Damn Dress: A Love Story Ch. 07

Sienna and Jackson ceased their conversation to see what the commotion was over by Brandon's group. Sienna started making her way towards them, and Jackson followed.

Chris ignored Darren's warning look. He wasn't going to let Brandon go that easy. "I just think that she should make the right decision regarding her future."

Brandon was trying his best to keep it together. He was barely holding on, due to the situation with the Commander, Sienna leaving to attend school, and a million other thoughts floating around in his head. He really didn't feel like dealing with this kid's bullshit right now.

Sienna reached the crowd, "What's going on?" she asked, standing beside Brandon and taking his hand in hers. Brandon's hand squeezed hers tightly. She knew he was trying to calm his temper. She looked up at her dad standing beside Chris. He was also staring at Brandon. Shit.

She really didn't want this to turn ugly in front of her father's friends and colleagues. But she knew Brandon wanted to punch Chris. Hard. What the hell had Chris said to make him so upset?

Chris turned in Sienna's direction. He was aware of the fact that the murmurs had died down, and everyone was silently watching them.

"I, um, Sienna, I just wanted to make sure that you were making the right decisions for yourself regarding school," Chris nervously stated.

"That's none of your business!" Sienna hissed at him, her own temper flaring.

"I know, but I care about you and your father, and I know in your circumstance you might make irrational decisions. Actually, especially in your situation."

Sienna's eyes widened. Her mouth almost dropped. How did he know? Please God, don't let him say anything!

"Chris, don't..." She trailed off, trying her best for Chris to pick up on her signals.

Chris ignored her. He stared right at Brandon, "We both know that when she has the baby, she won't ever leave to pursue her studies. And I'd like to prevent that, and I'm sure you would too."

Sienna froze. Everything around her began to move in slow motion. She couldn't move, she couldn't talk. She could only stare straight at Chris with anxious eyes.

Chris noticed two new things in that moment. Brandon's pissed off expression was wiped clean, replaced by a look of utter shock. And he also took in Sienna's wide frightened eyes starting to glass over. The light bulb clicked, and he realized then that she hadn't told them. Probably any of them. Fucking hell, he was the world's biggest idiot!

Jackson glanced down at his daughter, and saw in her tearful eyes that what Chris had just divulged was confirmed. Damn.

Jackson turned and walked past everyone, and entered the house, slamming the door behind him in the process.

"Daddy, wait, I..." Sienna tried to yell, following her dad, when Brandon pulled her back to him. He stared down at her, but didn't say anything.

Sienna knew he would be pissed, but she shrugged him off and ran into the house after her father. She found him in his study looking out of the window, his back tense and arms braced against the frame.

"Daddy?" she whispered. He didn't turn around.

"Goddamn it, Sienna. Are you so set on ending up like HER? Over a fucking man," Jackson muttered to himself, shaking his head.

"Daddy, I--," Sienna started, but stopped when she heard Brandon enter.

"Sienna, let's go. I have to talk to you now," he said. His tone was clipped and cold.

"Sienna, you don't have to move from that spot," Jackson returned, spinning around to face Brandon.

At that moment, Darren and Lori came rushing into the study. Darren took in the scene unfolding before him. He hated to see them squaring off like this. He knew this was killing Brandon. Brandon used to tell him all the time when they were younger different things that the Commander had passed on to him. Rules to live by and just tid bits that a father would impart upon a son. And Brandon would report them back to him as if it were the Gospel. He stared between the two of them now, not believing that it had come to this.

Brandon narrowed his eyes at the Commander as he grabbed Sienna's hand about to pull her away.

"Let. Go. Of her," Jackson quietly said. "She's MY child."

"And she's carrying MY child!" Brandon spat back at him.

Jackson opened his mouth, then closed it back. He had let one man come in between his family before, and that one took his wife. He would be DAMNED if another came in and took his daughter. This was going to end now!

"Darren, Lori and Sienna...you can leave. Brandon and I are going to handle this once and for all," Jackson said cooly, never removing his burning glare from Brandon.

"Daddy, that's not--" Sienna tried to get out, but Darren practically picked her up and pushed her and Lori out of the study.

Sienna stared at Brandon's back as it disappeared through the slit in the door. God, she felt so miserable at that moment. Her body felt like a thousand pounds had been piled on top of her.

Chris felt like an A class douchebag. He couldn't believe he had started this whole thing. He never thought for one second that Sienna would have kept this a secret from Brandon. If only he would have kept his fucking mouth shut.

He stood staring at the group of three huddled by the study doors. As soon as Sienna saw him cowering over in the corner, she walked up to him. He noticed the large tears brimming on her eyelids, threatening to slide down.

"Sienna, I'm so--" was all that left his mouth, before her hand came swinging across his face with a loud crack. His head snapped to the side and his cheek immediately began to sting.

"Don't you ever talk to me again!" Sienna yelled at him. She turned on her heels and joined the group again.

Chris looked over at Lori. She had a forgiving look on her face as she shrugged her shoulders. Darren was also staring at him like he wanted to do the same thing Sienna had just done, but worse.

Shit, maybe it was time for him to go home, now that he had made a mess of things. Chris slowly walked up the stairs to the guest room and began packing.

Jackson stared at the young man before him. So much had changed about Brandon, yet so much had stayed the same. He remembered when he had patience with him and would talk to him through his problems. Perhaps that is what needed to happen now. The two of them shared a common bond in his daughter, and they both knew that this was causing Sienna a great amount of pain. He loved her much more than he loved his pride.

"Have a seat," Jackson said, while going to sit behind his desk.

Brandon hesitated for a moment, but then sat down.

Jackson sighed, and tapped his fingers on his desk. "Brandon, you have to understand where I'm coming from. A little over two and half months ago my daughter was turning 18, she was living at home with me and we had a great relationship. She was heading to Spelman in the fall and only had an innocent crush on you. Now she's moved out, hates me, pregnant and obviously not going to Spelman and her sex life with you has been the hushed topic of conversation on the base. So you have to understand, this has all thrown me so quickly."

Brandon leaned back in his chair. He was trying his best to take in what the Commander had said and see his point of view. But Brandon no longer wanted to argue with him. He was going to lay it all out on the table, and see where that placed their relationship.

"Sir, I don't really know what to tell you other than I love her. More than anything in my life. I would do anything for her. And I'm sorry that everything has turned out this way. It was never my intentions. And I tried to stay away from her, sir. I really did. But it didn't work, and now I can't be without her. And I'm sorry this was done behind your back. I really was going to sit down and have a man to man discussion with you, but I'm guessing you found out before I could."

Jackson listened carefully as Brandon spoke. This was all information he should have listened to first before he went on a crusade against him and banning him from his house and his daughter's life.

"Brandon, I just want her to have the best life possible. One very different from her mother's," Jackson said quietly.

"I know you think I'm trying to take her away from you, but I'm not. She loves you and you have no idea how this is killing her. She's not her mother, sir. I spent more than half my life trying to push people away, because it was easier than having them leave me. Because I knew they would eventually. They all did. Abandonment is a feeling you just don't shake once it's happened to you. So I know how you feel, sir, considering that's exactly what her mom did. But the way I look at it is, you wouldn't be losing a daughter, you'd be gaining a 'sorta' son and grandchild.

Jackson looked up at Brandon when he made his last statement. Jackson had never really thought of that. He was surprised how quickly that put his mind at ease. He would love to welcome his 'son' back into his life. And a grandchild? Man, this was all happening so fast. But then he thought about the fact that Brandon's look of shock outside mirrored his own.

"Did you know?" Jackson asked.

Brandon shook his head. "No fucking clue, sir. But can I ask your permission to find that Chris kid and punch him in his fucking face?"

Jackson chuckled, "Well, I have to return him in one piece to my friend, so probably best to leave him alone."

Brandon stood. "So sir, is everything okay between us? If I come back over here, you won't call Shore Patrol on me, right?" he joked.

Jackson thought about it. "Yes, if you promise not to break my door again.'

Brandon lowered his head and laughed. "Fuck, sorry about that sir. I swear to God, I barely remember doing it."

Jackson smiled up at him. "That's alright. I'm going to be adding a pool to the backyard next year. You stop by and help every now and then and keep me company...and we'll call it even."

Brandon smiled, and shook the Commander's hand. "Deal."

As Brandon turned to leave, Jackson called his name.

"Yes, sir?"

"May you have a healthy, beautiful baby—girl," Jackson said with a knowing grin.

Brandon wiped his hand over his face and groaned. A girl? Oh fuck no. He probably really would then go to jail later in life. He gave the Commander a weak smile and then walked out.

Sienna, Lori and Darren, all had their ears plastered to the door when Brandon opened it and walked out, but the thick oak door hindered any conversation they could have overheard. Darren had tried to listen out for any punches being thrown and furniture being pushed, but luckily, it seemed it hadn't come to that.

Sienna tried to smile up at Brandon, but it quickly faded when she saw the expression on his face. He narrowed his emerald eyes at her. "Let's go," he barked, as he sped past them and out of the front door.

In the Jeep, Brandon hadn't uttered a word to her. He just kept speeding by everything. She knew it was only a short trip from her house to Brandon's, but he seemed to be taking a longer route. She turned to say something to him, anything to break this painful silence, but she looked at the hard set of his mouth and jaw, and she thought it best to close her mouth. She noticed that his knuckles were turning white from gripping the gear shift so tightly. Yes, it was best she not say a word.

After a few minutes of circling around his neighborhood, Brandon pulled into a large empty parking lot behind a shopping center. He parked the Jeep, removed the keys and got out.

Brandon was trying his best to keep it together. He didn't know what he felt at the moment. He was shocked and ecstatic about the news of his baby, but on the other hand he was beyond pissed off because she had apparently told others about it, including that Chris asshole, but had failed to mention it to him.

He placed his hands behind his head and blew. Counting backwards was definitely not going to work this time.

He heard the Jeep door open and close and her high heeled sandals clicking on the pavement toward him. When he felt her right behind him, he turned around to greet her unsure eyes.

"So, you're pregnant."

"Yes."

"How far along?" he asked, lowering his gaze to her midsection.

She placed both hands on her stomach by reflex, "8 weeks now."

Brandon jerked his head up. Two months. Two fucking months. "And how long have you known?" Sienna glanced over to the side of the building where a few employees were walking out laughing. She didn't want to look at him. She couldn't. "I found out the day after you left for your mission."

Brandon slowly shook his head. "So you've known for over two weeks now, and you never thought to tell me? I mean, you obviously found time to tell others. Just not me."

Sienna stared down at her feet. She was trying to scroll through her brain what her reasoning was for NOT telling him. But the only reason she had, she was scared to death to tell him that one.

"Sienna, look at me," she heard him say. She glanced up. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Brandon, so much was going on. I was still trying to deal with it all, and I was worried about you being gone on assignment, and I was worried about my dad. Plus, trying to figure out the whole school thing, and--"

"Why--didn't--you--tell--me?" Brandon asked, cutting her off.

Sienna could feel the sweat beading above her brow. She was starting to feel sick again. But she had lied to him enough and now she wanted to be open with him, even if that meant he would hate her. God, she really didn't want to say it though. But she really didn't have a better excuse to give him. Her heart began to thump in her chest. Here goes...

"Because I--I, wasn't su--sure, um, I mean, I'm not sure if-if I'm keeping it," she said so low, she was sure Brandon couldn't hear her.

"What did you say?" Brandon asked, folding his arms across his chest and taking a step closer to her. He knew he couldn't have heard her right.

Sienna knew Brandon would never hit her, but she instinctively took a step back and looked up at him.

"I, uh, I'm not sure if I'm going to have the baby," Sienna repeated, searching his eyes for any sign of understanding.

Brandon's mouth dropped. He tried to say something, but no words came out. He glared at her for what felt like forever. But he didn't say anything. He just stared. After a few moments, his mind registered what that meant exactly.

"You weren't going to tell me at all?" he whispered to her, while his throat began closing on him.

Sienna saw all of the hurt she had just caused him on his face. His pained expression was killing her. He looked as though he had just been stabbed in the back. Like he had caught her red-handed with another lover or something.

Sienna sighed. "If I got the abortion, no, I wasn't going to tell you. I'm so sorry Brandon."

Brandon stared at her again, his eyes pleading, praying that this was some sick, twisted joke. That she couldn't be that heartless. But after a few more minutes went by, he knew this was for real. He felt his chest tighten. He swore he was suffocating. He lightly rubbed his hand over his chest and stepped back. "Wow," was all he could think of to say.

Sienna felt like shit. No, worse. She wanted to hug him and tell him that she was so sorry, but sorry just didn't seem to really cover it, judging by his reaction. He turned from her and marched back to the Jeep.

He didn't say a word to her on the way to his house. He didn't so much as glance in her direction.

When they got back, she got out, but before she could even say anything he backed the Jeep out of the driveway and tore out down the street.

Sienna stood there, as she saw his Jeep disappear around the corner. Finally, the tears started pouring.

**********************

Sienna was sitting at the kitchen table, staring at every dark line in the wood. She hadn't eaten or slept since she last spoke with Brandon. It was now 2:15 in the morning, and still no word from him. She was slowly driving herself crazy.

She had called his cell phone several times, but it would ring and ring and then force her to leave a message. After the seventh time she called, it no longer rang. Just went straight to voicemail.

But now, it was so late, she couldn't take it anymore. She had to talk to him. She decided to call Darren. Her heart skipped a beat when he finally picked up. She could barely hear Darren above the noise in the background, but she got enough information to piece together exactly where they were. A small bar & grill on the outside of town called Sweeney's.

Sienna tried to wait patiently in the driveway for Lori to come pick her up. She had gotten used to bumming rides off of Lori since her dad had taken her car when he first found about her relationship with Brandon. But now, it had just been sitting in her father's driveway, and she kept forgetting to bring it over to Brandon's.

"Do you want me to go in with you," Lori asked, as they pulled up at the dark dingy bar.

"No, I'm fine. I'll ride home with him."

When Sienna entered the bar, she immediately spotted Darren and Brandon. They were sitting at a booth in the back with another Seal she had seen at her father's birthday party earlier, and two women. Sienna's eyes lingered on the woman sitting next to Brandon. She was sitting a little too close and laughing loudly at something he was saying to her. Sienna's skin felt like it was crawling.

She walked over to the booth with her head held high. She saw Brandon look up at her as she approached the group.

Brandon chugged down the last of his beer and chased it with a shot, then called the waiter back over to the table.

"Hey, we need another round for the whole table. Jack, this time," he said, as he slammed some money down.

Sienna could tell by the redness around his eyes, that he was getting shit faced. Completely. Which made her feel even worse about everything.

"Brandon, can I talk to you?" she tried to shout above the loud music.

"Well, I don't know Sienna, can you? I mean, can you really talk to me?" he retorted, while taking down another shot.

Sienna glanced over at Darren, who was sitting on the other side of Brandon. He looked really uncomfortable. The woman who sat closest to Brandon, had dark brown hair, and a thin face with icy blue eyes. She was staring at Sienna with a bored expression, while she tapped her long fake fingernails on the table.

Sienna tried to ignore her. "Brandon, I really want to--"

Brandon slammed his hand down on the table again before Sienna could finish her sentence. "Okay, I want to take a quick little survey here. I'll start with you lovely ladies, um..what were your names again?" he asked, while smiling at the two drunk females.

Both of the women giggled and looked at each other, as if they were trying to remember their own names. The brown headed one spoke first. "I'm Lisa and she's Carrie. And you're BT," she squealed.

Brandon snapped his fingers, "That's right! Lisa and Carrie. Okay, I'll ask you girls first, then I'll ask my boys over here."

Lisa shook her hair back, and leaned in closer to Brandon, as she appeared to pay close attention to him.

"Okay...if you found out you were pregnant, would you tell your boyfriend? Let's say this boyfriend loved you more than anything! I mean this fucker is crazy about you! Pretty much already proposed to you. Would you consider sneaking off and having an abortion behind his back and not tell him?" Brandon said, as if he couldn't believe it.

Lisa immediately answered, "No, absolutely not. If I had a man like that, hell no. No real woman would." And she turned to sneer at Sienna.

Sienna felt like her face was on fire.

"I don't think I would, but guess it just depends on the circumstances," Carrie chimed in. She didn't seem as enthusiastic as her friend.