Black Roses

Chapter 13

Time flies when you're having fun. That saying had never been truer now that Bridget and Chris were officially a couple. Things had been happening almost simultaneously in the passing year. Christina and Jordan were getting married in three more weeks, Lizzie and Mark were engaged against many protestations about their age difference and how young they were and Ethan now had a girlfriend, ignoring Devon's teasing.

Graduation was also in the agenda so Bridget, Chris and Lizzie; the graduating class, were agitated. They had rehearsals to go to and Bridget had a wedding to plan.

Her father wasn't making anything easier by going all out to make Chris feel unwanted. She didn't understand why he was doing everything to push them apart. She thought Jeffrey approved of him. She guessed wrong. Jeffrey kept pushing on several suitors on her, ranging from the most anal to the most…weird is the mildest word for the people. One actually serenaded her from her window, causing the neighbourhood to shut him up.

One day, a day she actually had free time from planning the wedding and there were no rehearsals for the graduation ceremony, she cornered her dad and practically attacked. Jeffrey had come over for dinner and he was reading the newspaper on her couch.

'What are you doing?'

'Reading the daily.'

Bridget took the newspaper away from Jeffrey and looked at him squarely in his eyes; green versus brown.

'What are you trying to do to me and Chris, dad?'

'I don't know what you're talking about.' He avoided her gaze and tried to reach behind her to get the paper back. She clutched his arms in her hands, causing him to look at her.

'Dad…please,'

'I'm not trying to do anything.' Jeffrey gulped. 'The people keep on coming to me asking me for your hand.'

'I'm nineteen and I have a boyfriend. What more of an 'I'm not available' sign am I not putting up?'

'I'm not asking you to get married now.'

'You don't get it, do you dad?' Bridget sighed exasperatedly. 'I like Chris and he likes me back. That's enough for me now.'

It's not enough for me. Jeffrey thought to himself.

'Please just leave us alone, dad? Please? No more suitors. Unless he leaves me or I leave him, which I don't think will happen anytime soon, then you can meddle with my life as always. You and the whole family.'

Jeffrey sighed. He was not a Cohen for nothing. Defeat was not in his vocabulary.

'I'm not sure your dad likes me that much.' Chris said.

She was too busy thinking of the place settings to think anything more of what Chris had said. 'I'm sure he does. It's just Jeffrey Cohen's way of inviting you into the family.' She said distractedly as she checked her inventory list on the clipboard in her hand. Everything was almost in place. All they needed now were the plates, foods and the bride and groom of course.

'Bridget…'

She looked up at saw the worry etched in Chris' face. She pulled him outside the tent. 'Chris…my dad has a coping mechanism. He is too much like Logan in that way. He'd try to convince himself of everything bad about you but when he doesn't find it, he'll warm up to you. I know my dad even though he's been out of my life for more than a decade. My aunt told me too much about him that he practically lived with me throughout those years.' Bridget kissed Chris on the lips softly. 'Even if he doesn't like you, I love you. Isn't that enough?'

'Could you say that again?' Chris said as he rested his forehead on hers. His eyes were closed and a smile was forming on his lips.

'Say what?' Bridget asked.

'Even if he doesn't like me?' Chris pushed.

Bridget smiled softly. 'I love you Chris. I really do.'

The smile on Chris' face melted Bridget's heart. 'I love you too.'

'Good…that's settled. I need to go to work. I'll see you soon?' Bridget hastily kissed him on the cheeks before running off.

Chris held himself up by grabbing the nearest table. 'She loves me…that's more than enough.'

'And do you, Christina Jeanine Denver take Jordan Marcus Cohen to be your lawful wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forth till death do you part?'

'I do,' was the soft reply from Bridget's new sister-in-law.

'By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.'

Jordan stepped forward and shyly planted his lips on Christina's.

The masses applauded.

Now came the reception. Along with Mark and Bridget's speeches.

'I didn't really prepare a speech for this so if I seem to get stuck…well…let's just say I'll try my best.' Bridget took a deep breath and looked to Chris for encouragement. He smiled and nodded. She looked at her brother and sister-in-law. 'Jordan once told me that love only came from the heart. If the person you were with could make your heart go fast and slow at the same time, it meant you were in love. Either that or you just have heart problems.' A scatter of laughter was heard. 'He also told me that the heart was the strongest muscle and if it couldn't take what the person you were with did to it, that meant he or she is the one for you. Christina is that one for him. I've never seen Jordan with a smile so wide ever since he brought her to our family dinner about nine months ago.

'He followed his heart with Christina and it has led us to this day. Please join me to raise a toast to these two and may they have each other to hold for the rest of their lives.'

All the guests raised their glasses, 'To Christina and Jordan!'

She sat down and placed a kiss on Christina's cheek. 'Welcome to the family.'

'Let us clear the dance floor for the bride and groom to have their first and hopefully not their last dance.'

Christina and Jordan went to the middle of the dance floor and danced to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love”

Nothing could have made this moment any more perfect than it already was. As couples joined the bride and groom, Bridget scanned the crowd for Chris and saw him walking up to the table she was sitting. He looked impeccable in his tuxedo.

'May I have this dance?' he asked, offering his hand to her. She took it and followed him to the dance floor. Her skirt pooled around her feet as she whirled around to face Chris for the dance.

'You look beautiful tonight.'

She felt beautiful too. She had on a soft pink two-piece dress. The top was a V-neck sleeveless bodice that hugged her body and showed her curves and the lower part was a skirt that flowed down to the floor. Her hair, which framed her glowing face, curled softly at the ends.

'Thank you.' Bridget placed her head on Chris' broad shoulders.

'Anytime angel.'

The wedding had left them beat. Bridget was glad she didn't have to clean everything up. All she had to do was make sure everyone else did the work and that, she could do.

After waving off the happy couple who were going to Barbados for their honeymoon; courtesy of Jeffrey Cohen, the other Cohens stayed back to make sure everything was cleared up.

The remaining people were as follows; Jeremy, Anthony, Bridget, Lizzie, Devon, Mark, Chris, Ethan, Ethan's girlfriend and Logan. They were all seated at one table and talking about nothing.

'Miss Cohen?' Bridget turned and smiled tiredly at the person addressing her. 'We're done with everything at the back. We just need to clear the tables and everything's done.'

'We have to leave.' Bridget announced to the table and everyone got up to leave.

'Love you, Bridge. See you.' Her brothers all kissed her goodbye before walking off; Jeremy with Anthony, Devon with Logan, Lizzie with Mark and Ethan with his girlfriend. Chris stayed with Bridget, naturally. They walked out of the tent together. 'Thanks for inviting me tonight.'

'I should be thanking you for even showing up.'

'What do you mean?' Chris asked.

'After how my dad's been treating you…it was a miracle you stayed till now.'

'Hey…I'm in this relationship because of you not because of your dad.' Chris said in such an earnest voice, Bridget's heart leapt.

Chris took Bridget's hand and their fingers interlocked almost immediately. They walked to Chris' car in silence.

When they finally arrived at Chris's car, Bridget climbed in the passenger's seat and closed her eyes. She listened to the car being started and Rachel Yamagata's silky voice started to fill the car. 'Rachel Yamagata…'

'She's got a nice voice. So do you.'

Bridget's green eyes flew open as she turned to him. 'How do you know that?' she asked.

'I have my connections.'

'Chris, quit playing. I've never sang in front of you.'

'Mark made a mixed tape of your singing.'

'I am going to kill him,' Bridget closed her eyes as she took a deep breath before letting it out slowly.

'Come on, Bridge. It's not a big deal.' Chris said as he drove.

'You're right…I overreact to the simplest of things. But it doesn't mean I'm giving you the right to spread the mixed tape around, okay?'

'Of course. I would never violate your privacy.'

'Thank you.' She said softly as she nodded off to sleep.

Chris smiled as he looked at the sleeping Bridget. Sleeping Beauty in the literal sense of the meaning.

He killed the engine and went to the other side of the car and opened the door. He picked her up gently and her head immediately lolled down to his shoulder. He kicked the door shut and locked the door before going up to Bridget's apartment.

Inside, he immediately put her on her bed, not knowing whether he should change her or not. No…that would be complete privacy invasion.

He sat on the bed and played with Bridget's hair for a bit. She didn't even stir; she looked so peaceful.

Soon enough, his eyes couldn't take it and before he knew it, he was out like a light.

Bridget opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was Chris in a foetal position. In her bed. He looked so sweet.

Slowly, her hands made their way to his hair and she ran her hands through it. Baby fine…

Chris stirred and opened his eyes. Yanking her hand away, she smiled sheepishly. 'I'm sorry…I couldn't resist.'

He smiled and rubbed his eyes tiredly. 'It's okay. I would have done the same. In fact…I did do it…yesterday.'

'My dress…' Bridget whispered as she looked down. She groaned when she saw her dress, all rumpled up.

She got up and ran to the bathroom to take her dress off. 'Chris? I'm going to take a bath. Go back to sleep if you want.' She called out as she stripped naked before stepping into the shower.

'I've seen you…I can't bear to have the dream you anymore.'

Bridget melted. How did she acquire such a sweetheart? Who was gorgeous inside and out? She couldn't believe her luck.

As she soaped herself, avoiding her hair and shivering slightly, she thought of how they were doing as a couple. Apart from the obvious resentment Jeffrey had for Chris, they were doing absolutely fine. They weren't a perfect couple, of course. They fought a lot, often over silly things like their differences in taste. While Chris loved to spend quiet evenings with a book, curled up in front of a fire, Bridget loved to spend her evenings with soft music playing as a background as she sipped on hot chocolate, lulling herself to sleep.

In many ways, they were complete opposites and that's probably why they get on along well. And this is what Bridget had been looking for. A pretty good relationship with someone she cared about and vice versa. Chris didn't even seem to show any signs of wanting to take their relationship to the next level. That was important to Bridget because she wanted her first everything to be special. And Chris wasn't making it any hard for her.

When she finished her shower, she dried herself off and wrapped the towel around her body before dragging her bathrobe over her semi-naked body, covering the worst of the bruises.

She stepped out of the bathroom and found Chris looking at a picture. Bridget had to squint a bit to see what the picture was of and found that it was the picture she had been looking for.

It was the one where her mother was dancing.

'Where did you find that?' she asked in a whisper.

Chris jumped a bit and the picture fell out of his hand and he scrambled to get it, making Bridget laugh, but it ended up on the floor anyway. He bent down and picked it up.

'I'm sorry…it was sticking out from under your bed.' Chris handed her the picture and she smiled at it.

'You're a dancer too?' He asked.

Bridget ran her fingers on the black and white picture. 'Mom, this is Chris. Chris…mom.' She said with a smile.

'You look so much alike.' Chris said in an awed whisper.

'She's a beautiful woman…'

‘Exactly…' Chris smiled up at Bridget who smiled back shyly, blushing profusely.

'I'm going to take a shower. Then we're getting breakfast, okay?' Chris asked after a moment's silence. Bridget nodded and watched Chris' back as it disappeared behind her bathroom door.

She ran her fingers through her hair and rummaged through her wardrobe and chose a pair of black dungarees with a long sleeved white T-shirt. The robe on her body slid smoothly down her body as she put on her under garments.

She tugged on her dungarees and was in the process of getting into her T-shirt when she heard a gasp. She turned her head out of habit and saw Chris at the bathroom door. She instantly froze, not knowing what to do. She couldn't even bend down to grab her bathrobe or even getting into her T-shirt.

'Bridget…' Chris started as he slowly made his way towards his girlfriend.

She still couldn't move and she was beginning to get scared. Chris had full view of her scars. She wished she could read his mind but she couldn't even form words in her own…

She shivered when his hand made contact with her bare back. She had memorized the map of scars on her back so she knew that he was tracing each one. It relived everything she had gone through. Horrifying memories flashed through her mind, making a tear roll down her cheeks.

She then felt hands on her neck and cheek as she was fully turned and enveloped into a warm, albeit a bit wet, embrace. 'Bridget…'

She had no tears to dispose so she just leaned in, taking in the smell of soap.

When he released her, he tilted his head a bit to look into her eyes. 'He did that to you?'

Bridget helplessly nodded. It had happened such a long time ago so she really didn't need to go all 'waterfall' on him.

'And…you still…I don't understand, B…how can you still…' Chris was at loss for words, Bridget could tell. She could only offer him a half-hearted smile. 'He's still my father…that's why.'

Chris ran his fingers through her hair and placed a kiss on her forehead. 'You're the strongest person I know.'

She couldn't stand it anymore so she put her cheerful face on and patted his bare chest and grinned playfully. 'These situations are why s****l innuendos were created.'

Chris snapped out of whatever hold he was in and grinned, letting out a guttural chuckle, sending yet another set of shivers down Bridget's spine. Although this time, it was a good kind of shiver. 'Maybe we should make the best of it?' He slid his hand smoothly behind her neck and pulled her into a kiss. It wasn't like any of the other kisses they had shared before. It was as though she was kissing a different person. Not that she’d ever had much experience in the field but she knew change when she felt it.

She lost herself in the kiss at one point that she completely forgot that she was half naked in only her pants and bra. She needn't worry because the new presence reminded her all too well. With the clearing of his throat, Bridget and Chris sprang apart, Bridget immediately grabbing her robe to cover her body.

An amused Devon leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest and a grin similar to one of the Cheshire cat. 'Should I come back another time?' he asked, frowning slightly trying to look seriously but failing miserably.

'You could have knocked.' Bridget frowned, blushing furiously and fumbling with the cord of her robe.

'I did.' Devon said, amused. His eyes trailed to Chris whom Bridget saw was looking everywhere for a clean shirt and found none. 'After the hundredth time, I decided I should just use the spare key.'

'How did you know where to find it?' she asked.

Devon shrugged and pushed himself up right and his arms fell to his sides in the process. 'You're predictable enough to put it under the fire extinguisher between your place and Mark's.'

Bridget grinned sheepishly. 'What are you doing here anyway?'

'And here I was thinking you'd be glad to see me…' Devon pouted childishly. Bridget turned to Chris who was standing behind her like a statue, probably feeling more awkward then her at the moment.

'I'll go call Mark to lend you some clothes.' Bridget walked out of the room, leaving Chris and Devon looking at each other.

She knocked on Mark's door and a groggy Lizzie answered. She was wearing Mark's Red Sox shirt, which skimmed her knee. The French brunette smiled widely at the sight of her fiancé's best friend. 'Bridget!' Lizzie planted a kiss on Bridget's cheeks.

'Hey Liz. Is Mark in? Chris is over and he needs clothes.'

Lizzie smiled shyly. 'He's still sleeping. But you can just go in and grab anything.'

After thanking her, Bridget went inside and looked for Mark's room. She found him in bed, tangled up in his sheets. His face was screwed up and before she knew it, a smile spread across his handsome face. She smiled. Mark was an adorable sleeper. She remembered all the sleepovers they used to have and she remembered how he loved to hog the comforters and make her spend the whole night shivering. But he always kept her warm by cuddling her in his arms. She always felt safe in his arms. Lizzie was a very lucky person to have him.

She turned to look for his wardrobe and found it in the shape of a mahogany door walk-in closet. She was impressed by Mark's style as she fished for a simple pair of jeans that would show off Chris' legs very well and a dark blue T-shirt she knew would set off his eyes dramatically.

She heard rustling from behind her so she turned. Mark was awake. His hair was sticking out in all directions. The smile on his face was a dreamy and glazed one. A smile she was so familiar with. 'Morning, boo.'

'Morning, moo. I'm just here to borrow your clothes. It's for Chris.' Bridget explained. Mark nodded sleepily, his eyes drooping. 'Sure.' He said before dropping back on the bed. She shook her head and stood up to leave. She met Lizzie at the kitchen and saw that she was preparing breakfast. A smile spread across her face. 'Thanks for letting me in, Lizzie.'

Lizzie turned around and smiled widely at Bridget, nodding at her. 'Please remember that the graduation rehearsal is tomorrow night.' She was reminded. 'I've arranged for my father to pick all three of us up if Chris would come to your apartment.'

'I'll make sure he does…thanks Lizzie.'

'No problem, mon cher. I'll see you tomorrow.' The petite French waved with the tips of her fingers. Bridget exited and went back into her apartment to see Devon parked on the couch in front of the TV, channel surfing. He finally settled on a rerun of 'I Love Lucy'. It was the twins' all-time favourite. She ruffled his spiked hair and walked into the room where she found Chris on the bed with a blank expression on his face.

She called out his name but he didn't reply. She knelt down in front of him, placing the clothes on his side, and waved a hand in front of his face. 'Hey…what's wrong?' she asked laughingly. Chris snapped out of his reverie and a smile ghosted his lips. 'You weren't kidding when you said your brothers were over-protective of you.' Was his opening line.

'What did Devon say to you?' Bridget asked, surprised. She would have expected Logan of this but never Devon. Both the twins never had a problem with her interactions with the opposite s*x, in fact they encouraged her. So this was a surprise to her.

'He told me, and I quote: 'You might not have faults in her eyes but to me, you're still human. You're still breakable.' He freaked me out with that one.' Chris shook his head, rubbing his hands over his face.

'What is up with everyone ganging up on me? On us?' Bridget was frustrated, it was obvious. 'Change.'

She stormed out of the room and plopped herself beside Devon. 'Could you lay off with the protective brother talk? He got that from Logan and he even got it from dad…don't you think he's had enough of the same talk over and over again?' She said, her voice in control but her anger evident.

'Hey…I only did it because I've seen my friends do it to the guys their sisters are dating. It looked like fun watching the dude squirm. Did I affect him that much?' A twinkle in Devon's dark brown eyes made Bridget smile despite herself. 'Yeah…if he doesn't leave me in the next five minutes, I'd be shocked.'

As it were, five minutes later, Chris came out of Bridget's room with his ruffled shirt and pants. He was wearing his suit over the dark blue T-shirt she had given him and earlier and by God…he looked amazing. She held herself back from wanting to jump him right then and there and ravish him in front of her brother.

'I'm hungry. You mind if I take your sister out for breakfast?' Chris asked Devon politely. Bridget looked at Devon who was smiling at Chris and nodding. She turned back to Chris who nodded back and looked at her. 'Shall we? I am really starved.'

She got up and walked to the door absent-mindedly. Chris wasn't leaving. Did that mean something?

'Bridget…you're only wearing your robe.' She looked down and true enough, she was. She felt her cheeks burn up. Without looking at either man, she turned and rushed to her room and picked her white T-shirt off the floor and changed into it. She ran a comb through her hair a few times before tying it up in a messy ponytail, some strands framing her face. She stepped out and saw that Chris was already at the door and Devon's eyes were glued to the TV. She ruffled his hair again and went to the door. She grabbed her small sling bag which contained her wallet and keys and walked out with Chris behind her. 'Bye Dev.' She called out to her brother before closing the door.

Bridget felt Chris' hands slip around her waist and she smiled, leaning into his arms. He pressed the button for the lift and they waited in silence. They walked in together when it arrived.

'Did I mention you look beautiful when you're flushed?' Chris said, filling the silence. Bridget pulled herself upright and looked away while she blushed. 'Chris…'

He pushed away the curtain her hair was making and placed a kiss on her cheek. 'Bridget…' he mocked her. Bridget slapped him playfully before the elevator pinged. The silver doors slid open smoothly to reveal the empty lobby.

They made their way to Chris' car and he drove off to a quaint little café.

After ordering what they wanted; the deluxe combo (peppered scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, buttered toast, baked beans and potato wedges), they relaxed into their seats, talking to each other.

When the food arrived, they started to scarf it down as though their life depended on it.

Between bites, they swapped stories of their childhood, no matter how embarrassing or hurting they were. They decided that it was all in the past and they shouldn't burden themselves with it by being all sad about it.

'Did I mention to you that Anthony was gay?' she asked as she took her last bite of toast. Chris looked at Bridget, frowning slightly. 'No…is he really?' he asked before turning back to his food.

'Yeah…Jeremy and him, they're together. As in…you know…living together and thinking of adopting.' She replied. She was glad he didn't care. Or at least he seemed to not care.

'Adopting? I know an adoption agency they can go to. I came from the same one.'

'Whoa, wait…you never told me you were adopted.' It was Bridget's turn to frown slightly.

'I guess we're even,' the blond man shrugged, as though wanting to make her forget about it. 'You never told me your brother was gay and I never told you I was adopted.'

'Wow…so the businessman you've been talking to me about is your step-dad?' she asked.

He shook his head vigorously. 'He's my real dad.'

'May I know the full story?' she enquired. He shrugged nonchalantly. She wondered if he even wanted to answer. Chris was sometimes a confusing man.

'Well…my biological mother and father, they were high school sweethearts. My dad had planned out their marriage after school and all. But she ran away without telling him anything. She didn't even tell him that she was pregnant with me.' Chris had a faraway look in his eyes as he continued with his story.

'After she gave birth to me, she put me up for adoption, leaving a note for my dad at the agency. It took them awhile to find my dad and by that time, I was four and he was already married to my step mother. But growing up with her, I never once thought of her as my step mother because she treated me like her own son. See, she couldn't conceive.

'I saw my dad cry for the first time at the adoption agency that day. He was reading the letter my mother left for him. After he read it, he scooped me up and held me tight to his chest.' Chris smiled affectionately to himself. 'I still have the letter she wrote. Her name's Lucy.'

Bridget didn't know if she should comfort him or leave him to his thoughts. He answered for her by grabbing her hand and kissing it. 'I think you're the first person I told. I didn't even tell Mark.' His laugh sounded hollow.

She felt like crying but she held back her waterworks.

He looked up and their eyes locked. The smile that spread across his face seemed genuine and she smiled back. 'Well…if you ever need anything, you know I'm always here for you. I'm not going anywhere.'

Chris squeezed her hand gently before kissing it again. 'I love you, Bridget.'

Even though she had heard it before from his mouth, it didn't stop her heart from somersaulting into her ribcage. She lost her voice and her eye dam broke.

'I'm sorry, Bridget…did I say something wrong?' he was worried and that made her cry even more.

The patrons at the café looked on at the couple. Chris got up and knelt down beside her and comforted her by hugging her and rubbing her back gently. She finally reduced her cries to sobs. 'I'm sorry…I'm a mess.' She wiped her eyes and nose with the back of her hand. He got his handkerchief out of the pocket and handed it to her and she sneezed into it. The sound she made reminded Chris of the sneeze Simba made in the movie 'The Lion King', the part where he was a baby. He almost laughed at how cute it was but he stopped himself.

'Can I keep this?' Bridget asked tearfully, sniffling. He nodded and kissed her on the lips. 'Whatever is mine is yours too.' He grinned. 'You already have my heart, what's a handkerchief?'

Bridget giggled at the corniness of his line but was touched deeply despite it. She hugged him and kissed his cheek in the process.

'I love you too Chris.'

'Good. I was waiting for that.'

When they parted ways, Bridget reminded Chris about the graduation rehearsal and he promised her he'd come around her apartment tomorrow night.

As she walked home, Bridget couldn't stop smiling even if she wanted to.

Once she arrived at her apartment, she found that her family had once again congregated there, minus Jordan of course. This time, a grim tone was set on all of them. Mark wasn't there so Bridget didn't know who to look at so she just looked at the floor.

Bridget couldn't help but find that the twins had a pained look on their faces.

'We've all come to a decision.' Jeffrey killed the silence and startled Bridget. If this were any situation, she would have found it funny but everyone looked so serious at the moment. 'Chris cannot be a part of this family.' He continued. Bridget's eyelashes fluttered as she looked up at her father to see signs that he was joking.

There were none.

'What?' came Bridget's squeaky reply. 'When did you come to this conclusion?' she asked after clearing her throat.

She looked around at her family and saw that the twins were looking away, Logan was staring defiantly at the refrigerator, Anthony was fiddling with his thumb and Jeffrey was frowning down at the floor.

'Someone please answer.'

'It was a consensus among us just before you came back. Devon called Anthony and told him about you going to breakfast with Chris.'

Bridget immediately looked at Devon who looked disbelievingly at their father.

'That's a stab in the back if I ever felt one.' She whispered painfully. Devon looked like he was about to rebut but Jeffrey held up a hand to silence everyone. 'Discussion over.'

'That was hardly a discussion more than it was a judgement.' She hissed angrily.

'Don't you use that tone on me young lady.'

'Get out of my apartment.'

Jeffrey was about to reprimand her for her insolence but Logan gave him a look which apparently he understood and all of them walked out together, Devon bringing up the rear.

'Bridge, I—'

'Shut up, Devon. You've done enough damage.' She couldn't even look at him as she closed the door.