A Room With A View

Chapter Fifty-Five - Brian

November 24, Friday

Brian flexed his fingers. He reached a hand out to her door, then pulled it back.

He coughed. His glasses were both too loose and too tight at the same time.

I'd like to date you.

Okay.

That had felt like a dream, and a part of Brian was worried that that's all it had been. It would break him if he were to knock on the door and she answered, smiling benignly with a "who are you?" frown creasing her brows.

Brian took a deep breath. His hand had grown sweaty around the bouquet of white and pink tiger lilies he'd purchased.

He had to knock.

He had to see her.

Rolling his shoulders back, Brian raised his hand and rapped his knuckles against the hard wood.

Quick footsteps sounded on the other side of the door. Madeline opened it wide, looking frazzled.

She stared at Brian, open-mouthed.

Brian could feel himself wilting with the lilies. A thousand apologies flashed through his mind.

"I'm--"

Madeline threw herself at him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips against his cheek. A scarlet flush burned his skin and he completely forgot what it was he had been about to say.

He grinned idiotically, unable to keep his face from betraying every emotion bubbling from within.

Madeline's elbow bumped against his glasses, sending them clattering to the floor.

"Oh my god I'm so sorry," she said in one breath, dropping instantly to the floor to retrieve them.

"It's alright," Brian said. He could feel the fizz of laughter rushing up through his veins. He was weightless, floating, drunk on the sight of her.

Madeline found his glasses, and carefully tucked them back behind his ears.

"You're blushing," she whispered. Her breath did something to his skin that made every particle of him come alive like never before.

"Yes," he said simply.

Plastic crinkled, and Brian realized he was still holding the bouquet of flowers.

"These are for you," he said suddenly, thrusting them into her chest.

Madeline smiled. She was so close to him, that he could see the little dimple in the left pocket of her lips.

He knew all of her smiles, and the dimple one was his favorite.

"Madeline," he began, slowly, "I'm in l--"

A loud crash sounded from within Madeline's apartment. Her face fell.

"The twins," she gasped. She took Brian's hand and pulled him over the threshold.

Peering around the corner of her tiny hallway, Brian could see that the four-foot tall mosaic vase Madeline had bought at a Pier One store closing sale was on the floor. Elena's twin boys were staring wide-eyed at it, both seemingly trying to look less culpable than the other.

Madeline rushed past the vase, not even bothering to assess the damage, and knelt down by the twins.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice pinched.

They nodded. Madeline hugged each one close, alarm fading from her face.

One twin looked to the other. Brian wished he could remember their names. Although, they were so identical he doubted he'd be able to tell them apart even with their monikers.