Who Wants To Live Forever...

Under Pressure - Part 2

28th December 1985

Tenerife 

Brian's POV

After spending a few days with Chrissie's family and finding them appeased with our engagement, it was wonderful to escape from everything and go to Tenerife with my parents.  I splurged and got a private plane to take us to allow for my father's comfort and also because we had a baby with us.  Our travel agent had secured a lovely private beach house for our use and we quickly settled in to a lazy existence.  It was large and afforded Jimi his own room and a bedroom on the lower floor for my parents to use.  Sparing my father the requirement of stairs for a change.

I sat on the beach and watched both my infant daughter and my father having a nap.  We had a massive umbrella over an area of the sand to block most of the sun but allow the warmth in.  My father had laid down on a wide chaise that fit under the umbrella and had the baby nestled into his side.  My mother sat nearby.  Keeping watch over the baby and her husband.  We both observed Chrissie and Jimi making a sand castle closer to the water down the beach.

"I think they're both going to be out for a while..."  my mother remarked as I sat in a lounge chaise of my own next to her.  

"I imagine so...they look quite comfortable..."  I noted.  My mother appeared pensive as she turned her attention towards me.

"You appear quite comfortable with your situation these days..."  my mother remarked.  "Chrissie has fit quite nicely into your life and you even have a daughter of your own now..."  she added and then looked at me intently.  "But I can see that you are quite miserable underneath it all..."  she told me.

"You know me too well Mum..."  I replied.  "I miss Rog everyday and will go back to him the moment things are settled with his father..."  I confirmed.  "And Chrissie is well aware of that..."  I pointed out before she could say anything about it.

"She's in love with you...I hope you are aware of that..."  my mother stated as she looked at me for an answer to the fact.

"I know...but I have made it clear I do care about her a lot but I'm in love with Roger and that isn't going to change..."  I explained.  "We have a mutual understanding...she gets to have the children she always wanted and I get the cover I need right now..."  I reasoned.

"Children?"  my mother questioned with surprise.  "Do you plan to have more?"  she asked.  I realized I had slipped but wouldn't lie to her.  

"I promised her another child since she agreed to get engaged..."  I advised. "It seemed fair since I've ask so much of her..."   

"I imagine her family was pleased you got engaged...but it will be hard for her when it is broken..."  my mother pointed out.  She never seemed to miss anything.

"They were happy and it took the pressure off of us both to get engaged...they had been pressuring her about it...so now we just stay engaged until the time comes and will concoct a story that has her dumping me and keeping her in good stead...I am happy to take the fall to be able to have her save face..."  I expounded.

"That doesn't mean that letting you go won't still hurt her Brian..."  my mother retorted.  I could see her worry about Chrissie and realized it was true. 

"I will do my best to make it as gentle as possible..." I assured her.  I didn't want to hurt Chrissie and hoped our parting would be amicable.  For us as well as the children.

"I'm glad to hear it..."  my mother replied.  "I'm going to see to some lunch for us all..."  she advised as she got up from the chaise.  

"Do you want some help?"  I asked her.  She shook her head and gestured at my father and the baby.