Episode Twenty-One: It was Just a Kiss
"Your stupid cousin is a crackhead," I said to Kevin. I called him earlier that day to meet me at the cafe. Nick thinks i'm job hunting, so he's at home playing daddy to Erik.
"He has his moments... so you mean to tell me, Brian kissed you. Brian? My cousin Brian? Are you sure you weren't drunk Liz?"
I rolled my eyes, "I didn't drink last night, I had a glass of water. But it was so weird cause he kept shooting me these weird looks.. I mean I wasn't expecting him to like come onto me.. I mean he's engaged and all and I have my kid and yeah...,"
"Well you didn't come onto him last time,"
"I know... but see... like... damn it I was horny,"
Kevin laughed, "Liz... Liz.. Liz.."
"Well sorry if I can't controll my urges, ya know I saw the perfect opportunity to like seize the moment,"
"If it makes you better i'll have a discussion with him, I'm sure it's no big deal... at least Nick didn't catch you. He would have had a fit, you know how Nick is. He's very protective of you, he really loves you Liz,"
"I know,,,," I said sighing then shifting my gaze to my delicious berry smoothie. *yummy*
"At least he didn't try to screw you,"
"Yeah,"
"It was just a small kiss, did he pass you some tongue?" Kevin asked.
Thinking for a moment, "Noooo."
"He didn't even tongue ya, so don't worry about it, i'm sure it was nothing,"
"But like I felt something from it, it was like he was sad, like a 'save me please' kiss,"
"He is going through a little bit of stress... i'm sure there's a logical explanation for his actions,"
"There better be,"
*****
When I got home later that afternoon, Nick was passed out on the couch exhausted from playing daddy. He was sitting on the couch sleeping with Erik craddled in his arms. Erik was wide awake, he little fingers playing with Nick's shirt. Without waking Nick up, I carefully took Erik into my arms and went upstairs to his room.
Sitting in the rocking chair near the window, I sat and rocked slowly back and forth. Just lettng my mind wander off. I looked down at Erik, he was drooling like crazy with his fingers in his mouth. Erik's big blue eyes were staring up at me. I smiled, he had his daddy's beautiful eyes.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the phone ringing. Sighing, I got up and went into the next room to answer it.
Grabbing the phone off it's hook, "Hello?"
"Hi Liz,"
"Brian,"
"I have to talk to talk to you... in person,"
"I can't do that, I have to uhhh... take care of Erik,"
"Please Liz, I have to explain.. bring Erik if you have to,"
"But-,"
'Please Elizabeth,"he said pleadingly.
"Fine,"
*****
Leaving Nick a note, I wrote that I was going to the grocery store to grab some baby formula. Only excuse I could think of. I brought Erik along with me, to insure nothing drastic would happen. Brian told me to meet him at a park that wasn't that far away. When I reached it, I found a parking space, put Erik in his stroller and went off to search for Brian.
There really wasn't very many people there since it was almost sunset. I found Brian sitting on one of the swings in the playground, staring off into space. Parking the stroller in a place, I took Erik in my arms and walked over to Brian.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi,"
Silence and tension enveloped us. I avoided eye contact with him and focused my attenion on my baby.
"Liz... I know you're probably pissed at me at the moment but ya hafta understand," he started his Kentucky accent sounding a little heavier than usual.
"Understand what?" I asked.
"You're really a special young lady, none like any i've ever encountered in my life, I could see why Nick loves you, i've tried and tried to stop thinking about you, I don't know if i'll ever stop loving you, even if I marry Leigh... I'll always love you."
"But don't you love her? I mean you're marrying her for goodness sakes,"
"I do love her, just not in the way I love you,"
"I don't understand how you can love me, I mean.. it was just that one time,"
"Don't you remember the first time you and Nick did it, how special it was...,"
"Yeah,"
"Last night I was just getting frustrated, she kept talking about marriage and what not, it was driving me nuts,then I saw you, You're always at ease Liz, mellow, easy going, taking life as it comes to you. And you looked so gosh damn kissable in that dress you were wearing,"
I smiled at his comment.
"When I was young, I was taught we have more than one soul mate.. I do believe you're one of them. Since Nick is my best friend, and you two have a child together i'll back off but remember i'll never stop loving you,"
"Thanks Brian," I said looking up from Erik to Brian.
"Can I just have one last kiss pretty please?"
"I don't know... I will but if it's one of those brother sister ones,"
"Sure," I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek and one on the lips.
"Thank you Liz,"
"No problem,"
Erik started to pull at the collar of my shirt. "What?" Then he made a baby noise.
"Oh! Duh, Erik this is Uncle Brian say hi," I said lifting one of his tiny hands and waving at Brian.
"Hey there buddy," he smiled then making a goofy face which made Erik laugh. "I like his hair do," Brian commented. I laughed when I held Erik in front of me, some of his hair was leaning to one side while the other portion was sticking up and going in different directions.
"Wanna hold him?" I asked.
Brian grinned and held out his arms and I carefully placed him in his arms. I just swung back and forth and watched as Brian and Erik had fun. The sun was almost gone and it was getting chilly.
"Well, i'm glad everything was cleared up... we have to get going...," I said taking Erik back into my grasp and putting him back into the stroller.
"Okay, I'll see ya around Liz, just remember... you'll always hold a special place in my heart."
"And you as well... you help made one of my many crazy fantasies come true," I joked.
Throwing me a weak smile, he walked us to my car and waved us goodbye. I felt a little relieved, Brian is a great man, I know him and Leighanne would be happy. After making a quick stop at the grocery, we drove for home.
When we got home, I was expecting Nick to be awake but he didn't even shift from his place. He was still sound asleep on the couch. After putting the groceries in the kitchen and settling Erik into his crib, it was time to wake up Nick.