Amelia took the picture delicately. The way Brody spoke about his mother, she figured that anything of her would be a treasure and therefore should be handled with care. It was an old picture, taken with a polaroid or something old-aged. It was strange, his mother and Amelia looked oddly alike, face-shape and all. "She's beautiful." She commented while looking at the picture up and down, "I would have loved to meet her." When Brody began playing with her hair, she also started to wonder why he had even showed her this in the first place. Did he really begin to take a liking to her now? It's not like him touching her bothered at all. In fact, it made her calm in a way.

She gave Brody back the picture and lied down on the bed. It wasn't until now that she realized how exhausting riding was, especially on uneven terrain. Brody's soft fingers on her hair somewhat calmed her and they laid there for a while. "I really wish I could have met her." Amelia broke the silence, "The way you talk about her...she sounds wonderful." Better than my mother most likely. She looked back at where Brody placed the picture and without thinking began looking at Brody. She began playing with his hair slightly, noticing the resemblances in Brody and his mother. They also looked almost alike, if you looked hard enough, which in a way fascinated Amelia.



((Sowwi ))

Brody looked over at Amelia after placing the picture back into the book where it was, he has a photographic memory so he knew which page it was on, then paid back on the bed. "She was. You should hear my father speak of her. He'd tell you every single thing about her down to the little details if you'd give him the chance." He said with a small laugh before growing quite when she began to play with his hair. The feeling was strange, but it was nice to feel her fingers in his hair. How Brody was beginning to feel about the girl confused him, why was he so suddenly falling for her? Maybe it was because ever since he'd gotten past the fact that they were enemies at one time he found it easier to get along with her.

Besides even if an alternate world where they had not been put into an arranged marriage, he would've found her attractive if he'd not known who she was. He actually probably would've pursued her...kind of like he was now. Although, at least he wouldn't have to worry about too much competition since they were married. His eyes glanced over at the girl to find her looking at him, and his cheeks nearly heated up but for some reason they didn't.

The boy sat up on his side as he faced Amelia before he felt his body moving on it's own once more. He wanted to kiss her again. He knew he did because he'd felt like that before. Brody cupped the girl's cheek with her free hand before hovering over her. He didn't know if she'd be angry with him or not but if she was he could just apologize later. Just as his lips went to meet hers a knock at the door came. Brody thought of ignoring it but instead he pulled away and went to answer the door.

It was one of the maids telling them that dinner would be a bit later that night because they would have to go out to the market. "That'll be fine." Brody said before dismissing the maid and closing the door behind him. Just as he did he realized that he'd just been attempting to kiss Amelia. The boy shyly walked back over to the bed before looking down at Amelia. "I think...I will rest for a while." Brody said before kicking off his shoes and getting on the bed. "Will you be leaving?" He asked her curiously as he looked over at her.

(haha, it's fine. :) )

Brody began to look at Amelia and for a while they looked into each other's eyes. Suddenly his hands cupped her cheeks and they began to pull her in.The heat between them could be felt inches away and they both knew what they wanted at that moment. She closed her eyes and just as her lips met his, someone knocked at the door. He pulled away and went to answer the door. She leaned back on the bed as her body temperature began to lower. Did that...actually just happen? She touched her face to make sure that she hadnt been dreaming again. When that was over she looked back at Brody who returned to the bed. She shook her head at his question "No, uh, I think I'll rest too. Riding makes me exhausted." She slid off her shoes before she stretched again to wriggle into the covers.

She faced the wall and contemplated what had just happened. The boy had been giving her so many mixed signals over the past few days that she didnt know what he thought of her. All she knew was that he didnt hate her and that he had tried to...kiss her. She rolled so that she was facing the ceiling. That...wasn't an accident. He wanted to kiss me. In her peripheral vision, she saw Brody had also seemed lost in his thoughts. She sighed softly to herself and looked at Brody's still figure. "You...you forgot something." She told him softly before sitting herself up, moving closer to Brody and softly placing her lips on his. It lasted for longer than a minute, but less than a moment. Before their burning cheeks melted their lips off, she pulled away, smiled at him and turned to face the other way.

She smiled to herself as she curled into a ball and hugged the covers she had in her arms. If anything, that kiss felt more real and more affectionate than their wedding kiss, and this time she wasn't left gagging, only smiling to herself.

Brody was replaying what had only happen a few moments ago in his head as he laid in the bed next to Amelia who'd just gotten under the covers. He pursed his lips. What should he do now? It felt a little strange now but he was to shy to even make a move like that again. Brody wasn't one to put himself out there that often. And just as he was about to work up the courage to roll over and get the girl's attention himself he heard her speak. He looked over at her confused at first but when she moved closer to him and kissed him softly he felt his body heat up.

For the first time he enjoyed kissing the red haired girl. When she pulled away he wanted more but he'd figured for right now, he shouldn't. Only because he was tired. He licked his lips then looked over at the girl once more. She looked small under the covers. Slowly he moved over towards her side and slipped his arm around her waist under the covers and pulled her to him before closing his eyes. He supposed that his feelings were clear now, he did like her more than just a friend.

The boy remained asleep for only but two hours or so before he woke up with a headache. He supposed he had one because since he'd taken a nap, his body had too much sleep. He went to move as he woke up but when he opened his eyes he seen Amelia was still in his arms. Being careful not to wake her, he slowly moved his arm out from around her before slipping out of bed and leaving the room to find something for his headache. He guessed that a glass of water and an aspirin from the kitchen would be fine.

Amelia tensed slightly when she felt Brody pulling her in closer. She untensed as soon as she felt his body wrapped around his. It felt so right, being in his arms, that she fell asleep almost instantly. She began to dream about their ride through the forest, like nostalgia for so,etching that happened a few hours ago.

She woke up slowly and stretched. She rolled over but to her surprise, Brody had already left. She slowly unwrapped herself from the covers, yawned and went on a search for him. After a game of a thousand doors, she found him in the kitchen with a glass of water and a few pills. She tilted her head and, guessing that from the way he furrowed his brows and wrinkled his forehead, he had a head ache. She went up to him and began rubbing his temples softly, but with pessure. It felt instinctive to do such, and she didnt care whether he objected or not. He father had always done that when she complained of a head ache, and each time he did it, it worked. She gave him a small smile, went up on her tip-toes and kisses his forehead softly. She didnt know at what point their relationship was on, but she could tell that they were at a comfort zone more deeper than previously, so she didnt hesitate too much when touching him every now and then, as long as it was soft and subtle. She took an apple from the fruit bowl and was about to inquire about the maids when she realized that they came in earlier to tell them they would go to the market to make them dinner, which meant that Brody and Amelia had the whole house to themselves again.

She realized that they had forgotten to go to the bay after their ride due to their exhaustion. "We should go to the bay now." She sounded like a small child going on her first trip, but she didnt care. It had been a while since Amelia went swimming anywhere and the fact that they had a bay to themselves was wonderful. She finished her apple and tossed it in the trash bin. "I'm gonna change into a bathing suit and you can after, if you want." She gave him a smile and trotted up the stairs to the walk-in closet.

She located the swim-wear in a drawer towards the end of the closet. All of her swim suits were little bikinis which was fine with her, until she realized that she would be going with Brody. They hadnt seen each other naked, much less in wear that showed off skin, except for that one time that Amelia had no other choice but to wear a gown that showed some skin. She pursed her lips and picked out a red bikini with thick fabric. She quickly took her clothes off, slipped the swim wear on and put her original clothes over it while tossing her bra and underwear in the hamper. She left the walk-in closet to find that Brody was already waiting to change as well. "The bathing suits are in the back. I'll be downstairs." She smiled up at him and went into the hallway to wait for him.

The mentioning of the bay reminded him of his excitement to go there. His excitement of going to the place cleared the grogginess from the rest of his body while the pain killers and Amelia's past massaging of his temples chased his headache away. "It sounds like a good idea." He answered her at her suggestion. "Okay, I'll be up in a minute." When she left to go up stairs he finished off his glass of water and placed the dish in the sink. He waited down stairs for a few more minutes before deciding to go up.

When he reached the door he was about to knock when Amelia opened the door. He looked at her confused at first seeing as she was still in her regular clothes but then realized she has her bathing suit on under. He wondered which one she picked out. "Alright." He said before going into the room and shutting the door behind him. When he was inside he went to the back of the closet in the drawers where he guessed she was talking about considering it looked like it was the only place they could be. He opened the first drawer, Amelia's drawer, it was full of bikinis. Small bikinis. Instantly the boy imagined her in one of them and thus causing him to blush. Although he hoped she chose one with more fabric or else...Well he wasn't quite sure what would happen but he guessed he'd shy away from her.

Only because he would want to be blushing the whole time. He shut the drawer and then went to the second one where he found swim trunks. He chose the teal and gray ones on the bottom before shutting the draw and getting dressed. Brody put his pants and boxers into the hamper after slipping on the trunks. He left his button up shirt on though. As he exited he grabbed two towels since he didn't see any in Amelia's hands.

When he exited he went off to find Amelia, and when he found her he draped a towel over her shoulder. "Ready to go?" He asked before leading the way out of the back door that was in the kitchen. It was warmer now than it was before when they were out earlier, which was a good thing. That meant that it was perfect swimming weather. As they walked down past the servants quarters and then the stalls and out to the trail in the woods that would eventually lead them to the bay Brody walked close to Amelia, and at one point he cautiously took her hand. "I seen you had a nice selection of bikinis." He said suddenly as he recalled all of them.

Amelia shifted the towel that was draped over he shoulder so that it wouldn't fall off. She followed Brody out through the back door of the kitchen. They followed a path that went through the woods that would eventually take them to the bay. She felt his fingers wrap around hers and on cue she wriggled her fingers in with his so their fingers held each other snuggly. When he mentioned the assortment of bikinis she went wide-eyed and averted her blushing face. "Uh, yeah." She said softly, "I think my mother must have ordered some of them." Her mother always talked about how she needed to glorify her hour-glass figure so her mother always bought her the tightest or most sensual clothes she could find. As a child, Amelia never grew into them; she enjoyed clothes that made her comfortable, and not the person who was looking at her.

After they got out of the forest, the bay was in clear view, the light of the water reflecting in their eyes. She saw the sail boat tied to the dock; a small boat that could fit at most four people with the sails and equipment packed inside. From the dock, they could see land far away and the forest to their left and right. It was a nice little place, although it went unnoticed unless one went to the high hill in the forest to see the entire property. As they walked to the dock, Amelia swiftly slipped off her clothes, hung them on one of the dock poles, kicked off her shoes, ran to the edge of the dock and dived into the water. The water was cold, but felt refreshing after jumping in. It awoken all of her senses and sent shivers done her spine. After that, she began swimming a little farther out. "What are you waiting for?!" She called out as she splashed water with her feet in his direction playfully.

Luckily for Brody Amelia had chosen one of the more covering bathing suits that her mother had ordered. But even so his stare still lingered on her form as she went onto the dock before diving into the water. He noted that her bathing suit nearly matched the color of her hair and it suited her well. He unbuttoned his shirt then grinned when she asked what he was waiting for. In the water Brody was quite mischievous. Like a shark he would lie in wait for his prey and attack them when least expected. "I'm coming, I'm coming." He said as he shrugged off his shirt and slipped his shoes off before going down to the dock.

He dived in like Amelia had but it was more of a lazy dive. The boy marveled at the feel of the water against his skin. It'd been way too long since he'd swam. He swam down into the depths of the water until he came under Amelia, he pulled her down underneath with him before pulling away and swimming away from her to the top of the water so he could catch a breath. He laughed when his head was above water and he swam towards the deeper end."Sorry Princess I had to." He said in a playful tone before floating out on his back.

Amelia saw Brody dive in after her, but didnt come up right away. She began treading water waiting for him to come up, until she felt something pulling her underneath. She let out a yelp until the thing released her. She came out to see Brody also up and laughing. She narrowed her eyes at him and splashed him playfully before beginning to swim around and near him. It had been so long since she had swam, much less a bay, and the feeling was exhuberating. She felt like a kid again when she went to the beach with her father on hot summer days. All that could be heard from the water was splashing and laughing, the sound of young adults being teenagers again.

Swimming around, Amelia had forgotten that she was living independently with a husband, and that Brody was that husband that she had hated only days ago. The bay had given them a sense of youth again and, had she not known Brody, she would have thought she was swimming around and having fun with a good friend or a boy she liked, which could have been the case in this situation.

Soon enough, Amelia felt tired out and she began making her way back to the dock. She climbed up the ledge and began taking long breaths. She noticed Brody was still out in the water, which was fine with her. She guessed he would figure out that she got tired and would maybe join her eventually. She wrung out her her and started to lay on the dock, glancing at the agile, swimming Brody. He seemed to enjoy going out to the bay as much as she did, and that seemed to bring what relationship they had, closer.

Being in the water was more fun that he'd remembered. He sighed as he got tired, he wished it wasn't so much of a work out though. Once again Brody floated on his back a bit before turning over and swimming back to the dock where Amelia was. She looked like she was tired considering she was laying down. When he reached the dock he lifted himself onto it beside Amelia and pushed back his hair away from his face.

When he looked down at her he quickly looked away to prevent himself from blushing the shade of her bathing suit. Even if it did look good on her. His eyes glanced over at her again to take in her figure, which only until now did he notice was in the shape of an hour glass. He was confused how he'd not noticed this before but seeing as her clothes didn't cling to her he guessed he wouldn't have. "That bathing suit looks nice on you." He said suddenly as his eyes trailed up to her face. He hoped she wouldn't think of him as a pervert for saying so. Even if she did he wouldn't really care. She was his wife and he could look at her all he wanted to, it wasn't a crime. But for some reason it felt like it.

Perhaps it was because it was her he was seeing in such a bathing suit and he felt ashamed for looking at her with such wanting eyes.

Amelia out her hand to her eyes like a visor to look up at Brody who began to stare at her. She looked away shyly and smiled. She felt like a little girl again, with her first crush. She bit her lower lip to conceal her tinged cheeks before looking back at Brody. "You're bathing suit looks quite nice on you too." She responded, fully meaning it. Maybe it was because he was topless, but seeing him emerge from the bay made his muscles flex and contract, making him more attractive than she could have noticed before.

She rolled over to face him so that she could softly play with his wet hair, drying out little dark brown strands piece by piece. She moved close to him so that their bodies barely touched. She laid her head on the spot where the shoulder and the pectoral muscle met. She didnt feel afraid to be close to him anymore, and she might as well now, now that they had mutual positive feelings for each other. She put some of her arm on his stomach softly before gazing out at the clear water. Unlike the pond, the bay was almost vacant of animals, and all that could be heard was the soft murmur of the waters splashing against the dock and receding back into the open water. She could have wished for nothing more in that point in time.

His brows rose at her complement. Did she really mean it? It seemed she did. "Thanks." He said, although his bathing suit wasn't really that much of anything great. He hardly doubted he looked anything special in it anyway. Brody sighed as she played with his hair. He found himself becoming relaxed as she did so. Although when she came closer he become more aware of her and blushed at the feel of her skin against his. She was warm, a lot warmer than he'd expect her to be but it was probably because he was still a bit damp that she felt so warm to him.

His arm curled up around her shoulders and his hand went to her hair as they layed there. It would definitely be a good sleeping spot but for the moment he was wide awake. Brody looked down at Amelia and looked over her features for a moment before shifting and sitting up. “I’m going in for a little bit longer.” He said as he brushed a few strands of hair away from her face before standing. As he did he looked down at her then at the water, and then back at her again before squatting down and picking her up in his arms. It could be clear what his intentions were then, to take her in with him.

Without giving the girl a chance to protest he ran off the deck with the girl in his arms and fell into the water. Of course it was cruel for him to do this but he couldn’t resist. As he surfaced the water with her with him he let out a laugh. “Sorry but I couldn’t resist.” He said with a mischievous grin. Of course he was willing to take whatever punishment she gave him right then.

They relaxed there for a while, and for a moment Amelia almost fell asleep. She heard murmur words to her but she felt lazy to respond so all she did was give a soft grunt as she lied down. She saw him stand up, she guessed to swim more. Even so, she was not left alone for long. She felt herself being lifted off the ground and, before she could even react, thrown into the water in Brody's arms. She let out a squeak when they hit the water and she quickly went up for air. The first thing she heard was Brody's laughter. She looked at him and wrinkled her nose at him while splashing water and chasing him in the bay. She had to admit, she would take playful Brody over adversary Brody any day. He seemed much more open to her, happy also. She laid on her back and splashed more water at him while sticking her tongue out.

It felt like ages that they had been at the bay, and if a maid did not come up to the dock to call to them, they would have been there for longer. "Children will always be children." The maid sighed as she looked at them fondly, "Dinner is ready now. Feel free to come back to the mansion as soon as you two are done swimming." She bowed before going back the path where she came from. Amelia was surprised that the servants had found them here; in such a reserved place. She guessed it was the last place they could be after searching for them for a while. She looked up at the sky to see that the sun had reached its peak and was now making its lethargic descent down to the horizon. Amelia swam back to the dock, hoping Brody would follow. She wrung her hair again before putting it in a tight braid so it would air-dry.

When Brody attempted to lift himself up on the dock, she pushed him back down so that he would fall back into the bay. She giggled at his flop back into the water so much that her face had lit up. "There, now we're sort of even." She teased before wrapping a towel around her body and waiting for him to climb back up without any pushing back down.

The boy let out a huff as he tried once again to climb back onto the dock. They were sort of even now but her pushing him back into the water made him want to go after him again. It seemed once a war like this was started it could not end until one side forfeited. When he got out of the water and walked back to the bay from the dock he shook out his hair before grabbing his towel and drying off. He tried off his torso and shoulders before pulling the towel on his head and grabbing his shirt as he went. "Sort of even. I'll be getting you back." He said jokingly as he once again cautiously took her hand and lead her back to the mansion where their dinner was awaiting.

When they walked in the back Alonso was the first person they met in the kitchen. He looked at Amelia before looking away from her quickly, he didn't even care to spare Brody a glance as he went off to do his duty. Brody looked down at Amelia and wondered why the boy had not said hello to her, but he guessed he should save that conversation for later. When they walked over to the table dinner was still being served and he supposed he could change into something more comfortable, and he was also making Amelia do so as well because he was now leading her upstairs.

There was no way he was going to let any male in the house see her in her bathing suit. Why he didn't particularly understand but he didn't like the idea of the male servants taking in her beauty that was his by marriage. Even though he wouldn't admit it one could say he was jealous of the thought. "I'll leave the closet to you and I'll change in the bathroom." He said figuring she'd want the closet to herself. When he opened the door he only went in to get his clothes before leaving the girl to her self and giving her a sly smile before leaving her.

((sorry I haven't replied today I been at my sisters...i feel a little like poo now but I'll try my best to reply))

They got back to the mansion in no time at all. When Brody opened the door to the kitchen Alonso glared at her and quickly looked away. She looked down and didnt feel obligated to apologize infront of Brody. He would explain to him later if needed. But, seeing her with her husband, Alonso must have gotten the message that what she said at the pond was in all seriousness and that he really should keep his distance. Brody lead her upstairs into the walk-in closet. He told her that he would leave the closet for her to change in and as he got his clothes and left, he gave her a smile that meant he was planning something. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at him playfully before going into the closet herself to change.

She slipped off the bathing suit and threw it in the hamper while looking for some clothes to change in. She chose a white tank top with comfortable shorts that she could wear to sleep if need be. Putting the clothes on her, she smoothed out her hair in her fingers. I need to shower, definitely. She decided she would after dinner. She put the towel and the day's clothes in the hamper as well before exiting and making her way to the kitchen. She saw a figure quickly filing out of the kitchen through the outside doorway whom she guessed was Alonso. She sighed and looked down mournfully, knowing that she probably wouldn't be able to talk to him normally anytime soon.

Dinner consisted of quails stuffed with cranberries, along with steamed potatoes and small glasses of wine. She guessed the servants thought them mature enough for wine with their dinner, but even so they gave them glasses of water adjacent to the wine. Amelia sat down and took two quails from their plate gingerly and taking a piece every so often while waiting for Brody.



((Its alrighty, I understand :3 yeah I'll probably only be responding at like 5-ish cause that's when I come back from the city but thas' alright were getting a lot of replies in :0))

When Brody came down for dinner he found that Amelia had already dressed before him and was at the dinner table eating. He was dressed in a sky blue t-shirt that clung to him loosely and a pair of sweat pants which were grey. As he sat down at the dinner table he noticed wine there, which was odd. He glanced over at Amelia, knowing that she could probably handle her wine as long as it wasn't too much. Although him on the other hand, he didn't really know if he could handle it. He never drank too much wine but since it was a little he supposed he would be able to handle it.

Brody began to eat quickly since their swimming session earlier had seemed to make him hungry. As he ate he made sure he kept his manners in tact and took a sip of wine every now and again. Sure wine was repulsive to him but after a couple of sips it wasn't bad in fact it was good. After a few long moments Brody finished his dinner and was sipping on his water now that he was done but though the water was refreshing he still wanted more of the wine. He pursed his lips at this, he really shouldn't but he supposed a little more would be fine.

It would probably help him sleep well at night anyway, his mother always drank a glass to help her sleep. Since he was so much like her it would probably do the same for him. "I'm going to get some more wine, do you want more too?" He asked Amelia as he stood from his spot and grabbed his cup, he'd figured he'd ask so she could spare herself from getting up to get some.

((Okay that's fine! :) haha, you live in the city or you have school there??))

The two ate their dinner quickly and started emptying both the water and the wine glasses. Amelia nodded when Brody asked if she wanted more wine. She furrowed her eyebrows when his back was turned while he was looking for the bottle. She remembered that he didnt drink much during the wedding, but now he seemed eager to drink more wine. She examined the glass by picking it up and twirling it slowly with her fingers. Well, it is a pretty small glass. She thought to herself, Besides, it's not like much could happen if we finished the bottle anyway. She shrugged off the thought and thanked Brody as he began refilling her glass, which was full compared to the half glass of wine that they were given before. She always liked the taste of wine; how it was bitter and sweet at the same time and also made her feel light headed if she had enough.

Amelia had drank two glasses by the time Brody did so too. They both began tilting their heads to the side, as if testing out how the alcohol affected them. Amelia glanced at the bottle of wine and noticed that there was only a half of a bottle left. She recalled how Brody reacted when she was tipsy on their wedding night so she decided she wouldn't drink anymore so she won't screw anything up with Brody. Although, she didnt know how Brody handled alcohol, much less wine. Outside, she noticed that the sunset had begun setting over the horizon; almost 8, she guessed. "I had a lot of fun today." She finally broke their silence before catching the red drops that fell from her wine glass when she tipped it in her mouth, "Im glad I told Alonso that I would rather stay with you than with him." She didnt even hesitate saying the last phrase, but it didnt matter anymore. He would have asked about Alonso sooner or later, and right now seemed the perfect time.



((Nah I just intern there for a few weeks at a lab in a college :3))

Brody felt fine at the moment, yet it was only because he had yet to stand up or be challenged at the mind with a statement. He was on his third glass when Amelia spoke. He had a lot of fun that day too. Much more fun than he had in a while, it made him feel a little warm in side. However that warmth faded when he heard Amelia's state meant about her decision to stay with him instead of going with Alonso. Since the alcohol had dampered his thinking process and had gotten rid of his filter his mind began to think on impaired terms and his mouth began to speak with out restraint. "What?" He said suddenly angered.

Had Alonso given her a proposal? His lips curved into a grimace at the thought. But she was his, who was Alonso to dare make a move on something that was his. He stood, and nearly staggered but before he could say anything he turned to Amelia as his mind took another direction. And she spoke as if she had a choice of staying with him or not. He snorted at the thought then placed his glass down as he looked at her. "I really must be honest, I'm angry that Alonso approached you in such a manner but what angers me more is that you speak as if you had a choice between the two of us." He said suddenly letting his inner most thoughts fly out of his mouth. Like his father Brody was horrible and holding his liquor and an ill mannered drunk despite his natural kindness and patience he had with others.

"When you actually don't have a choice, you're mine and there's no way I'd let you prance off with another boy much less a servant..." He said as he let his inner jealousy become visible. Usually it would've remained dormant but the alcohol induced it. Brody took another drink of the wine then placed it down on the table before he continued to speak. "I'd hate for you to end up like your mother." This he spoke in low tones for he knew it was a secret, so he spoke only he and Amelia could hear. Although he did not realize what he'd just said would probably hurt the girl, her feelings, and ultimately break the bond that had just been growing between them. Even though it wasn't apparent to him right now but he would regret what he said forever.

((Ohhhhhhhhh cool! That's awesome. :3 haha ))

Amelia couldn't even comprehend what Brody had said to her. Instead of feeling happy that she didnt run off with the other boy like she would have days ago, he got angry that she was even given the choice. Brody didnt give her much time to collect her thoughts because the alcohol had made her mind swim. When he mentioned that he compared her to her mother, all of her thoughts were clear. Her wrists began to shake uncontrollably from both the alcohol and the acid-tasting words that had been spat at in her ear. The fact that Amelia and her mother were almost used as synonyms infuriated her, and more or less Amelia felt like an object to Brody now. She stood up, took the glass with some water left in it and threw the contents at his face forcefully. Tears began welling up and streaming down her face in little strands. "And to think I was about to tell you that I liked you. A whole fucking lot, actually." She steadied herself on the table before more poison-stained words flew out of her mouth, "Stupid of me to think you thought about me as more of just property to you." She slammed the chair back into the table and stalked back to their room as less wobbley as she could.

"Is something wrong-" Alonso had been nearby it seemed, but it didnt matter to Amelia. She smacked him out of the way and continued her way to their room. Or her room, unless Brody dared to say another insult to her before she went to bed. She shakily kicked off her shoes and nearly fell to the floor when she made for the bed. Now that no one was around to see her, her tears came down like never ending water falls. She sobbed softly as she attempted to get the rest of her body on the bed. Whenever someone knocked, she would yell at them to leave her be. She grabbed a pillow and began hugging it in fetal position, crying into the pillow until it drowned out her sobs.

After what felt like an hour of finally being dried out of tears, Amelia uncurled herself and turned to face the window. It was dark out now and no one had bothered her for the time being. Even if Brody had come into the room, she didnt know what she would do. Her feelings had been so strong for him, but now that she knew what she actually meant to him (or at least what she thought he meant to her; she couldn't even remember most of the details in the meal when the alcohol went to her head, much less did she remember everything that was said). All she knew is that she knew she didn't want him anywhere near her today, even if it meant being forced to be in the same room.

She sniffled and turned over the pillow so that the dry side was on her face. She spotted the red notebook on the night stand. Cautiously, she took it and leafed through the pages until she found the picture of his mother. Shakingly, she took the picture out and examined it through blurry eyes. Then...why did he show me this if he doesn't like me like that? She looked at his mother with a confused frown on her face, attempting to collect her thoughts despite the alcohol. Once done examining, she placed everything back on the night stand and laid on the bed again. The pillow felt nice on her damp cheeks, lulling her to sleep almost. She curled up in a fetal position again, hoping that sleep would consume her and that she had only been living a nightmare.

The water hitting his face sobered him ever so slightly, at least enough to shock his mind back into critical thinking. His eyes widened as he realized what had just flew out of his mouth. How could he have compared her to her mother? After all the pain she'd caused this girl, and he went and compared her to her mother out of jealousy. His eyes widened at her words, she liked him? Of course she did, it was so obvious yet he was oblivious to it until now. But as she continued he became confused. Did he really see her as property? He was just jealous of other men, especially Alonso. He didn't want him any where near her, and why was that? Because he would steal the girl away from him and he didn't want that.

He watched as Amelia stormed out of the kitchen and stood at the table frozen as he did. What had he just done? His brain was so muddled with alcohol he couldn't think strait. Suddenly he felt eyes on him and he looked over to see Alonso glaring at him, thus only throwing another match into the fire that was already lit. Brody glared back at the boy then pushed himself off the kitchen table as he staggered over to Alonso, he grabbed the boys collar and attempted to slam him against the wall but failed to because he half tripped over the boy.

"Let go of me." Alonso hissed at Brody as he tried to knock him out of his grasp. It was then Brody looked up and came to his full height.

"Stay away from Amelia, she is my wife do you understand that? She'll never be yours." Yet again the alcohol was muddling his censors again and he was letting go of Alonso. Brody didn't understand why Amelia took his words the wrong way, he didn't think of her as property. He thought of her as his, and he didn't want no one else to have her. He couldn't loose someone else he cared for. Wait...Brody paused as he was staggering into the hallway, the servants were coming to help him but he shooed them away. Since when did he care so much for Amelia? He didn't know. He knew he favored her a lot but this much? He made it halfway up the stairs until he tripped and one of the younger men servants helped him up the stairs.

"Too much wine huh?" The male asked as he carried Brody up to the bed room that he and Amelia shared but when Brody seen where they were going Brody grumbled. "Stop."

"Take me to the first guest room in the east wing." He instructed the servant who looked at him strangely.

"Why the guest room?" He asked, "Are you and princess Amelia fighting?"

This took Brody a moment to answer and then he looked up at the man with a face that shared the emotions of greif and regret. His mind was sobering and he was again realizing what he said. "I have said something to offend her. She won't be allowing me to sleep with her I know it." He said before looking down. "Tell me, what is the best way to get alcohol out of the system?"

The servant raised a brow then began to lead Brody to the bath, on the way he called another servant to gather cold buckets of water, and to bring three other buckets with her for hot water. In no time Brody was sobered, as much as he could be, after being drinched in hot and then cold water repeatedly. After his mind began to function clearly he staired blankly at the tiled floor as he begun to truly realize what he said to her. "like your mother." Yes like her mother, the one who cheated on her father, who practically manipulated others, who mentally abused her, and caused her such pain through out the years. He dared compared her to her mother.

It seemed he'd done the most regretful thing he could think of to ruin their relationship. Just when they were getting along they were enemies again. He was now seeing that she'd be better off to leave him for Alonso. He wouldn't blame her, and he wouldn't compare her to her mother like he'd just so crudely done. And he attacked Alonso, this was going to be hard to cover up and explain to their parents. Their parents. His eyes widened, he'd promised to take care of Amelia and yet all he seemed to be doing was hurting her. Her father had to be going to be furious with him. And his father as well. He knew he shouldn't have drank to much.

His head fell into his head which was wet as he sat on the bathroom floor for what felt like hours until he decided to get up and change into a new shirt. But he changed his mind about the shirt and staggered off to the guest room. It wasn't until his head hit the pillow did he feel utterly hopeless for the second time in his entire life.

Amelia woke up bright and early, despite the massive head ache that hit her hard as she opened her eyes. With a palm pressed to her forehead, she slid up so that she sat and looked out the window. The birds began chirping their songs and the sun's rays peeked through the big window. A knock on the door startled her, yet she still managed to slide out of the bed and answer the door. It was Alonso, with his head low and hands at his sides.

"I...Im sorry if I...cause you and Brody any trouble." He looked up at her with deep regret in his eyes, "I should have known that telling you I had feelings for you would be dangerous here, especially since you two are married now. I, uh, hate to say it, but he really does care about you." He rubbed his neck, as if his collar was chaffing him, "It won't happen again. I see how much he cares about you, so I guess I don't have to prove anything." He looked at her with eyes that read apology. Amelia was in awe that he went to her and did that, considering it was completely out of his nature. She gave him a small smile and nodded an apology accepted. He smiled back and bowed his head. "He's in the guest lounge if you need him."

"I-I'll go there later." Amelia covered her mouth with a yawn, "Actually...I think I'll stay here for a while. I don't feel like getting up yet. You can tell him that if you want." She nodded him a goodbye before closing the door again and make her way to the bed. She covered herself with the blanket and laid there for a while, watching the sunrise. She knew she would have to face Brody today eventually and apologize for yelling a him and throwing water at his face, but now wasn't the time. Now all she could hope for was that their relationship wasn't back to spiteful hate once more.

The sunlight didn't wake up Brody, no he was already awake. In fact he hadn't slept and he had a horrible headache. The most excruciating headache he'd ever had in his life. On top of that the scene from last night was repeating in his head along with how pained Amelia had seemed when she spoke of her mother. Yet he dared compare her to that woman. Brody's head throbbed painfully once more and he shut his eyes as he got out of bed to pull down the darker drapes over the room to block out the sun. The lighting was better but he wasn't. He staggered back to bed and layed down, pulling the covers over him in one swift motion.

Sleep finally came to him moments later. It was calm and a bliss to his mind that was slowly preparing himself but then he was again flooded by grief. He'd hurt the one person he'd let himself become close to again as a friend, no more than than, and now he was paying the price. She most likely wouldn't want to speak to him again. He'd apologize of course, and then let her go. If she wanted to turn to Alonso he'd let her. He knew this marriage wouldn't work anyways. It seemed they were going to be enemies forever and there was nothing going to fix it. He sighed as he laid in bed sleeping, unconsciously dreaming of the red haired girl.

He knew he wasn't going to find peace anywhere. And now that he thought about it, he thought about Alonso too, he was her friend after all and not done anything to him. Well except advance on Amelia, but still he should trust Amelia more and be happy that she'd chosen him instead of leaving him for the servant. She treated him well, it could've been worse. She could've left him. In his mind he knew she probably would now. His thoughts stopped there as he felt a cold rag go on his forehead. A maid must be checking up on him. He could hear her but not her words. It was jumbled but that didn't matter. What mattered was sleep at that moment.

And that's what he got, sleep. Brody didn't wake for breakfast no matter how the maids pleaded with him. They just ended up leaving him be to recover. He could've sworn they said that wine was prohibited to him now, which was not a bad idea. He didn't think he'd touch the stuff ever again. He rolled over in the guest bed making the wet cloth fall off his head. He frowned and reached for it but when he seen it fell off the bed he left it and decided to go back to sleep.

Amelia woke up a little later in the morning and this time, her head ache was gone. She stretched and turned to her side to find that Brody was still not there. She looked at his side of the bed mournfully as she made her way into the shower. She undresses herself as she turned on mildly cold water and washed the events and feelings of last night. She honestly didnt know what she was going to do when she saw Brody today. She didnt know if he really thought of her that way, or that it was just the alcohol magnifying his emotions. She wrung her hair out as the water poured down her warm face. Hes so...frightening when he's drunk. Even so, she felt herself still wanting to be with him, to be in his strong arms. She shook her head. Thats ridiculous, I can't be that into him. she shook off the water off of her face, as if to discard the thought. She turned off the water and stepped out to dry herself off.

When the mirror cleared she looked at herself, half-imagining that Brody was there playing with her hair and looking at her with thoughtful eyes. She almost teared up at the mirage. She looked at her hands and imagined him holding them again. She sighed before shaking her head again at the thought before stepping out into the bedroom. She noticed his father's journal again and curiously began opening it and leafing through it. She came across a page that seemed bent and furled from age and some sort of liquid:

Even as drunk and angry as I was that night, I thought I lost her forever. But even then she managed to find forgiveness in her heart. After that, I think I fell for her. And she caught me and held onto me.

Amelia closed the journal and placed it back on the table. She wrapped a towel around herself and quickly made her way to the walk-in closet to put on a clean tank top on and shorts. On her way out she spotted a maid, who bowed and bid her good morning "Will you be having breakfast, my lady?" She asked.

"Not yet, uh make it for a little later please." She told the young maid, "Can you tell me where my husband is?"

The maid nodded and lead her to one of the guest rooms. She nodded her a thank you and pushed the door in softly. Brody was sprawled on the bed with a wet cloth a few inches away from his head. Silently she crawled into the bed, shimmied close to his body and wrapped an arm around him. She didnt care whether he objected to the gesture or not, as long as he was aware that even with the events of last night, she still yearned to be close with him.

Sleep had taken over Brody once again, but when the door open his mind attempted to wake him up. This was because Brody was used to having someone come in and wake him so he knew when someone opened a door no matter how deep of a sleep he was in. He figured it to be one of the maids checking on him so he paid it no mind until he felt the other side of the bed begin to dip down in places as Amelia crawled in. He tried to pull himself out of sleep but sleep held onto him until he felt someone wrap arms around him. That's when he woke up with wide eyes only to have to squint at the dim light peaking through the curtains.

His head still lightly throbbed and when he turned around to see who it was that had a hold of him pain swelled in his chest. It was Amelia, the girl who he had hurt so much last night. The girl who he had compared to her abusive mother. Why was she in here holding onto him like that? Did she really still long to be with him after all he'd done? Or maybe she was coming in to tell him that she was leaving him for Alonso and she was just giving him one last hug? That sounded right. He turned over at decided that now was his chance to apologize before she left him forever.

Brody turned over and wrapped his arms around her tightly. He buried his face in her hair as he tried not to let the pain over take him. It was painful thinking that he was going to loose her. He didn't want to loose anyone else. "Amelia..." he said softly, knowing she was awake seeing as she came in just a moment ago. "I'm so sorry about last night...I...I wasn't thinking right and I was just letting my fear of loosing you talk." He spoke in a pained tone before he managed to clear his throat and speak normally.

"What I said about you and your mother, I'm sorry...You're nothing like her and you never will be. If you left me for Alonso now I honestly wouldn't blame you." He didn't speak after that instead he just layed there and savored what last moments he was guessing he'd ever get to hold the girl again

Amelia listened to Brody's apologies and he sounded completely sincere and submissive about him. When he got to he part about her and Alonso, she moved his hair away from his eyes and saw how painful that phrase must have been said. Leave him? Well she was given that opportunity several times, but even so she couldn't even think of saying that she would leave him.

The corners of her mouth began to break into a curve as she rubbed his jaw bone with her thumb. "I wouldn't ever leave you." She said softly before forcing her lips onto his, whether he protested or not. She kept her lips there for a good long time, longer than she had kissed him before, and relaxed her muscles as she wrapped her arms around him closer.

Even though she had been kissing the same person for the past few days, Brody tasted a lot different than he had before. The sensation of putting her lips on his without being forced to made it feel like igniting fireworks. He tasted like a summer day and the description of explosion. Having his scent invade her nostrils made her feel revitalized that she regretted finally parting her lips from his. She look back at him as her smile grew. "I...Im your wife, and I...I think I like you...a lot."