A Deceiving Passion

Having Hope

Finishing up his run on the beach, Brian checked his timing and speed and decided what he had done was good enough for the day only because he had another errand he was interested in completing and in order to do so, he needed to shower and get ready for his day.

He was planning on going to the country club regardless of if Stevie wanted to go, he was only inviting her for the sake of getting her out of the house but she refused. His reason for going was that he needed to get in touch with a few of Samantha's friends.

Samantha had two close friends; Denise and Amanda and they were the ones that she usually went on trips with and went out with during the day to meet up for lunch and such things, although they hadn't seen her for months, since she left her husband and kids behind.

The truth was, Denise and Amanda had also been in Europe, just the two of them with some other girlfriends however, Samantha was obviously not around for even that.

Brian was pretty sure if he let the girls in on what was going on with his situation, they would help out and help him with convincing Stevie that she was in fact, Samantha. 

He needed more support, aware that his sister wasn't all that enthused about helping, he didn't want to bombard nor force her if she didn't want to do it---it really was a big thing to ask and he didn't want problems.

As soon as he got home, he came through the door, seeing that he had more than enough time to shower and throw some clean clothes on before taking the boys to school.

When he walked through the front door, he was taken by Stevie swiftly moving around the kitchen, sweeping the floor and brewing coffee. 

"Hey..."

"You're back early," she claimed, glancing at the clock that hung on the wall. "I'd imagine, you weren't even gone an hour."

"Yeah, I'm just a little overwhelmed and I have some work I need to get done. But I'm going to take the kids to school and probably grab a few things for Sofia... Is there anything I can get you? Any special requests?"

"Mm... I need some clothes. I'd go with you but I feel like you could manage the basics. I need new pajamas. I slept in this last night because I was not about to put that see-though nightie on especially with the kids. I don't know how things were before, but the lingerie has got to go... That is just so not me..." she paused, unsure of that last statement but she definitely knew she wasn't into it for every night. "Maybe a sleeping nightie, like mid length or so..." she explained, using her hand to gesture. "Maybe a camisole and shorts set."

"I'll see what I can do," he smirked, finding her so vivacious and fun.

"I appreciate it," she smiled solemnly, knowing he was doing everything in his power to make sure she was comfortable in their home. She then spun around and went right back to her chores, finding the cleaning process a little cathartic considering she was clearing the mess. 

Brian then took off up the stairs and he went to their bedroom in order to shower.

As he showered and thought about everything that was going on and he even went over the idea that Stevie was possibly his wife's doppelganger, but her personality was quite the opposite of Samantha's. 

She wasn't rigid, but she was firm and that was a big difference; he felt that would be a big help in the household considering they had two teenagers and a baby. They needed boundaries and due to his work schedule, it was hard to discipline and without their mother around, he noticed his oldest son was tired and his younger son was beginning to act out impulsively. As for Sofia, she didn't know any better and she clung to the singer.