Something Better

Wedding Bells They Began Easy

Martha regretted it the moment she knocked on Brandon's door. She felt her stomach flip as she realised there was no turning back. She was stuck on the landing under the fluorescent light. She was almost ready to make her escape when she heard the various keys and bolts clunk and turn behind Brandon's door. She held her breath as the door opened slightly to show a sleepy and confused Brandon.

"Martha?" Brandon said in a cracked voice, "Is everything ok?" He said anxiously, screwing his eyes up at the bright light of the hallway.

"Yeah, I'm sorry to wake you, Brandon," Martha said her voice full of apologies.

"Come in," He said, standing to one side, rubbing his eye with the heel of his hand, "Is this an emergency in the night, or could you not wait to see me?" He smiled, beginning to wake up.

"A bit of both," Martha said starting to shiver a little in her pyjamas and thin jumper she had grabbed on the way out of her house, "Well, it's not really an emergency as such," Martha looked at Brandon through tired eyes.

"What's happened?" Brandon's voice was full of concern, reaching his hands out to hug her, "You are freezing!" He said, shocked at her temperature against his bare arms. Brandon left her standing in his large living room, which was in an open plan style, with a spacious kitchen over to one side and a huge floor to ceiling window on the other. Martha gravitated towards the window and looked out at the faint neon lights of the strip, just visible in the distance.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come over, I should have just waited until tomorrow," Martha called out, feeling pathetic and needy.

"Don't be silly," Brandon said appearing at her side with a thick hooded sweater, "Put this on and get a heat into you," He said rubbing her shoulders vigorously, "I'm glad you're here, I missed you," Brandon said as he stood behind Martha, wrapped his arms around her waist and burrowed his face into her neck, causing her to squirm with giggles.

"I was missing you," Martha said spinning round and letting herself be enveloped in Brandon's arms. She could smell a delicious concoction of his sleepy body and the remnants of his aftershave left on his hoodie.

"I have a feeling you are not here just because you were missing me," Brandon said pulling away and walking over to the kitchen and opening the fridge, "Wait, did you walk here?" He said his voice suddenly panicked.

"Yeah," Martha confessed, "It's just down the street, and I did try to call as I walked, but you were obviously sleeping and I really wanted to see you and then I'd come too far and I didn't want to turn and go back, but it's ok, because I'm here and I'm alive," Martha took a breath and leaned against the kitchen island.

"You are crazy to be out alone at this time!" Brandon scolded her, pulling out a big carton of milk and sitting it down on the worktop. Martha manoeuvred herself on to one of the bar stools at the island and watched Brandon as he made some hot chocolate and toast.

"I know! I should have just waited until tomorrow," Martha whined.

"I'm glad your here," Brandon smiled, his eyes like molten chocolate. Martha could feel herself staring with starry eyes.

"So, I got a call from Lauren about an hour ago. She normally calls when it is sociable hours for here and Scotland, but she was excited, because Greg asked her to marry him," Martha explained.

"I take it she said yes," Brandon said as he slid her mug of hot chocolate across the island towards her and lifted his long limbs on to the bar stool beside her.

"She did, it's all she's ever wanted," Martha said a little distracted by Brandon sitting so close to her.

"Are you upset, because she's marrying an idiot?" Brandon asked with raised eyebrows.

"Partly, but that's not why I'm here at 2.30 am," Martha sighed, "She's getting married in Vegas, it's going to be a big deal, all the family are coming over, you can imagine?" Martha said rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, sounds horrible!" Brandon said sarcastically, "I hope we never get married!" He said looking at Martha with a smirk.

"I know! Terrible idea!" Martha said narrowing her eyes at Brandon, "Anyway, she has asked me to be maid of honour, but guess who the best man is?" Martha looked at Brandon with big expectant eyes.

"Your ex husband?" Brandon said shaking his head.

"Yes! And she is also a bridesmaid! The four of them are a cozy little group and Lauren couldn't leave her out!" Martha could feel her chest begin to tighten, "Can you believe it?!"

"Oh Martha, I'm sorry!" Brandon said turning his body towards her.

"I want to say no, but Lauren is my oldest friend and I don't want him and her to think I care," Martha felt the sting of tears behind her eyes, but she fought against them.

"Say yes and just push through the day, I know you are strong and can be there for Lauren," Brandon said full of encouragement.

"You are amazing!" Martha sighed moving her hand up to affectionately sweep his hair to one side.

"Why thank you, you're not too bad yourself," Brandon smiled, tucking Martha's long hair behind her ear. "When is this extravaganza?" Brandon said sending shoots of desire through Martha as she felt his hand, through the thin fabric of her pyjamas, rest on her thigh.

"Three weeks, but she is coming over a few days earlier so we can have a girls night just the two of us," Martha said trying to concentrate on her words.

"Well at least that's something," Brandon said seemingly oblivious to the effect he was having on Martha, "You won't really need to speak to them, you know? Him and her. You can manage," Brandon smiled, leaving Martha breathless as he moved his hand back to his mug handle.

"Do you know what would help me get through the day?" Martha asked trying to look innocent, "You as my date..."

"I hope you are not using me!" Brandon laughed, "Showing off your Rock star boyfriend, just to annoy the ex!"

"Boyfriend?" Martha said with a surprised tone, her heart almost trying to escape from her body.

"Yeah!" Brandon giggled loudly, "Are you not ready for that? Even though you are here, in my house, at 3 am drinking hot chocolate, wearing my hoodie?"

"Does that mean you'll be my plus one for this wedding?" Martha laughed back unable to hide her delight.

"Do I have to get a new suit?" Brandon said slipping off his stool and taking her head in his hands.

"Yes," Martha said swallowing hard as she tilted her head up towards him.

"Yes, I would love to accompany you, my girlfriend, to this wedding," He whispered as he moved in closer.

"Thank you," Martha mumbled against his lips as she let herself fall into his kiss.

They kissed in the kitchen for a while, Brandon's hands in Martha's hair and hers on his cheeks and jaw as their kidding became more heated. Brandon helped Martha out of his hoodie and wrapped his arms around her back letting her wind her hands around his neck.

"Stay," Brandon whispered close to her ear as her lightly kissed her neck, sending waves of desire through Martha's body.

"Ok," Was all Martha could manage to say in return. Brandon intertwined his long fingers in hers and led her out of the kitchen and through to his bedroom, switching off the lights as he went. Brandon pulled back the covers and let Martha crawl in. He followed after her letting their bodies lean against each other in the dark. Martha was suddenly over come with tiredness, but tried to resist, she felt like she didn't want to miss anything. Brandon pulled her in beside him, letting her head rest in his shoulder. He kissed her on the head, as she let her hand fall loosely on his chest.

"I'm so happy to be your girlfriend, Brandon," Martha said slipping into sleep.

"I've never been happier," Brandon whispered into her hair, "You do know that I do want to get married to you one day?"

"Is that a proposal?" Martha said fighting sleep.

"Not yet, but what would your answer be?" Brandon asked starting to doze himself.

"Yes..." Martha said as sleep took hold of them both.