3X05 “Better Than the Last”
Written by: Chris Coleman and Kelly Zollo
GS: Eugene Wright (Michael Imperioli), Constanza Wright (Edie Falco), Mimi Wright (Kristen Bell)
Theme Song: This Years Love ~ David Gray
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zN4_7hq77g

Tamara placed the sapphire butterfly hair clip into her hair as she looked outside of Lauren’s cabin. Looking into the mirror she was done up perfectly. She heard Dani and Lauren squabbling and she giggled wondering if Mimi and her parents had arrived. She picked up a lip gloss and applied it to her lips. Her wedding dress was her grandmothers and actually came from Europe. It was from the Chanel altier which fitted it on grandma Odette who had one of the smallest waist ever. Well it was until her hips spread like butter on bread as her mother would say. Picking the daisies she placed them in her hair strategically she didn’t want to look like a sixties flower child. As she stood up she looked at herself in a gown and felt completely beautiful. Her son and dad were walking her down the aisle today and afterwards they’d be in Puerto Rico dancing the night away. Her daughter would be staying with Lauren and Dylan was going to a lacrosse camp. Spraying on perfume she looked up hearing the loud voices she snickered. There they were. Her mom, dad, and sister were here. Her nephew was no doubt at football camp or some other sports activity. She would miss him but she was excited to see Mimi.

Hearing a knock on the door she turned around to see Lauren walking in with Delilah in the most adorable gown. Gasping to see her baby girl she rushed to Lauren. For the first few weeks she thought she had postpartum depression, however it was fear. Fear that the police would take her to jail. It had been two months since she was questioned and the case must have gotten cold. She was spending so much time with Delilah and Dylan it made her feel so good. As she walked to her daughter she took her in her arms and smiled brightly at her. “Hello, my beautiful little girl. Hi Lilah, how are you?” She said kissing her and snuggling with her daughter. “You have to take her before she vomits on my dress.” She said laughing as handed her to Lauren who was in a stunning royal blue gown that fit her. “You’re looking good Randall will be all over you.” She reapplied her lip gloss as Delilah began to cry. “She’s being fussy today.”

Lauren looked at Tamara and her breath was taken away. Her mother was downstairs unloading so much Italian food she was sure she could feed a small army. She placed Delilah in the bassinet and looked at her future daughter-in-law. “I know back in the past I wasn’t the nicest to you. I was a snob and I thought I knew what my son needed. I wanted him with Selina because selfishly it was an entrance back into a world I never quite belonged in. Then all of the sudden you were back in Dylan and all of our lives. Then it became so clear that I was wrong. I was so wrong about you honey. You are such a strong woman, and an a even more amazing mother. But as a wife you are going to shine. I’ve been weary about the people coming into our family. Between Greer and that Willow girl the LeClerq really like the Fraiser but you are a welcomed member because you’ve always been a member of my family. From the moment you got pregnant you were my daughter and I want you to know.”

She paused as she wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry but I’m so proud of you. I think about your addiction and what you went through last year.” Refusing to say Dimitri’s name she wouldn’t bring that up tonight. “You absolutely deserve this honey. You know that? You deserve to be happy and if I ever made you doubt how special you truly are. Well I was a dumb and you have given me Dylan and my very special granddaughter. Oh don’t tell Jolene but you’re my favorite.” Lauren rocked the bassinet and saw Tamara smiling at her daughter. “Having one changes things. Having a little girl makes you see how special it is to be just a woman.”

“You say Jolene is your favorite when Delilah isn’t here I heard you.” Tamara said playfully, handing Lauren a tissue. “I want to say I know it wasn’t easy being around me. I was a junkie and I was troubled. But you also showed so much humility to me even through my addiction. You gave me a kick in the ass and I haven’t forgotten your tongue lashings but I also know they came with love and thank-you.” She said reaching her hand out to Lauren. “Thank-you for being here for me and Delilah. Lauren I was so scared with her at first. It was like I could feel him still and I think I couldn’t believe I was so happy and I had her.” Exhaling touching her chest. “You talked me through it. I beat him and I finally feel like it’s over. He’s gone and she’s here and I’m here with the man who I love and I’m clean and I’m strong. I’m so full of happiness and love right now.”

Lauren sniffled as she wiped her eyes. “Oh Jackie hired a makeup lady and she did me all up. I’m so pissed you’re making me cry already and Randall hasn’t even seen me.” She laughed as she walked to Tamara and hugged her. “You are my daughter just like Dani and my little angel Victoria. You are so much apart of this family because you gave me my first grandchild and I’ll never be able to repay you for the love you’ve given me Dylan and Delilah. You say that you are full of love? Tamara, the only thing that can make this better is if Victoria was here with us. But today and tonight is a celebration of your rebirth. You are free from those pains and understand you always have a home and family with me.” Lauren held Tamara in her arms as she heard a knock at the door.  Handing Tamara the wedding band for her son. “Come in and please tell me Jackie’s makeup artist hasn’t gone home?” She chuckled as she looked at Constanza and Mimi at the door. Now Mimi was polite and brash at times but Constanza was bold and loud. Italian to the core and she is proud of it. Her big hair, long nails, and incessant gum chewing made Lauren almost want to scream. She could tell she was a beauty in her day and still was now but she looked like something from the Real Housewives of Jersey. They’d never gotten along but today she wouldn’t be petty or mean spirited unless Constanza came out with jabs.

Mimi had managed a cordial hello to Dani before she turned her attention back to zipping up her mother’s dress in the other room, eyeing Dani as she left, uptight bitch but today was about her sister. It was about Tamara finding her happiness in the darkness of the last year with everything that happened and of course her watching Braden Fraiser like a hawk he stepped out of line with Selina again she was bringing the Bronx to him and not in a good way. She would call uncle Carlo if she had too and she was sure she could round up a few cousins along the way. Of course the night before she and her mother had worked on the sauce for the meatball appetizers getting glares from Lauren along the way at the kitchen was a damn near disaster towards the end. They had pride though and despite the event being catered at the Pub Tamara’s family was going to pull their weight and if that meant the family homemade sauce and meatballs then that was what they were going to do. By the time that she had looked at her watch she could tell it was almost time as she and her mother made their way to her sister who was there with Lauren. Her sister looked absolutely stunning.

“You look amazing so much better than you know that bride six months ago. Plus it’s not like a murder is going to happen at your wedding.” Mimi said seeing the look of horror on Lauren’s face and the glare her sister shot her she didn’t care. Her mother was beaming at her cattiness when it came to the job everyone knew that awful wedding in the papers was a fucking disaster of the rich and the luxurious walking around above everyone else. “Plus I wanted to steal my adorable little niece for a bit while momma and I sat for a glass of wine before you walk down the aisle.” Mimi said walking to Lauren and gently snatching Delilah from her before going to the side table where the bottle of chardonnay was before she poured them all a glass.

Constanza had shopped for over three weeks for the perfect mother of the bride gown hell she and Eugune had even stretched the budget for her she was not going to be out shined by Lauren Fraiser at the event. Though Braden and Tamara had paid for most of the wedding on their own it was almost like she felt intimidated by Lauren and her beauty so she had settled on the soft pastel pink crystal like gown and simply nodded into the mirror when she was done. She’d caught a glimpse of the dress that Lauren had and mentaly she was already thinking of how tacky the flirty dress was for a woman in her fifties. She had to bite her tongue the last few days staying at Lauren’s cabin and watching her fawn over her lover, the poor fucking children. Not her business but it didn’t stop her from gossiping to Mimi about it or her sisters about how messy the Fraiser’s were or how hypocritical they were most of the time. She and Mimi had slaved over the meatballs at the oven and the sauce. The look on Lauren’s face when it spilled on her precious obviously second rate quartz countertops was worth the hours. She of course played nice with Lauren’s daughter, unbearable twit who made Tamara miserable for years and then of course there was her soon to be son in law. She only hoped it would work this time for everyone’s sake. They wouldn’t be pushovers or shut out of her granddaughter’s life this time like they had been denied Dylan.

“You look so amazing Tamara and the dress is simply stunning not to mention elegant and charming exactly like a catholic girl should be dressed. You father and I spoke about this at mass last week. How much we would love to take Dylan when you guys visit for Christmas this year.” Constanza said instantly kissing both of her daughter’s cheeks while she did so looking at Lauren if they hated one thing it was how staunch catholic her side of the family was. Perhaps if Lauren and Walter had put more God into their lives and less affairs, side children and squabbling they would still be married. “Your father and I are so proud of everything you have overcome this year and with Braden by your side you know for a minute we actually thought he was going to try and take Delilah again from you like he did with Dylan and let that girl he was married to back into their lives. We were both so relieved to have been proved wrong.” She said again as Mimi handed her a glass and she took a sip looking at Lauren. “Lauren, such a lovely outfit I mean if you were going for the loose look of course then again it must be so refreshing to be back on the market at our age.” She finished looking pointedly at the woman that she could be civil to for a few hours in the evening without really speaking her mind.

“I mean you wouldn’t know since you never married Eugene right?” Lauren shot back, picking up her glass and taking a sip. She saw Mimi almost spit her wine out. See why’d she have to make her do that? “Or did you two finally marry after years of the whole affair situation? I didn’t keep up and Tamara really doesn’t talk about you.” She smiled, showing her that she wouldn’t win this war. She knew that Eugene and Constanza finally married a few years back but she wasn’t going to tell her that. She knew all about Tamara’s conception and how she stole Eugene from another woman who happened to be his wife at the time. “Oh and I’m beautiful in my skin. It’s summer I wouldn’t dare wear a beaded gown.” Even though good time Connie looked nice she had to be scorching hot in that heavy gown. She was light and breezy and unfortunately she was looking elegant but over the top. For an outside summer wedding. “Love your shoes Constanza.”

Tamara saw her mother preparing to go back for the kill and immediately clapped her hands. Which seemed to draw everyone’s attention. “Hey this is my damn wedding and we aren’t going to be screaming or fighting. I’m not playing this is a peaceful zone. A couple of months ago Dani and Jackson had a hell of a wedding and we aren’t repeating that. So retract the damn claws ladies. Okay or else I’m going to go real Bronx on all of your asses.” Tamara felt so much like herself just yelling. Commanding a room is something she didn’t do anymore because she was always sad or pitied. This was her coming back. “Alright now Mimi help me get my eyeliner right because I’ve been crying happy tears and I’m not going down that aisle looking like a mess. Okay? It’s so good to have you both here. Ma I can smell the meatballs. I’m so hungry.”

**********

Braden looked out over the walkway towards where the makeshift altar was set up at the edge of the lake in the grass area picnic tables decorated. The reception of course was going to be at the Pub but the ceremony it felt fitting to do it by the lake a small ceremony. Close friends and family guests, they had decided they didn’t want the spectacle of a big event. Plus they had already done the big wedding planning when Dylan was born and it ended in disaster. He hadn’t slept solidly in three weeks up on and off with Delilah, who he decided was the most adorable awful sleeper he ever knew. He had been hands on with Dylan of course but not like he was with Delilah mainly because he was only home a week or two before reality set in that he had to go back to work. This time it was different he was able to be home and help with Delilah, he and Tamara were taking things slow but marrying her he was sure was the right thing to do, he loved her, loved the family that they had made despite what happened between them in the past. The worst thing about Atlas Falls in end of June early July was the heat and the mosquitoes. In this case the heat as he loosened his tie and watched his father approaching him.

“I think I would have rather been married inside a church, the Pub or at least somewhere with AC. Everything okay with Tamara?” Braden said looking at his father and then lover at the edge of the lake where Dylan was with Tamara’s father Eugene, he was nervous too for today what if Dimitri continued to haunt them? More so Tamara he could tell something was off with her but hadn’t brought it up, the therapist they were seeing he had no idea if she knew or not but it was almost like his dead ghost was haunting them. Eventually Tamara had relaxed enough at home that his fear had subsided Tamara was able to relax and it was good at home. His mother had taken care of most of the wedding planning and he almost laughed she was beyond happy to do it again hopefully with less chaos than his sisters wedding. “I’m glad you’ll be standing up for me today, Brock, Zach, KC and Devin. I just kinda wish that you know, he was here too.” Braden said it had been weird not having Jon as his best man.

Walter had made the rounds helped Lauren and oddly enough Randall help set everything up with Eugene and Constanza though he had a feeling she was going to feed everyone a five course meal before the reception. He had went and saw Dylan reminding him that he was doing an important job walking his mother down the aisle was such an honor and responsibility he had been met with teenage angst in return and an eye roll. He remembered Braden as a teen and for the most part his son was pretty normal his daughter on the other hand had been the rebellious one, breaking rules, breaking curfew and he looked at Braden understanding the sentiment it was hot out. Thankfully after everyone said I do they could retire back to the Pub for the reception which included AC, music and an after party. This would be the second wedding in a year for their daily and he hoped this one went a bit smoother than the last. He just wanted Braden to be happy and it seemed like he was with Tamara and that was all he wanted. He had been miserable most of his marriage other then when Braden was born, some of when Dani was and then when they had Vicki, he had actually tried to make it work back then.

“Ah but this is what the bride wanted and happy wife happy life or so the saying goes perhaps I should have done that a little more. Tamara as far as I could tell was fine Contenza on the other hand she’s trying to feed a damned army I think, even though the guest list is under a hundred.” Walter said seeing Braden crack a small smile at him about all of it. He helped Braden straighten out his tie and then looked at his son he knew that they needed to have this talk it was fine for now to stay home, the savings were okay but his son also knew he had responsibilities. “Jon was hurt pretty badly and things were said that are hard to get over I would know my fallout with Lowell lasted over thirty years and look we’ve made amends.Who knows I am sure Jon will come back around.” Walter said not sure what to say to make that situation less painful ro awkward for all of them as he spotted Charles arrive to the wedding and decided it was best to change the subject. “So the job hunt how is that going?”

“Lowell didn’t exactly find out that you asked him to murder someone from your sister. I mean you two fell out over the Andromeda software and I don’t know the rest but you didn’t take advantage of something that was dark inside of him I did Jon and I inadvertently put Dani in the middle. Then Whitney put her in the middle and I get it he’s mad and angry and he has every right to be I just wish I could take that moment back I’m not proud of it.” Braden said looking at his father it was honestly the first time that he had spoken about the entire thing with Jon the last few months. He had thought about what he had done and he didn’t take it back he would ask someone else in a heartbeat maybe not Jon directly but hell maybe he could have asked Charles if he had too. He had been so angry about what happened with Dimitri that he wanted to take him out of the world and take away what he had done to Tamara. It was crazy he knew that now but he wanted to protect her no matter what. “I made a mistake you know one that I can’t take back. I mean at least you and Lowell reconciled when Dani married Jackson and had Donovan and JJ, it’s not like that with Jon.”

He bit his lip for a bit when his dad asked about the job hunt it was okay a few clients had come to see him it was enough to keep him busy and they wouldn’t be destitute but he missed working as a lawyer full time. He missed his office and what he was doing as DA he missed his career. “Honestly dad I’ve put out a few feelers I’ve had exactly four people reach out to me for my services surprisingly enough half of them from the Scottswood area. Everyone I do talk to is worried about stuff with Tamara that was said in the papers even though I’m highly qualified. I miss it, being in court arguing cases for the bad guys on the street though.” Braden said looking at his father for a moment when he looked him the worry on his father’s face and he shook his head. “It’s not like I’m destitute dad you and mom taught me to save I have savings and I’m sure something will come along and honestly if Tamara wanted her record is still clean she could go back to work down the line too. I like being home right now too with Lilah and Tamara plus I get to spend the summer so far with Dylan too.” Braden said wondering when the pestering was going to stop about his lack of a full time career.

Walter wasn’t quite sure how he was going to explain things to Braden about what happened all those years ago or if there even was a point now the feud for now with Lowell was gone. He supposed he could have held up a reunion and held onto his anger with Lowell especially now that the knew Lowell helped Brenda leave while she was pregnant. In his mind he would have been justified in doing so but on the other hand at what cost his daughter had married Jackson there was no taking it back now. They had children now children that were part Fraiser and part Devonshire he couldn’t change that. “Jon is angry right now and you are right the situations aren’t the exact same. But miracles do happen look at me and Lowell we made amends because we rediscovered our friendship and yes because of your sister. But I’m glad I’ve made peace with a man that I hated for a long time life is too short Braden. Jon will see that one day.” Walter said trying to be reassuring about everything that was going on with Jon. He cast a sideways glance at Charles who was signing the guest book.

“As for a job I could ask Charles if you would like I’m sure he may know of a firm or two in the state willing to take you on. Hell what asking Lex if his firm is hiring you’ve always mentored Mason and since Mason was hired there last year under Julian it could be a good fit.” Walter said looking at Braden almost burning hole into him when he looked at him this was so beyond what he thought it was a hand out. Fraiser’s were proud people and asking for favors wasn’t something that he knew that his son wanted people to think he did but he also knew there was no shame when it came to asking. “After Lowell fired me or outed me depending on how you look at it I had to crawl to your grandfather for a job, he laughed at me drunk. The point is asking around town with friends or acquaintances isn’t the end of the world. Push came to really shove and you were really desperate ask your sister.” Walter said and he was sure if Braden had a drink in his hand he may have tossed it at him and then he saw Jackson approaching them out of the corner of his eyes. “You could always ask him too I think he’d see.” Walter said before turning and smiling at Jackson. “Ah there he is, the man is going to revitalize Scottswood in a few weeks at the energy party and revolutionize an entire island too, putting DGI on the map, with my lovely daughter by his side. How are you ready for another wedding hopefully one with less chaos?”

“Hey my wedding made national news for weeks. I’m proud of that feet.” Jackson said begrudgingly without hesitation, being sarcastic as possible. “Hello, father-in-law and brother-in-law. I see you’re in a good mood.” He said looking at Walter. ”Good because I do believe it’s hot as hell and we all are ready for this wedding to begin and celebrate the newly weds at The Pub. Also Braden I couldn’t help but overhear your father. I also do believe that’s the point of him saying it. Walter you are about as subtle as a sledgehammer. We are looking for brilliant minds in our legal department. And no this is not a handout. You were first in your class in criminal justice and you graduated I believe sixth in your law school. You passed the bar on the first try and you’ve been an actual ADA. Now this isn’t not saving the world, it’s all about saving DGI. Legally it’s gray and we would need you to be flexible with the law. But it’s a big salary and it’s enough to make your ADA job look very small. No offense Braden but I’m not expecting you to answer today, more like after your honeymoon?” Reaching his hand out to shake. “Look, our father’s failed at greatness because of their egos, no offense Walter and my dad’s greed. We can reclaim their magic and do what they couldn’t do better.”

Braden was annoyed at hell at the offer it wasn’t like he needed help getting a job not to mention he wasn’t ready to let bygones be bygones with DGI like his father and sister seemed to be. Maybe that was the pessimist in him he’d seen what losing DGI did to his family first hand the destruction it reigned down on his parents marriage. How his dad was cut out was uncalled for callous and frankly it put a bitter taste in his mouth about what his upbringing could have been. Instead in many ways it had humbled him and his sister, they hadn’t been raised like the Devonshire or Delacroix families were and maybe that was a good thing. Did he really want that for Dylan and Delilah? Maybe it was Fraiser stubbornness or the cautious Cummings side in his genes but he just wasn’t ready, he was always fighting with Selina about it when he married her and she spoiled Dylan and Maddie. He could already tell his sister was trying to navigate it as best as she could while staying true to her roots, he didn’t want to put that shit on him and Tamara. Especially after what she went through last year the last thing they needed to fight about was opulence and what designer brand to buy their kids.

“I’m going to be polite and say right now no thank you. I kinda want to navigate things on my own and I’ve brought in a few clients and I don’t think it would be a good work life balance for the kids either. DGI is long hours and I already saw Dani stretched a ton before she married you. I wouldn’t want to do that to Dylan and Delilah. Besides, I kinda like being home right now having that flexibility.” Braden said looking at Jackson and then at his father, one of their biggest concerns was the stretching of time for his sister. She was bubbly on the outside lately, almost too bubbly and he didn’t want to do that to his family. “I’ll let Dani know if I change my mind fair enough? So how is the energy thing coming along, it’s going to be a pretty big event right? My dad mentioned that you guys even have countries like Britain and Japan coming that’s pretty big for Atlas Falls.”

Walter hadn’t expected the response that his son had given he actually thought if Jackson had asked Braden would at least consider it and then he gave his reasoning. Always logical most of the time both of his children granted Dani was more spontaneous but Braden was logical to a fault it made him a great lawyer. One that could smartly win cases, which in turn was a huge asset as DA but he got the concern where DGI was concerned. When Braden changed the topic to the energy summit he was actually impressed because it was a tactic to take conversation from him and towards DGI. “Your sister is managing fine isn’t she Jackson? As for the summit party, well the chamber of commerce was very happy with all the diplomats and foreign business that has come in from it. It’s quite good for the economy.”

Jackson cleared his throat as he looked at Walter and Braden wondering if he said anything wrong to Braden, he looked so opposed to even the idea. He almost was offended at how cold he was even being to him. Nodding his head he looked at Walter speaking to him about DGI he nodded his head. “I do believe it’s bringing a lot of revenue into the city. I think the energy summit and us transforming Scottwood and then Ilsa De Cruces it’s well what I am fighting for. Braden you’re a new father like me and you have a teen. I just can’t imagine giving them a world where they don’t have a fighting chance. Clean energy is important to me and important to our children’s future.” He folded his arms and looked at them both.

“I think the energy summit will show everyone what a new DGI will look like in the future. Introducing a new guard into DGI and hopefully a new reputation in business and the community. I hope to repay any past mistakes to all.” Jackson said, referring to his father stealing from the Fraiser family.  “I think I see Mason if you don’t mind. I need to speak with him.” Jackson placed his hand on Walter’s shoulder and nodded at Braden. “Congratulations Braden, I’m sure you are going to do what’s best for your family.” With that he eased away from a clearly awkward situation. As he moved to one of his best friends.

Walter watched Jackson walk away as he chuckled a bit looking at Braden he never would have thought that he would be the outspoken one after everything but apparently he was. Perhaps he even should have had his walls up when it came to the Devonshire’s but he hadn’t had a reason to in the last year. He looked back at his son patting him on the shoulder. “Well that could have went better, he was trying to be nice at least I think he was.” Walter said before waving to Charles and then walking away from his son so that he could get used to the idea that he was going to marry Tamara soon.

**********

Dru smiled as she looked at the motorcycle before her. She couldn’t believe she actually bought it. Being the nanny for those two brats was paying her in spades and buying a motorcycle was something she always wanted. She remembered the first time she rode a bike in Florida. Biting her lip her eyes became misty thinking about what happened to her. She wasn’t a kid but she was underaged by a year. He took her riding on his motorcycle and she was enthralled. Her entire life she thought she deserved more. Her entire life she knew she was born from something more than the trailer parks of Cape Kenitrich, Florida. Sean O’Connor was the first person who told her that and she eventually set him up to fall on his sword. If Kelly ever found Dru she’d kill her no doubt. She screwed Carrie’s boyfriend, and Sean at the same time. She wanted Carrie’s life and how everyone adored her. It almost cost her momma her job.Sean wasn’t supposed to happen it just did and stealing his money was what got her right here. Right now to the revenge she so rightfully deserved. She wanted to talk to Zerick after calling him for the second time she began to think Jackie was softening him. He was telling her to not get her revenge and here he was shooting a man. Killing a man. So the other day she hired a messenger to deliver the gun that Tamara used to shoot Dimitri to the police. They wanted a smoking gun there it was signed sealed and delivered. Something to tie her right to the shooting of Dimitri. It was time to play unfair. What was fun was the delivery service never dealt with her so she’d never be implicated.

Getting on her bike she chose to just ride. Forget the men that were swirling in her head. Until she rode toward Scottswood. She loved the seedier side of town. But it was when she saw Club XES she pulled over. A beer and a lapdance could be fun. Dru got off her bike and she heard the guys hooping and hollering for a female riding the way she was. Sean taught her well and she looked good and knew it. Wearing a midriff that was cut above her breast, a black LaPerla bra that wrapped around her back in a lace bow, a pair of black skinny jeans, a black leather Harley jacket, and black combat boots. Walking in paying the cover she looked around and smiled. It was settings like this that made her feel at home. People doing drugs, girls naked, and lots of smoke. Making her way to the bar she ordered a vodka and tonic. When she looked over and saw him making his way to the bar. Shaking her long red hair she picked up her drink and saw him sitting down right by her. Biting her bottom lip she looked over at Ronan Madden and smirked. “I was starting to think you forgot all about me.” She purred at him.

Ronan had gotten a night free from Gia hovering over him she had business to attend to in New York which meant he could stop in at the club. It meant that he was free for an evening and Gia never had to know about what or who he did, in truth while Gia was still a goddess in bed he was looking for a bit of other entertainment. It was getting to confining for his tastes not to mention after the run in with Max and Sebastian the other day he had begun to question certain things like why Gia was being so secretive while he was in lock up about the baby, a boy. He was ecstatic to know that he was going to be having a son but the secrecy that Gia went through with it annoyed him when the doctor had revealed that Gia had known the sex of the baby for months meaning she had lied to him. Perhaps Thor had been right with Gia and her intentions on the other hand there was little doubt that he was the father of her baby meaning he was now a part of her life and the child’s it didn’t mean that he couldn’t seek outside comfort from other women though and that was exactly what he was going to do. He had been watching the room the women on the poles and then she walked into the room, Dru Price. The one woman since Brooke that he seemed to have a hard time filtering out of his mind and he made his way to her at the bar taking a seat down next to her.

“Forget about that lovely evening we had where you rode me wild while one of the girls had her own show, I think not Ms. Price I’ve just been busy locked up in a jail cell for the last few months. Besides it’s not like you were in here much since then either word is you’ve been hanging around Zerick Davis and watching children I wouldn’t have pegged you for sweet on children.” Ronan said looking at her as he picked up his brandy and took a sip leaning into the counter looking at her a nanny that wasn’t the picture he had for someone as wild as she was. In some ways though watching her take care of his son would make him question everything with Gia after their simple rendezvous months prior. “In truth I haven’t quite been able to get he image of you sliding up and down my cock out of my head. I think you enjoyed it the freedom to do whatever the fuck you wanted that night which included me. Then again I do wonder what brought you into my club was it Mr. Davis is he planning on joining you? Should I scoot down a seat or two?”

“No man controls me and nobody makes me do anything I don’t want to. I’ve been playing with who I want just like you have with some mobstress. Boring predictable Mr. Madden. Nothing I do or who I do isn’t your business. Considering you’re with that very mob lady, you were arrested with we don’t have to talk about our businesses now do we? Can we not discuss brats and kids when you will be a daddy soon Ronan. My choices are my choices and I think you are being nosy to question me and I haven’t even talked to me. Or asked me why I am watching children. Not that I would tell you anyway.” Dru bit her lip as she stared at Ronan. “Nobody told me that you would be keeping tabs on what I would be doing. You worry too much about what you don’t need to know. What I’m telling you is that I missed sliding down your cock. I missed that big dick plowing me and I came here to get it. So if you are done talking about what I’m doing in my personal life we can do what we do best. What is that you ask?” Leaning in seductively she whispered. “Fuck all night long.”

Dru placed her finger inside of the glass and swirled it around. Then placed it in Ronan’s mouth as she leaned in and kissed him. “I’m willing to take the risk if you are. Now we can do it in front of all these people. I don’t mind but I think that would draw your future wife’s attention. See I keep up too Ronan. But only thing I’m worried about is fucking you and not thinking about Mr. Davis since he’s ignoring me right now. I fucking hate to be ignored and right now.” She licked her finger again. “I want to suck, I want to fuck, and I want to be myself because right now all I want to do is be bad. And drink.” Leaning over the bar she grabbed the local great Fraiser whiskey from The Pub. “Now let’s have fun because I’m bored with it all the talk.”

Ronan had to wonder if what she was saying was true if a man could ever truly control her or what she did he supposed that was part of what he found so attractive about her much like he did Gia. It was part of the life he supposed the power and the will to know that he could do whatever he wanted and with whom, it wasn’t like he and Gia were married or that she was even in town. Gia had business to attend to in New York meaning that he could take his time and do what he wanted with it not to mention that he was trying to avoid the news as much as possible, the discovery of Dimitri had thrown question back on the happily engaged royal couple and dealing with Brooke again wasn’t something he wanted to revisit. He was moving on from Brooke Kincaid and he knew after last year when Thor had almost been killed that was the right thing for him to do. That could have easily been her there looking up at him while she awoke in the hospital bed or worse, she could have died in his arms on the way to the hospital shaking off that feeling he looked over at Dru. Dru Price was just the person that he needed at the moment someone to take his mind off of Gia and Brooke a way for him to live in the moment for one night. He looked over at Dru licking his lips at her and then taking a sip of his drink before leaning over and taking her hand in his to lea dher down the hallway of course to his private room at the club his guards always near by.

“Is this better Ms. Price? Or would you prefer an audience again?” Ronan asked closing the door behind them before leaning down and letting his lips meet hers eagerly. Gia of course was an excellent lover but as her pregnancy progressed, well men had needs and frankly his encounter with Dru was still very much so seared into his head. He deepened the kiss when he felt her respond to his advances and couldn’t help but let his hands travel over her arms and over her stomach to the exposed skin that was there he let his fingers dip slowly right above the panty line of her pants above her button and then back up before wrapping his fingers around her neck gently pressing himself against her crotch to make sure that she felt how turned on he was before breaking the kiss and letting his lips trail her neck. “Such a fucking shame you wore those pants, I quite liked the access you gave me last time, I don’t think we need this do we?” Ronan asked gently tugging at her midriff and grinning at her when she raised her arms and he was able to lift it over her head and off hre body. His lips went back to her neck before he let his hands brush over the bra and looked at her again. “Should I get a friend again to join us?”

Dru moaned through the kiss her lips intertwining with his. His tongue forcing his way into her mouth made her get instantly wet. She liked how he was commanding he was that man. The man who got whatever he wanted and she loved that energy. Shaking her head to him signally no seductively almost coquettish. Feeling his lips on her hot skin she almost screamed out. She could see why her sister fell for him. Brooke was attracted to the power that he imitated. Grabbing his dick through his slacks she saw him jerk a little she knew what a man like him needed. He needed a woman to fuck and keep fucking. “I don’t need anyone else to do what I’m about to do to you.” She slithered to his personal bar and uncorked the bottle of whiskey taking a deep gulp. “I was in Florida for a while a couple years back and they didn’t have a decent whiskey this is good whiskey.” Only time she had a good whiskey was with Sean. That’s who Ronan put her in mind of in the mind of the attitude the aggression. It was Sean and she knew what a man like that wanted and needed.

Turning around she dropped to her knees still holding the bottle. As she unbuckled his pants and letting the trousers drop to the floor. She pulled down his silk Tom Ford underwear and immediately started slurp and licking on his semi erect penis. As she wrapped her wet lips around him her mouth watering to taste. She began to gobble on him as if he was a popsicle on the hottest day of the year. Feasting on the man scent that his pubes had and devouring his dick in her mouth. Feeling the blood rushing to his penis because he was literally swelling in her mouth. She opened her throat wider and deep throated his entire dick. Gagging and gaggles of spit began to slide down her face. Her eyes began to water but she wanted this man so powerful to be putty in her hands. It was what was making her juices flow just seeing him squirm and his body flailing in ecstasy. It was her turn on. Slowly pulling her neck back she sucked on the head and began to slobber on him with regained urgency.

Ronan had been willing to indulge her into a little more foreplay have her be putty in his hands but she had turned the tables on him when her hand had touched his dick through his pants. He wanted her screaming his name and he was going to have it and was a bit perplexed when she pulled back and went to the bar. He could feel himself hardening while he watched her walk across the room like she owned it and opened the bottle to take a drink. Gia was reckless and wild, but Dru Price was like a bundled up mystery that he wanted to unravel which included fucking her on the side of his relationship with Gia, he wanted her all to himself. He watched her amused when she dropped to her knees and undid his pants he couldn’t help the moan that came out of his mouth when she put her mouth over him and he swore she even had some of the whiskey hidden inside. “Fuck Dru.” Ronan said feeling the heat of her mouth starting to suckle him to life and he couldn’t help it as he started to move his hips with the rhythm that she started she certainly knew what she was doing. He’d had good head before and he couldn’t help it that he grabbed her hair as he increased the tempo, seeing her at his mercy as he did.

“Uh, yes Dru you want this don’t you baby?” Ronan grunt out looking at face and he couldn’t help it as he licked his lips wondering how wet she was too. Gia would have never let him do this, she was too much how could he put it a mirror of him he knew that she would never let him have this much control in this moment when they fucked. He felt himself leaking into her mouth and pulled back still holding her hair as he did before pulling her roughly to him and kissing her his hands working on slithering off her fucking thong and black skinny jeans he let out a moan into her mouth when they pooled to her ankles and his fingers snaked into her soaking wet pussy. He used his fingers for a moment watching her body work on them as he broke the kiss to lick his fingers tasting her before he grabbed her by the waist stepping out his slack and watching her slither out of her jeans before bending her over the arm of the couch and working her center with his fingers. “Tell me what you want Ms. Price and I’ll give it to you.” Ronan said, watching her buck against his drenched hand.

Spreading her legs she looked at him. Grabbing him by a clump of his hair she immediately kissed him again. “I want you to fuck me until I can’t breathe. But first you have to lick it before you stick it.” Turning around she spread her legs open so he could see her perfect pink pussy glistening. This time she was going to make him scream her name. It was a matter of whose sexual prowess would win tonight. She had been waiting for a while to have Ronan again but this was starting to make her so wet. She was pulsing down there like her pussy heart was skipping a beat because she knew. Sex between Zerick was passionate, on the other hand Philip had been making it known he was a lacking in the bedroom, but it was Ronan who made her feel alive. He wanted to please her and she could tell tame her. That however wouldn’t happen. She wouldn’t stop screwing whoever she wanted to when she wanted. Men like Ronan and Sean O’Connor loved to place women in penthouses and they married the perfect girl. Like Gia, Brooke, or Talia those were the women who got the men she wanted. She was too much like the guys she didn’t look at sex as a expression of love. It was the same as going to the bathroom or getting your cycle. It was natural to want it but her sex drive had always been high. She’d always wanted more and for a man like Ronan that was a venus fly trap.

As he kissed her belly his lips traveled between her legs. At first the feather light kisses he planted on her thighs had her feeling high. When she felt his tongue flicking on her clit she began to moan gripping the expensive leather on the couch. The feeling of him sucking on her pussy she shivered as her hips rolled against his face. She began to buck against him as his tongue swirled and lapped up against her clit. Dru cried out knowing Ronan was enjoying her sexual prowess. As she looked him in the eyes wrapping her legs around his neck. She was about to burst and knew for a fact that it wasn’t time for that. “Fuck me now Ronan.” She commanded. He said he would give her what she wanted. If she kept getting head well she’d was going to find herself in a puddle of ecstasy. “Fuck me right now Ronan. I need to feel you inside of me.”

Ronan wasn’t going to pretend that he was committed to Gia as anything other than business partners and lovers, he wasn’t in love with her. He simply needed her to keep the other families in check and she was carrying his child, so someone like Dru was the perfect solution. She wanted no strings attached to their meetings when they had them and he hungrily indulged in her demands. So he simply began to satisfy her he eventually would give into her making sure that she came back to his bed now that insolent Montogmery or worse the fallen Zerick Davis, women wanted him and the power that he came with. He took his time his tongue doing the work while he watched her lids flutter for a bit and then heard her begging and he couldn’t help it when he stopped making sure that her legs wrapped around his waist before he plunged into her. Taking a moment to make sure that he didn’t release in that exact moment he wanted this to be memorable for her and hardly cared if she was pushed into the couch arm or not or if the leather would leave angry red marks as he began to rock his hips into her. She was going to enjoy this and by the time he was done she’d be crawling back to the club again for another round.

“Like this?” Ronan whispered in her ear leaning back slightly to make sure that all of her was exposed while he kept plunging in and out. He could tell that she was enjoying what he was doing by the way her mouth was slightly open the way her lids were heavy and clearly how wet she was. He placed his hands on her hips to make sure that she stayed where he wanted her too the last time they were together he had let her take control that wasn’t going to be the case this time. He was an adequate lover a lot of women had told him that over the years more than that they all came back again and again from Valeria to Maggie, to Yelena and Gia the only one that didn’t come back was Brooke. Which was intentional he couldn’t risk her and this lifestyle and he wouldn’t make that mistake. Dru was expendable not in a callous way but when he was done with her she would know, he would raise his child with Gia and they would have a life. He could take a mistress if needed. He was so lost in the act of just fucking someone woutl worrying about who was coming after them, or who was betraying them that he hadn’t reazlied he was groaning and nearing his peak until it was too late and he exploded inside of her screaming out as he did so. “Uh Dru.” Ronan said gasping as another stroke exited his body and he felt her clenching as well.

Dru felt the electricity last time she had a partner to satisfy Ronan’s insatiable appetite. This time that energy was so alpha the way he began to fuck her. She almost burst immediately but she instead tightened against every stroke. She needed to feel a man who didn’t she give a damn about. Ronan was sex but he was a pleasure that he didn’t know. Everytime she fucked him she was hurting Brooke and he was further causing a wedge between them. Dru didn’t care what Brooke said she loved him more than anything. She’d seen the way men looked at a woman they would forever love. Brooke unintentionally became the prized woman by not being his woman. Not only that she upgraded herself with a prince of all things. Stupid bitch was no doubt still heart sick over a dirty scummy mobster. Sexy yes but a no way. It would be stupid to fall for Ronan Madden. Considering his connection to her on a whole other level.

She felt him swelling inside of her all Dru had to do was begin to tighten up against every stroke. With every push inside of her she contracted her muscles and felt his body beginning to pulsate inside of her. She squeezed tightly until she felt him him shrinking inside of her. She had gotten off moments earlier but it wasn’t the point. The point was to release. Now that she had that sweet release she had to go. This had brought up a very valid idea. She needed to get closer to the Kincaid family by any means. She’d integrated herself into the Fraiser’s and now it was mommy dearest turn. Turning around getting dressed swiftly. “I have to go but I’ll call you don’t call me I don’t like to be rushed.” Dru grabbed her jacket and walked out the office. As she grabbed her chest feeling exhilarated. Biting her lip she adjusted her jacket slightly as she nodded her head. She had to leave Ronan alone because honestly he wasn’t good. She had a life that these people knew and her real life. He was a bit to close to her real life for her liking.

**********

Zach was staring at his boyfriend feeling so in love with that man who’d somehow come to peace with his father leaving. He saw him mingling with Constanza and Mimi who were dancing with Mason. They’d clearly been drinking and having fun pre-wedding and picking up his glass and sipping a mint julep. Mason seemed amused and they were dancing around him. His man was fine and cleaned up so damn well. It was hard to keep the secret of his proposal after all he wanted to tell everyone. He was bursting inside because last time he brought up marriage Mason was reluctant but that was because of Tony’s suicide. Now for some reason his boyfriend had hopefully energy. He was becoming refreshed over the last two months and it didn’t hurt he was crushing it at work. Mason was his heart and they actually had a lead on Scarlett. Patricia’s body was found in Monte Carlo. She died in her sleep and she apparently had a boy toddler things all over the room. Scarlett had his son. That woman was out there with his son but she was taking care of him and he was loved. He felt slightly scared now that Patricia was gone. What would Scarlett do as a parent? Those thoughts haunted him.

When he saw his cousin outside looking breathless and sort of overwhelmed he walked to the bar and got her a mint julep. Walking outside he handed Dani a drink and saw her relief. “Look at you all done up looking like a Devonshire Queen and Brooke might be the future princess but you’re killing them. I’m even impressed with the Julia Roberts-esque cleaning up.” He folded his arms as he teased her. “What’s the matter with you? Dani you have this energy all over you and I’m actually having fun even though it’s hot as hell. And I have news about Kieran.” He said calmly with a big smile. “He’s okay and Patricia Nichols is dead and I’m nervous that without her influence Kieran will be a mini Scarlet. Or maybe she’s changed I don’t know but they found her peacefully dead. Maybe this has somehow grown her up and she’ll come to her senses and bring him home or something but this. This means he’s out there and we are getting close.”

After almost an hour in a room with two of the most insufferable people she knew in Mimi and Constnaza she was more than happy to leave and get some air. She was wondering why she had even agreed to be in the wedding and had to remind herself because it was a polite thing to do. The only reason she was even in this thing next to Mimi was because Braden and Tamara had asked her too and she refused to engage with Mimi today.  It wasn’t about her it was about her brother getting married but that woman was insufferable. She did like the colors though she thought it fit her brother and Tamara. Plus pink wasn’t the worst shade so when she saw the swatch of watermelon lace she was sold. She needed some fun in her life since work was taking over everything and things felt off at home thanks to Lex. Who was constantly texting her and sending her old photos with her, him and his mother in them, claiming it was work Jackson had seen them and she knew he was getting upset about it. She looked over at her cousin as he handed her a mint julep and shot him a grateful look. She needed this more than he knew.

“It’s nothing.” Dani started and then seeing Zach give her that look that he knew she was lying she took a long sip of the drink. “Its work I’m trying to get all these kinks worked out with an investor in Montana, trying to also help Jackson finalize stuff with the summit party, then the fundraiser for the hospital. I still feel super guilty for working so much and feeling like Dru is raising my kids and then to top it all off there is Lex. He’s been sending me texts about the fundraiser, the other day he had the nerve to send over that photo of us with his mother when we got engaged asking if it was okay if he put it in the slideshow he was dedicating to her. Jackson saw it, he was pretty upset about it.” Dani said looking at Zach she of course had told Lex absolutely not and tried to reassure Jackson it meant nothing but he had seemed to pull away from her over it a bit. She tilted her neck for a bit taking a breath and another sip of her drink. “I’m actually surprised that Patricia died she seemed in good health, what is the lead? As for Scarlett she murdered Dante you need funds to chase her ass down or whatever you let me know. I want that bitch to pay for what she did to him and you for taking Kieran.”

Zach bit his lip as he listened to his cousin talking about being a parent. He truly felt uneasy about the conversation because he was and wasn’t one. His responsibilities had been snatched away before he got the opportunity to truly be a father. “I just want to say you’re an amazing mom, wife, employee, partner, and everything you try. You changed Jackson’s life and I need you to understand exactly what power women have and you have. I know Scarlett is a horrible person but right now I admire her. She’s raising our child alone and I hate her but from what I see she’s doing amazing with Kieran. I’m actually needing a favor from you and Jackson. Hell if you have a Devonshire as a cousin use right? Dani, I need you and Jackson to help me find Scarlett. I know she headed for Brazil due to footage in the airport which she and my son boarded a plane to Brazil. She got in a limo with Kieran and she’s there and I think she’s in Brazil Dani.” Pulling out his billfold he pulled out a wrapped picture and it was a zoomed in picture of Kieran. “He’s beautiful and in a twisted kind of way he’s doing good. The hotel staff said he was bright and um he’s super sweet. They are shipping me some stuff left behind. Well a few weeks ago I read Chauncey was starting construction on something in Brazil or something. Maybe I don’t know you could help me and Diego send a team to find her.”

Zach almost sunk into a hohum place when he pulled himself together quickly. “Dani put your damn foot down. If Simon was sending Mason pics and texting all the time. Well I might not be too happy either. You aren’t interested Lex and I know that but set fucking bounderies Dani. You’re not a kid anymore tell that grown man you aren’t accepting him texting you pictures of your past and whatever else it is. You make it known that Lex isn’t a factor because this is extremely uncomfortable for any man. Dani I know it’s hard but our parents did it. Hell I’m going to be a dad soon and I want the pressure you’re under. You want the pressure kid because those twins are a blessing and Delilah and Dylan and our future Fraisers are out here blooming for the world to see. I just feel grateful for you being here and being this mom and woman. Don’t hesitate in your transformation, you’re literally the bravest person I know. Show Lex and everyone you can have it all and do it all. I don’t know how the hell to do that but cousin if anyone will figure it out. It’s you.”

Dani almost spit out her fucking drink when her cousin praised Scarlet as some good person let alone mother, she supposed that her cousin’s son was alive so that was a start. But that didn’t make Scarlett a good person let along a good mother. She looked at her drink almost wondering how much her cousin had actually had and if hers was spiked at the comment and then thought over his offer to help him. She stared at the picture he looked so much like Zach did as a kid some of Scarlett to unfortunately. This request wasn’t some dark or crazy thing she had to keep from Jackson like when she asked Jon to kill Dimitri for her brother, hell if anything she knew her husband would help with Zach’s cause. Jackson for the most part tolerated most of her family but like her really loved Zach, probably due to his relationship with Mason. This was simply a request that she wouldn’t mind her new last name or funds helping out with, if someone were to take one of the twins she would want to hunt them down and bring them back home, she knew Jackson would do the same. Zach wasn’t in the position they were he didn’t have access to elite people to help him track Scarlet down with so much a phone call, he didn’t have a bank account tied to billions of dollars that were at his disposal. He worked a hard job as a police officer, meaning he served the people of Atlas Falls earned well below when what her annual salary was at the DGI when she worked as the head of public relations. He never once complained about it and once the trail went cold and Diego and the FBi had stepped back he couldn’t just jet set off to fin her either.

“Okay I’ll ask Jackson about it but it’s not like he’s going to say no, he wants Kieran back here with you just as much as I do. Of course anything we can do to help bring your son to you we’ll do money isn’t an object and I don’t want you to worry about it.” Dani said looking at him and thinking about his advice with the entire thing with Lex. She thought she had set boundaries clearly she wasn’t clear enough in the office and she got why Jackson was upset at it. Taking another sip of her drink she looked at Zach and for once in the last six months hell a year she wasn’t so sure. She didn’t tell him about the little things like running late a few times over the last few weeks, missing little things with all the work for the summit. “I did put my foot down with Lex when we met to discuss the fundraiser with Jackie. I thought he got the message loud and clear. He’s likely doing it to annoy me and push my buttons and to see if he can get a rile out of Jackson which clearly he is doing. I quit in the middle of planning the biggest fundraiser that DGI is known for. You know he’s going to go to the papers and slam me and the Devonshire’s making me out to be the bad guy in it. It’s just complicated. He’s in my past has been for years Zach and I didn’t pick him I picked Jackson. I don’t know I just thought it’d be easier maybe I’m just overworked and tired with that and the summit.” Dani finished looking at him. “I’ll put my foot down again with him, maybe it will get better when the summit is over too. So how are things with Mason?”

Hearing his cousin she sounded so exhausted with it all. Not that he didn’t understand dating Mason meant he was dating the richest gay male in Atlas Falls. Or at least the richest we knew. It made him insecure to know whatever kids he and Mason had they’d be financially stable when the surrogate or adoption agency handed them over. He folded his arms as he looked at her and smirked. “I know that you placed your foot down but Dani I can honestly say Lex is and was apart of your past. I’d be a little shaken if I was Jackson too but I also know you aren’t a cheater. So with that being said, help him see that. What I mean is Jackson’s life has been surrounded by cheating and lies. He is scared more than likely. Remember his dad just kept a secret that his brother raped his aunt. All he knows is drama and all they do is fight. Well at least that is what I found out with Mason. At first he fought everything but now he’s at peace and you two have to get to that place.” When Dani brought up Mason his entire face began to beam. Just looking at him and Jackson over there laughing.

“Dani he isn’t over the death of his father but I do believe he’s ready for this.” He pulled out a velvet black box. Opening it up he showed Dani the emerald and diamond band. “I found it when Mason and I went to fire island. I won’t explain what fire island is but I thought it was perfect. I want to wake up to him everyday so I’m going to propose marriage and we will get Kieran back and we will adopt a little girl or surrogacy whatever he wants. I just want to spend the rest of my life with Mason. He’s the love of my life and I used to think about how we found each other. How crazy that time was but Mason made me remember. He made me remember that above all else we found each other. I think you need to remember the same thing with Jackson. You two maybe need a mini-vacation. How does that sound, no twins just you and some crops.” He looked at his cousin’s shocked face. “Oh please, all those fetish books you used to read.”

Dani listened to Zach and his words made a lot of sense she just thought they had got to that place that he completely trusted her no matter what like she did him. That they were over the drama of everything but she was going to take her cousin’s advice and run with it she would do whatever it took to make her husband happy and to make him know that she was only devoted him and their family. “I’ll put it down again I just thought that Jackson and I were in that place you know that he trusted me and my judgement I wouldn’t be doing this charity thing if I didn’t think I can handle it along with everything else at DGI. He knows about Lex how I feel about all of that with him, how Lex treated me how it ended I just hate he is still insecure about that. I don’t care about Lex like that and he should know that you know?” Dani said looking at Zach as she took another sip of her drink swirling it in the glass for a bit afterwards. If there was anyone that she thought she could talk to about the things that were plaguing her and her husband it was her rock, her best friend, her person, her cousin. “My life hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park either seeing how my parents marriage was or the drama with my dad. It’s just hard but you’re right.” Dani said looking at him

She was more than thrilled when the conversation instead looked over at him when he pulled out the box and she looked at the ring. It was so gorgeous and fit Mason so perfectly the gold band with intricate things filled with what she assumed was the gorgeous black diamonds that were inside and she couldn’t help the genuine smile that formed out of her mouth before she let out a shriek of joy. Before calming herself as she looked over at Mason and her husband looking at them. “It’s so gorgeous and Mason is the stupidest gays alive if he says no to you. I mean it you love that man more than anything, he is your great love you know and you deserve to be happy after everything with Dante and Scarlett. Plus if he breaks your heart he’ll have a long line of people to turn his head straight starting with me.” Dani said looking at him she knew that losing Tony was hard on Mason and his siblings, hell it was hard on even the Devonshire’s too but Zach and stayed by Mason side when Mason was grieving so she knew that he loved Zach too. “I’m really happy for you two. As for a vacation with crops who’s to say I haven’t upgraded my tastes if you and Mason are lacking I’m sure Jackson and I could give recommendations if you want. In all seriousness maybe once things calm down with the summit we can get away or something, recenter that is a good idea. Not too long I want to hear everything and I do mean everything when you two start planning. So like when you are asking?” Dani said, teasing her cousin for a bit and grinning at him not sure she was going to keep this under wraps.

“Tonight actually after the wedding.” He said watching Mason and Jackson laughing like little boys. “And Dani my sex life is so scorching hot I don’t need whips and crops. Thank you very much cousin but I’ll pass. Plus it’s just my luck that Mason would be a dominant and need to spank me. If you recall I took all the whoopings for you, Kelsey, and Lucy. Remember when you broke grandma’s china and I took blame for it and uncle Walter spanked me. Nah clearly you didn’t get any whippings that’s why you like them now.” He wrapped his arm around his cousin. “We need to go to breakfast or something once a week. Just the Fraiser’s you know? Brock, Kels, you, and me. Braden when he gets back I just remember our parents always together you know? I want that for Donovan and Jojo right along with Kieran. Hell Delilah also we just have to keep the Fraiser legacies going you know?”

Dani was happy for Zach of course she was Zach was her cousin more than that her person her best friend. She couldn’t help the wide smile that came out at him wanting to marry Mason maybe it would be two Fraiser weddings in one year besides she really did like Mason too. She had been so busy at work, being a mom and trying to be the perfect wife that she had forgotten she had neglected her cousins and nodded to him. Looking out at the water as Jackson talked to her father and brother she took another sip of her drink. They were going through first year kinks it was fine, they were going to be fine. Her future was bright, she her children were too and no matter what she would help Zach get Kieran back.

**********

Yasmine stood outside The Point for a moment she questioned if she was ready to honestly go on this date. Khalil and she were in a different space. Now all of the sudden she had this fine ass man following her. As she looked at her silver Versace romper with fringe dangling sparkling in a beautiful night in Atlas Falls. When she called him she left a message and a mere hour later Jayden was calling her back. He had her laughing on the phone and she felt like it was good right now to feel like this. Sometimes a girl just wanted to feel wanted, that is exactly how Jayden was making her feel. Opening her purse looking at her phone she was five minutes early. Maybe it was optimism but she felt good about Jayden. They hadn’t had a chance to meet up because of her new job, her running the studio and him being a fucking doctor. So they had been talking nonstop and he even sent her roses a week ago. At the practice game Opening her purse she pulled out her compact and looked in the mirror checking her reflection. Her slick ponytail and baby-hair were laid down perfectly. Popping a mint into her mouth and texted Cassie a few seconds later she saw his chocolate ass walking up and melted. He was sexy and smart. That sort of intrigued her because she liked how he made her feel. It was as if he liked how she thought and how her mind worked.

Sticking her hand in her pocket she looked down at his Ferragamo shoes and the cologne was smelling so good. She played cool because she was sure women threw themselves at Jayden. He had a player written all over him so she wouldn’t move too fast. Plus she was sort of still fucking Khalil. It happened when she was asked to choreograph the cheerleaders at the arena and they sort of started kicking it again. Well it just all happened so fast a few weeks ago. So she’d have to figure out her situationship soon. “Wassup Doc.” Yasmine said cooly with enough sass and sexiness that impressed her own damn self. “How are you? You didn’t text or call today. I thought you were going to stand me up.” Yasmine teased placing her hand on her hip. “Let’s go inside. The Point is my spot.” She was wearing a brown vintage lace slip dress from Chanel. It was the same one she saw her favorite artist in years ago. “And if you want to show me some more moves we can go to Club Vertigo.”

Jayden had been working so much that the date almost didn’t happen but he had moved things around in order to have the evening off, not to mention he purposely didn’t text her back. He wanted a catch like her to be enthralled with their evening and of course with him and it that meant leaving a bit of anticipation with her it was a risk he was willing to take. He had spoke to her on and off over the last few weeks getting to know her and found her to be quite amazing, not to mention she put a smile on his face when they did talk. Normally he would hunt a woman down for a few months, get them and then let them go, it was better that way for them and himself. He honestly loved that she appreciated the roses that he had sent her the week before, his father had told him the way to a woman like Forbes Montgoemrey’s daughter was a proper wooing not to mention it was a move as old as time. He had set his phone to a slight buzz as he entered The Point in his suit and tie saw her looking amazing was the only word that came to mind looking at the glowing outfit against her skin and he couldn’t help the smile. He hoped she was prepared to be even more amazed at he walked up to her taking her hand and kissing it.

“My lady, I do apologize about keeping you waiting. I did have a six hour surgery to finish up before tonight and traffic was a bitch. World renowned surgeon that I am I could hardly leave the brain tumor in that lovely grandmother that needed my help, she is in recovery now and unless something goes wrong with that we are free the rest of the evening. That being said girl you are looking fine, good enough to eat.” Jayden said passing her his mega watt smile as the maitre d came over to show them to their seats, he watched her take in the awe of the point. The crystal chandeliers on the ceiling the mood lighting set just right against the clatter of small voices and clinking glasses. He saw her shoot him a look as they followed their host up the stairs to one of the private balcony dining areas he pulled out her chair to help her sit down as the candles on the table framed her face. “I simply asked for the best seat in the house and the views of the courthouse lit up at night are supposed to be spectacular up here we can open a window if you would like. Now would you like to tell me how your day went? I was going to text you back but then I thought what would be the actual fun in that? Much better to keep you guessing about the rest of our date.” Jayden said taking a sip of the water on the table while he looked at her, he honestly wondered if a man had ever taken her out like this on the town before if a man ever appreciated her like this.

Yasmine pursed her lips into a smirk as she listened to talk about how much he was making her feel like she was important. Men didn’t play games unless they were interested. Not to say him not texting was him playing games but he was determined to have conversation huh? Yasmine thought to herself. Licking her lips she looked at him and smirked at him. “Look at you saving the little old ladies and stuff and you being a world renowned surgeon wow.” Yasmine said sarcastically as she looked at him. “You don’t have to be the surgeon tonight. I’m here for Jayden but if you don’t know how to put him away. I’m sure those frat boys over there can keep my attention.” She teased as she leaned back looking at the view. Atlas Falls was stunning at night the downtown skyline while you could still see Scottswood a shining gem in the rough.

“Well I had dance rehearsal at the stadium and I had to see the kids dancing. They are auditioning for Delacroix records for backup dancers and I’m also choreographing one of his artist videos. You may have heard of him. His name is IMoney and he is from Atlas Falls. He is dope as hell and a lyricist. Either way I can say I’m in a good place working and chilling spending my rich ass daddy’s money. Look I think you should know my father name is Forbes Montgomery and he’s a son of a bitch. He’s rich and an asshole. So if we get a second date expect to meet him Doc. Trust me my daddy makes himself known he’s a pretty unique dude. But I got the cheerleaders doing their thing and the showcase is coming up. My dance studio will be put on the map soon.”

Jayden looked at her he knew very well who her father was and honestly that was part of the reason he was interested in her as well. Forbes came from a lot of money, he also had clout around town and well with his position at the hospital he wasn’t above getting into Forbes Montgomery’s good graces if he had too. He of course was interested in Yasmine on her own merits too but it certainly helped for what he wanted at the hospital in the future too. He wanted to take the chief of staff position and what better way to do that than to show he was above David Rhodes intellectually and with the backing of one of the richest men in Atlas Falls by dating his exquisite daughter? He was a doctor and a surgeon he didn’t exactly separate that part out of his life when it was brought up it was simply who he was. He came off cocky at times and he understood that was jealousy in people who looked down on it for her thought it seemed that she was trying to get a rise out of him though it. He wondered what a woman like her saw in boys like Rory Devonshire or Khalil Watkins, he’d done his research too and honestly he wasn’t sure either man was deserving of the women in front of him a woman who was looking for experiences in her life.

“I didn’t realize not being a multi millionaire playboy that is dating Aspen Sinclair would be so disappointing for you or not being an up and coming NBA star that pretends to care for you while chasing girls on the side. Being a doctor is a respectable position and career. You know for the record I never believed that God awful gossip that the papers printed about what happened with Aspen’s baby. None of that was your fault, maybe more your former man’s but not yours.” Jayden said looking at her and wondering if he had broken that shell even just a bit surely she had to know a woman like her deserved to be valued. He wondered what she saw in men like that and even the frat boys she glanced at and picked up the water on the table as he saw the waiter approach them and ordered the lobster and crab with a salad then wired for her. Once the man was out of earshot he spoke again. “I would love to come watch you teach or dance one day I actually am a  huge fan of the finer arts. iMoney is that rapper I think he is from the Scottswood neighborhood is he not, I also heard something about him working for Ronan Madden back in the day, that man is quite dangerous. His lyrics are good though. So dancing and working at the studio do you have other interests? MontCorp is a huge corporation, basketball perhaps as well? What about your family?”

Yasmine ordered an arugula salad and stuffed chicken thigh along with a baked potato. As she picked up her wine glass sipping the crimson courage she almost felt badly. She didn’t mean to insinuate his job wasn’t as interesting as her exes or anything like that. Yasmine knew she just put her foot in her mouth. “My older sister is in the ground. She died almost five years ago. I just found out I have four other siblings I have no idea about. My older brother seems possessed with rage, my sister is searching for her own power in my eyes and the other two I haven’t even met. But Gina she was my superstar like she was Beyonce, Michelle Obama, and Regina King all in one. She was my hero and she was stolen from the world because of drugs and violence and mobsters and gang members. So I have this entire side of my family I got no clue about. I do have my Momma. She’s a recovering addict and is also the best damn mother I can ask for. She grounds me when I get beside myself and I appreciate her for that. As for being a doctor I think it’s fascinating to be in that much control to be able to instinctively know how to help someone.”

Taking note the conversation had been on her all night she wasn’t one to let this slip. “I have a lot of interests, Jayden. I do however want you to find them out instead of asking about them. Come to a dance class or workshop. I have no problem with you seeing me in my element.” Diverting the attention now on him. “I mean I barely know anything about you. Like what about your family? What is your interest in me? I mean it’s hundreds of beautiful girls out here considering your looks and smile I doubt your bed is cold at night. I have been confined in one love affair after another the last few years. I did open up pandora’s box and touched the sun but I had a white girl showing me I wasn’t good enough to have Rory and Khalil is that childhood love. You know the first person you liked and it evolved into something. We aren’t meant to be but since you seem to know about me care to tell me who is those girls looking at us? She seems pissed at you Jayden.” Yasmine didn’t like her life being public record but Forbes Montgomery daughter fighting with author Randall Sinclair daughter made news.

“That must have been very hard on you your mother’s addiction and then losing your sister like you did to the violence of the inner city crime. I can see why you got sucked into that like with certain mobsters or so rumor has it of course. When you were kidnapped that had to have been very traumatic as well.” Jayden said he had done his research when it came to what he wanted with Yasmine and who she was. Her kidnapping of course had made headlines in Atlas Falls long before he had arrived but he wanted her to come out fo her shell and tell him about who she was and so far she was. “Being a doctor has it’s rewarding parts for sure like today when I complete an amazing surgery and give someone their life back. There are setbacks too doctors out to ruin your reputation and or working harder to earn a spot, patients that simply brush off your advice. But overall I would like to think that saving lives far outweigh the bad parts of my field. Think of it like this if you will you are in the opening act of the ballet and you progress through all the acts elegantly and without fail that is what it feels like sometimes for me.” Jayden said looking at her and nodding his head at the waiter as he brought out their food. “Thank you.”

“I can’t promise that I won’t step on your feet I’m quite terrible at dancing but if it meant spending more time with you I wouldn’t miss it. What can’t I just be interested because you are gorgeous and I happen to think that you have quite the amazing personality to go with it?” Jayden said as he bit into his food taking a bite. He had rehearsed this part since she had agreed to the date his backstory. “I was raised by my single mother in the Altgeld Gardens project in Chicago so I understand hard times and the things people may or may not do to survive. She passed away a few years ago I never knew who my father was she didn’t talk about and he never sought me out. I pushed myself despite those circumstances to be better and do better. I was accepted to Harvard and Stanfrod and turned both down to attend John Hopkins. I met my first long term romance there in Nissa, it wasn’t meant to be. I then internet at Northwestern and traveled to Africa working on some projects there before I accepted a position here.” Jayden said the lies easily mixing in with the half hidden truths in his story one that was meant to empathize with her and position himself into the fold of Atlas Falls. “I am not in the business of taking on a queen like you out and then discarding her for something that catches my eye. So you don’t have to worry about that.” He finished waving to the nurse that he had fucked in the closet of the hospital a few weeks back some simple fun and well he needed dirt on David and she was his head nurse.

Biting her lip she stared at Jayden and swirling the wine in her glass she nodded at him. He knew she was a Queen already and that made her feel good. Rory had messed her head up and well Khalil was honestly childhood expectations. They had a new understanding though and honestly it was all good. Jayden was another successful man showing interest in her and this time she wasn’t going to mess it up. “I’m from the wrong side of the tracks but I’m a fighter and I didn’t use my father’s name. I love to be number one and I have enough shit to deal with. So seriously if this goes any further I’m going to need you to keep it real.” Yasmine said as she took a bite of food. She smiled at him as she looked at the other girls. “So I ain’t dealing with no other hoes.”

Rory had placed on order for take out an hour ago it had been another long night at DGI a night that he could have worked from the condo, but if he did Aspen would be there. He would be unsure of what to expect with her when it came to where she was with everything where they were with everything. He had taken his father’s words to heart and had been thinking about them for awhile, was he with Aspen because of what happened with the baby out of guilt or dd he really love and have feelings for her? The truth was he didn’t know what was up or down anymore when it came to him and Aspen and maybe it was better that way for now. Instead he walked into the Point to pick up the order at the bar and then froze when he saw Yasmine with Dr. Jayden Bradshaw the doctor that had saved Natasha’s life from awful incident at the wedding. She of course as always looked amazing in the right light and his heart sank a bit watching her laugh with the pompous doctor across from her, almost as if she was happy. Wasn’t she supposed to be with Khalil, or at least that was what the sports rags and gossip magazines were saying. He had barely paid attention as the waiter handed him the bag and then held out his hand for his credit card.

“Ahem, Mr. Devonshire you’re holding up the line.” The bartender said as he was brought back to reality.

Rory snapped out of it as he pulled out some cash that he was sure was more than the check actually was as he shoved his wallet back into his pocket. He saw Jayden glance around the room and shot him a glare and it took everything in his power to not storm over and ruin the dinner, he had no right to do it and the last thing he needed was the press blowing it up and it getting back to Aspen after what happened. Instead he turned and bumped into some stranger in line who yelled at him to watch out as he stormed out hell bent on heading home to try and forget he even saw it and reminding himself that he was the one that blew that shit up with her in the first place. He was the one that cheated on her to begin with when it came to Tess Blisston, he was the one that che ated on Aspen with Yasmine while Aspen was pregnant and he deserved every ounce of misery he was seeing and feeling when it came to Yasmine Kohl. He was the one that had self destructed his own life and he was not going to be his father and if that meant staying by Aspen’s side so Yasmine could be happy he was going to do it even if it killed him on the inside.

**********

Tamara looked at the women taking pictures on the staircase and she felt herself feeling nervous. She was about to marry the love of her life and all the drama was over. As she flared her dress out. Looking in mirror she saw the woman she was supposed to be. She had worked hard to be at peace. Right now he was the one that she gave her all to. Looking at a picture of Braden in the hallway and actually wanted him. She’d talked to Tabitha Lorenz her rape counselor about when it was right to be intimate. She said when she felt like it was right to be intimate. Dimitri had taken her sexuality and she almost felt prudish. A snort came out of her mouth and she couldn’t help giggle when she thought about Braden and her first time. It was awkward, passionate, and intense hell it got her Dylan shortly after. They were having so much sex they couldn’t even think about contraception and boom a little boy. A boy snatched away from her family and her. She wanted him to know her side just as much as he did Braden’s.  Pacing back and forth she saw Dylan standing at the top of the staircase. She smiled as she walked to her son. “Hey.”

She immediately smoothed out his suit and hugged him. “You look handsome and the hair isn’t so red today. It’s getting that dark color and I like it. You’re so grown and big and handsome and smart and perfect and the biggest blessing I got was you kid. I got the best kid for me. I love you.” She said holding him in her arms she exhaled. “How did you know I was just thinking about you? You’re so intuitive for a teen and you don’t get in trouble and I thank you. I thank you because I was horrid at your age and I want you to know that, if you need anything your father and I are on it. Anything because you have excelled my expectations as a son and my best friend.” She wiped her eyes as she looked at her almost grown son.

Dylan wiped his mother’s tears. “Mom we gotta go downstairs it’s time and you’re already crying.” He laughed as he kissed her cheek. “I’m only doing my part and I promise you this that I’ll do whatever to make dad’s new transition easier. He’s going to find something major after being the DA. I actually like having my parents to myself right now with Delilah. It’s kind of dope. So I have now have to be twice as good because I got all eyes on me but I’ll manage. Mom I’m not perfect but I’m happy and I love you to come on.” He helped her down the stairs as he saw Elliot, Selina, Maddie, and Chauncey all entering. He waved at Maddie and then looked at his mother’s face as everyone gawked at how pretty she looked. Her recovery was the true beauty. Getting over drugs and Dimitri’s rape well that showed that his mother was a goddess.

Tamara posed with Dylan and saw Selina, Elliot, and Maddie even snapping for her dress. When she turned around the flashing lights and the loud sounds of Constanza and Lauren bickering were fading. As she tried to focus in on who was taking the pictures. Tamara raised her hand as the photos flashed and her chest began to raise. There he was dripping wet with weeds from the lake covering his body. In that black turtleneck and black jeans the only difference was that his eyes were all black. She exhaled a slight gasp as she shivered. She stepped back, dropping her bouquet and Chauncey swooping in to grab the flowers. “He’s here.” The flashing slowed down and she felt Selina’s hands around her. As she moved her to Lauren’s art studio, sliding the doors closed. Breathing erratically Tamara looked at Selina as she nodded her head. She knew what it meant she saw him too, maybe not like that but Dimitri haunted her too.

“Calm down.” Selina said softly as she walked to the bar and poured her glass of whiskey. “He’s dead and they have nothing on any of us. You hear me?” She said touching her face. “Tamara that night we made a pact to never bring it up and leave him dead and buried. But he has reentered all our lives. I know this is affecting me. But I’m not letting it control me and I don’t want to let it control you. Do you understand me? You know you have to move forward. I mean look at us? We are hugging and talking and I need you to drink.” She laughed as she looked back. “He’s not out there honey and if I can watch my ex-husband marry the woman who I stole her life. I wasn’t good to you and I was jealous you had Braden’s child and I was even more jealous you had the life I wanted with him. I helped the Fraiser’s back then.” Selina said softly.

“I know.” Tamara said as she wrapped her arms around herself. “I just don’t know if I can move forward? I mean he’s always a part of my life. He raped me right when I found out I was pregnant. How am I supposed to get over that? I just had a daughter and I fear for her in this cruel world. Men take from women over and over again. Selina my son was stripped from me and it caused me to crumble even more and I just don’t want her to experience any pain like this. I don’t want her to live with secrets or feel a man think so little of her he can take from her body. How do I move forward? I want to so badly but how are you doing it?”

“One damn day at a time. Tamara I don’t do it for me. I do it for Jamal, Ophelia, Mason, Maddie, Chauncey and you! Bliss! Jackie, we all put our lives on the line to protect ourselves and women. We did it for our families honey and you have to remember that. Look out there he’s not here anymore! He’s not here anymore and thank God he isn’t. Bliss killed him we hid him and we are just as culpable as she is. So I assure you that outside those doors Tamara is Dylan, Delilah and a man with the biggest heart. I love him still and I can say honestly I’m not in love with him because he was meant for you. Tamara they are right outside that door honey that’s your reason to live on.”

Tamara reached out and grabbed the bottle and poured Selina a glass. Once she handed it to Selina her face glowed with a smile. “To our reasons to live.” She knocked her glass against Selina’s and cleared her throat. “I’m ready to get married.” Tamara called out as she reached over and hugged Selina as she opened her eyes to see Walter, Lauren, her parents, Dylan and Maddie all standing there. “Selina agreed to be apart of my wedding party.”

Walter had made small talk with Charles watching as the guests filtered in and out of the chairs and something caught his eye Selina and Tamara huddle in the corner of a room at Lauren’s cabin. They had hated each other for over a decade hell over at least almost sixteen years and yet they were in the corner sharing what seemed like an intimate moment that only they knew about. Call him naive but women hardly ever forgave and forgot that would be like Lauren and Brenda shaking hands and getting together for lunch after the shit he put them both through. His son had repeated that mistake with Tamara and Selina that blame was squarely on his shoulders and he had made it right before it got any messier than it needed to be. He didn’t say anything at first he wondered if they even knew that he was watching it was frankly odd for the to be hugging and sharing anything let alone something resembling friendship on Tamara’s wedding day to his son. Selina had been married to Braden a year and a half ago, hell his son was in love with her for years no matter how misguided it was they divorced amicably of course but he doubted very much they had let bygones be bygones. Moreso if they had he had to wonder what had let to that being the case between them?When they turned around and Tamara had made the announcement that she was ready while nervously looking at them all he almost dropped his scotch when she mentioned she had invited Selina to partake in the wedding.

“I am sure you are Dylan and your father are waiting.” Walter said evenly while he looked at Tamara and then shot Selina the most bizarre off the wall look he could cleary something was off with the entire thing between them. There was no way he was buying that they were best friends now and then a feeling settled into his mind Dimitri. He knew what Selina had been through when it came to Dimitri and he also knew what Tamara went through as well, perhaps that was it. But even then inviting the other woman to be part of the wedding was a huge gesture and he wondered if it even phased Tamara how awkward that would be for his son or if he was even comfortable with that. “Did you clear this with Braden? It’s odd that you would even agree to it.” Walter asked Tamara seeing her nervousness again when he asked the question and then seeing Selina do the same.

“Braden will do what I want.” Tamara bravely stated looking Walter in the eyes not to even try to let him ask a question. She looked over at an impressed Selina as she walked to her father-in-law. “As women we share something that the years of fight over a man supersedes. We were hurt by a man and violated but together we stand stronger than ever isn’t that right Selina.” She said taking her new found friend’s hand and winking at her.

“Plus this isn’t the first wedding I crashed into, is it?” Selina said, seeing Chauncey’s exasperated expression. “Come on this is the only surprise I have in store.” She walked up to Chauncey and Elliot. “I have to get ready for the wedding.”

**********

Braden had no idea why he was so nervous waiting in the hot sun outside for the wedding to start. He wasn’t scared to marry Tamara, but perhaps nervous wasn’t quite the word he was looking for; perhaps it was more exciting. Excited to marry Tamara to put Dimitri behind them along with his first marriage to Selina for them to move forward as a family. He had nerves the day he married Selina uncertain ones but this was a different feeling like everything was exciting and new and he wondered if that was because they were a family again a complete family with a new baby girl involved. It felt complete was a good word for what he was describing and as he watched the guests filter in it was very real and very raw for him. Last time he got married in front of Chauncey’s and Selina’s guests the only ones that had been there were his parents and sister. Today he had their entire side there all his aunts and uncles that were still there his cousins were there even some in the wedding party. That alone was different and enough for him to be happy today, Tamara’s family was here too and he hoped for peace from here on out for all of them.

He hadn’t been fair to her years ago when Dylan was born but those circumstances he would like to think were different back then. He was a young father straight in the middle of college, Tamara was too combined with her addiction he and his family thought they were doing the best thing for his son. That meant his parents at the time hired a lawyer to make sure that he had custody, his parents and his sister helped out when they could when Dylan was a baby. It meant that Tamara got visitation and he knew her family hated it deep down. Dylan was closer to his parents and sister than he was with her family as well. They were grown now they had overcome so much to get to this moment where he was going to marry her and be committed to her and their family. He heard the music start to play and watched as Quinn bravely made her way down the aisle in tow with Mimi’s youngest son Mario. The pairs walked down the aisle with his sister and Zach, Miranda and KC, he saw Brock and Selina walk down and almost paused at that. It had been at Tamara’s request and he was glad that she and Selina had let bygones be bygones but he could already tell Constanza was whispering about it. Finally he saw Devin and Mimi make their way down the aisle and he was torn. He missed Jon there. Jon who was his son’s godson had been a part of his life since they were in diapers, it was almost too much but then he heard the bridal march start and focused his eyes down the aisle.

It was then that his heart felt like it was going to explode. She looked like a goddess of natural beauty surrounded by all the flower pillars, her hair revealing her soft and beautiful face. He etched everything into his memory, it was the perfect dress for her. Not too fancy or pompous but just the right amount of glow to it and the feathers made it feel even more airy than it was. Almost like a rebirth was what he thought at that moment that she was going to be okay after last year there was no darkness in her like he had seen over the last few months. Small glimmers of Dimitri looming over the woman he loved, over her pregnancy with Delilah in hidden crevices that he had wanted to erase. It wasn’t till after their daughter was born that he felt like she was free of those demons. But today right now in this moment she looked amazing and beautiful and he was completely taken away with it. How she was going to be his wife and how they were going be a family now.

Tamara felt so much as she watched Quinn begin to march down the aisle. That kid must of had a unlimited amount of flower girl dresses. She was a professional at this point considering she killed it at Dani and Jackson’s wedding she was sure she was going to do the same. Then her little goomba Mario stormed behind her and she could tell Mario already liked Quinn. It was something about how he looked at her. As she watched the pairs walk down the aisle she began to feel that familiar swelling in her heart when Braden first came back. It was so comforting to have him comfort her. Just to be here for her and after all they had been through. Braden had loved her back to life. He’d shown her what love was and what it could be for them. Did they have obstacles that were mountains? Absolutely and they moved mountains. The smell of outdoors and the flowers wafted in her nose. Taking her son’s arm and her father’s arm she began to walk down the aisle. Looking at two out of three of the most important men in her life. Her beloved daddy and her handsome son Dylan. When she saw him he was handsome as ever. His suit looked perfect with the pink handkerchief.

As they made it to the flower alter she slowly gulped in air feeling lightheaded. Seeing Mimi holding Delilah and the sun glowing on them as they marched on. Looking into the crowd she saw the faces of so many people who loved her and Braden. This was how it was supposed to feel and seeing Maureen her sponsor she felt like everyone was here. She exhaled as the pastor asked Dylan and her father Eugene who gave away this woman. In unison they all said they do. Everyone laughed as she watched her father drag off Dylan to his seat. It was such a warm feeling to see her family interacting with her boy. As Braden took her hand she looked began to cry. It was instant and before she knew it happy tears were flowing down her face. “I can do this without turning into a weeping willow.” She mumbled sniffing deeply as she took Braden’s hands. She was trembling because she didn’t think this would ever be her life so happy and so secure.

Braden took her hands smiling at her and almost losing it himself when she mentioned that she was going to be a weeping willow. He mouthed same to her everyone was here to see them get married from his mother and father, their son and daughter, his sister, her sister, his grandmother there were so many people he could hardly mention them all one by one. It was all the people that had and did matter in their lives but Jon. Jon really was the only one that was missing and was at peace with that but it was a hole in his life. What mattered was that he and Tamara had gotten to this place with each other that they had put all their issues behind them in order to make sure their family was first when it came to unit. They had Dylan and now Delilah and he felt at peace with it, that he was finally complete as a man despite his resignation as district attorney he was going to provide for his family no matter what. He looked up at Pastor Frank who had motioned for the guests to sit as he beamed at Tamara across from him her hands in his.

“Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join these two people in holy matrimony I have known Braden since he was a little one in diapers. I remembered when he and Tamara came to me after Dylan was born in pure Fraiser fashion he of course wanted his son blessed and I was a bit shocked that she agreed. So when he called me to ask me to officiate the ceremony I was more than happy to star to guide him and Tamara onto this new journey together.” Pastor Frank said looking at them both and then at the crowd that had been seated. He pause a moment before he thought about his next words. “They have been through quite the trials togher that I am sure they will remind you about when they say their vows later but I thought I’d take the time to  tell everyone what I have observed in the last few weeks when it came to preparing for this day.”

“Love is not some feeble thing that comes and goes, far to often we think of it as something that we can trade in for the newest model or car or a new purse. Love is something that is of the purest form of God’s love and never ending waver for us. I saw that between these two after the year they had last year, in all the turmoil and the pain that someone thought they had imposed on their lives and their relationship, they came out stronger than ever. Their daughter was born and I was so happy to get the call to visit them in the hospital after their daughter was born. They asked if I was available today in order to marry them and I of course said yes.” Pastor Frank said pausing for a moment to see Braden and Tamara looking at each other and then smiled at them both he did truly believe that the trauma that Dimitri had inflicted upon Tamara had made them stronger as a couple. “I also promised them this would be a ceremony that would be short and sweet so without further ado we shall begin. Is there anyone here who objects to this man marrying this woman?” Frank asked seeing the guests look around and then he let out a smile as he continued. “Well this is hopefully a wedding that is memorable without interruptions or mishaps along the way.” He said and if on cue Delilah began to coo and he couldn’t help but let out a chuckle with the crowd as he turned to Braden. “They have chosen to write their own vows. Braden you first.”

Braden had waited patiently for Pastor Frank to speak about the wedding and one of the things he was actually really grateful for was that he and Tamara had a few weeks to think about their vows. He could deliver a closing argument like it was no ones business but how was he going to tell her let alone everyone at the wedding how he felt about her and the life they had created. His vows with Selina had been so last minute last time and he aws not going to compare them but this time he had taken the time to think about what he was going to say. How he was going to say it and then honor those words hopefully better than he had the last time. One of the things that he had felt that he failed at with Selina was they were too different and rushed into things at the last minute because it was exciting and impulsive. With Tamara it was different she had been through the worst thing imaginable and he stayed by her side even when she at first pushed him away. There was nothing impulsive about marrying her it was a well thought out decision based on his love and devotion to her and their children. He loved Selina but in a completely different way, they were much better friends he discovered than man and wife and that was perfectly fine. Tamara though he didn’t think you could love someone this much or so hard, the rage he felt once he learned what Dimitri had done to her was enough for him to how much he loved her.

“I remember the first time I laid eyes on you in Mr. Sinclair’s English class at college you were this tough girl from Brooklyn that had blonde hair. I was a silly twenty one year old kid caught chasing what I thought was owed to me thanks to my father and his feud with Lowell. You were funny and smart studying to be a nurse. We went out and had a few drinks at the Pub and then before we both knew it, it turned into something physical and a few months later at the end of the semester you came to me to tell me you were late. I remember at the time the pure sense of dread that overcame me, how in the hell were either of us ready for that?” Braden said looking at her and then over at their son yes he had been scared when she was pregnant with Dylan that he wasn’t ready. The truth of it was at that time he still believed in the fantasy with Selina that she was his destiny not the girl that he was actually attracted too and free from Chauncey. “But I promised to me there for you and our child selfishly wishing that I was with someone else because at the time I didn’t know better. I didn’t know that what I really wanted was right in front of me all along and along the way I was part of the reason that you did drugs so it was just as much my fault as it was yours and there is nothing that I can do to change the past or that. It took me a long time to know I was wrong over fifteen and then one marriage that crumbled in under a year.”

He paused for a moment not sure if he was actually hurting other people saying all this out loud but one of the things Pastor Frank and Devin had told him was to speak the actual truth when it came to this moment and his vows. “That marriage crumbled and we started to rebuild our family with Dylan and I realized you were the one that I never really got over. You were still there working on yourself while I was still trying to find who I was once the aura fell and there you were. You were the one that I wanted and I wanted to be the best man for you. I failed at that too with what happened last year but I am not going to let that stop me. I love you Tamara all of you even the God awful ugly parts and the worst we’ve seen in each other.” Braden said looking at her and his eyes filling with tears and he meant it he would live out his days proving to her that she was the one that he loved and was devoted too. “I promise that I will always love you and be there for you from here on out. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to protect you and our two children. I will be the type of man that you actually deserve this time. The man that should have fought for you the first time and let go of my own ambitions. I’ll put you first time, your needs above my own because that is what true love is sacrificing for the other person to be happy. Putting their happiness before your own. That is if you will still have me of course.” Braden said looking at her and then over at their guests and wedding party all with tears in their eyes starring at them.

“Of course I do.” Tamara said as she wiped the tears from her face and her father handed her his monogrammed handkerchief. She couldn’t breathe for a second, shaking lightly as she stared at him. “I love you so much.”

**********

Tamara looked around after listening to the pastor speaking to her family and seeing them all wiping there eyes and she felt a swelling inside of her chest. He just professed his undying love to her and that meant everything. Where would she be without Braden and the Fraisers? They had loved her through what Dimitri did and turning around she saw Selina nodding at her. Mimi handed her vows. She felt weak in the knees and how did he pierce her heart so fully and never did she feel so at home with a person. Never did she think happiness could make her this high. Never did she think that the high she had been chasing her entire life was with him and for this very moment. This was the ultimate high, this was true euphoria and a bliss she didn’t know how to manage. She felt guilty. How many people got as many chances to get it right? How many people saw another day after doing the amount of drugs she did? She looked into the crowd and saw Jackson. The only person who understood what she was feeling in this moment. The rape had amplified the urges to use and erase that pain. She made the choice to have this moment. She made the choice that drugs weren’t as important as Dylan, Delilah, and Braden.

Licking her lips she looked down and quivered as she heard someone almost boohooing. Great, Tamara thought to herself the last wedding a body was found and this one everyone would be a hot mess literally. She looked at Braden and exhaled feeling like she’d never fall out of love with the man before her. He was everything she needed and something she didn’t even know she needed. Clearing her throat she smiled at him as she felt the upheaval of words ready to come out she nodded at him. “I settled in life a lot of times. I thought I didn’t deserve happiness and I damn for sure thought someone loving me for me was foreign. I had saw love in a warped perception and I thought love was a rollercoaster. I thought it was supposed to be painful and I thought that you were supposed to love someone through the toxicity. When you didn’t marry me the first time Braden I lost whatever part of myself I had left. I mourned a love I wasn’t ready for. I thought I wasn’t good enough for that love and I didn’t think enough of myself to protect that love. I had a problem that I didn’t know what love truly was.” Tamara looked at the paper and at Mimi who rubbed her back.

“So I slowly pulled myself back together after falling again and again. But this last time I recovered in the strongest of ways I got serious with what I was losing. Somewhere in my recovery you came back to me. We proved people wrong and found love so true and pure again. You saw me through my recovery and I promise you and the kids that was the last time I’ll fall and I’m keeping that promise. I believe in you as a man and father to our children. You have given me air in the darkest of days my beloved. He thought that I belonged to him and violated me but your love, my sons hope, and the birth of my daughter. I have erased that part of my life finally ready to bury it. Do you understand that you saved me by just bringing me a extra cup of orange juice or coffee in the morning? I can’t put into words what you did for me but you kept out of the darkness and lifted me somehow higher and now I feel so complete with you. I feel so in tune with what we have together and what we will do. No job, no drama, no kids.” Tamara paused and laughed looking at him as he wiped her husband’s eyes.

“I am here to tell you and all my family and friends that I’m clean and sober. I’m stronger than I ever was. The BK girl is still here and I’ll bop you upside of your head when you get out of line. I’ll love you through every issues we face together and I’ll help you find your way. Good days and lovely nights is what I promise will every thing be perfect? No I don’t believe so but I do believe we can make it our best version of our perfection. You protected me so deeply and cared so intensely for me I can’t breathe sometimes thinking about that. How much you love me and I promise to love you forever Braden. I do marry you. I will always marry and love you.” She cried, knowing she went off of her vows but it felt right to say it all. Tamara was shaking in her husband’s hands as she looked into his eyes. “I love you.”

Braden didn’t know what to say when she had said her vows back to him and he had simply nodded to her throughout it, they were just as heartfelt as his were maybe even more so this time. He was emotional and he almost had to chuckle in relief that she was feeling the same things he had been this time and that was what mattered to him this time. He realized that both their hands were shaking and Pastor Frank was even getting emotional on his own as he had taken out a handkerchief and wiped his misty eyes. “I love you too.” He said looking at her.

“With that since everyone is in agreement that you are both in love with each other and no one objects then we will move to the next part of the ceremony. Besides I am afraid fi we don’t the families of the bride and the groom are going to burst out into sobbing and tears if they aren’t already. As always when joining two families they each have different traditions so I want to start with Tamara’s side while she is not a practicing catholic she really did want to honor that tradition. May I please have the rings.” Pastor Frank said looking at Tamara’s sister and Braden’s best man Devin Thompson and he held out the plate with the white linen cloth on it as the rings were placed on it. “Now that this man and this woman have decided to join together in Holy matrimony please bow your heads with me as I pray over these rings.” Pastor Frank said pausing for a moment before he continued. “Dear Heavenly Father please bless this union in faithfulness and love, that it be fruitful and fertile. That they have the best days long with the worst all while clinging to you as one soul inside of each other. What God has joined, let no one put asunder.”

“Now normally that would be the end of it and I’d let them put on the rings but this is a two family ceremony so, go ahead and place on the rings and we’re going to do the Fraiser tradition next. Of course as per tradition I was beyond excited to have Braden and Tamara drop off these beautiful ribbons for the ceremony in the pink, gold and white and so delicate too. When they asked me to find something that fit ehm as a couple for word however I was stumped. As a man of God I was sure that my words would be divinely appointed with scripture.” Pastor Frank said as he wrapped the pink ribbon around their hands and the crowd looking at the bride and groom staring into each other’s eyes so full of love and hope. He proceeded with the gold  and finally with white of course would be the final part he had done so many handfastings over the years he knew exactly what to do to make sure the knot formed at the end. “To my surprise these are the words that came to me instead. ‘And your will shall decide your destiny. I offer you my hand, my heart and a share of all my possessions. I ask you to pass through life at my side — to be my second self, and best earthly companion’. I do believe that Mrs. Bronte had it right from the get go please pull the ribbons.” Pastor Frank concluded to the crowd erupting in loud applause at the knot and he clapped his hands together with the rest. “May I present Mr. and Mrs. Braden Fraiser. You may now kiss your bride.”

Braden had no idea that he was damn near crying at the end when he pulled his hand back staring at his grandfather’s wedding ring on his finger and his grandmother’s on Tamara’s the emotions that he would feel. The adrenaline that rushed through him as he looked around them taking in all the smiling faces of their guests. When Pastor Frank officially announced them as husband and wife he felt his chest swell with so much pride, love and joy and he pulled Tamara to him wiping away her tears unsure if they were sad or happy but it didn’t matter now they were together now for better or worse. “I love you.” Braden said gently wiping away her tears with his thumbs before leaning in and kissing her deeply for all their friends and family to see.

Tamara laughed as she watched the wedding party begin to walk to the limos to be driven away. She looked at him. “I love you, husband.” She laughed as she felt Braden swooping her up in his arms as they walked down the aisle. “Braden put me down!” She laughed as the photographer stopped them to take a photograph of them. “Even if you put me down I will never stop floating on this feeling.”

**********

Greer walked into The Pub on Brock’s arms and saw people staring at them. She hadn’t been around Zach, Kelsey, Lauren, and his parents since the engagement party. Honestly she wondered if this quaint little affair was what her life was going to be? Did Brock never want a drop of the other side? Did he not lust for her to place him in a Tom Ford suit? Or just wear a different scent other than Curve or Old Spice or whatever glaring mistake he did have on. It was teen like she often wondered did he wear Axe? She shivered at the thought as she flipped her long blonde hair looking at everyone around Tamara. She was jealous looking at how Helen and Lauren were fawning over Tamara and the baby. She wanted that attention and right now she was sick of all the Fraiser’s sticking their damn noses down at her. She was from French nobility and honestly if Lowell was fair and right Walter, Harvey, and her father would be billionaires now like him. Who did these bastards think they were? Something snapped inside of her and seeing Dani rolling her eyes would make this moment even more delicious.

Pulling Brock’s arm she saw Braden and Zach disapproving glares at her and she snidely flipped her hair over shoulder making sure she slapped them with her locks as she passed. “Oh Tamara, those words inspire me. I don’t think I could ever reach as deep as you did. I want to deliver my gift personally to you darling. It’s nothing major, just a vacation to Fiji. I do want to talk to you about possibly interviewing for my new morning show Greer LeClerq in the Morning. But since we’re family now we can discuss that at any point. You are such a survivor and I want to know how you keep surviving girlfriend. When Zerick and I went on our honeymoon in Fiji it was amazing you two will love it.” She knew exactly what she was doing, rubbing salt in the wound she wasn’t perfect as druggie Tamara, lezzy Willow, billionaire druggie Jackson, and triple threat minority Mason.

Tamara disliked this woman as she took the trip from her. It was in an envelope. By far the most extravagant gift that they had gotten tonight. She wasn’t stupid working with the Montgomery’s she saw the lavish life and sometimes it wasn’t bad. Hell Braden didn’t have to exactly know it was from Greer. Folding her arms she wasn’t even sure what to say. This lady had just leaked false information on her husband and was truly demented if she was going to play pattycake now and be friends. Shaking her head she felt like decking her in her smug perfect face. “Look bitch nobody wants you here. I’m sorry Brock but what she did and printed in the media about my husband and my family. I swear to God you must have fell on your head because the real Brock Fraiser wouldn’t allow anyone to disrespect his family. Oh don’t look at me like that! The rest of you are thinking about it. This is foolish and whatever she’s doing with you she’ll get bored.” Tamara said unable to restrain herself anymore she passed her baby to Mimi as she saw Lauren and Helen moving out of her way.

Greer wasn’t a fool and she saw exactly how she stirred the pot but she wasn’t going to let anyone touch her. “I’m sorry if you were offended by the news but facts are facts and Braden did mismanage the funds of the DA office. That’s a fact honey or else he would have a job and if you are trying to fight a pregnant woman at your wedding truly classy Tamara. You can take the hoodlum out of New York but never remove the hood.” She snarked as she rubbed her belly and looked at Brock, Dani, Lauren, and Helen mouths hanging open. “That’s right Brock and I are having a baby.” Taking his hand and placing it on her belly. “I thought what better day to celebrate this wedding than shower the Fraiser family with news a new Fraiser is coming. By me because Kieran isn’t here and the twins technically aren’t Fraiser’s they are Devonshire’s so that would mean Brock would have the only Fraiser kid in town right?”

Greer couldn’t believe she was having her engagement party at The Pub. However it was some Fraiser tradition. She often wondered how many traditions they have? It was bad enough she had to incorporate the handfastening into her wedding. That wasn’t what she wanted. To be looking like a fake Dani Devonshire. Well that wouldn’t happen and if they had to skip that one then so be it. Here she was looking amazing in her vintage Alexander McQueen gown. She was going to try her hardest to be on her best behavior tonight. After all, it was all about her. Looking around she almost vomited because here she was in a ballgown and everyone had on jeans and t-shirts. Did these people have no couth? It was an engagement party and nobody but her dressed to the nines. Walking to the bar she instantly saw Dani, Talia, Zach and Mason all chirping. Then Jackson was staring daggers into her no doubt still pissed she nearly got DGI last year. 

“May I please have a tropical seabreeze with a sprig of mint and sugar around the rim.” She said tapping her fingers against the bar she saw the bartender walking to Lauren and then pointing at her. God please don’t let this woman come over here. Lauren for the last few weeks was brutal. It was as if she knew that she was unsure if this was going to work out. Everyone had doubts about their marriage even before it happened. Craning her neck around she saw Lauren coming right at her and she immediately placed a wine cooler in front of her. “That’s disgusting.” 

“That’s as tropical as we have it in The Pub Ms. LeClerq if it isn’t good enough for you then I think you know where all the high end establishments are in Atlas Falls.” Looking at the girl before her she was shook on how much she looked like Agnes. But she didn’t have Agnes spirit she somehow had Pierre’s aura running all through her. She felt like he was siddity and cold, his precious daughter was a chip off the old block. 

“Are you kicking me out of my very own engagement party? I’m sure Brock wouldn’t like that at all. In fact I’m sure he’d be offended by you treating his fiance like that. Look I know you don’t have a use for me in the Fraiser family but I do have my own place here. I’m very in love with Brock. I care about him and if all of you cared about his happiness you’d stop treating him like he has a virus and start showing his choices a little more respect.” Greer said flippantly as she pushed away the wine cooler. 

Lauren pushed it back. “You think I don’t respect my nephew? It’s you I don’t respect. I don’t trust you. I don’t believe you’re even truly in love with Brock.” Lauren snapped back at her smart little comment. Who did this girl think she was talking to? “I should go before I say something you might regret.” 

Rolling her eyes she couldn’t let that old bitty get the last and final word. “Regret is an interesting word coming out of your mouth. I mean don’t you regret even marrying Walter because how I heard it before my uncle left Atlas Falls you begged him to take you, little boy Braden and newborn Dani away with you. You aren’t better than me and I’d appreciate it if you’d stop pretending because you were lusting after my uncle even married. You aren’t some nun and honorable figure, you are human like the rest of us. The sooner you come off of that self imposed pedestal the better.” Finally, Greer picked up the wine cooler and drank it. “Ahh.”

Lauren had enough of this self-aggrandizing little bitch. She was here to cause drama and trouble and not love her nephew and she knew that. What was worse she knew enough of the past to try and use it against her. That was enough. “Everyone gather around.” She called out as The Fraiser’s, family and friends all began to circle around Greer and her. “I want to tell you a story about a little spoiled girl who thinks the world owes her some form of reciprocity for the fact she doesn’t have her mother.” At that very moment she regretted saying it because Lauren saw the shock and hurt on her face. She didn’t think she’d cut deep but she didn’t hear about this story did she? Lauren wasn’t about to pull any punches. “Tell me Greer have you leaked anymore of my children medical records? Manipulated a man to almost betray his family? Cheat on your husband and break up how many marriages? Yours with Zerick which was of convenience but I’m sure you enjoyed a ride on his disco stick. Then didn’t Selina and Chauncey break up also and you were there to scoop him up and twist his head up with your delusional fantasy. You are spoiled, self-indulgent and disgustingly predictable. You hate this don’t you?” Lauren said looking at Greer in her eyes. 

Greer gritted her teeth as she looked at Lauren and shook her head. “It’s perfectly predictable. I hate how traditional it is to have a Fraiser party at The Pub. That’s so groundbreaking and since you have your audience go on tell me how you all feel, Lauren. Go on Fraud analyze me, some more because you are correct this is all too bland for Greer LeClerq and you should know that because you lusted after my uncle.” 

“Who do you lust after Greer?” Lauren snapped back quickly and looked at Greer knowing she had just gotten her. “Do you fantasize about a life on a farm because that’s what Brock wants. He has since he was a little boy he has all but found the land. I don’t know if you know that and your engaged right? You are more of a weekend being flown out to Paris, right? That’s the type of girl you are! Why are you here and not with who we all know you lust after Greer? He’s right on the other side of town. You know how I know you still want Chauncey Devonshire.” She could hear Dani screaming at her to stop and she heard others snickering and hooting in the background. “I know lust because I lusted after your uncle. You see I hope you never marry someone who looks at you like second best but I cheated myself. I didn’t marry the man who loved me and I thought I need to be abused by love to be loved. So I lusted after the only man who truly treated me like a woman should be at that time. You are damn right I did and you aren’t lusting after my nephew you are all about Chauncey but it’s too bad Greer! He’s getting married to Natasha and you aren’t accustomed to losing so you chose to target another family.” Lauren said, looking at her shaking her head. Slapping the drink out of Greer’s hand. “You will never be a Fraiser and I never thought I’d fucking person but you will never belong with us.” 

Greer watched Kelsey snickering as she looked over at Willow who was horrified for her cousin. Looking at Zach and Dani pleased but shocked expression and to be honest she didn’t care about any of them. Until she locked eyes with Brock and her lips quivered because he looked disgusted at her. She didn’t know if he was upset at the situation or just hearing his aunt utter disdain for her. She wasn’t sure if it was the Chauncey comment because she was taken back. Lauren knew how she felt. She understood what she wanted. Maybe she wasn’t as special as she thought but she would be Greer LeClerq. When he just lowered his head like a scalded child. She had enough. “Say something Brock! Tell this bitch to mind her business.” The entire room gasped when she called Lauren a bitch. “You’re right about one thing, maybe I don’t know my fiance because he would allow someone to just rip me apart at my engagement party. My dad told me this was a mistake.” Greer stormed away as she bumped into Helen and Kelsey rushing away.

Greer stood staring at Lauren knowing she’d just checked-mated her. As she looked at Brock’s half horrified but jubilant expression. She had him. She had him hook, line and she didn’t plan on sinking. So Ophelia would have to fudge the numbers but she was going to raise this baby as Fraiser and she planned on elevating Brock. You see there was no way he wouldn’t want this life for their child. He’d wanted the best and this baby would have that it was a LeClerq with her uncle’s international connections, Bode’s current arrival to assist in LeClerq Media, and her cutthroat business skills the telecommunication world was under siege. Soon they’d get a nationally syndicated channel under LeClerq Media and when that happened. Well the family would have the power to squash any and every one. Flipping her golden hair she felt Brock picking her up and she laughed spinning in his arms. They kissed again and she knew that Brock was a good man but he was what she needed now. A man to ground her. Some people awkwardly clapped others were too shocked. “Darling I couldn’t wait any longer to tell you that you are going to be a father. I guess the rumors were wrong. They said I’d never be a Fraiser but I’m having a Fraiser baby so I guess I am a Fraiser.”

Brock had watched the wedding unfold and was honestly really happy for his cousin and Tamara to get to that point in their relationship. He of course had stood up for him along with Zach while he had watched Greer in the back at the wedding. It was cordial with his cousins for the most part and his love, his parents had approved of Greer but ever since that article was printed in the newspaper about Braden everyone had put on the ice with her. He had hoped that would have passed over by now or he was just ever so optimistic when it came to his family and Greer. He had been so torn lately he wasn’t going to stop Greer from having her career but at what cost to his family? She’d went after Dani a few times already and then recently it was Bradent that had actually cost Braden his job. It hadn’t stopped them from celebrating and Braden from marrying Tamara but it was Greer’s paper that had printed what was no more than gossip or maybe it was truth he really didn’t know. His eyes had gotten wide when she just simply told the room she was pregnant and he took a moment for it to sink in, he was going to be a father. Something he was elated about he only wished the way it came out wasn’t so damn crass with her.

“A baby? Wait when did this happen, when did you find out?” Brock asked looking at her and then at the clearly pissed off faces from the bride and groom, along with most of the rest of his family. His mother looked elated, his father unsure, his siblings looked fucking horrifed and not thrilled with how casually she dropped things in the middle of Braden’s wedding. His aunt looked pissed as hell and he still remembered their engagement dinner which ended in disaster where for a few weeks he really doubted that he was the one that Greer loved and not Chauncey. He was secure now in that obviously and he was so excited he leaned down kissing her deeply in front of all his family before pulling back with a huge smile on his face. “I’m thrilled of course, but babe you could have done this in private you know. I don’t think she meant anything by it Braden.”

Braden looked at the women that had ruined his entire fucking career based on fucking heresay or what everyone else knew as hearsay, he knew the truth that Tamara did shoot Dimitri and she had every right too. But he also didn’t think that she actually murdered him, Tamara was a lot of things a murderer wasn’t one of them. He had to be nice to Greer because she was dating Brock but that was where it stopped for him and he didn’t care how petty it was as he took the tickets from Tamara and handed them back as cooly as he could to her and Brock’s shocked ass faces. He like his sister was so damn fucking tired of being nice to her and he and Tamara had already planned their honeymoon which didn’t require Greer flashing her wealth around on them and tyring to place nice after what she did. It was one thing to go after his sister who could take care of herself but it was an entirely different thing to go after his wife, partner and the mother of his children the way she did. He could take his licks as DA but Tamara didn’t deserve to go through anymore than she had and he was going to make sure that he kept himself to that.

“No thanks we certainly don’t need a hand out from you of all people for our honeymoon, you printed garbage in your papers to ruin my fucking career and Tamara’s career, then have the nerve to show up at my wedding and announce your pregnancy. On our day how God damned selfish can you actually be? Honestly I think my mother was right about your all those months ago when you tried to convince us all how much you loved Brock before you ran off.” Braden said looking at her and his cousin’s shocked face he wasn’t going to hold back. He watched as his sister simply beamed at him and took a drink Greer wanted to insult the twins that was fine she could the truth of the matter was they were every much bit Fraiser’s and Devonshire’s. “You’re right the twins are Devonshire’s through Jackson but they’re also Fraiser’s through my sister so watch your damned mouth. Just like your child would be part of your selfish nature and my cousin’s. You really haven’t learned at all how to fit in here have you, or you’re just playing a long con like my mother predicted you were. Newsflash we tolerate you because we love Brock but my courtesy stopped the moment you went after me and Tamara, cost me my job and then just tried to upstage us at our wedding.”

Greer sneered as her upper lip curled, shaking her head. “Just so you know you aren’t important enough Braden. You aren’t important enough for me to fabricate a story on you. I have very legitimate sources, you sanctimonious little man. I didn’t come for you but beware someone is after you all. Do I fit in now? I told you that someone is coming for you all and will collect.” She could tell Brock wasn’t happy right now with her but she didn’t give a damn. “I printed the news and I’m sorry if it offended you ex-DA Fraiser but I will always do my job. If my damn father shot Walter in this dingy little pub then I’d report that also. So no family discount, sorry love. I don’t regret publishing a damn thing but I do regret not putting the rest of what I found out in the report and here I was thinking that I was protecting you.” She got up and rubbed her belly. “Brock this negativity isn’t good for the baby and I really would like to leave if that’s alright with you. We can discuss when I found out and all the good news. Helen I hope to see you tomorrow for tea.” She said purposely also because although she pretended around the others Helen was ecstatic Brock had settled down.

**********

Zach held Mason’s hand as the cooling air of the night. Maybe it was because they were off Lake Everestt and it made the breeze feel special. As he took in the lights of the city he smiled. It was a perfect time to propose. The park looked amazing and he could honestly say he was nervous. Last time he proposed to Dante well it was sporadic and it wasn’t meaningful. After just witnessing all that love he felt overwhelmed at this moment. Zach didn’t know what he was truly up against loving Mason. It turned out that he found his soulmate. He felt so big to have all this right now and he knew when Keiran came they’d be complete. He knew separating his son from Scarlett would be impossible. Dani didn’t understand but the more time she had to run with him the more they bonded and that killed him. She was a psycho but she was raising a good kid. A kid that he felt in his bones would come home to Atlas Falls. Biting his lip he picked Mason’s hand up to his lip and kissed it. As he saw the fireworks going off in the summer night. Tamara and Braden’s wedding happened to be the first night of the carnival. It was nights like this that made him know that Atlas Falls was more than a city. It was a community of so many diverse people all striving.

Clearing his throat he looked at Mason. “I don’t know if you know this but I went to Tony last year before him and Ophelia got married. I like to pride myself on knowing the Fraiser traditions. Brock went to Pierre so I talked to him and awkwardly I asked him if he minded if I asked for your hand in marriage. But I think it’s rude to not ask a grown man what he thinks because Mason I don’t even know if you’re happy with where we are as a couple. So I promised your dad something.” Touching his boyfriend’s smooth mocha skin and his sweet golden brown eyes. “Mason, are you okay with us right now? I mean I think everything is perfect. I just have to know how you feel before I continue.” Zach’s heart was pounding as he saw wonder and curiosity in Mason’s face. “Baby talk to me.”

Mason was starting to feel like he was getting back to normal when it came to life again unlike Selina he wasn’t going to dwell on the past he didn’t think his father would have wanted him too. Things at the frim were going well and he was completely happy with Zach in his life, that was his future not looking backwards into old journals to stir up old memories, memories his father obviously wanted to keep to himself. He wanted to live life to the fullest now and not take anything for granted if his father’s death had taught him anything else it was that. The wedding was such a nice distraction and it gave him a small chance to catch up with Jackson had done his best to listen and ease his fears with Lex trying to worm his way back into Dani’s life, he wouldn’t have liked it if Zach’s ex had done the same thing but he also trusted Zach too. The reception had been a damned disaster when Greer casually dropped the bombs he was pregnant much to the horror of Zach’s family and he was more than happy to politely take a walk with Zach to excuse themselves from the mess. It was like Braden couldn’t catch a damn break lately and honestly Zach looked like he was done with Greer’s antics too. Atlas Falls of course was gorgeous as night and the air was still damp with summer and he smiled at Zach when he asked how he was feeling and he kissed Zach’s hand.

“Honestly right now just happy I know I was kinda a huge asshole over the last few months and you really didn’t deserve the brunt of that I was so upset about what happened with my dad. Selina is on some wild goose chase, Jamal is doing the label and I’m just glad I’m okay now I wasn’t sure how I felt about it all you know? How he went out it was so unlike him but that’s not my demon to carry you know and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.” Mason said looking at Zach and taking a breath and thinking over what Zach had obviously asked his father it was such a traditional move from the Fraiser side of the family and one he though was one of Zach’s best qualities. The old schoolness of it all, he of course was gay as hell but both of them were also a bit traditional hell he loved jazz and all things art deco, Zach kept to his more grassroots but they worked. “I didn’t know that you had went to my dad, he and I were back on good terms but it also felt so short you know? Like he was really trying before he just…” Mason said his voice trailing off at the thought of his father’s suicide. It was still painful to think about how he had died without so much as a care or a note other than what read sorry, like sorry was the best he could do. “I’m glad you two got to talk I know he admired you Zach and everything you stand for.”

“I did go to him and I asked for your hand in marriage.” Zach said letting Mason walk ahead of him. As he got down on one knee and cleared his throat. When Mason turned around he saw his eyes wide with wonder and glee. He was happy, which was a good sign. “I have had a lot of time to think about this Mason. I have lost Kieran and so much time with him. He’s growing and changing but so am I. I plan on having him back but when he does he needs to be deprogrammed and to see a happy healthy gay marriage. I want our lives to be so happy. I want to adopt a kid with you. I want to see the world with you Mason and our son Kieran. You will be an amazing father and even more so you’re an amazing lover. You are my best friend and you are my soulmate. I’ve never said that before like this. I loved others but you have made my heart swell. Mason I want to have a huge house and kids and you. You give me so much and I know it’s been hard these last few months. But give me a chance to make new memories, create a new family. So many kids need a home Mason and Kieran needs love when he comes home. I just know that he’s going to be okay until he comes back and I have to believe that. I have to believe that our love and humanity will fix whatever Scarlett has broken in our son.” Zach took a long breath.

“Marry me, buy a new house with a lot of land, let’s have lots of babies and kids and let’s grow old together. Mason this is the last proposal I’ll ever have to give because you are it for me. If it’s no today then in a few months I’ll ask again. If it’s no then I’ll ask again and again. You are the end for me and I think we can have surrogates, adopt, and foster maybe? I want you so much and to give you so much. I think we could really do something special in town where your upscale sophisticated life meets my down to earth life and we can have kids get the best of both worlds. We can have the best of both worlds. Hell Jackson is married if you don’t hurry up you and Thor will be the last of your group right? Come on Mason jump the broom with me. What do you say? Marry me and then we’ll find Scarlett and boom we’ll have our family with Kieran and whatever else you want to do.” One thing he knew Tony wanted was Mason and Jamal to carry on with the Delacroix clan. “I want to give Kieran the name Kieran Anthony Delacroix-Fraiser. What do you say Mason will you marry me?”

Mason was shocked at the proposal it had only been a little over a year since they had begun a relationship, it was all so new to him to be open and out and proud of who he was. There was no shame in that and then he paused he loved Zach Fraiser so what was the harm in taking life by the horns and running with where it led you? If his father’s death had taught him anything it was life was too short to waste wondering about the what ifs of what could have been, or what would be. You had to live in the then and now and he really wanted to do that going forward. He wanted all the same things that Zach did down the line kids, he wanted to find Kieran and bring him home then adopt or get a surrogate so they could have their own children. He wondered if Zach had done the same thing when he had proposed to Dante but for some reason he seriously doubted that Zach had been lying to himself about the entire situation with Scarlet and Dante which was no ones fault it just happened. Just like he had been lying to himself while pretending with Scarlet to be a couple to please his father while secretly being with Simon. In truth it felt like for both of them this was the first natural and healthy relationship they had and it was special because it was with each other, it made it mean something. Not to mention he was head over heels in love with Zach, he loved Simon at one point but not like he loved Zach with everything they had been through.

“I love you so much of course I will!” Mason said looking at him and the ring that Zach had and he couldn’t help but have the biggest smile on his face as he said it either. After nearly thinking about suicide himself Zach found him and somehow they slowly started to bond and that bond turned into what he felt like was his real first love, the type of soulmate love that his friends Hunter and Jackson had with their spouses. The type that he had thought his father had with his mother when in reality it was likely more so with Ophelia and noe he had it, it was in his grasp and he wasn’t going to let it go for anything. “I am so excited about this I mean it, I know I haven’t been a hundred percent my best you know with everything. But planning a wedding and sharing a life with you sounds prefect and I know my dad would want that you know? I want what my friends have and your cousin has with my best friend. I want to build on what we started and I would be so happy to be your husband.” Mason said hugging Zach and then kissing him deeply before pulling back he was so emotional and so happy. “I had no idea this is what you were planning today especially at Braden’s wedding but it feels so right you know. Oh my god Zach the wedding could you imagine the chic style we can bring to this to shake up this city?” Mason said still smiling at his now fiancee.

Zach exhaled the moment that Mason said yes. Only thing that was missing was Kieran and with Dani’s help they’d have him soon. It would be his life mission to have a family. With a beautiful adopted kid, a surrogate kid, and his son.Mason was so hurt by his father’s death he knew that it wasn’t the right time. Deep in his heart he knew that his boyfriend would say yes. When he proposed to Dante it was out of guilt this was however different. He’d never felt so at home and so in love with someone ever. Mason sort of consumed him after he found him on that bridge it was all about him. His life was empty before Mason losing Kieran and gaining him was a painful transition. He had to believe that God didn’t care if you were gay or straight. He cared if you loved and lived your life with faith and purity. He had faith Kieran would come home and they’d be a complete family. Wiping his eyes as he took another deep breath listening to his fiancee jabber about being excited. When Mason kissed him he felt himself getting hard the moment he tasted his tongue. Taking Mason face he gripped it leaning in kissing him deeply again. “I want whatever you want. I want the best wedding ever and I want it to be big as hell. I want it to be gay as fuck. This city isn’t ready for our wedding and I think you are ready to be Mason Fraiser or am I going to be Zach Delacroix? I mean your name carries more weight than mine.” He laughed as he gripped his hips.

“I was scared shitless to be honest. Dani knew and I know that everyone is getting married and living their lives but I want that for us. It’s fast I know but from the moment I met you I felt the connection. I remember being that hurt that I wanted to die and that damn Dani, Lucy and Brock pulled me out of the darkness. Then when I found you, we both were in pain. Scarlett and all the things that were going on. I just think we deserve this after everything and I got you Mason. I got you forever and I don’t want to wait.” Just as he turned to see some fireworks going off. He smiled as he saw kids running with sparklers through the park. Taking Mason’s hand he kissed it. “Can we go home and make love? I don’t have any days off for the next week. Jon is kicking our ass so I want to have you. As my very own.” Zach had gotten all he wanted and tonight would be so special for his fiance.

**********

The smoldering summer sun was blazing down heat on Atlas Falls. But now it was setting and the moon was cooling the city down. Jon knew that today was the day. He had waited a while to question Tamara and now he was going to do it in a public and messy way. Jon had gotten the invite and a piece of him wanted to attend Braden’s wedding. They’d been friends since the sandboxes but right now he wanted to hurt Dani and Braden and what better way than to ruin his wedding? He was going to walk into The Pub for the first time in almost seven months. He’d never not been apart of the Fraiser family. When he was little his mother would joke with Walter how Dani would marry. It wasn’t until he got older did he truly see the Fraiser’s for what they were. If they had that money years ago with Walter and Lowell they’d be just as disgusting as the Devonshire’s. Hell Dani’s new found wealth was already showing on them all. He’d heard rumors of them shunning Greer which wasn’t like them. Even though Greer did some horrible things, the Fraiser family were once the family fallen from grace. His family and the Thompson’s took them in and slowly their reputation and repentance to how they acted in the past came.

As he walked into The Pub he could see Dani and Jackson dancing on the floor. Lauren was laughing with Randall Sinclair. His eyes darted to a Tamara and Braden standing and talking to Dylan and Maddie. He began to make his way to them as he bumped into Brandon Fraiser not saying a word. As Merci and Devin saw him he could tell they weren’t pleased with what he was about to do but he was shocked at how fast Braden had made his way to him. He had his arms open and Jon held his hand to Braden. Flipping out his badge to show he was here officially and a smirk appeared on his face. He could feel the hate radiating off of many people. Chauncey and Selina looked at him with disgust. But what was she looking at? He could drag her ass in for questioning just like Jackie and Bliss. “I’m not here for fucking congratulations Braden. I need to speak to Tamara immediately and if not now then we can go down to the station.” It was as if the joyful music stopped and he saw people all staring at him disgusted. “So now or this wedding will be another memorable one for the books. The bride hauled down to the station all over Greer’s tabloid now.”

Braden had been enjoying a dance with Tamara watching the rest of their guest mingle, crack jokes and just have a good time, his heart was so full. They had just finished a spin on the floor when he had heard the door open and Jon walk it. Jon hadn’t stepped foot in the bar since that shit went down at his sister’s rehearsal dinner. He was here now and at firs the thought he was there to actually congratulate him and Tamara about the wedding hell maybe even meet Delilah instead when that badge flashed his eyes narrowed. He could see Devin get up from the table as best man as backup just in case. Tamara looked like she was about ready to damn cry and he wondered how much worse his wedding reception could get it wasn’t like anyone had been shot or anything like that, no one was revealed as a serial rapist. The vapid woman that was Greer had finally left her fake ass grandstanding. He was pretty sure he and Brock weren’t on speaking terms now and wouldn’t be for a while but he wasn’t just not going to say anything about Greer’s shit it wasn’t in his nature. He looked at Jon as the music stopped and wasn’t sure what else he was going to say to his one time childhood friend.

“I would have said it’s good to see you but as you can see we’re kinda in the middle of our wedding reception. I was really sad to see you couldn’t put this to the side even for today to watch your godson’s parents get married. Or a few months ago you never even came to see Delilah when she was born.” Braden said looking at Jon and seeing Dylan look between them he didn’t mind the fall out of him and Jon it was what it was. Jon had been a huge part of Dylan’s life though growing up since he came back from Iraq and that to him was what upset him more than Jon being a jerk to him or his sister it was the complete lack of care to a boy that looked up to him like second father figure. “We can do this out here or if you want we can do it privately in the back Tamara isn’t talking to you. At least not without her lawyer there and well since that bitch ruined my career, you know how I can get you’ll talk to her when I say you can and that may just take a few fucking years as far as I am concerned. You have gossip that Greer printed in her trashy tabloid. There isn’t a person here who gives a shit who killed Dimitri Kavanagh.”

“Funny thing is I don’t give a fuck who killed him but something you don’t have is a job. So I wouldn’t expect you to understand that I have to do that said job.” Jon said sarcastically. “Fine I can take Tamara down to the station. I can ruin your wedding and don’t use my connection to Dylan for your mistakes. Listen I didn’t care today was your wedding a second witness has finally stepped forward and I may or may not have a certain weapon used to shot Dimitri days before he went missing now you want to play this game with me Braden. Stonewall me and I’ll break down the wall but it won’t be what you like you hear me? I love Dylan and I love you all still but I have a job to do and the chief and people above my pay grade want this case shut. Now I can’t do anything about that and I hate to say it Tamara but all roads are leading to you and few other people.” Jon cast his eyes to Selina. “So either talk to me and give me your statement or else we will have a serious problem.”

“Stop!” Tamara had seen how much this was killing her son. He loved Jon like another father and to see them at war it wasn’t what Dylan needed. She looked at Selina who had tears in her eyes and she saw she was shaking like a leaf. Eliott had noticed her demeanor shift when Jon entered the party. Tamara focused in on Selina and cut her eyes at her with the coldest stare. She prayed Selina understood her warning she wouldn’t be able to focus on her and handle a raging dickhead. Jon was angry at the world since it was revealed that the Hessington, the other richest family in Pennsylvania had his prized first born. “If he wants to do this here it means that it’s not formal and it’s a few damn questions. I can finally place this behind us on what a better day than today. It’s settled though that a lawyer will be present won’t they Braden. He’ll advise me what I should and can say I think that is fine.” Tamara kissed Dylan on the forehead. Then walked to the back with both men. Walking into The Pub back room. “What is this Jon? In front of my son?”

“Tell me about the wedding. Tell me what you did from start to finish, don’t skip a detail. Oh please the Frasier’s don’t keep secrets do they? Dylan’s a big boy and this isn’t my doing. You could have gone to the police.” Jon chastised immediately. “I might be pissed at you all but I would have never let you go down if something happened. I would have never let you take the fall.” He spoke honestly as he looked at Tamara and Braden. “Now I have you, Selina, Jackie and Bliss all out of the wedding. Tell me what happened and save yourself before they throw you down the rabbit hole.”

“There is no rabbit hole, we were freaked out after Dimitri abducted us. You are insinuating something then say it.” Tamara said immediately fury flashing in her face.

“I’m saying one of you four pumped Dimitri with bullets. I’m saying that you are the killer because rumor has it. You are the one who shot him only weeks before his death. I am stacking evidence against you Tamara it doesn’t look good. Once we find the initial gun from the first shooting then we’ll have all the proof we need to take you down. Now tell me the truth and maybe I can help you.”

Tamara turned to look at Braden and her hands began to shake. Zerick had gotten rid of that gun. She knew he wouldn’t betray her. The look in his eyes was far too sincere. “I didn’t kill Dimitri.” She repeated it again and looked at Braden. “I can’t do this Jon please just leave us alone. I am begging you to stop.”

Jon knew to push even harder at this moment. She looked like she was about to break. “He set a video camera in your home. Watched Dylan, watched you, and literally criticized how you and your husband make love. He watched and stalked you. Then when you were alone he raped you and pretended you were Bliss right? You are protecting Bliss, Selina, and Jackie it’s stupid. If they did it tell me. I will bury them but if they think you are going to flip Tamara they’ll swallow you whole. They are going to betray you just like Lowell did Walter and if you know something say something. Now or I swear Tamara I’m going to have to take you away from this life you built. Is that what you want? Not to see Dylan graduation? Not to see Delilah walk? That’s what you are facing so if you know something say it damnit.”

Braden had to stop for a minute and take in what Jon was accusing her of in the middle of the Pub as they all marched to the back he had turned his head to see Zach, Devin, Brock and surprisingly Jackson right behind. He watched the movements like Jon was just grilling to grilling but he’d also seen fear when it came to witnesses and cracking and his wife was just about there. Something was going on frankly he didn’t like being in the dark, but this wasn’t like Jon in the slightest and to throw up the fact that he was no longer DA in his faces pissed him the fuck off even more. He wasn’t going to accuse Tamara of lying about what happened at the wedding she had no reason too and it wasn’t like he thought that Simon couldn’t fiend off Dimitri if he had too so this questioning was speculation at best. There was no one with Jon when he came to the Pub he had no paper in his hand meaning this was a fishing expedition at best to see what shit he could stir up and then let it all land where he saw fit. He looked between Tamara and Jon then at the others that had gathered in the hallway and the doorway

“You want to talk to Tamara anymore you know where my house is you can bring a warrant with you. You don’t get to come in here and railroad her at our wedding after months of not talking to us. I get it your mad at Skye gave up your kid, that she lied to you and you got dealt a shitty hand in the entire situation with Miles. But none of that was my fault or my sisters. Tamara has nothing left to say to you and I’d like you to leave.” Braden said looking at Jon and meaning it he wanted to grill Tamara later he could try but they’d do it when he knew what the real story was. He wouldn’t be flying blind at what was supposed to be the happiest day of his life and Tamara’s after the hell they had been through with Dimitri. “I mean it you want to do this go find a judge in this town that is going to give you an arrest warrant until then if you’re not here to celebrate you can leave.” Braden finished.

“I’ll leave.” Jon said, looking at Braden. “You can use your legalese and all of that influence the Fraiser seem to be loving now that Dani is fucking married to a Devonshire. It’s fine but Tamara I’m giving you the chance to say you killed him or reveal who did if it wasn’t you. I don’t give a fuck if you believe Dimitri life meant nothing. The government wants answers, the DA wants answers, and a lot of people up top want to know. I have one more thing to say Braden. One thing to tell you if you know anything, if she knows anything I’m throwing the book at her and you. Friendship doesn’t cover for murder unless it’s Dani,you. You all can say it’s because I’m hurt or it’s because I’m a dick. No it’s because if it was any of you I’d be fighting just as hard. It’s also because I think you four women might have done something incredibly stupid and covered up something that we could have handled. So if that’s the case Braden you better use all your legal brain because I’m going to bury your wife, your ex-wfie, two fucking Devonshire’s and if you know anything because it couldn’t be secrets? You had to know this right Braden?” He taunted as he felt Braden’s fist collide with his torso and then his face. Before he knew it they were fighting like they used to do in the third grade except it wasn’t cute or precautious.

Tamara charged out the back holding her dress as she screamed for help. She saw Walter, Jackson,Dylan, Eugene, her cousin Paulo who just arrived with his tramp of a girlfriend Michelle, and Devin all arrive to snatch up the men apart. She watched a friendship disintegrate before her eyes and the look in Braden eyes. She saw rage and unforgiveness and she didn’t want that. She didn’t want Jon like this either he’d always been kind. When she was arrested for her addiction once he held her as she cried about the disappointment she was infusing in Dylan and Braden’s life. He’d been Dylan’s rock when they were fighting. Now he was seeing his father and godfather brawling; it was too much for her heart. “Stop! I told you all I know now get the hell out!”

The impact of Braden’s fist to Jon’s gut made him lose his breath. He instantly went on the defense and began to attack back. Landing a punch in his jaw but he also could feel Braden connecting with his face. Jon and Braden landed on some Fraiser whiskey boxes and fell on the their asses. Paulo and Eugene used all their strength to hold him back. It wasn’t until he saw Dylan looking at him like a hostile. Did he hear what he said to them. A piece of him instantly regretted it because their relationship was so strong. He didn’t want to lose that but it was clear he was losing everyone and he wondered if he truly cared. “I should take your ass to the station for assaulting an officer but call that blow your wedding present.” Jon stormed out as he watched Dylan looking at him disgusted. Jon blew past the other guest and he heard mumbling as he made eye contact with Selina and Elliot. As he walked to his car he clutched his jaw as he unlocked the door and got inside. As he began to hyperventilate and have a panic attack. What was

**********

Tamara was shaken from how harsh and how much Jon possibly had put together. Selina was right they had to lawyer up. All of them and if he had somehow put together that one of them killed them. He was after Bliss. He just wanted the killer. She was relieved but she also knew the media wouldn’t allow them all to get off. Four affluent women, and them just getting off wasn’t an option. The car ride was so silent from Braden’s rage at Jon for accusing her of murder. He wasn’t off and if it was true he had the gun that she shot Dimitri with well it didn’t look good for her. She was beginning to feel her husband’s apprehension about every lie she had been telling. Tamara had just given vows to trust in this man and be with him through every valley. As they got out of the SUV giving the keys to the concierge she took Braden’s hand and people congratulated them as they passed. After a brief check-in they were on the elevator to the honeymoon suite. As he carried her through the threshold she laughed looking at him a traditionalist to the end. Tamara picked up rose petals on the floor and looked at Braden in the eyes. “We need to talk.”

Tamara sat down on the couch as she looked at her husband. “Come on, sit down with me.” She waited for him to sit down with her. As she looked him in the eyes she felt her stomach drop. “I did shoot Dimitri and I left the scene, you know that. What you don’t know is what really happened at Jackson and Dani’s wedding. Dimitri kidnapped us one by one. I tried so hard to fight against him but he had me again. I wasted tears thinking about if we could have done this different. But we couldn’t and Bliss killed Dimitri that night. How were we to explain that with four women all perfectly fine? Bliss in the middle of a custody battle, me just shooting him, Selina destroying him and Jackie well she just helped us. It happened fast but Simon and some guy named Ivan helped us and I don’t regret it. I just hate his body was found. I was struggling but Selina of all people told me mentally I was chasing pavements. I was wrecking myself and I have to live and I know I should have told you that. Now he’s back in our lives and won’t go away. This time if Zerick doesn’t have that gun, Braden I’m in trouble.” Tamara said, exhausted and exhilarated that the truth was out.

Braden was still livid with Jon and his wild and outrageous accusations towards Tamara it was like he just couldn’t let shit go and it wasn’t about murder anymore Jon was making things personal. Then there was everything with Tamara too he was a patient man always had been he got that from his mother for sure, which he honestly smiled about Dani got all the fire from the Fraiser side normally. He much more took after the Cummings side, but he knew something was haunting Tamara it was something the therapist had told them both but the therapist had also cautioned it was Tamara’s trauma to talk about with Dimitri. It wasn’t his own and how as he going to help her when he didn’t know how to help her? When she wouldn’t tell him what was going on or haunting her? He bottled that inside of him on the drive over to the hotel and even once they were inside the room. He was still bound and determined to make their honeymoon special when he carried her through the doorway of their hotel room. He listened to her talk about everything he knew about her shooting Dimitri after what happened that wasn’t a secret between them. What was the bigger problem and secret was that it sounded like she was dragged into helping cover up Dimitri’s murder. He took a seat by her on the bed trying to decide what he was going to say and how.

“I knew that you shot Dimitri after what he did and I don’t blame you for losing my job okay none of that was your fault it was the press and Greer printing what she did they ran with it. Why didn’t you tell me after it happened?” Braden asked quietly, not even angry any more and even worse feeling like she was trying to hold onto her struggles because she felt like she had to, wasn’t that his burden too? “He broke into our house Tamara he video taped you and Dylan, he stalked you. He took you from my sisters wedding like eh was collecting a collection and you couldn’t tell me or Jon about it? You don’t even like Selina, why protect her and Bliss too you don’t care much for her other. Why cover for them and worse not confide in me?” Braden said looking at her trying to understand why she was doing this

Tamara wiped her eyes looking at her husband. “You loved Selina right at one point she was the epitome of woman for you. She was sophisticated and untouchable to me. I mean how could I compete? I was just a girl from Brooklyn and she was this glamorous goddess floating above me. Incandescent is what I thought of her. I knew that she was amazing and beautiful but when I saw her afraid of Dimitri and a victim just like me. I knew we couldn’t remain as rivals. In some strange way it bound us. I understand her pain when Elliot touches her skin or when you touch me.” She paused knowing it would hurt him to hear this. “She talked to me about it, we built something. It’s strange my rival once upon a time ago became my rock. I can see what you loved about her because she helped me today and yesterday, and last month and two months ago and when I thought I shouldn’t be happy holding my daughter Delilah, she, along with Jackie and Bliss helped me see I deserve happiness. It was sick what he did but I don’t want Bliss or myself or Selina, and damn for sure Jackie or Simon or anyone who helped us to go down.”

“I don’t talk to Jackie and Bliss as much but we are a sisterhood. So I couldn’t tell what we did and going to Jon who was ravenous and still is furious with us all? He is taking out his rage and hurting on us all. It was true then and even more so now. Look at what he just did Braden. I can’t say that it was right but Bliss saved us and Jackie protected us. Selina has kept us together and is horrified that Jon won’t stop. We all are so I will say this to my husband I came into this marriage with this secret because I thought I needed to hide it from you. I think that was my only mistake not telling you but what happened and what we did. No, that was justice.” As she wiped her eyes as she took a deep breath. “I love you and I want to say I recoil because I still feel him. Not you but I think that is over now. I feel a weight off of me. We just couldn’t three prominent women and one poor one all saying they killed a man? Do you think that would go off easily?”

Braden looked at her crying and his heart broke a little more with her that even now she still thought that she was second with him, made worse with the fact that Dimitri had traumatized her so much. He wanted to be mad at Selina and Bliss for dragging her into a murder cover up but he also understood that they had all banded together when it happened. Honestly he wished that he had been to one to find Dimitri first and had placed a bullet in him himself as selfish as that sounded. But he wasn’t allowed to and somehow it made him think that he was less for his family, for his children and worse less of a partner to Tamara too. Sure they had other issues to overcome with what Dimitri did but sometimes he felt like that loomed to large over them and too high, that it was too much. He understood better now though why she was so hesitant to tell him at the time he was still DA, he still had a career. He didn’t now though and he took a moment to pause and look at his wife wondering if he was taking in her cues right or not about what she was saying.

He loved her so much and what she had been through was more than enough for him if they never got on that level again he would learn to live with it. He wanted her to feel safe and secure for the rest of their lives together. He was never mad at her for what she covered up and he wanted her to know that. “I’m glad you told me now. It doesn’t change anything.” Braden reassured her before he wiped the tears from her face and leaned in kissing her lips hoping that she didn’t pull away at the action or worse recoil from the trauma that Dimitri had put her through. He relaxed a little bit more when she seemed to welcome the kiss and the thoughts of Greer trying to outshine them at the reception and the fight with Jon faded from his mind. His thought instead drifted to their wedding night as his feet got up from the couch gently tugging her with him to move to the hotel bed, his lips parting hers slighting as she stumbled over the coffee table in the room and recapturing her lips. He felt her reaching for the hem of his shirt and his hand froze on the zipper of his dress he was still a gentleman. “Tamara wait…” He said catching his breath as he looked at her. “Only if you are sure.”

Tamara heard him say the one thing she’d always wanted. It didn’t change anything and she knew he had her back and that meant everything to her. When he kissed her she didn’t know what happened. One moment she was in absolute pain and the next she was ready for him. She knew it from that moment that he said it. She was ready to open not just her mind but her body to him again. It had been a lot of talking to her therapist, it had been a lot of praying but she knew right now she wasn’t thinking about Dimitri. She was thinking about loving the man in front of her. Giving her life to this man she pledged to love through hell and heaven. That was what marriage was about loving someone through the ups and downs. In her eyes they’d been through all the downs so where else was it to go but up. She stroked his cheek as the corners of her face formed a mischievous smile. “I’m beyond sure. It’s what I want and you are who I need to feel.”

Taking his hand she led him to the bedroom. Moving her hair from her back to show the nape of her neck. She could feel him unzipping her wedding dress and the feeling wasn’t dread it was anticipation. As if they hadn’t had sex ever or something. She was giddy in a way because honestly before the rape she was a sexual woman. Braden and she had a satisfying and fun sex life. They weren’t screwing every day but when they did it was pleasurable and exciting. In many ways she remembered what Selina and her therapist said. She was letting Dimitri take her life from her and no more. No more would she let him take from her especially on her wedding night with Braden. As her dress pooled to her feet she turned and helped him fumbling out of his shirt. “I am ready to make love to you now and forever. As the only man who will ever touch me again.” She wondered how that scar on her side looked from the assault. She wondered if her body was tight as it was the last time they made love. She wondered if her baby fat was still there. Tamara snickered as she burst into laughter. “I’m sorry but is this just as anxiety inducing and exciting for you? I’m thinking about this ugly scar, if I’m still hot to you, if my baby fat is grossing you out.” She had to let him know what was going on in her head because she didn’t want him to believe it was fear from Dimitri no this was the normal things women thought after they had a baby. “But you my husband, that chest is very defined. I see working out has done wonders for you. Maybe we can go running together?”

Braden felt like a teenager stuck back in his first rodeo and he knew it was silly, especially when it came to him and Tamara. Which he knew was completely not how he should be feeling and that seemed to ease and change when she told him that she was ready. He wanted her to be completely sure and he couldn’t help the goosebumps that happened when he saw her dress pool to her feet and she turned around in the white bra and panties, it felt like it had been ages. In reality it had been months but it felt like years to just look at her like this. He gently placed his hands on her before leaning and letting his mouth trail along her neckline, his feet gently leading her to the bed, her skin was soft under his fingertips. When he felt her legs hit the edge of the mattress he turned her to him and leaned his head down kissing her lips. He wanted to cherish this moment with her as he laid her back on the bed and his fingers worked on her bra clasp throwing it to the ground beside the bed. His chest met her breasts and the sensation of her skin touching his was enough to send shivers through his spine to the point he let out a groan at the action. Pulling back gently he looked at her before using his hands to cup her hips and sliding off her panties.

He took his time looking at her as he did, her body despite just having a little girl they both adored was still perfect to him scars and all. He went ahead and undid his belt and discarded his pants and boxers before looking down at her and then kissing her again. He let his hands rest by the side of her shoulders before they traveled down her bare skin he barely even stopped over the physical scar it didn’t matter to him, he considered it her badge of honor and a battle scar. “I think it’s beautiful, just like you.” Braden said whispering in her ear before his lips traveled downward stopping at her shoulders and then slowly over her breasts wanting to make sure she was enjoying every moment and every touch. He wanted this to be special for her, a new memory for her. He waited till he felt her body completely relax and moved father down before burying his head into her center. Tasting her again for the first time in months he couldn’t help but be a bit aggressive his tongue thrashing as much as it could to reach every part. His hands kept a gentle hold on her hips and ass to keep her in place. He wanted to hear his name on her lips, her cries of pleasure instead of tears more than his own desire.

Her nerves were running high when he spoke to her and said that she was beautiful. Holding onto his shoulder as his head lowered between her thighs. Her lips began to quiver as he began to feast in between her thighs. She threw her hands into the sheets, twisting them. She threw her head back as she bucked against his face. Wiggling her hips unable to move as she began to moan and groan. He wasn’t letting her move and she knew he was enjoy making her shiver uncontrollably.  It had been so long since she had him so close. It made her lose her mind. He was so handsome and it made her feel so loved. Absorbed in his breathless kisses between her legs she felt herself becoming wetter and juicier. Her entire body was starting to wave over pleasure. He was always a patient and loving lover; this was what her body needed. This is what they both needed. The truth was out and they weren’t obscured by the shadow of a secret. They were a team and right now he was in control of her. If he didn’t stop she would be exploding right now.

Grabbing his hair with her hands she yanked his glistening face up. He was enjoying every moment of this. For a second she felt guilty depriving her husband of her body because of another man violating her. She knew they were physically always connected and the romance this time. He loved her through her fears, he loved her through her pain and now he was loving her back to normalcy. Giving them intimacy something that was torn away from not just her, but Dylan and Braden also. They had their lives disrupted and uprooted because of the sicko who placed a camera in our home. “Braden as great as that feels I need you to make love to me.”

Braden had been far too indulgent in what he was doing remembering the taste of her the smell, it was everything that he was going to hold onto for the rest of his life. He was going to enjoy every moment of it and when she started to shiver he stopped, to start again by the time she pulled him up to look at her he was taken aback at how ready she was. He begging him to make love to her seemed like such a new and foreign concept, even though it wasn’t it was just different it was his reclaiming her in a way erasing what that monster had done to her. He leaned down not wanting to disturb her on the bed wanting this moment to be filled with so much love and pleasure as he took her mouth in his kissing her firmly his hands gripping hers before he thrust inside of her body. Letting out a groan as he did so, at the way she felt around him about how right it all was.  How it felt like he was finally back at peace after everything that happened how he knew they were both safe and in this moment together. He let out a groan at the action reminding himself that it had been a while for both of them.

Once he was sure he wasn’t going to be reverted back to his teenage years fumbling through his first time he looked at her and then thrust his hips again slowly watching her face as he did so. The way her face lit up in pleasure was something he thought he may never see again, but now he was and he continued to long stroke her body wanting her to fill every inch. Wanting her to remember that he was the one one that loved her more than anything. That he wasn’t going anywhere and they were going to be alright when it came to their future that Dimitri wasn’t going to take that away from them. He made sure to keep up his strokes to fully ensure that he was hitting all the right places he wanted this to last between them. He slowed his pace down slightly to lean back instead and let her wrap her legs around his waist where he continued to stroke her. Watching her body his breathing laboured keeping up with her, he knew it would be worth it in the end and this was about her pleasure and satisfaction not his own.

Tamara wrapped her arms around Braden as she looked into his eyes as he inserted himself inside of her. It was the feeling of him inside of her sharing her body giving it to him again. Giving her permission to be with her as she gasped at the feeling of her parting. She felt every inch as her mouth hung open and she moaned in ecstasy. In this moment her mind was on only one thing. The pleasure Braden was providing her as she felt his passion with each stroke he was being tender and that’s what she needed. He was commanding her body as she cried out in pleasure. As she squeezed against a stroke she saw his face contort in pleasure. Since they hadn’t been having sex she assumed that she had gotten tighter and her body wasn’t used to him anymore which made the sex much more intense.

“Yes baby.” She cried out as his speed increased inside of her as she felt herself getting wetter with each stroke going deeper inside of her. She could tell both of them were holding back from exploding like teens at their first time. However she knew that they had all night to pleasure and satisfy each other’s needs. She wanted more of her husband. She craved him and it was something that she missed. They were a sexual couple and right now this was bringing back a piece of the marriage and relationship Dimitri stole. One thing they never had problem with was sex. Braden and Tamara had Dylan when they were in college still and they were screwing like bunnies. As her legs began to shake at the sensation Braden was giving her. “Braden right there. Yes!” She knew that she was about to explode and at that moment she felt hot waves of pleasure wash all over her body. Tamara could feel Braden pumping hot seeds of love inside of her as her already wet body began to ooze in pleasure. She couldn’t help it, placing her hands over her face she started to weep in happiness. This was what was missing, feeling the physical connection restored. She saw Braden’s puzzled expression. They had gotten back the last thing Dimitri had stolen from them. Now they were stronger than ever and the intimacy was even more special. “I’m happy baby.” Wiping her eyes she felt whole again since the attack. She laughed rolling over on top of him. “And I want more. I need more of you all night.”

Braden looked down at her watching her swimming in the pleasure of making love to him and he was overwhelmed with emotions of his own.  He felt that he was on top of the world with her even when his career came crashing and burning around him, but he had her and the kids. They would be alright and if he could give her tonight he would they didn’t have this huge weight between them anymore he knew what was going on with her and what happened to the monster that tried to take her away. He could protect her and their children now no after the cost, his friendship with Jon be dammed. He leaned down kissing her again for good measure and let his tongue explore her mouth and before he knew what was happening he began to feel her leg shake in his hand and steadied her to make sure that she finished letting out a crescendo of words he was pretty sure he never wanted their daughter to ever repeat. He then finally let go with her looking at her when he did. “Tam.” He said his voice hoarse barely a mumble when it happened and then he leaned down to catch his breath and realized that she was crying. He froze for a moment wondering if they had went to fast and then she flipped him onto his back and he couldn’t help but laugh and make sure they didn’t hit the ground. “I think we can arrange that.” Braden said looking up at her before recapturing her lips with his own content to enjoy the rest of their honeymoon.

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