Best Night Ever...The Aftermath

*Teaser* Home Sweet Home

Oh my goodness it felt so good to be home. I didn't know I missed Connecticut or my condo so bad until I got back. I sat in every seat in my living room just because I could! I stared out at my pool thinking how it was 94 and sunny in LA right now; perfect swimming weather. I was an East Coast girl now, by way of the Midwest, but Los Angeles definitely had its advantages. One plus, was Bruno. I had only been away from him for two days but I missed my boo like crazy. I know he was a little mad at me when I left, but I still missed him. I thought of everything that I had to do in the next couple of days as I walked pass the Kelly Enterprises office building. I knew I needed to go and clear my things from my office, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I walked into my favorite coffee shop Café Vesta, ordered my latte and walked to the table in the corner. "Hey", I said. "You look beautiful as always", Josh said rising to greet me. "Thank you", I said taking the seat he pulled out for me. "Hi Candice! It's nice to see you around these parts again", the barista said carrying over a tray with our drinks and a plate of pastel macaroons. "You think you know me", I laughed, taking a cookie from the small plate. "You love these nasty things", Josh said laughing, sipping his coffee.

"So, Cotton Candy, how is life in California?" he asked. "It was... interesting to say the least", I said. "Was? You're not going back?" he asked. "I'm sure I will at some point, but I don't have any immediate plans to pack up and become a Cali-girl", I said sipping my latte. "I just figured with you now dating the Music Man and all, you'd spend more time out that way", he said with a sly smile. "Music Man?" I laughed. "Well, I didn't want to use his name all out in public", he laughed. "Thanks", I said. "How's that going?" he asked. "Fine. I see word gets around fast here. Then again, I guess you have viable sources", I said with an attitude. "What about Randy?" he asked, completely ignoring my attitude; he was all too used to it. "What about him? My situation with Randall or....Peter isn't any of your business Joshua!" I said, my temper rising. "Ooh. She hit me with Joshua! Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Taylor is mad", he said mocking me, holding up his hands in defense. "It's Ms. Taylor, and that's only because I didn't want to go through the hassle of changing it back", I said. "My bad; chill out Candy. I'm just trying to make conversation", he said defensively. "Conversation about my life and my business! What about yours? How's Carmen?" I asked with all the bitterness and hate I could muster in my voice. "I wouldn't know", he said, his eyes not meeting mine. "Whatever. Just tell that bitch to keep my name and my business out her fucking mouth", I said, finishing my now cold latte. "She's your sister Candice, you tell her", he said. "Well she's your bitch, so maybe next time she's sucking your dick, you can mention it", I said.

"Alright, this is obviously going the wrong way. Let's reel it in. I mean, the last time I saw you, we were in a court room fighting over who keeps what", he said. "Well, I don't want to talk about that either" I said bluntly. "I've given you all the space in the world Candy. Is it so bad for me to want to know what's going on in your life baby?" he said taking my hand. "Don't" I said, pulling my hand from his. "You lost the privledge to pretend to give a damn about me", I said feeling old emotions, old hurt, old pain, and longing return. "Can we go?" I asked leaving my seat and throwing my small bag across my body. "Absolutely", he said tossing a tip on the table. "One question though", he said, "Who the hell is Peter?"

I sat in the passenger's seat of Josh's car, trying to control all the feelings going through me. We jumped out of his Mercedes, grabbing the flowers we'd just purchased from the back seat. "You ready?" he asked, taking my hand, both carrying flowers in the other. "I'm never ready", I said. We took the small trek to the area where Taylor's passed all laid to rest. Josh stopped and placed flowers over the graves of his grandparents before we reached our son's grave. My tears came before I even got there, and I didn't try to fight them or the pain I felt. "Mommy wasn't here for your birthday baby but your Daddy was", I cried placing the blue baby roses, kissing his tombstone. I lost track of time just sitting there, talking to my baby, while Josh held me while I cried.

I ran a hot bubble bath, lit my bathroom candles and opted for tea instead of my usual glass of wine. I played soft jazz as the hot water soothed away all the emotions of the afternoon. I grabbed my phone, hoping Bruno would answer when I called, but he didn't. I hopped out of the tub, oiled my body down and slipped on a cute silk robe just because. I still hadn't gone to the grocery store so I ordered take out for the night and poured myself another mug of jasmine tea. I sipped, staring out at the pool again, turning on the neon lights watching them light up the entire rooftop. I smiled when I heard my phone signal Bruno was calling. "I was beginning to think I wouldn't hear from you today", I said when I answered. "Hey beautiful. Sorry I missed you before, I was in the booth", he said. "Well then that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for new music from The Bruno Mars", I said making him laugh. "I miss you babe. How did today go?" he asked. "I miss you too baby and it was good. I'm always a mess when I go there, but I feel better after", I admitted. "I think it's a good thing you two can put aside the bullshit and focus on being JJ's parents", he said. "Yeah. Anyway, how was the studio today? I know you've been dying to get back in there!" I said as I heard a knock on my door. "It was good. We had..." "Babe hold up, my takeout is here", I said running to the door. "Putting me on hold for food; I see how it is", he laughed. "Shut up! Wish you were here; I ordered enough food for both of us", I said. I tightened my robe since it was the only thing I was wearing. I didn't want to give the delivery boy that good of a tip! "What did you get?" Bruno asked. "B, I have to call you back", I said peeping through the hole. "Umm, ok I just..." I heard as I ended the call and opened the door. "Josh?" I got out before he rushed through my door, his lips crashing into mine, hands running all over my body.

To be continued...