s met hers.

“Hey Babe!” Eric beamed, “Guess what! Cian and Ramone are getting married!”

Renee’s eyes widened and her hands began to shake. She looked passed Ramone to Cian who was avoiding her gaze. She was staring dead ahead playing with her fingers as if she couldn’t hear anything that was going on in the room. “Cian, can I talking to you for a minute?”

“We were just leaving.” Ramone answered for her, leading Cian off of the sofa.

“It will only take a second.” She spoke through clenched teeth, watching Eric’s attention fall upon her through the corner of her eye.

“Sorry Renee. We have some arrangements that need to be taken care of. She’ll call you.” He turned smoothly flashing a smile before leading Cian out of the apartment.

“What the hell was that about?” Eric stood with the intention of pulling her into a hug. Renee pushed away from him and locked herself in the bathroom, her loud sobs ripping through the door.

89. Lips

2011-02-14T10:58:00.001-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Cian, Gary, Ramone
Prompt: 89. Lips
Word Count: 524
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: Cian learns her fate
Warnings: none really. Just not a nice prompt.
**

“Cian!” Gary rushed over to her, pulling her into a warm embrace. Cian smiled slightly trying to remember the last time she’d been hugged by her father.

He pulled away from her, a smiled plastered firmly across his lips, “Despite the fact that you quit your job, AGAIN, I am very proud of you and want you to know just how proud of you I am! I am going to take care of everything! Anything you want, Baby Girl, you got it!”

Cian stared at her father blankly. His lips were moving but she couldn’t understand a single word that escaped them.

“Dad?”

“No, Cian I mean it! You’ve always been a fan of diamonds and expensive gowns so just pick out the wedding dress of your dreams and Daddy will pay for it.”
Cian’s eyebrows instantly shot up with confusion. She looked over at Ramone, who’d made his way over to her and her father, gazing proudly.

“Wedding? Dad I don’t-”

“Don’t know when that is going to be just yet.” Ramone cut in changing her words around. “Excuse us please, Gary!” Ramone grabbed Cian by the wrist, dragging her into the small concrete laundry room, tightening his grip and they entered it. “What the fuc-” He threw his hand over her lips before she could finish speaking, pressing her back hard into the dusty rust stained wall. “Listen to me,” He pressed his hand tighter, causing her teeth to press hard into her lips, “We are now engaged and you will marry me in two months.” His voice was demanding, hard, cold. “I’ve done more for you than any woman. I was patient with you and yet you still betrayed me like Anna!” Cian balled her fists up against his chest and pushed as hard as she could.

Ramone used his body to pin her against the wall, placing both hands on each side of her. “Scream if you’d like. Your father loves me and will just think we’re celebrating!” He smiled confidently. Cian frowned as fear rose deep within her chest. Ramone leaned forward and licked her lips, moaning as if it were the best thing he’d ever tasted while his hard-on pressed against her with rage. “I want you so bad!” He groaned grinding against her, “But we’ll take care of that later. For now,” He straightened his back, forcing her eyes to look into his, “you need to know just how serious I am. From this point on, it is you and me. You will marry me! You will not leave my sight, or speak without my permission! If you even think about telling anyone that I am forcing you or trying to contact Wilson in any way, I will tied you to a chair and make you watch me kill him slowly!” Ramone’s last slap in the face came in the form of huge tears that escaped Cian’s eye at the thought of losing Wilson. Ramone forced his lips onto her, prying her mouth open with his tongue. “Com’on, Baby,” He pulled her off of the wall, “You’re Dad has a nice bottle of wine waiting for us.”

part IV

88. Lies

2011-02-14T10:54:00.001-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Wilson, Claudio
Prompt: 88. Lies
Word Count: 621
Rating: PG
Type: series
Summary: Will decides to tell his Dad how he feels
Warnings: none
**

Wilson stormed through the door, bypassing the butler and his formal greeting. “Dad?” He moved swiftly through the house until his nose caught the scent of pancakes. “Dad?” He rushed into the kitchen dead set on completing this mission, “Dad listen, things have not been the best between us and we’ve missed too many years! I know how strongly you feel about family being together and I agree! I think family should be together too and I’d love to rebuild our relationship but,” He broke off taking a deep breath, “I am in love with Cian! I gave my heart to her fifteen years ago when we shared our first kiss and I never asked for it back! Honestly, I don’t want it back! I want to fix things but…Dad, if you make me choose between Cian and this family, it will be Cian.” He took a series of calming breaths, his chest moved up and down harshly as he braced himself for a fight.

Claudio held his chin, nodded as his brain consumed the words he’d just heard his son speak with tremendous passion. He was his clone, a younger version of himself from his skin and hair to his strong personality. He admired Wilson’s determination, the boldness he showed by storming into his house and demanding his attention.

“First, Good Morning Wilson. Are you hungry?” He waited patiently for an answer and continued after Wilson nodded.

“Second, I want nothing more than to reconstruct our relationship as well but this thing with Cian I will not accept. Her father nearly ruined this family and I will not allow there to be any more chances of that.”

“That was he father! That has nothing to do with us!”

“It has everything to do with you! Gary is a lying manipulator! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“Cian is nothing like that!”

“And you know that how? Never be fooled by a pair of open legs, son! That will always lead you to heartache! ”

“Don't talk about her like she is some random whor-”

“Enough, Wilson! This is my house! I will say whatever I want in my house! Being friends with her is one thing but I am not going to stand here and believe for a second that you really love her when she doesn’t love you! Take my advice son, find yourself a nice white girl, court her like the gentleman I know you are, marry her and get over Cian. You will never be happy until you do.” Claudio scooped two extra pancakes onto Giana’s plate. “You sure you’re not hungry?” He waved the spatula.

“I’ll never be happy without her.” Wilson turned to leave.

“Wilson,” His father called to him as her rounded the corner into the foyer, “There is something on the table you need to see.” He sat the extra pancakes down on the island, “Giana, tell Bianca to come eat.” He walked around the island to catch up with Wilson.

Will approached the table and automatically his eyes fell upon a pink envelope in the center of the pile. He picked it up, running his eyes along the pairing of Cian and Ramone’s names before ripping it open.

His heart sank into the pit of his stomach initiating a wave of nausea. His entire body went numb; his thumb absently traced the raised designs on the card. He flipped over the card and read the details of this supposed engagement party set to take place on Christmas day. Wilson tried to push back the sudden rush of questions, realizations, missing pieces of the last few weeks that made sense now. Was this why she’d been avoiding him? Why she'd been so angry with him all of a sudden? Why she was refusing to see him?

He could no longer hide his pain as he crushed the invitation in the palm of his hand. “I wasn’t going to show you that but I needed you to see the ways of you beloved black princess. Lies and manipulation.

part II

53. Sun

2011-02-14T10:48:00.001-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Cian
Prompt: 53. Sun
Word Count: 521
Rating: PG
Type: series
Summary: Cian wakes up
Warnings: none
** Three day time jump

Three days later...

She tossed and turned, locked inside a reoccurring dream. She was a child, ten years old, trapped inside of a colorless room, plain white walls and a black floor.

She was scared, backed into a center of the room with her knees pulled into her chest, tears drenching her favorite pale yellow shirt with the flower pattern on the chest pocket. She screamed for help, they couldn’t hear her, couldn’t save her. She’d given up, laid on the ground in fetal position allowing her tears to fall freely. Then there he was, ten-year old Wilson.

His green eyes added color to the room, a light that’d encouraged her to get up off of the ground. He stood there, smiling a few feet away from her with his hand out. She held out her own but he didn’t move. She took a step forward, stopped and wiggled her hand for him to grab it. He stretched his hand further willing her to take another step. Instead of taking it, Cian dropped her hands to her side, “I’m scared!” She screamed to him, tears forming in her eyes once again. He continued to smile with his hand extended, “Give me your hand! I’ll lead you out of here.” Cian wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and took a step forward. As she grew closer to Wilson the ground cracked underneath her feet, slowly opened up into a gaping hole between them. “Help me Wilson!” She cried, holding her hand out for him.

He inched closer to the edge; his hand extended as far as he could. There fingers barley touched when she fell forward, into the deep dark hole.

She shot up; her eyes squinted from the blinding sun reflecting off the wall outside her window, straight onto her bed. She wiped the sweat from her face, unsure if it were just that or a mixture of tears. This dream was a sign. The kick in the ass she needed to see what was in front of her. Wilson was the light of her life and without him; everything was bland, colorless, and pointless. Without him she couldn’t eat, sleep, or even think straight. Cian sprung from her bed and dressed as quickly as she could. She was going to make this right. Tell her Dad exactly what she felt and then find Wilson and apologize for being the bratty little bitch she’d became in the last few weeks. It didn’t matter what her family thought. It didn’t matter if they disowned her. Wilson was all she wanted, all she needed. With him she’d make a new family, one filled with love that wasn’t restricted by color and founded on lies.

******

Walking around the side of the house she rehearsed her words carefully. Still angry over her spat with Phaedra days before her headache was still present. She calmed herself, held her hand over her eyes to keep the sun from infuriating the throbbing in her head even further. Approaching the door, she was surprised by the company her father was keeping, a face she hadn’t seen in weeks.

“Ramone?”

part II

52. Star

2011-02-13T12:27:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama
Characters: Cian, Phaedra, Angel
Prompt: 52. Star
Word Count: 936 ish
Rating: R
Type: series
Summary: Cian has a bad day
Warnings: Language
** Two week time jump

Two weeks later...

Instead of celebrating the gaining of a star and great reviews from the city’s most feared food critics, Cian retreated to the kitchen and proceeded to hand wash the silverware. She’d awakened that morning alone and with a headache that seemed to intensify with everything she encountered. The sounds of everyone clapping, her hair touching her neck, the refection of light shining off the counter and table tops, the smell of Apple Brown Betty that they were severing with every meal as a token of their appreciation for the loyal customers were all agitating. She was irritable over not hearing from Ramone and even more now that she and Will were at odds over the privacy of their relationship. He was tired of being a secret now. Tired of being her friend in public and her lover behind doors. A simple question about telling their parents turned into an argument with Wilson storming out of her apartment and them not speaking. Each time he called to apologize, she ignored it, had been for the last 4 days. There was nothing to say right now. No need to argue over something neither would win.

“I know what you’re doing!” Phaedra stomped into the kitchen, the hum of the diner’s many conversations followed. Cian took a deep breath, feeling her head throb and her entire body heat up. “You and Ramone!” She added with more attitude. “You’re using him to win Dad over and take this diner from under me and I’m not going to let that happen! While you were off in la la land painting pretty rainbows and shit, I was in this diner working myself to the bone! If you think you can just waltz in here, change a few things and get us a star and then take over my position, you’ve slipped and bumped that pretty little head of yours cause-”

“Just shut the fuck up, Phaedra!” Cian snapped throwing her hand up to quiet her. Her blood was boiling, her head pounding like a thousand drums. “All you do is bitch and whine about this fucking diner like this is where I want to be! I don’t give a fuck about you or this stupid ass diner, Phaedra! In fact,” She untied her apron and dropped it on the floor, “I’m done with this shit so I can go paint pretty rainbows and shit!” She brushed past her sister nearly knocking her over, “And you don’t have to pretend like you’re not listening Marissa!” She added on her way out the door. Cian snatched her purse from her locker, ignoring the signals from the tables she waited until one man screamed for her. “Sorry. I no longer work here but if you wait a few minutes, the bitch in the purple shirt will be out to assist you!” She said calmly, shoving her way out of the front door.

The cool air engulfed her, gave her much needed comfort with each step she took into it. Her body was on fire, the sweat trailing down her back cooled with slight blows from the wind, calming her, inducing a smile she hadn’t been able to form in days.

“You broke my brother’s heart...” Angel’s voice stopped her just as she made it to her car, “so you know I should break your face for that.”

Cian took another deep breath, turning to face her with her hands firmly on her hips. She wasn’t in the mood for any conversation, let alone one that involves threats that would never be carried out. “The minute I saw you,” Angel began to walk toward her, “I knew you were nothing but a street rat! Nowhere near good enough for my brother and definitely wrong for Wilson!”

Cian laughed, felt as if a switch had been hit, “Am I supposed to be hurt over the opinion of a whore?” She shrugged.

Angel smirked, a little surprised by Cian’s tone and choice of words, “A whore am I? Well this whore had your man.”

“Had, Baby! It’s my name rolling off his tongue now!” Cian retorted, surprising herself with each word.

Angel began to close the gap between them, her eyes burning red with each step. She stopped a few feet in front of Cian, suddenly deciding not to put her hands on her, “Why am I even letting you piss me off? You’re just a sad little black girl in big girl panties! I could have Wilson any day, and way that I want and there is nothing you could do about it! Just remember the next time he fucks you, he learned it with me!” Angel’s angry scowl turned into a smile before she switched away, leaving Cian to fume in the middle of the street. Cian rubbed her face roughly as she yanked open her car door and threw her purse inside. It smacked against the window, the metal zipper connected with the glass cracking it slightly. Cian dropped into the car, pressing her head against the steering wheel. Her phone vibrated violently inside of her purse causing it to move across the floor of the car. She lean over and snatched it out, frowning at Wilson’s name and number. This day had gone from bad to worse, her head was aching out of control and all she wanted now was a hot shower and sleep. Rubbing her finger over the ‘reject’ button she waited for it to stop ringing before dropping the phone into her lap. Everything that could have gone wrong today had gone wrong and she wasn’t going to take that chance with Wilson.

82. Content

2011-02-12T11:59:00.000-05:00

Genre: Drama, Romance
Characters: Wilson, Cian, Ramone
Prompt: 82. Content
Word Count: 972 ish
Rating: M
Type: series
Summary: The secret is out...sort of
Warnings: Sexual situation
**

One week later...

Cian pried her eyes open as she heard her phone ringing in the other room. Instead of getting up to answer it she laid there, her cheek warm against Wilson’s chest, listening to his heart beating steadily. Their mornings had been like this since they returned home. They’d spend the night in each other’s arms, part during the day like a married couple and repeat the cycle. She was content with this arrangement. Content with the way they did everything privately instead of out in the open amongst the smart comments and disapproving stares. Wilson on the other hand, hated the idea of being cooped up in the house and only agreed to it to keep her happy. Cian felt guilty for keeping their relationship a secret but until they were both ready to deal with the backlash from their families, this is how it had to be.

She slowly lifted her head from his chest, softly pressing her hands into the cushions in an attempt to move without waking him. She winced as the springs underneath her knees squeaked. Half way off of the sofa she felt his hand slide up her leg. “Leaving me?” He questioned gruffly with his eyes still closed as he pulled her back down on him. “I have to start getting ready for work...” She whispered back, “unless you want to give me a Good Morning quickie.”

Wilson opened one eye and grinned, “You can’t be late just laying here with me but you can be late for a quickie?”

“Yup.” She retorted “At least I’ll be late and smiling!”

Wilson chuckled, massaging his eyes with his left index and thumb, “You didn’t get enough last night?”

“You’re a drug! I never get enough!” She sat up, pulling her shirt up over her hips straddling him, “Come on.”

Wilson laughed, “You’re going to get more than a quickie if you keep playing.”

“Playing? Don’t make me take it, Wilson.” She pulled at the draw string on his pants.

He laughed again catching her hands before she could get them inside his pants. “Seriously Cian, we ran out of condoms last night.”

“Ok.” She slid her hands from underneath his and continued her path down his pants.

“Ok what?” He grabbed her hands again.

“Ok, just a little bit.” She whined.

“You’re asking for trouble!”

“But you want it too!” She wiggled her hips on top of him, pointing out the fact that he was already erect. She moved her hips again causing him to close his eyes, a frustrated groan escaped from his throat. The warmth between her legs was already getting to him and the simple hip movements were making it worse.

The third time she moved, he gripped her hips and flipped her onto her back pushing her night shirt up further. Cian squealed with delight as Wilson’s lips pressed against her neck. Slipping her hands into his waistband, a knock at the door caused them to freeze.

“Ignore it.” Cian continued but he held her hands still once again.

“Might be Renee. If you don’t answer, she’ll come in. You want her to see us like this?”

Cian thought about it and rolled her eyes, roughly pulling her shirt down as she got up. Whoever was at the door would not be greeted with a smile but a raw expression of sexual frustration instead. She turned the locks angrily, swinging the door open with a smirk that quickly changed.

“Buenos Dia-” Ramone’s voice trailed off.

Cian glanced quickly over her shoulder. Will was gone, must have eased off of the sofa as she made her way to the door.

Ramone’s eyes lingered on the fresh red mark burned into her neck, “Pasión,” He brought his hand up and caressed it, “the mark of lovers.” His eyes burned with anger and jealousy but he maintained a saddened expression. Cian’s mouth open and without a word closed, at a loss for words, an excuse, the right way to apologize. She glanced over her shoulder again, this time spotting Will in her kitchen. She was thankful that he was pulling through her refrigerator and not focusing on who was at the door.

As if he were reading his mind, Ramone stepped toward her wrapping his arms around her in plain view, caressing her lower back, pulling her against his chest. Cian tensed, brought her hands up to her chest to keep a little space between them. “We can still be friends at least.” There was a question in there somewhere, lost between the flurries of emotion. “I’m sorry.” She lowered her eyes with shame and nothing more to say. “Don’t be. It’s just not our time yet and I understand that.” He kissed the top of her head tenderly. “I came to see if you wanted a ride to work. The offer still stands.” He leaned back to see her face. “Thanks but I’m not going in until later.” She avoided his eyes, unable to shake off the overwhelming feeling of guilt coursing through her body. He kissed her again, sliding his hand from her shoulders to her hands until he was holding her fingertips. He reluctantly pulled away backing out of the building with a faint smile.

Cian closed the door behind him and Wilson emerged from the kitchen with his arms crossed. “He was ok with it.” She laughed in disbelief pacing the floor. Will stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her to hold her in place. “He was ok with it.” She repeated, rubbing the spot he’d touched so gently. While Cian felt guilt for Ramone’s broken heart even more now that he’d seemed ok with it, Wilson wasn’t buying. Something about the words Ramone used, the way he said “not our time yet” played in mind over and over right along with Cian’s reaction, a reaction that confused him and gave him a bad feeling.

** Forgive me if this does not make sense. I am hung over.