Charlotte Henson

I wake up from my nap disoriented but well rested. The sun is still shining, so I know its not too late. I stand up, put my shoes on and walk downstairs. The house is quiet, all I see are a couple of women, one is dusting while the other is taking clean laundry to different rooms. I smile as I pass them and go to the kitchen. Thinking that the others might be napping or outside. I step through the patio doors, I don't see anyone so I decide to go to the cliff and watch the sea. I start down the rugged path to a huge boulder, the most perfect place to pass the time.

    I hear the crunch of the rocks on the dirt and turn to see Braxton coming towards me. I smile at him as he gets closer.

"Did you have a nice nap?" He asks, coming to stand next to me on the rock.

"Yes, thank you."

He takes a large white box of junior mints from his pockets and shakes it at me. "Wants some?" He asks, politely.

I look at him amused. I don't think I've ever seen him have candy with him before. "Sure." I reply, holding out my hand.

"You must be, Alix." I say, as he pours some into my hand.

He looks slightly taken aback. "Some of our closest friends and family can't tell us apart." He states, amused.

"You look exactly the same." I admit, nodding. "But I've never seen Braxton eat candy before and your eyes are different."

He motions for me to make room for him on the rock and I do. He sits and turns to me intrigued. "Our eyes are different? I've never heard that." He states, honestly.

Looking at his eyes I try to determine why Braxton's are more distinctive than his brothers. "I guess they are similar in color, I think it's just the way he looks at me." I explain.

"Ah, a man in love. Poor brother of mine." He says, truly sounding sympathetic.

"Shouldn't you congratulate a man in love?" I ask, amused.

He shakes his head vehemently and smiles. "No, he's lost now." He states, as if he's never going to see him again.

I laugh. "A bit dramatic, don't you think?"

He shrugs. "I just don't see why anyone would want to tie themselves to another. It makes my skin itch just thinking about it." He complains, shifting uncomfortably.

I can't help but find his reaction funny. Truthfully, I can kind of understand his outlook. "Self proclaimed bachelor for life?" I ask, jokingly.

"God willing, yes." He nods, eating a handful of his mints.

"You and your brother are very different." I smile, it really interesting to meet him and notice the contrasts instantly.

"Here's that fool now." He remarks sadly, looking behind him.

"Why didn't you come find me?" Braxton asks, coming closer.

"I was looking for you outside." I explain. "I thought I found you for a brief second."

"Very brief, she knew right away." Alix, states. "I watched her walk right past me and followed her. I'm not used to people not seeing me." He tells me, pointedly. "She was on a mission though." He adds, gesturing towards the water.

"I really wanted to see the view." I admit, guiltily.

"I wanted to enjoy it with you. Alix, if you wouldn't mind." He tells him to leave, pointing back to the house.

Alix stands up slowly and nods. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Charlotte." He says, graciously. I realize that I never introduced myself and blush. "Nice to meet you too."

As he walks back to the house Braxton sits down. "Did you have a nice nap?"

I laugh. "Yes, thank you."

"Whats so funny?"

"Your brother asked me the same thing. Talk about deja've." I joke.

"Did you like him?"

"Yes, he was very pleasant." I answer, honestly.

"He said you could tell us apart. How?" He inquires, intrigued.

"Little things. He had candy, and I don't ever recall you eating sweets. Certainly, not candy. Plus, you look at me differently than he does."

"Heatedly?" He teases.

I smile. "Actually, yes." I answer, truthfully.

"It can't be helped." He states, unapologetically. "Are you hungry?"

I nod. "But, I'll be fine until dinner."

He shakes his head, no. "We eat late here, you'll be starving by then. I'll make you something light." He holds out his hand and I take it.

Together we walk back to the house and I take in the sun and the breeze. "I love the air here, its refreshing." I say, taking a deep breath.

"We need to get out of the city more. Come to places like this, less chaos, less work." He states.

I think about traveling around the world, seeing new things and walking pristine beaches. "I'd like that."

I really would, but I've never put much thought into anything but the hospital and my grandfather. I vaguely remember thinking about a semester overseas once, but I never looked into it. I've always been a homebody. Its odd to me that I can picture myself doing new things, but only with Braxton. Its as if I see more possibilities now that he's a part of my life. I glance up at him, nothing scares him or stops him, being with him it makes me feel safe. His persistence is so strong that I take comfort in knowing once he starts something he'll finish it. Dependable, thats exactly what Braxton is.

"What are you thinking about? You keep smiling."

I blush getting caught in my thoughts. "You actually."

He turns towards me and stops walking. "Really? And what have I done to deserve such smiles?"

I pause briefly, before I respond, "I was thinking about how safe I feel with you and how dependable you are. I never thought about traveling anywhere, even with my grandfather it was just a idea. With you I can see myself trying more things and being less....I don't know... stationary."

"Stationary?"

"Yeah, it always felt like I was just stuck. I woke up and did the same things over and over, because it felt good to have a routine, it made me think I was secure. After what happened, I just wanted to say that I was okay, so I faked it. I lived my life but I wasn't exactly living, just existing. Call my grandfather crazy, but he might've been right about one thing. I needed someone in my life."

"Even by force?"

I laugh. "Yes, because I wouldn't of tried. I would've just stayed in my own little bubble." I explain. "I'm not good with risk, Brynn used to call me the Cowardly Lion."

He looks deep in thought so I wait patiently for him to respond. He cups my head in his large hands and leans down, he kisses my cheek, then the corner of my mouth. When his lips graze mine I breathe in sharply, feeling my heart start to race. His mouth becomes firm over mine, I open my mouth to feel the heat of his. When he deepens his kiss I respond, sliding my fingers through his hair.

"Alright, come on love birds! Mama made appetizers." I break the kiss and turn towards Alix, who is smirking at us. I can feel my cheeks on fire for the millionth time today.

"I wish I were an only child." He mutters, making me laugh as he takes my hand as we go to the house.

On the patio table are pitchers of wine, ice tea, different meat, cheeses, olives, bread and crackers. Cairo, Alexia and Alix are already sitting, waiting for us to join them. When we do I can tell they were talking about us and I glare at Alix jokingly, who just winks back. Braxton pulls out my chair for me and I sit.

"Please, tell me you're leaving for the states soon?" Braxton questions, Alix. Clearly, not happy about our kiss being interrupted.

Alix grins at his brother. "Tomorrow, as a matter for fact. You'll miss me I'm sure."

"Need help packing?" Braxton asks, sarcastically.

The table laughs and the night goes by slowly. Braxton and Alix bicker back and forth but the humor is underlining everything they say to each other. Its amusing and easy to be with his family. They're very welcoming and include me in their conversations. By the end of the night I feel that I've gotten to know all of them and know their personalities fairly well. I leave them to go shower and as I slip under the warm spray, thinking of what might happen tonight. Will he kiss me again? Do I want him to kiss me again?....Yes, but in bed? Its much more intimate laying in a bed next to each other all night.

By the time I brush my teeth and wrap a towel around myself I've literally thought of everything possible scenario. I open the door to peek into the room to make sure Braxton isn't in bed yet. He's not, so I walk to the closet trying to find something to wear. Before we left, I packed my usual short silk night dresses. I'm sure Braxton would appreciate my choice, but I don't want him to get the wrong idea. I scan my clothes and roll my eyes, not able to find anything that would work. I step out of the closet and go to the dresser, pulling out my simple navy silk nightie. I'll just have to explain, I didn't bring anything else and didn't know we'd be sharing a bed. I slide the towel off and slip the nightgown over my head. I take out a pair of matching underwear and put them on. Running for the bed I dive under the sheets and pull them up to my neck just as Braxton comes in.

"I'll only be a minute." He says, as he goes to the bathroom.

I watch the door nervously, feeling the fluttering in my stomach as I listen intently. He leaves the bathroom in just his boxer briefs and my eyes almost pop out of my head. His body is muscular, no doubt from a personal trainer and a lot of sweat. He turns off the light and strides to the bed, I can just make out his bulky figure. I gulp as I feel the bed drip.

"Don't act like a virgin on your wedding night. I won't touch you until you ask." He states, kissing my forehead. He lays down and pulls me to him. "I just want to hold you. Nothing more." He explains, as I lay my head on his chest.

    He's warm and his skin is soft. I listen to his breathing as I try to find sleep. I want to shift I feel full of nervous energy. I just don't know why. We've slept together before, its not so different than it is right now. Its because he kissed me, its because I want him to do it again, soon.