Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Title: Brenda & Ian Ch.  03
Summary: Cousins seek peace from his family.
Keywords: inc,fic
   Friday June 18
   Her legs were open as Ian was kissing her inner thighs.  Slowly, slowly
he made his way up, teasing her, wanting her to beg him to go further. 
Brenda's bristling, coarse pubic hair tickled his nose as his tongue found
her soft folds of skin.  He licked her moist center and the delicious smell
of her sex was intoxicating to him as usual, wonderfully musky.
   Brenda's head moved back and forth as he teased her sensitive nub with
his lips, teeth, and tongue.  She began to moan and twist, holding onto his
head to keep him in place.  He had his hands underneath her butt and held
her to him.  With every flick of his tongue, she shuddered and gasped with
pleasure.
   She was breathing deeply and rapidly and tried to pull away when it
became too intense for her to bear.  Ian held her tight and wouldn't let
her get away as he continued to devour her and tease her.  He knew what she
liked.
   Soon, she began to quiver all over before giving into the violent
contracting of orgasmic waves that invaded her.  Brenda gasped for breath
and cried out in pure delight, calling his name over and over again.  She
rode each wave as she came and came again until the spasms eased and it was
exhausted.
   In her afterglow, Brenda reached down and grabbed his rock hard penis,
wanting him to make them meld once more.  Ian opened her with his fingers
and began to move forward and only then did she let go.  Ian guided himself
into her and filled her.  He braced himself above her and looked down at
his love's sweet, beautiful face.  Their eyes met and locked as they often
did during their lovemaking, each completely loving and trusting the other
and sharing an unbreakable bond that they would have forever.
   Ian would not be able to last very long that morning.  He didn't know if
was a trick of her vaginal muscles, her silky soft skin, or the mere beauty
of her nakedness.  Brenda sensed his urgency and raised her pelvis
slightly. His thrusts became harder and faster until he groaned and his
release began.  She clung to him, taking everything he gave, accepted his
seed as lovingly as if it were their first time all over again.  She held
him tight until he collapsed on top of her, flattening her breasts between
them as his raspy, hot breath warmed her neck.
   Brenda was deliriously happy and content that first morning of their
honeymoon.  Whatever was bothering Ian in the wee hours of the morning had
been forgotten as he slipped off of her and rested at her side.  His hands
found her breasts as he lovingly began to massage them and tease her
nipples.  The day had started splendidly, just as she had hoped.
   They had arrived in Miami the previous morning and had spent the rest of
the day retrieving their luggage, finding their rental car, and driving to
their hotel.  The beach was but fifty yards from the hotel and led to
pristine, aqua blue water.  It was a picture perfect paradise to her and
she was so grateful to Ian for picking it.
   The last few days had been quite hectic for them with preparing for the
trip, job interviews for Brenda, and getting used to being married.  They
received their wedding photos a few days prior to their departure and they
were ecstatic over them.  Ian took it upon himself to call his mother and
told her about their marriage.  Understandably upset, but careful not to
place blame, she wished them the best and even talked to Brenda for a few
minutes.  When Janet asked if they wanted Adrian to know about their
marriage, Ian told her that it made no difference to him if his father knew
or not.  He didn't tell her about their honeymoon plans, but they intended
to invite her over to show her the wedding photos and any pictures they
took in the Keys when they returned.
   Side by side, they stared at each other as if trying to bore through to
their very souls.  They were so in tune with each other, often thinking the
same thoughts.  Sometimes, it scared Brenda to think that she could love
someone that much.  Their breathing was almost synchronized now as Ian's
breaths were slowing and Brenda's afterglow still permeated through her
body.  Brenda took his hands away from her breasts gently and held them to
her face.
   "I never want this to end," she said, still gazing intently.  "I want us
to always be like this.  Even when we're busy, we must make time for this.
Promise me?" she pleaded.
   "Always Bren," he replied.  "You know I can't pass up an opportunity to
see you naked!"
   "Oh Ian," she said, rolling her eyes.  "There you go again, making fun
when I'm trying to be serious."
   "I am being very serious," he said.  "No matter what, I will never tire
of loving you or making love to you.  That is a promise."
   "Oh, you're only saying that because you're horny and you want some
more," she replied, noticing his penis hardening again.
   Ian sat up and leaned over, kissing both of her breasts and making the
nipples pucker.  "Can I help it if you are the sexiest woman on earth and
you drive me crazy when you're naked?"
   Brenda smiled and nodded.  She couldn't change him if she wanted and she
didn't want him to change.  "I guess I can live with that," she conceded.
She pulled him close, guided his hands to her breasts again and asked him
to make love to her once more.
   Adrian Nicks was punk sore at the world.  He glumly looked out of his
high rise office window at the gray sky that had strangled the city that
day.  Bourbon in hand, , his took a sip from the tumbler.  He thought about
the morning's meeting and he still couldn't believe that he lost the Auslos
contract.  It was right in his hand!  How could they sell to someone else?
It was the second contract that he had lost in a week and he rarely lost
one in a month.  What was going on?
   He downed the rest of his drink in a gulp and poured himself another
one. His thoughts turned to his home and his silly twit bitch he called a
wife.  Wife in name only, he thought smugly, as she hadn't let him touch
her since he kicked out Ian.  I'd divorce her in a heartbeat if I didn't
have to pay her off with a small fortune.  Why should I have to give her
anything, he raged within.  She certainly didn't deserve it.  She hadn't
done a damn thing in her life except raise a boy, look pretty, and spend
his money.
   Ah yes, Ian.  What a wonderful son he turned out to be.  Fucking his
cousin and then marrying the whore.  Thanks to that cunt, he was out of his
life.  Oh, and Janet couldn't wait to tell that news about their marriage,
bitch that she was.  She couldn't wait to put another dagger in my gut! 
That bastard, Rigsby, probably set it up for them.
   Well, he thought, every dog has it's day and revenge is best served
cold. Adrian smiled viciously and drank until the glass was empty.
   Thursday June 24
   Brenda looked over at Ian, who was sleeping fitfully by the window.  She
would have a great many fond memories of their honeymoon week; snorkeling
with the marine life, fishing in the Atlantic, making love on the beach
under the stars.  The flight had been in time and had been effortless. 
They would be landing in Columbus within the hour and she was looking
forward to being home.  As much fun as she had with Ian and all the
memories that were encased within her heart, home was where she felt most
comfortable and happy.
   She reflected upon everything that had happened within the past three
months and found it hard to believe how much she had taken on and
accomplished.  Ian was right when he told her over and over again how
strong she was.  Brenda knew that if her parents had died just a year or
two prior, she doubted that she would have been able to handle it.  Things
happen for a reason.  That was her motto now and she never questioned it.
Tragedy happened and good came from it.  The life cycle continued.
   Ian stirred in his seat and woke.  Disoriented at first, he looked at
Brenda and smiled.  He saw the sadness in her eyes even though she tried to
hide it.
   "What's up?" he asked.  "You been thinking again?"
   "Yeah," she agreed, "I guess I shouldn't do that." Ian took her hand and
squeezed lightly.
   "I've been doing a lot of thinking, too."
   "About what?"
   "Oh," he began, "my parents and everything that's happened between dad
and me.  I remember how your folks always treated you and behaved around
you.  I mean, even though they never told you about the adoption, you knew
they loved you.  I wish my parents were like that.  Sometimes, I think that
my dad's not able to show me if he cares or not.  It seems like the only
reaction I've ever got out of him was when I displeased him in some way.  I
can never remember any positive reinforcement, a pat on the back, any love
or affection to speak of.  Of course, he wasn't around that much.  At
least, I know mom loves me, even if it's hard for her to show it." Ian was
quiet for a while as he stared off into space.
   "I really don't want to be like him," he said forcefully.  "I will not
be like him to our kids.  I promise you that, Bren." He looked at her
seriously, jaw firmly in place.
   "Okay," she said quietly.  "You're not like your dad and you know it. 
There's no doubt in my mind that you'll make a wonderful dad.  You're not
like him at all."
   "If I ever start to act like him," Ian said seriously, "let me know, so
I'll stop."
   "Okay, right after you wake up."
   "Wake up?" he asked.
   "You'll have to wake up after I knock you out!" she teased, trying to
lighten the mood.
   "Yeah, maybe I'll need that, too," Ian replied.
   He became quiet, deep in thought about his relationship with his father
and mother.  He now knew why he was always drawn to Brenda and her family.
In his mind, they were the way a family should be.  They showed warmth and
love to each other and to him.  He almost always felt more loved in their
house than in his own.  He remembered his first kiss from a girl and it was
from Brenda.  It was Christmas Eve and she pulled him under the mistle toe
without much resistance.  He was fifteen and raging hormones aside, it felt
good and natural even then and he didn't want it to end.  Ian needed
Brenda's love and affection more than ever now, probably even more than
Brenda really knew.
   They made love that night, as they had done every night since their
wedding, except for the four days of her period.  They both knew that their
frequency would diminish over time.  It wasn't simply lust or the newness
of raw sexuality that couples face when they take their relationship to a
sexual level.  Very rarely did they have a "fuck session", as Ryan used to
tell Brenda about his romantic conquests, but they truly made love to each
other, wanting to please the other more than themselves.  It didn't make
sense to them if one was fulfilled and content, but not the other.  They
loved having that special connection, flesh uniting flesh, but it was a
spiritual connection as well as physical because they were in love with
each other mentally long before the physical attraction took place.
   They cuddled afterward, Ian spooning her from behind with his arms
wrapped around her arms and breasts.  For Brenda, she loved this part of
their lovemaking almost as much as intercourse.  The closeness they shared
afterward was a very special time for them.  Ian loved holding her,
whispering to her how much her loved her and needed her.  Most of the time,
it was so soothing and relaxing that they fell asleep within minutes of
each other.
   It was cool that night, a nice breeze fluttering the curtains of the
open bedroom windows.  A light rain was falling with the rumble of thunder
echoing in the distance.  A broad smile stretched Brenda's face and she
secretly hoped for a storm.  It was the perfect cleanser of the earth, she
thought.  It was free, fresh, and nurturing, much like she felt when Ian
loved her in his own special way.
   She raised her head slightly and listened to the raindrops splashing
against the roof.  Ian listened, too, although he didn't get quite the
enjoyment out of it that Brenda did.  Lightning flashed and thunder soon
followed as the storm got closer.  Brenda pushed the covers off of her and
she hurried to the love seat near the window and sat down to watch,
marveling at it.
   The wind picked up slightly, the breeze blowing her hair and causing her
to shiver just a bit.  With every flash of light, Ian saw her beautiful,
naked silhouette at the window and ached for her to return to bed.  But, he
knew how much she enjoyed rainstorms and he would never intrude upon that
simple pleasure.  He joined her at the window and sat down beside her,
putting his arms around her to warm her.
   Without looking at him, she said, "Remember at mom and dad's funeral
when we watched the rain?"
   "Yeah," he replied, "I remember.  We just missed getting drenched."
   "This reminds me of that storm, soft and soothing.  I could watch this
for hours." She looked at him through sad brown eyes as she thought about
those awful days just three months before.  "I'd like to visit them
tomorrow, okay?"
   "Sure," Ian replied.  He knew how much she needed to be near them, if
only six feet away from their skeletons.  Somehow, it made her feel better.
They continued to watch the rain fall into the wee hours before Ian carried
her to bed and tucked her in.
   Tuesday July 6
   "These pictures are just beautiful," Janet gushed as she paged through
their wedding album.  She had invited them over for an early lunch on the
condition that they leave before Adrian came home.  They protested, wanting
her to come to their house to avoid the hurriedness, but Janet wanted them
there, and that was final.  "I will have to call Russell and Marie and
thank them for doing this for you.  I only wish that I could have seen it."
   "I know mom.  I'm sorry about that," Ian tried to apologize.  Brenda
glanced at him disapprovingly, but said nothing.  She felt that he had
nothing to apologize about.
   "Well, what's done is done," Janet said.  "Do you ever plan on getting
married in the church?"
   Ian looked at Brenda.  "We've had our wedding.  We don't need a church
to tell us we're married." "Oh." Janet looked very disappointed.  "Perhaps
I could talk to Father Dave and he could make the arrangements."
   "Mom, listen to me," Ian said, trying to get through to her, "our
marriage is blessed.  We don't need a priest or a reverend to bless it.  We
are very happy with the wedding we had.  We don't want anything else."
   "But..."
   "But, no mom.  Please respect our wishes and not make a fuss about it."
   "Okay, dear," Janet said quietly.  She resigned herself to the fact that
even while legally married, they still lived in sin.
   "Adrian, sit down for minute, would you?" Tom Fricker said, motioning
for his friend and colleague to have a seat in front of his desk.  He could
smell a light scent of alcohol on Adrian's breath, but said nothing as he
glanced at the clock.  It was nine-fifteen.
   "What is it, Tom?  I've got a few contracts to go over before this
afternoon."
   "They can wait," Tom said uncomfortably.  "We have to talk."
   "What about?" Damn it, get to the point!
   "It's about you, Adrian.  Is everything all right?  Things going okay
for you at home?"
   It's none of your fucking business what's going on at my home! 
"Everything's fine at home, Tom," he answered impatiently, drumming the
armchair with his fingers.
   "I see," Tom said, leaning back in his chair.  How could he tell his
friend that he was being demoted.?
   "Tom, please get to the point."
   "Okay, I'll get to the point, Adrian," he said sitting up straight and
looking him in the face.  "Singer is not happy with your work recently and
she wants me to handle the Dryden account and the Ewell account."
   "What are you saying?" Adrian demanded.  "What's going on?  I'm just
about to close those accounts." He couldn't believe what he had just heard.
   "Singer doesn't feel that you're able to close them.  She wants me to
take them over."
   "You close them?  I've closed more accounts and made more money for this
company than most everyone combined, including you." "Your work's been
slipping for awhile, Adrian.  You've lost more contracts in the past few
weeks than you have in a couple of years.  What's going on?"
   "I know I've lost a few contracts, but I'm just in a little slump. 
Everyone has them.  Can't you talk her out of it?"
   "She's adamant about it.  She wants to take the heat off of you for a
while, let you rest a bit."
   "Rest a bit?  What are you saying?"
   Tom looked away momentarily, not wanting to say this to his friend. 
"The company wants you to take a month off and get some counseling."
   "Counseling?  What the fuck are you saying?" Adrian realized what he
said and sighed.  "Sorry, Tom.  I just don't know where this is coming
from."
   "We've had some complaints from clients about you, Adrian.  They said
you smell like a brewery in meetings even though it's before noon.  They
also say that you've been belligerent at times.  Frankly, Adrian, I can
smell alcohol on you right now.  What's going on?  You can tell me."
   "No, Tom, I don't believe I can.  I thought you were my friend, but
you're stabbing me in the back, taking money away from me."
   "I think you have bigger problems than what you perceive about me.  I
don't want your contracts.  I want you to be at the top like you always
have been because you are my friend and as a friend, I want you to get
help. You need to do what they want..."
   "Or what?" Adrian demanded.
   "Or...they might suspend you or fire you if you refuse."
   "Shit..."
   "They're doing everything they can to help you.  Don't you understand
that?"
   "All I understand is that I've given my life to this company and I'm
being fucked over like an over ripe whore!" Adrian stood up and began to
pace the floor.  "I am their top VP in contracts.  I have made them
billions of dollars.  Do they remember that?"
   "Adrian, be reasonable.  For God's sake, listen to you.  I've never
known you to talk like this.  Believe me, they want to help.  They wouldn't
be throwing this life preserver to you otherwise.  They could have fired
you for incompetence if they desired, but they're giving you a chance
because you were the best and you have made billions of dollars for them.
Take their offer, Adrian."
   "I don't know..."
   He pulled into the south driveway and noticed the unfamiliar car parked
in the circular driveway in front of the main door.  He got out of the car
and walked quickly to the door, briefcase in hand.  He unlocked the door
and hurried through, closing it behind him with a bang.  He looked to his
right and he saw them.  Ian was standing with Brenda at his side and Janet
was in mid-rise from her chair.
   "Adrian, what are you doing home so early?" she stammered.
   "I think the better question is what in the fuck is he and his whore
doing in my house?" Adrian seethed.  He looked at them, glaring, daring
them to say anything.
   Through clenched teeth, Ian responded, "You can be mad at me all you
want, but don't you ever say anything like that to her again!"
   "What are you going to do about it, you..."
   Janet walked quickly to him.  "Adrian, that's enough!  They came over
for a short visit.  I invited them.  I didn't think you'd be home so
early."
   "You invited them into my house?  I thought I made it clear a long time
ago that he and that tramp of his were not welcome in this house!" He
walked past her, pushing her hard and out of his way as she fell to the
floor.
   "Mom?" Ian said, distracted and looking at his mother.  That was all
Adrian needed as he punched his son in the jaw, sending him toppling over a
table and in a heap in front of a sofa.
   Brenda screamed as her husband fell and tried to grab onto him, but
missed.
   Adrian grabbed her by her hair and the waist band of her jeans.  "I told
you to get out of my house before.  I guess you need a little help
remembering." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ian getting up.  He
pushed Brenda towards the door and then threw her to the floor where she
landed awkwardly on her shoulder with a sickening thud.  She screamed in
pain as her shoulder was unable to withstand the force of her fall.
   Ian went white with rage and couldn't remember anything that happened
within the next few seconds.  "You fucking bastard!" yelled Ian as he
charged his father.  He tackled him low and drove him to the floor.  He was
on top of him in a flash and began to pummel him about the face as Adrian
tried to cover up without success.
   "Stop it, Ian!  Stop it!  You'll kill him!  Stop it!  Stop it!" Janet
and Brenda were pleading, begging, and trying to pull him off of Adrian. 
Finally, Ian heard them and saw the crumpled heap of his father lying under
him, his face bloody and bruised.
   Slowly, Ian stood up, breathing heavily and looked at his bloodied
knuckles and then at his father.  Adrian was breathing normally, but he was
unconscious.  Janet hurried to call 911 as Brenda, her arm hanging at an
awkward angle, tried to guide Ian to a chair.  He was unhurt except for his
hand, which he feared was broken.  The sight of his father sickened him
physically and he thought that he was going to vomit.  He ran from the room
holding his hand to his mouth, entered the nearest bathroom and lost his
lunch in the toilet.  Brenda was at his side, her hand resting on his
shoulder.  When he finished, Brenda gave him a clean, wet wash cloth and he
cleaned his face with it.
   He looked up at her and noticed that her right arm hung down slightly
lower than her left and was limp.
   "Are you okay, Bren?" He reached up and touched her injured arm
tenderly. She flinched noticeably.
   "It hurts," she said as she started to cry, not so much from the pain,
but from what happened.  She was scared that Adrian was seriously hurt and
that Ian would be arrested.  She was scared because she had never seen Ian
hurt anyone before and she didn't think that she and Janet would ever get
him to stop hitting his father.
   "I'm sorry," he said as he gathered her in his arms, his voice choking.
"I saw him hurt you...I couldn't let him do that...I'm sorry."
   Janet knelt by Adrian's side, her heart feeling nothing but contempt for
the man whom she used to love.  She could never forgive him for this. 
Never.  She saw that the blood was from his nose and mouth and she
suspected that his nose was broken.  It wasn't bleeding bad and he didn't
appear to be having too much difficulty breathing.
   Ian and Brenda emerged from the bathroom, both red faced from crying. 
Janet stood up and went to Ian and hugged him.
   "I'm sorry, mom," Ian said softly.
   "Shh, shh," Janet said.  "He'll be okay, Ian." Janet looked at Brenda as
she let go of her son.  She went to Brenda and hugged her, too.  "He had no
right to do that to you, no right..."
   The police and paramedics arrived within minutes.  The paramedics tended
to Adrian, stopping the bleeding quickly and put ammonia capsules under his
nose to waken him.  Three officers questioned Ian, Brenda, and Janet
separately, each telling the exact same story.
   Adrian was groggy, but coherent enough to talk.  His emotions were
churning inside him.  He felt no anger, just emptiness and he was disgusted
with himself.  Even though he still had his job, he knew that he had lost
everything that really mattered in his life.  He could never look at his
wife, his son, or Brenda without knowing how much he hurt them.  He doubted
that they would ever talk to him again and he didn't blame them.  Officer
Dailey squatted down next to him as Adrian was in a seated position by
then. "Can you tell me what happened?" he asked.
   Adrian looked at him sadly.  He wanted to look at his family one last
time, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.  "Whatever my family said
happened, it's true," he replied quietly, shaking.  "It was all my fault.
It was all my fault." He looked away and began to weep silently.
   They wrapped Ian's hand in ice and put Brenda's arm in a sling.  They
feared Brenda's shoulder had separated, but had gone back into place, but
they wanted to have x-rays taken to be sure.  A police officer would take
them to the hospital.  Janet was unhurt, just shaken.
   A sergeant guided them to an empty room before they were to go to the
hospital.  "I've got your statements and we'll be taking your husband into
custody, ma'am."
   "I see," Janet said softly, her head down.  "Will he get out tonight?"
   "He will if he posts bond, ma'am."
   "I see,"she said again.
   "Would you like to be contacted by the sheriff's office if he posts
bond?"
   "No," she said.  "He can't hurt me anymore."
   "As you wish, ma'am." He turned to Ian and Brenda.  "If you're ready,
I'll take you to the hospital."
   "That would be fine," Ian said for both of them.  When they emerged from
the room, they had already taken Adrian to jail.  Brenda was relieved not
to see him anymore.  She never wanted to see him again, ever.  Her shoulder
was throbbing and every move she made magnified it.
   Ian didn't know what to think.  He had not been arrested and he was
grateful for that.  He was glad that his father was gone, yet part of him
was sad for him too.  He couldn't explain it.  He didn't say anything about
his feelings to Brenda, knowing how angry she was.  Ian was angry, too, but
he still felt sorry for him.  He would never be able to forgive him for
hurting Brenda.  It didn't matter that Adrian hit him, he could take that,
but he would never let him harm her again.  He would make sure of that.
   Adrian took a cab home from the jail.  He was released a few hours after
he posted bond, with the promise to appear in court the following day.  He
had conversed with his attorney and he would be there with him.  He looked
at his house and felt empty, alone, and afraid..  His life meant nothing to
him now.  He had lost everything.
   He pulled his keys from his pants pockets and placed the house key in
the lock.  Much to his surprise, it opened as he half suspected that Janet
would have had the locks changed by then.  He stepped into the foyer
quietly and looked at his briefcase that lay on the floor where he left it.
He walked a few steps and saw Janet sitting in the same chair that she had
been sitting in when he had come home earlier.
   Adrian looked at her and sighed.  She had been so beautiful once and the
years had been kind to her.  They used to be close, but had drifted apart
since before their trip to Europe.  And now it was hopeless, gone.
   "I knew you'd come home," she said coldly.
   "Only to pack some clothes," he said softly.  "I have no right to stay
here." He shuffled slowly toward the stairs, tired and defeated.
   "Wait," Janet said.  Adrian turned to face her, both eyes blackened from
his bruised, but unbroken nose.  He welcomed the pain.  He deserved it and
more.
   "Yes?" he answered quietly.
   "I want a divorce."
   "I know you do.  I don't blame you."
   "That's a switch."
   "What is?"
   "You not blaming me for something." Janet noticed immediately his
demeanor, that he had given up and had no fight in him.  She had never seen
him this way.
   "Yeah, well, there's a first for everything."
   "Adrian...."
   "Look, Janet," he interrupted, "I'm not looking for an argument.  I know
you want me out of your life.  I just want to go as quietly as possible
without hurting you or anyone else again."
   "I don't want to argue, either, Adrian," she said, her voice softer,
tired.  Her eyes searched his face for answers.  "Why?" she asked.
   "Why what?" he asked, puzzled.
   'Why do you hate us so much?"
   "I don't hate you," he said truthfully.  "I don't know what's wrong with
me.  Nothing that I can say or do will make any difference anyway." He
moved towards the stairs once more.  "What do you want to say?" she asked.
   Adrian stopped and looked at her.  He really did love her very much.  He
couldn't remember the last time he told her that he loved her or needed
her. He had been too busy, too wrapped up in the business of oil and
contracts to remember the things and people in life that really mattered to
him the most.
   "I...I...I wish that I could take it all back.  I wish that today never
happened.  I want to say how sorry I am to you, to Ian and Brenda.  I know
that I have no right, no right whatsoever to ask forgiveness...."
   "No, you don't," Janet said coolly.
   "I don't know what to do," he continued.  "Somehow, I've got to change.
I just don't know where to begin." He looked at the floor, misplaced in his
own home.
   Janet eyed him, not knowing what to think.  The hate and contempt that
she felt for him was diminishing slowly.  He seemed genuinely sorry for his
actions and she believed him.  Adrian was not a liar and always said what
he meant.  Could she forgive him?  Could she forget?
   "I hope I didn't hurt you."
   "I'm fine."
   "How is Ian and Brenda?"
   "Ian bruised his hand on your hard skull," she replied, "and Brenda had
her shoulder pulled slightly out of socket, but she'll be okay."
   Adrian nodded and sighed.  "They'll never forgive me," he said softly.
   "Should they?" she asked.
   "I don't know.  I wouldn't blame them if they never did." He turned
around and headed for the stairs once more.
   "Adrian," Janet called to him once more.
   "Yes," he said, his back to her.
   "It's too late for you to look for someplace to stay.  You don't need to
go." Janet had no idea why she changed her mind, but like Ian before her,
she felt sorry for him.
   "Okay," he said softly.  "Thank you."
   He ascended the long staircase without a reply from Janet.
   Wednesday July 7
   "In the case of the State vs.  Adrian Nicks, how does the defendant
plea?" Judge William Workman asked as he peered at Adrian and his attorney,
Jonathon Dudley.
   Dudley stood up and addressed the judge.  "My client wishes to plead
guilty, your honor." He looked down at Adrian and nodded.  He had worked
out an arrangement with the prosecutor and the court for Adrian to get
treatment in lieu of conviction, meaning he would receive probation with
the promise to seek treatment for alcohol abuse and anger management.
   "The court accepts your plea and sentences you to one year of probation.
Your probation officer will set you up in a treatment program and you will
successfully complete this program.  Failure to complete the program will
result in your arrest and another day in court with me.  Do you
understand?"
   "Yes, sir." Adrian said in a clear voice.
   "Case dismissed."
   It was in the afternoon and Ian and Brenda decided to go for a ride. 
Ian drove with his left hand and let his splinted hand rest on his leg.  It
really didn't hurt that much and he was able to move it a little bit
without difficulty.  He had a hair-line fracture in his middle knuckle and
a few broken pieces in his ring finger knuckle.  All in all, it wasn't too
bad and the doctors said that it would heal nicely within the next few
weeks.  Brenda's shoulder was fine, just a little weak from the trauma. 
She had almost full mobility and she didn't use the sling anymore.  Her
sessions in the gym saved her from a far worse injury.
   Her anger towards Adrian had dissipated slightly and she no longer hated
him.  Intense dislike?  Yes.  But she didn't want to see maggots eating his
brains and coming out of his eyes.  They had talked well into the night
about the incident and both realized that something was deeply wrong with
him, that he would never have acted that way in the past.  They just didn't
know what the problem was.
   They had already had lunch at home, but Ian was still hungry.  He
decided to turn north and head to a place that he hadn't been to in a long
time.  A former girlfriend had brought him there and he enjoyed it
thoroughly.
   "Where are we going?" Brenda asked as the scenery changed and she wasn't
sure where they were.
   "Oh, don't worry your pretty little head about it," Ian smiled.  "You'll
find out when we get there." He glanced over at Brenda and admired the way
she looked.  She was wearing a blue tank top with white cotton shorts.  The
shorts were riding up her toned thighs and she showed just a hint of
cleavage from the shirt.  He didn't think that he could ever get enough of
her, clothed or not.  A dopey grin was plastered across his face as she
noticed his stare.  She had seen that stare enough to know that he wanted
to see her naked.
   "Down boy," she said, laughing.  "Don't you ever get enough?"
   "I want you more and more every day," he said seriously.
   "My God, Ian, I'll have to have hip replacement surgery before I'm
thirty if we keep this up."
   "Well, we'll just have to try different positions so that you won't wear
out."
   "You're impossible," she giggled, but deep down, she was feeling
tingling between her legs thinking about it.
   Within minutes, they turned into a dirt road.  The sign read, "Wright's
Dairy" and it pointed down the road they took.  Brenda knew exactly where
they were and was excited.  Wright's Dairy served the best ice cream in the
area and Ian knew her weakness for it.  A mile or so down the road, they
came to the entrance and parked in the nearest space.  They walked into the
parlor and checked the flavors offered.  They only offered about twelve
flavors, but each was heavenly in it's own way.  Ian chose cinnamon and
Brenda took pineapple, her favorite.  After they received their cones, they
found a small table and sat down to enjoy their treat.
   "So, do you think he'll ever change?" she asked out of the blue.
   "Who?"
   "Your dad."
   "I haven't the slightest idea if he will or not.  Over the last few
months, he's changed so much.  I hardly know him now.  He's almost a
complete stranger to me." He eyed her and said, "I'm surprised you even
want to talk about him."
   "I don't know.  I was just curious as to how you felt."
   "I guess only time will tell.  I'm in no hurry to see him again, that's
for sure."
   "I'm with you there."
   Saturday August 14
   "Mom, you can't be serious," Ian said, rolling his eyes to the ceiling.
   "I wouldn't be calling you if I weren't," Janet replied.  "Ian, he's
changed.  I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it." "I just can't
believe he wants us to come over.  He did say Brenda, too?  This isn't some
trick, is it?  If it is, the first wrong word and we're gone."
   "Ian, after what happened, I would never ask you to come back if I
wasn't sure," she said, trying to persuade him.  "I know you don't trust
him, but over the last few weeks, he's changed so much.  He really wants to
see you."
   "About what?"
   "Maybe to say he's sorry...I don't know, Ian.  All I know is he wants to
see both of you..."
   Adrian sat in his office at home and thought about the past few days. 
For the first time in years, he felt at peace with himself, yet he wondered
if he was doing the right thing.  He had a very good talk with Eloise
Singer the previous day and they came to an understanding about his job and
role within the company.  Of course, that was after he turned in his
resignation.  It was something he had thought about since he began his
probation and he felt that the timing was right.  After all, he was
fifty-five and he had all of the money that he would ever need.  He felt
good when he wrote it and he felt greatly relieved when he gave it to her.
She tried to talk him out of it, mainly because it would crimp their
contracts department until they found a suitable replacement.  It was
agreed that he would remain in the company as a consultant for the next few
years in a part-time capacity, just enough work for him to keep him
occupied and out of Janet's hair.
   Janet.  He had gained a new-found respect for her and discovered how
much he really did love her.  When he realized how close he came to losing
her, he was sickened.  He made up his mind that he would regain his family
and hope that they would accept him again.  Hopefully, it wasn't too late.
He knew that he didn't deserve their forgiveness and frankly, he didn't
expect it.  He only hoped that over time, he could win their trust and get
close to them.
   He had learned a lot over the weeks during his anger management
sessions, mostly about himself and how he treated others when things didn't
go perfectly well for him.  Unfortunately, he lashed out at the ones who
meant the most to him.  He was also learning to accept the fact that Ian
and Brenda were married and there was nothing that he could do about it. 
He still thought it was wrong that they were married and he would have a
hard time thinking of her as his daughter-in-law and not his niece.  But
over time, he felt that he would get over that, too.  Adrian had learned a
lot about himself through his sessions and he finally realized that family
would always be more important than money, prestige, and material things.
   He still hadn't told Janet about his resignation and had asked his
friends not to say anything to her until the following Monday.  Adrian saw
the look of concern on her face when he asked her to invite Ian and Brenda
over for a talk and he expected it.  That was when he told her of his
semi-retirement and that he wanted to start over with her and be a real
husband to her, not someone who was barely home most of the time.  The look
of shock and acceptance was not lost to Adrian when Janet got up and
started to dial Ian.
   "No fucking way!!!" Brenda growled when Ian approached her about meeting
his dad.  "Are you out of your mind?  How can you even consider it?" Her
arms were folded across her chest as she paced their bedroom floor.
   "Mom said he's changed, that he just wants to talk."
   "Don't you remember what happened?  Don't you?  You said you'd never let
him hurt me again."
   "I remember it as if it happened this morning.  I will not let him hurt
you."
   "Damn right he won't because I won't go."
   "Bren, be reasonable."
   "Reasonable?" she squealed.  "The last two times you got together, the
police had to be called.  He went to jail and you almost joined him. 
You're telling me to be reasonable!" She shook her head back and forth,
bewildered.
   "I will not stand by and watch him try to hurt you again," she
continued, her eyes starting to tear.  "I don't want to see the insane
person that's hidden inside your body again.  That scared the hell out of
me.  I truthfully thought you were going to kill him, Ian, and I don't want
to see that side of you ever again if I can help it."
   "Brenda, listen to me." He looked at her until her eyes met his.  "Mom's
said that he's changed, that he's nothing like he was before.  She told me
that he threw out all of the liquor and that he hasn't had a drop.  I think
that's something.  Do you think I would go over there if I thought I was in
danger?  Do you think I would take you with me if I thought there was
danger?  I'd rather cut off my arm than to see you hurt.  Please, do this
for me."
   Brenda looked at him helplessly.  "I don't know...."
   "Bren," he said softly, "he's the only dad I've got."
   Brenda understood completely now.  No matter how much a pain in the ass
his father was, no matter how much he hurt Ian, and no matter how hard Ian
tried, he would never measure up to him.  But, Ian still loved him and
wanted him in his life.  Brenda guessed that she would feel the same way if
she were in his shoes.  Although every fiber of her being screamed against
it, she said, "All right, I'll go."
   Ian moved to her and hugged her, holding her tightly against him.  She
always felt wonderful in his arms and he never wanted to let her go. 
Reluctantly, he released her and his hands found her face.  He pushed a few
stray strands of hair aside and began kissing her, slowly and gently. 
Brenda wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close.  Neither said
anything as the kisses remained soft and sweet.  Ian broke away first and
looked at her.  "Thank you," he said simply.
   "You're welcome," she replied.  "I love you so much."
   "I know."
   Adrian nervously paced the floor of his study.  He didn't know what he
was going to say or even how to begin.  He knew that it was going to be the
hardest thing that he had ever done, but he was looking forward to it.  It
was a challenge that he accepted and wanted.  Things were coming along
slowly between himself and Janet.  He was slowly regaining her trust and
the thought of divorce was far and distant from her mind.
   They arrived a little after noon and Janet answered the door.  She let
them in and gave Ian a hug.  "I'm very glad you came, Ian." She turned to
Brenda, "And you, too." She left Ian and hugged Brenda.  It wasn't her
usual one second, barely touch her hug.  It was almost a motherly hug, one
that lasted a while.  It reminded Brenda of hugs that her own mother used
to give her and she liked it.  She stepped away from Brenda and said, "He's
in the study waiting for you."
   Ian took her hand and they followed his mother to the study.  Adrian had
his back to them when they entered.  When he heard them enter, he turned
around abruptly.  "Ian, Brenda, do come in.  Please." They stepped into the
study as Adrian came around from behind his desk.  He didn't know how close
he should get so he stayed near it and let them decide how close they
wanted to be.  They stopped a few feet inside the entrance and eyed him
warily, not knowing what to expect.
   Adrian cleared his throat as an awkward silence filled the large room.
Adrian gestured to them, "Can I get you a refreshment?  Water?  Anything?"
They both shook their heads without speaking.
   Adrian nodded and looked down at his hands.  "I really don't know where
to begin.  I really didn't expect you to come, to tell you the truth.  If
you hadn't come, I would have understood completely." He looked at Ian. 
"You're looking good, Ian.  Brenda must be a good cook."
   "She is," Ian said quietly.  Brenda scowled at the compliment.
   "There's a few things I need to say," he began.  "I'm not the same
person I was a few months ago.  I really don't know who I was back then and
I definitely don't like that person.  I've been through anger management
counseling and I can say that I am a changed man, a better man.  Some
definite good has come from this.  I've decided to go into
semi-retirement." Ian raised his eyebrows in surprise.  "It's time for your
mother and I to enjoy ourselves and to get reacquainted.  We plan to travel
for fun and not for business.  I want to see all of the things that I
missed when I went overseas on business."
   Adrian moved a few steps forward and stopped.  "Ian, I've realized how
much my family really means to me.  I know I've been hard on you and I'm
sorry for that.  I didn't have much of a childhood and I didn't learn much
from my father.  That's no excuse, but it's all I know.  Perhaps I can do
better in the next few years.  I really am proud of you, although I'm still
not sold on you being a vet.  You and your mom mean a great deal to me.  I,
I really don't know what I'd do without either of you."
   He looked back at his hands.  "About what happened before.  I know I
can't ask you forgiveness.  I don't deserve it from either of you.  I can't
forgive myself for it.  It was hateful and disgusting and I wish it never
happened.  I can only say that I'm sorry.  I know it doesn't mean much
after all of the things that I've said and done in the past, but I do mean
it."
   Adrian looked up and addressed Brenda.  "I don't know what to say to
you. You are everything that I would ever want in a daughter-in-law.  It's
still very hard for me to not think of you as my niece.  I can only hope
that with a little time and patience, maybe I'll warm to the idea.  Perhaps
a grandchild would help that along." He smiled slightly at his joke. 
Brenda kept a stoic expression on her face.
   "Anyway," he said, "know that I want to see more of you.  I will
continue to go to my counseling sessions so I can work on some other issues
and I will not quit until I have the answers and I can turn my life
around."
   "Well," Ian said, "I'm glad to hear that.  I hope that everything works
out for you.  You deserve a rest after all of the years you've put in."
   Brenda remained silent, trying to decide whether or not Adrian was
indeed changed.  He seemed sincere and straight forward and she wanted to
believe him, but she was still wary.
   Ian knew that it would take a long time before he could trust him again
completely, but this was a start, a new beginning for them and he was glad
to be on civil terms with him.  It wasn't going to be an emotional reunion;
they weren't that type of family.  But in their own way, Adrian received
the forgiveness he sought.  It wasn't instantaneous and it wasn't quick,
but it came little by little and Adrian could accept that.
   Epilogue
   The sun shown brightly that summer morning as Ian and Brenda strolled
through the shady cemetery.  They came there often since he died.  They had
hoped so much that he could see his first grandchild before he passed, but
it wasn't meant to be.  Ian rubbed her swollen stomach lovingly as they
came to the grassy area near his grave.
   Ian placed fresh flowers on his grave as he silently wished for him to
be alive again.  Ian knew how much he was looking forward to the new
addition and he fought gamely to overcome the cancer that eventually
destroyed him.  He was a true fighter to the end.  Ian brushed aside the
tears as he stood up and squinted at the sun.
   Brenda missed him, too.  They had made their peace and he eventually
accepted her lovingly as his own daughter and had forgotten that she ever
was anything but.  It took quite a while, just as he had predicted, but she
never regretted forgiving him.  It was ironic that she was the one with him
when he took his last breath, or perhaps it was fitting since she had been
through it before.  The last thing he did was smile at her and close his
eyes.  He looked so peaceful and Brenda was thankful that he was out of
pain.
   The baby kicked and startled Brenda out of her thoughts.  The life cycle
continued.
   pics---->> http://bit.ly/1D1q3qp
  
Brenda and Ian Ch 03