Out Of The Friend Zone (22 page)

"I love you too," she said, with a sad smile.

He gave her another quick kiss. "Good, now let's party."

Chandler took Brynn back up to the grill, and took over for Zaiden and Nyla, who had filled the vacancy when the grandmas showed up.

Nyla put her arm around Brynn's shoulders and blew a raspberry on her cheek. Brynn laughed and returned the gesture. After that, Brynn's mood lightened and everyone had a great time.

A
fter the last guest from the cookout had left, Brynn and Chandler looked at each other with a sigh of relief that it was finally over. They looked around Brynn's backyard to see how much of a mess they were going to have to clean up before they could call it a night.

"Well, it's not too bad. I think that placing all the trash cans around the yard helped to keep it cleaner," Brynn said optimistically. "Good idea, Chandler. I knew I keep you around for some reason!"

"Hey, I'm not just another pretty face, I'll have you know!" Chandler teased back.

"You got that right!"

The clean-up went fast, giving Brynn and Chandler some time to sit on the deck before they parted ways. The kids were already asleep, each at their own house, as tomorrow was a work day for Brynn and Chandler. They had agreed that the only sleepovers would be on the weekends, when none of them had school or work the next day.

As they sat enjoying their remaining time together, cuddling on the porch swing, Brynn heard a noise at the side of the house. "Chandler, I think someone is over there," she whispered.

Chandler got up from the swing to see what the noise was. As he rounded the corner of the house, he saw someone walking towards the street.

"Can I help you?" he called out.

The figure stopped and turned around, giving Chandler a view of her face. "Mom?"

She started walking back. "Sorry, I just came over to talk to the two of you. But, when I went back there, you were cuddled on the swing that I didn't want to interrupt, so I was leaving. I guess you heard me though."

"We weren't doing anything, just talking. Come on back...I think there are some things we need to discuss," Chandler told her.

"Mrs. Tiller!" Brynn was surprised when she saw who it was with Chandler.

"Mom just came to talk to us, and thought she was interrupting, so she left. I think we all need to have a little talk though," Chandler explained.

"I agree. Please, have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink? How about some food? We have so much left over from the cookout," Brynn rambled nervously.

Mrs. Tiller sat down. "Would you happen to have any wine? It's been a long day!"

Brynn brought out a bottle of White Zinfandel and three glasses. After Mrs. Tiller got her glass, she took a drink and smiled, looking a little more relaxed as the wine entered her system.

Chandler started the conversation. "Mom, we wanted to apologize for the way everything came out today. I think Willow is just so excited at the prospect of maybe having Brynn as her mother, or mother figure, that she just blurted it out and expected everyone else to be happy too. She's too young to realize that not everyone will be as happy about it as she is."

Mrs. Tiller nodded.

"We wanted to sit you down and tell you ourselves that Brynn and I are together now, but I guess that didn't happen. We should have told you yesterday when we told the kids."

"How long has this been going on?" Mrs. Tiller asked. "I thought you were just friends?"

"Well, we were, up until about two months ago," Brynn said. "Even during our friendship, we felt something for each other. It just took us a while to do something about it. Things have been kind of up and down in our relationship, not really knowing where it was headed, but I think we've worked all that out now."

His mother just looked at her, not saying anything. Brynn rambled on. "We just wanted to wait to tell everyone until we were sure what we had was real, and not just a passing fling. Neither one of us wanted to get the kids hopes up if it wasn't going to last."

"I understand and respect that, but how can you be sure this will last?" She turned to her son. "Chandler, this is the first relationship you've been in since Brooklyn died. How do you know it's not some sort of rebound relationship?"

"Mom, all I know is that I love Brynn. For the longest time, I walked around in a daze, not caring about anything but Willow. Now, I feel like I can see light again. My heart doesn't hurt anymore, and I don't feel empty inside. Brynn did that for me. She helped me feel again. She helped me live again. She helped me love again."

Chandler reached over and took Brynn's hand. "Trust me, the same thoughts went through my head so many times. Was I using her to get over Brooklyn? Was I going to hurt her in the end? Would this last? But the thing is Mom, we have made it through so much in the short time we've been together, and if what we had wasn't real, then neither one of us would have fought to make it work. I love Brynn more than I thought was humanly possible. She's everything to me, Mom. When I felt dead, she came along and mended my soul. She makes me happy and alive, and that's really all that should matter to you."

Nicolas looked over to Brynn, who was already on the verge of tears. He lifted he hand he was holding, and gave it a soft kiss.

Mrs. Tiller cleared her throat, bringing the attention of Brynn and Chandler back to her. She looked right at Brynn. "Do you feel the same way about my son?"

"Yes Mrs. Tiller, I do. I love him body and soul. He means everything to me, and I couldn't imagine my life without him."

"Please dear, I think you should start calling me Madilyn now. I mean, you are practically family, and I can tell that one day you will be," she said with a smile, swirling the wine in her glass. "I'm sorry for being so overprotective, but I don't want Chandler to be hurt again, not to mention Willow."

"Well, I would never hurt either of them on purpose. I love both of them," Brynn told her.

Madilyn gave her a brisk nod. "Now that's settled, we need to have a discussion about Brooklyn's mom. The woman drove me insane today, ranting and raving about you moving on. She has this crazy notion she wants to get custody of Willow," Madilyn said, draining her wine and pouring another glass of wine.

"What?"

"That's impossible!"

"She can't do that!"

"What in the world?"

Chandler and Brynn were almost frantic. "She can't do that! What would make her think anyone would give her custody of my daughter?" Chandler demanded.

"Well, she said that since you are involved in a new relationship, Willow is being neglected. She said she would be able to raise her better than you would since she is retired," Madilyn explained.

"That's ridiculous! Willow is never neglected! I am a good father, and Brynn is good to Willow too."

"Willow has never missed any attention from her father," Brynn declared.

"She won't win. I'll fight this to my death. No one is taking my daughter from me," Chandler said, outraged. "No one!"

"Well son, I agree," Madilyn said calmly. "I believe you are a good father, and I've seen how Brynn is with Willow. Linda is just upset right now. I'm sure this whole thing will blow over soon enough."

Chandler shook his head. "She is delusional if she thinks my daughter would be better off with her than with her own father. I'm contacting my lawyer tomorrow morning, just to be on the safe side."

"That's a good idea, Chandler. I don't know if she is going to make good on her threat, but I just wanted to let you know ahead of time if she does, so that you aren't blindsided," Madilyn said. "Well, now that I've gotten rid of Linda and the three of us have had our talk, I think I am going to call it a night."

"Thanks for coming back, and giving us a chance to explain, Mrs. Tiller...I mean, Madilyn," Brynn said, as the three of them walked to Madilyn's car.

"Well, I'm sorry that things didn't go too well earlier today. If I had known, I wouldn't have brought Linda, and none of this would be happening," Madilyn told Chandler and Brynn.

"It's okay, Mom. It's not your fault. We really do appreciate your coming back though," Chandler told her, and hugged her before she got in her car. "I love you. I'll see you soon."

"I love you too, Chandler. Now, can I have a minute alone with Brynn?"

Chandler looked at Brynn. "Sure, I'll be in the back waiting," Chandler said. He kissed Brynn's cheek, and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before walking to the back yard.

"Don't look so nervous dear. I think you'll like what I have to say," Madilyn said with a smile. "My son was right about a few things. He has been walking around in a daze ever since Brooklyn died, as if he was just going through the motions of life. Ever since he met you, he has that sparkle back in his eye, and I can't thank you enough for that. You've given my son his life back, and I guess I didn't really see it until now. So I want to say thank you for everything you've done for this family. I'm glad that Chandler and Willow have you in their life."

Madilyn smiled at Brynn's stunned expression. "Now, don't worry about Linda, because Willow isn't going anywhere. Chandler can handle her, and if not, his lawyer sure can. Now, go enjoy the rest of your night with my son."

Brynn smiled at Madilyn. "Thank you, Madilyn, I can't tell you how much it means to have your support."

Madilyn reached over and hugged Brynn tight. "And I can't tell you how much it means to see my son smile again."

Madilyn backed away, and dried her eyes. She gave Brynn a big smile, got in her car and drove away.

"She's right, you know," a gravelly voice said from behind her.

Brynn spun around to see Chandler. "You scared me!"

"Sorry. I thought you knew I didn't actually go to the back yard. I had to be close by, in case I needed to rush in and defend you." Chandler said with a smile. "But it looks like I didn't need to."

"So, what was she right about?"

"You have given me my life back, and you make me smile. Not to mention I can handle my former mother-in-law, Linda. There is nothing for you to worry about." Chandler bent his head down and captured Brynn's lips with his own.

"I'm sorry if our relationship is making trouble for you," Brynn said, with her eyes full of sorrow.

"None of that talk. I love you too, and I'm not sorry about our relationship..." Chandler paused, thinking. "Well, except for the parts where I screwed up. Ok, I'm not sorry that we have a relationship. Better?"

Brynn chuckled. "Yeah."

"Well, we better head in now. We both have to work in the morning, and I think that calls for a good night's rest," Chandler said, being the voice of reason.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" Brynn teased.

"Oh, that's right! I forgot that we have to sleep in separate houses tonight. Damn!"

"I want nothing more than to be with you," she said.

"Hey, I have an idea...Move in with me."

Brynn's eyes widened. "What did you just say?"

"Move in with me?"

Brynn stared at him. "Are you insane?"

"Why does it make me insane that I want to live with you? Do you know how much I hate the thought of us going to separate houses tonight? Do you know what I would give to hold you close to me every single night, and wake up with you in my arms every single morning?" Chandler asked.

Brynn was stunned that he would bring it up so soon. "I understand that, and I feel the same way too, but isn't this a bit quick?"

"Is it?"

"Not to mention the fact that you live in the house that you shared with your first wife," she pointed out. "That's a little weird for me."

"Then we'll live in your house."

"Chandler..."

Please? Just think about it?" Chandler begged.

"Fine, I'll think about it." What else could she do?

"Well, at least I know you'll dream about me tonight," Chandler joked.

"Yeah, if I get to sleep at all now!" Brynn chuckled.

They looked at each other, not wanting to leave, but having no choice.

"We better go. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Give me a call after you talk to your lawyer."

"I will. I love you," Chandler said.

"I love you too." Brynn went to walk away, but Chandler grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him.

"Don't think you're getting away without this!" Chandler said, and kissed her. He took his time exploring her mouth. "Good night," he whispered when the kiss ended.

"Good night," Brynn whispered back with a smile, and headed back to her own house.