God my head hurts - NehpetsEnal

As I awoke, it was as if an earthquake was happening in my head. I couldn't remember a thing, then recalled the night before. Annie had invited Brody and his new partner Bella to dinner.

It wasn't a problem but would have preferred if she'd discussed it with me first. We are still in the process of restoration, busy getting the Liberty Belle, 'Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion', after the cyclone. Plus, I had this feeling we were playing happy families to impress Brody.

With that thought another sharp and stabbing pain pierced my brain, I rolled over to discover the other side of the bed was empty, but to my relief it was warm. Annie was the perfect hostess, she'd talked AJ into doing the food, it was simply amazing and now know why Pap wanted him to join our team.

Both Brody and Bella were dressed to impress, apart from his boots but he was the one who makes it a joke, albeit was at my expense, asking if I'd ever walked outside in mine, or were they ornaments worn on special occasions.

I was surprised how well we got on, as you'd expect the early conversation was a bit stilted and uneasy. It all started as a joke we were already several sheets to the wind and laughing hysterically when Bella asked if we'd had previous plans for the evening.

Annie replied with a simple no, I on the other hand hesitated, and the floodgates opened, and they proceeded to bombard me with questions. Under pressure I reply.

Well, it was supposed to be a special evening shared alone with Annie, a candle dinner for two.

Annie's jaw dropped in shock was I trying to ruin the evening. There were some oohs and aahs and cheeky comments before Brody with interest asked why.

I turned to Annie and asked. "Did you not realise it's our 'Ember Anniversary', it's six months to the day since we first lit the fire. At first, they thought it was a joke until Annie raised her hand to her mouth in shame and admitted she didn't realise.

There was one of those moments when we all looked at each other in silence not quite sure where this would go. But Brody broke the ice and raised a toast.

'Here's to Annie And Bart, let's wish them a happy life'.

We all downed another schooner full of heart red wine laced with spiced rum. After that I honestly don't remember a thing, who knows what else was said, let's pray the evening ended well, at least she slept in my bed, I assume.

__________________

Forgotten - Baileygaines

Brody and Bella were coming for dinner!

It had been an impromptu invite,

but the couple showed up at the Liberty Belle that night.

Annie forgot to tell Bart until ten minutes 'til,

but he came to the table with gracious goodwill.

AJ's spread of food made the conversation flow,

at least Bella's question, which made the talk slow.

Horror of horrors! Annie had forgot

the six-month anniversary that Bart had not.

The moment stretched out and stretched some more.

Annie fidgeted and glanced at the floor.

Then Brody spoke up, proposing a toast.

And the moment was smoothed over...almost.

Annie threw a grateful smile Brody's way.

He always knew just what to say.

She accepted the toast and downed another drink,

still feeling guilty, cheeks still pink.

It seemed Annie could hold her liquor better than Bart,

or maybe she just drank less from the start.

Whatever the reason, Bart was soon down for the count.

Bella and Brody rose unsteadily. "We'll see ourselves out."

Annie waved them goodbye, Bart leaning on her shoulder.

They headed inside as the night grew colder.

"Straight to bed," Annie said.

Bart pulled her closer, shaking his head.

"Not without you, Annie."

She giggled. "Yes-sir-ee."

They tumbled in, completely exhausted.

The night's earlier awkwardness completely forgotten.

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Dinner Date - MysteriousDryad

Invited to dinner at the Denver's

Bella was able to mark "ride a boat"

off of her bucket list.

Brody looked great, he always did.

He smiled her way and she returned it.

AJ's food complimented the dinner for everyone.

The air around the two couples

grew thick with awkwardness.

Brody said something and it vanished.

But the smile from Annie, his ex

didn't sit right with Bella.

Was it jealousy, she was feeling?

She didn't know.

After the air was clear

and all was calm

Bella had fun.

Nice people they are.

Her relationship with Annie

seem to grow and Bart

reminded her of Brett strangely

but she was with Brody now.

When it was time to leave

we said our goodbyes and thanked them.

Bella voiced her jealousy to Brody

on the way back, assuring her all was done.

Brody and Bella split ways.

Work calling him for a few

but they looked forward to later

when they were together once again.

_____________________

One Night of Hell -  Ruechari

Darkness fell. I just had to get through this one night of hell. Bella looked so beautiful.

She smiled shyly a blush to her cheek. She straightened my tie giving it a tweak.

"Thank you!" I told her giving her my arm and a smile to turn up the charm.

The docks looked nearly complete. The Liberty Belle was looking swell. We were taken to the dining room and seated a table set for four. Soon Annie and Bart came through the door.

Annie was a gracious host. Bart looked like he was tolerating us at most.

I just had to get through tonight. Hoping I'd do it right. I know Annie isn't mine anymore. Long ago she slammed that door. Still, the pain of losing her to this man stabbed a little deeper as I'd seen how she looked at him.

Good looks and money I guess can take you far. Bart had some wine brought from the bar. "You two looked dressed to the nines. Well with the exception of perhaps Brody's boots." I could tell by the smile on his face Bart thought his pointing out my worn-out boots a real hoot.

"Do you ever walk outside in yours? They definitely don't look like they've seen the outdoors? An ornament perhaps for this special occasion?"

Both Annie and Bella frowned at me for my abrasion, but Bart just let out a laugh, allowing the moment pass.

Still, the conversation felt a bit stilted. I obviously hadn't gotten over as well as I thought being jilted. Bella brought up if there were any other plans had for tonight. Annie said, "No." But by the look on Bart's face, I could tell that answer wasn't right.

Bella asked, "Are you so sure? It looks like by Bart's expression he was expecting more. Did you have plans for today?"

Bart looked hesitant to say. "Well, it was supposed to be a special evening shared alone with Annie. A candlelit dinner for two."

Annie looked surprised by this news. "Sorry to ruin your night of romance. Perhaps later you'll still get your chance," I say giving Bart a cheeky glance.

"It wasn't about that. Tonight is a rather special night for Annie and me."

Annie looked like she hadn't a clue, so curious I asked, "Why that might be?"

Bart looked at her rather direct, the hurt was easy to detect, "Did you not realise it's our 'Ember Anniversary', it's six months to the day, since we first lit the fire?"

Annie looked crushed, the silence stretched on as she stared at the floor. I just couldn't take it anymore. I raised my glass, "I propose then a toast, To Annie and Bart, let us wish them a happy life. With love and joy may it be rife."

Annie's eyes met mine, she held my gaze for a while on her lips a grateful smile.

"Here! Here!" They all cheer. The rest of the night seemed to go fine, they imbibed a lot of wine. But then the conversations easily flowed until it was time to go. Bart turned out to be a half-decent guy. Annie and he waved to us good-bye.

I guess the night, all in all, turned out all right. That was until Bella's feelings she did spill, given courage by the wine, "I really don't care for the way. Annie looks at you sometimes."

"Looks at me? How?"

"I don't know like the sun rises and sets in you somehow. It's obvious she still cares about you and that you care about her too."

"Of course I do. Just like I have about Brandy or Lou, but that's nothing in comparison to how I feel about you."

Bella looked at me like she wished she could believe but it seemed such a notion was difficult to achieve.

I cupped her face in my hands, needing her to understand. "Annie and I have a past, a love that didn't last.  Do I care? Yes, but it ends there. You Bella, have my heart. You stole it from the very start. Claiming it for your own, saving me from this life alone. What more can I possibly say, but I love you, Bella Fray? Perhaps you'll believe me someday."

With a sad heart, I let her go. Alec had hurt her badly. It would take more time to earn her trust, but earn it I must, but it won't be today. I turn to walk away. Bella grabs my hand and takes a stand.

"I want to believe you, you have no idea how much I do but I believed in Alec too. I was played for a fool, used as a tool and may now lose Lady and Knight because I didn't have the foresight, to see he wasn't right. Not for me, not for anybody."

I gather her to me again. "For me this not game of pretend. We've both been hurt by our past but Bella I believe we can achieve something that can last. I just need you to give me a chance."

"Then you have it," Bella said.

I smiled and kissed her before sending her off to bed.