Chasing The Impractical (Brian Quinn Story)

Always Yours - Apollonia

Christmas Eve 2017

"Oh my godddddd" Zoe cheered as she opened the front door for us. "Look at you guys with you tanned LA skin".

"Hey aunty zoe" Frey smiled and gave her a quick hug before running into the house to find Bianca.

"Tell me everything" Zoe commanded and dragged me into the kitchen.

Aahe poured us two very large glasses of white wine as I sat down and gave a in depth tell all about LA. "Sal said he bumped into you with Q" Zoe gasped.

"Fuck, yeah. That went.... well" I scoffed and took a long drink.

"He's apparently not been holding up to good. Every time I see him he asked over you and bella you know"

"He basically cheated on me Zoe"

"Come on, we don't know what happened in that bar. The girls could of just been with Murr, you know what he's like".

I just shrugged my shoulder as the front door bell rang out though the house."we're not done talking about this missy" Zoe shot as she stood up to answer the door.

I could hear her greeting the guests and then ordering them inside. I had no idea who it was until I saw Sal walk into the kitchen with his sister, following behind them was a worried looking Q.

"Before you start, I didn't know you'd be here. I'm just dropping off presents" he spoke straight away.

I glared at him at me as his rudeness boiled up inside of me. I could see Zoe dragging Sal out of the kitchen in the corner of my eye. It was just us two now.

"Brought Bella some stuff, I know she probably hates me for hurting you, but I busted wanted to get her something" he shrugged and placed a large bag on the table.

"She doesn't hate you Q" I sighed and grabbed the wine bottle off the side of the kitchen.

"You didn't see the way she looked at me in the airport" he scoffed.

"She still watches the show none stop and will always tell tell stories about you to her friends. Trust me, she doesn't hate you. You wanna say hello, she's upstairs"

"I will do" he shrugged and took at seat at the small round table.

"You going down to your parents for the holidays?" I asked after a minute of unbearable silence.

"Driving down after here. What you doing?"

"Zoe has invited us here, but I dunno if I can deal with a crazy vulcano family meal"

"I didn't cheat on you Apple. Hate me all you want, but please don't think I've ever do that. I fucking loved you after only a month. I just needed to blow some steam off"

"And I was going through hell and needed my best friend" i sighed and quickly knocked back my glass of wine.

"I fucked up... I'm sorry".

Q put his elbow on the table now as he rested his head in his hands and ran his fingers threw his hair.

"Loved?"

"Yeah, I never said it... but it's true" he grumbled into his hands.

"Past tense" I sighed.

"I dunno Apple. Whatcha want me to say here. This is killing me".

Our moment was quickly interrupted when Bella came charging into the kitchen.

"Happy Christmas Brian" she called out nervously by the door.

Brian turned around to face her and sighed. "Come here you".

Bella ran over to him and threw herself into his arms as he pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry I disappointed kiddo, but I got you some presents to open tomorrow okay, but you gotta behave for Apple".

"Are you spending Christmas with us. I've really missed you"

"No Bella. He's going to his families house" I answered as Q looked over at me with nothing but sadness.

Bella nodded and slowly let go of Brian.

"I best get off. Happy christmas" he forcibly smiled before walking out of the kitchen.

I stayed with Bella as Zoe and Sal saw him out. For The rest of day I felt so fucking depressed as my mind would not stop analysising the conversation with Q. Zoe had finally forced me to stay the night, and I spent the rest of the evening drinking and chatting with Zoe and her mother.

Bella and I would be sleeping in the spare room and at 10pm I finally ordered her up to bed and myself ready for a sleepless night.

"Can we open just one present pleaseeeee" Bella begged as I crawled into bed next to her.

"Fine" I laughed as she jumped off the mattress and grabbed the large bag Q had left earlier that day.

Bella started ripping open the paper straight away. Inside was a brand new Xbox and a few games. "Wow" she giggled.

"Hey, look there's something in here for you" she continued to giggle as she looked back through the bag.

Inside was a thin square shaped gift with a card stuck the front of it.

"Open it" Bella demanded.

Sighing heavily I pulled off the card and then the poorly wrapped paper.

"You son of bitch Brian Quinn" I laughed as I relieved a vinyl record of Bruce Springsteen. It was the same track I use to dance to around the kitchen later on at night once Bella had gone to bed.

Bella found it boring as she hugged her Xbox and placed it down on the floor and then crawlled back under the covers. When I heard the soft noise of her breathing, I finally grabbed the card and opened it.

To Apollonia,

I hope you don't mind the gift I brought Bella. I remember how she use to beg you mercifully for one, but youd never give in or let me buy it for her, but as were no longer together I thought hey, why not. I found the vinyl in my house the other day and instantly thought of your big butt and how it use to bounce around the kitchen at night. I hope you like it anyways. I don't really know what else to say. I know I fucked up and trust me, there isn't a day goes by that I don't think about you the two of you. I hope you have a great Christmas, your deserve all the best things in life.

Always yours,

Brian xxx