“Really?!”
“Yea. Well just think about it.” He suggested, then hurried to check on his son.
Brandy went to relight the candles. Replaying the words of Charles feeling lucky, filled her heart. Realizing that she was the one who was lucky. The urge to be upset at the night not going as planned did arise, however she knew that giving into those considerations would only make things worse.
After that night, Charles stuck to his word. Chase didn’t go back to Monica’s while Tony was still living there. He was serious about his son’s safety.
CHAPTER 6: BATTLE ROYALE
Almost two years into their relationship. Of course, Brandy moved in when Charles asked. She didn’t even wait until her lease was up. The next level of their commitment was mostly harmonious, but bumpy roads tended to interfere with paradise from time to time.
Monica refused the leave Tony, and the only way she could see Chase were either attending school functions or visiting him at Charles’s home. This did not sit well with Brandy as time went on. She was all for Monica seeing her son, however the time spent at their home was a bit uncomfortable. Charles tried to keep the peace and Chase in his mother’s life. Not knowing at first that it was weighing down on his lady. For Brandy to see Monica, Charles, and their son under her roof brought back the insecurities. All she could think about was how Jay spent time with his kids at their mom’s home, and sometimes not returning until the following day.
“Oh Monica, you’re here...Again.” Brandy said coming home from work.
“Hi Brandy. Chase is still at practice so I’m going to stay here until he gets home. Charles said they’re on their way.”
Fuming at Charles talking to his kid’s mom before talking to her, she was not up for the Monica saga after a long day. The woman was sitting on her sofa, watching her TV and being comfortable in the space where she and her man lived.
“Monica. Forgive me if I’m prying but, you know all you have to do is LEAVE Tony and you can have Chase at home...with you.”
Placing the remote beside her, Monica tried to process what Brandy said.
“What? You have a problem with my son staying here?”
“No. Not at all. I love Chase. But I DO have a problem with YOU being here. A LOT!” She snapped.
“Well.” Monica stood, folding her arms. “Doesn’t seem like Charles has a problem with this arrangement. And this IS his house.”
“OUR house sweetie. OUR house!” Brandy said throwing her purse on the sofa.
“What is your problem?”
“You’re HERE. ALL the time. Why don’t you just leave your husband and get your son back. What mother would choose a man over her own son?”
She was taken aback by Brandy challenging her motherhood. Although right, she felt Charles’ girlfriend had no business speaking on the matter.
“Now you wait just a damn minute. You know NOTHING about my marriage. We’re actually getting better. Back in counseling. No arguing. We are fine. Chase will be back home with me sooner than you know it. Until then, I’m waiting HERE for MY son.”
Brandy laughed. “Is that all you’re waiting for?”
“Explain please.” Monica said sarcastically.
“Maybe Chase isn’t the only male in this house you come to visit.”
“Oh Please! Been there, done that! Tony was right. Charles needs to check you.”
“First of all, Tony’s on drugs! Trust me I know the signs. And secondly.” Brandy said walking close to Monica. “When Charles CHECKS me, it’s oh so pleasurable. So I agree with the both of you.”
“Get out of my face and out of my damn business.” Monica warned.
“Get out of my house and mind yours!” She fired back.
“I’m not leaving til I see my son!”
“Well wait outside then!”
Before the argument escalated, Charles and Chase walked in. They both felt the tension filling the space where the two women were preparing for battle.
“Hey!” Charles said hesitantly. “How was your day baby?”
Brandy walked over to Charles giving him a big kiss. Putting on an extra show for Monica.
“It could have been better. Hi Chase!” She replied, leaving for the bedroom.
“Hey Miss Brandy.” Chase replied skipping over to his mom.
She ventured into the bathroom to take a shower. Before immersing into boiling hot water to wash away the argument and the aggravation at work, a text was sent to Charles.
Brandy: I’m taking a long shower. Let me know when she leaves. We need to talk! ASAP!
“Chase, go pack a bag. You and your mama is staying over at your granny’s house tonight.” He said, studying Brandy’s text.
“Surprise!” Monica said to Chase. “We are having a slumber party at grandma’s tonight.”
“Alright! I’ll be back fast mama! Don’t leave!” Chase replied rushing to his room.
“You know I won’t baby.” She giggled.
A baffled Charles waited for his son to be out of sight before inquiring.
“What the hell happened in here?” He asked.
“Brandy is too involved with my marriage.”
“Monica, Brandy is my woman. She’s the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Chase loves her, I don’t want to be without her. You two have got to find a way to get along.”
“She insinuated that Tony was on drugs Chuck!”
“Hell, I’m a little convinced myself.” He mumbled, scratching his head. “Tony isn’t the same dude you met Monica.”
“Oh my GOD! You too!?!?” She screeched. “Brandy can be in your life. Fine. But she needs to learn boundaries.”
“Look you deal with your significant other. And I’ll deal with mine. Brandy just doesn’t understand this co-parenting dynamic but she’s been very supportive and patient with YOUR shit.” He replied sticking up for his lady.
If only Brandy had heard her man’s conversation with his ex. It would have helped in the agitation. Instead, she was unblocking and sending a “Hey Stranger” message to Dre before showering.
“Bye dad!” Chase yelled running towards the door. “BYE MISS BRANDY!”
“She’s in the shower son, I’ll tell her you said bye.” Charles laughed.
“Ok Chuck. I’ll take him to school tomorrow and you’ll pick him up.” Monica said in a grim tone.
“That’s tha plan Monica.” He replied walking them outside. “Chase, be good ok. Make sure you call me before you go to bed.”
“Ok dad.” He replied tugging his mother. “C’mon mom let’s go!”
Chase ran to the car and climbed in. Charles softly grabbed Monica’s arm to give a warning.
“You know my son will tell me if you sneak him back over there with Tony.”
“Go to hell Chuck.” She snatched away from him.
After seeing them off, Charles braced himself to deal with Brandy. The text sent to Dre was lifting her spirits, singing 90s R&B songs off-key while enjoying a hot shower.
“Brandy!” He yelled bursting into the bathroom. “What is going on with you and Monica?”
“Can you wait until I’m done?” She grinned, peeking her head out of the curtain.
“No.”
Brandy gave a sarcastic sigh, turning off the water. Stepping out of the shower naked, soapy, and wet, she stood in front of Charles waiting to hear his gripe.
“So?” She shrugged, urging him to continue.
“You tell me. You’re the one who said we needed to talk.”
“We do. And that bitch needs some boundaries.” She stated boldly.
“Don’t call Chase’s mom a bitch. Just out of respect for him.” Charles reprimanded.
“Chase will eventually find out what type of woman she is, if not already. And today, she was a bitch to me.” She fussed, waving her finger. “Talking about how you don’t have a problem with this ‘arrangement’ and I come home, she’s here, you’re not. How in the hell did she get in? Does she have a
key? Or what, you two were here alone?”
He exhaled, apprehending that he should have communicated with Brandy first. It didn’t cross his mind that by allowing Monica to wait for Chase would pose a major problem.
“Baby I’m sorry. I told Monica to meet me here. She asked if she could stay behind and rest, because she worked a double shift at the hospital. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you baby.” He said sincerely.
“Her double shifts aren’t my problem. That’s what parents do. They work, and they go pick up their child!”
“Look I was just try...”
“Why are there so many apologies and excuses when it comes to this situation?” Brandy interjected. “Monica isn’t leaving Tony’s drug addict ass and I’m stuck dealing with her coming and going whenever she pleases. You know she thinks of this place as YOUR home and not OURS. Do I get a say in this?”
“You do baby.” He replied calmly. “You do.”
“Well then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!” She screamed in his face.
“I’ll talk to her about that. And baby I’m trying to keep Chase away from Tony. But I don’t want to keep him away from his mother. I don’t know what to do!” He shouted in anguish. “I don’t like how her being here upsets you and I’ll figure something else out.”
“Please do.” Brandy said in a low, harsh voice. “Fast! Or I’ll start apartment hunting.”
“Brandy.” He beseeched.
“No I’m serious. You asking me to move in was supposed to be a big step in OUR relationship. But Monica showing up, like this, oh no. I’m NOT putting up with that!”
Charles couldn’t fully concentrate on the argument as Brandy’s sexiness was waving in front of him in the nude. The soap suds dripping off her body and on the floor only added to the entertainment.
“I like it when you fuss at me.” He grinned.
“Shut up.” She replied smiling.
“You know you forgot to rinse that soap off.” He mumbled, rubbing bubbles on her nipples.
“You rushed me out of the shower, remember?”
“With you looking this good, I’m about to rush you to bed.”
“Chase is here.”
“No he isn’t. Monica is staying with her mother tonight and he went with her.”
“Oh. Well that changes everything. But I’m still mad at you.”
“Show me how mad you are at me.” Charles demanded, gripping her by the waist.
A few minutes later, it was Brandy’s turn to “check” Charles in the bedroom.
“You’re going to fix this right?” She said grinding on top, clenching his chest.
“You know I will baby.” He replied breathing heavy. “I want you to be happy.”
“Let that bitch know, I’M the queen of this castle.”
“Baby stop calling her a biii.....Oh GOD!” He moaned.
A late evening of love making turned into Charles and Brandy spending the rest of the night watching movies on the sofa. She forgot her phone was left in the bathroom. While on a bathroom break, Charles found it, displaying messages from Dre.
Dre: Long time no talk to.
Dre: Thought you forgot about me “stranger”
He’d never heard Brandy speak of a “Dre” before, and wondered why in the hell he was texting his lady. Charles grabbed the phone and headed to the kitchen.
“What’s going on babe? You’re missing the last part of the movie.” Brandy said as he headed towards the kitchen.
“I’m good. I’ve seen that movie a million times.”
She was too deep into the movie to notice Charles’ doubtful tone.
“Babe!” She yelled. “Have you seen my phone?”
That was the wrong question to ask. Charles paused for minute, speculating as to why she needed it all of a sudden.
“Yea. It’s in here.” He replied. “Want some more popcorn?”
She walked into the kitchen, observing him staring blankly at the counter.
“Is everything ok?” She asked timidly.
“Yea. Just work stuff.” He replied shaking away his thoughts. “What’s the next movie?”
“Brown Sugar. You making the popcorn or what?” Brandy teased.
“Who is this?” Charles asked holding up the phone, showing Dre’s messages.
“How did my phone end up in here?” She asked trying to buy time.
“You left it in the bathroom.” He replied shaking the phone to get back to the original question.
Thinking quick on her feet while astonished, she replied.
“Oh that’s just an old friend from high school. We linked up at my friend’s birthday party a month ago.”
“Never heard of him before.” He replied handing it to her.
“He’s not important. Just an old high school buddy.” She shrugged. “Popcorn?”
“Yea-yea.” Charles replied unmoved.
“Don’t you forget to tell me things?” Brandy asked attempting to turn the tables.
He didn’t respond. Dropping the subject, Charles started the popcorn with no other questions of Dre.
“Hey baby. Um I think I’m going to file for full custody of Chase.” He said rubbing Brandy’s shoulder. “I think by allowing her to come over is only enabling her to stay with Tony.”
“You sure you’re ready for that fight?” She asked in disbelief.
“No, but I have to do something. Can’t let this go on any longer.”
That was just what Brandy needed to hear. Charles sticking it to Monica. They spent the rest of the night in peace, watching movies until falling asleep in each other’s arms.
Dre’s number was back on the block list.
Two days later, Monica was notified of Charles’ decision to file for full custody. He only allowed her to see their son if she was at her mother’s home. This caused a huge riff between them, but a change had to be made. In order to keep his son in a safe environment and to keep Brandy happy. Mostly, he needed Monica to know that she had to get rid of Tony in order for things to go back to normal.
________
The day of their two-year anniversary arrived. Charles made sure that all plans were set to give his lady an anniversary she’d remember. Chase was sent to Memphis with his parents for the weekend. All bases were covered for uninterrupted festivities.
That morning, he paced in the bathroom, mustering up courage. Something he’d been planning to do for the past year was ready for action. Brandy woke up to rose petals on the bedroom floor and bouquets of assorted flowers filling the room. The sweet scent of colorful blooms was a savory recap of the type of man she had.
“Baby! When did you do all of this?” She shouted jumping out of bed. Moving around the room to check out each flower.
Charles appeared suddenly, ready to do what Brandy had not expected. Question her...
“Brandy, I need to ask you something important. Now before I do, I need to make sure you fully trust me. I only want the best for us and whatever happened between us in the past with the arguments and frustrations, from this point forward, I need that to go away.” He said taking her by the hand.
She didn’t know what to think at first. The setting seemed like a proposal but the words were a bit cryptic.
“What’s going on babe?” She asked, bracing herself.
Charles moved in closer, staring deep into her eyes. “Look, I love you. That’s all I want to do. I’ve been open and honest with you from day one. No games, no secrets. I want to protect your heart at all costs.”
“I know babe, but what is...”
“Let me finish.” Charles continued. Brandy, since the first day we met, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I know your last relationship hurt you, but I want to be here to show you that you don’t have to go through that anymore. I’ll never use you, hurt you, put my hands on you, none of that. I’m here and I’m going to be here. Do you trust that?”
Tears began to form in Brandy’s eyes. The genuineness in his tone struck a big place in her heart.
“I know I’m not perfect. I’ve made some mistakes. I’m willing to be patient with you as long as you trust that I’ll do whatever it takes to fix anything broken between us. Brandy, in order for us to move forward I need you to answer this.”
Her heart began to race, befuddled about what was going to come out of his mouth. She then thought about the texts from Dre a few nights before. How could she have articulated that she was acting out of fear of the relationship ending like the past?
“What’s going on Charles?” She asked allowing a tear to fall.
Charles wiped away the solo tear. “Brandy Christina Sullivan, Will you marry me?”
She was happy and stunned. Charles showed and expressed that he wanted to have her forever. How could she say no?
“YES!” She nodded frantically. “YES! I will marry you! I want to be Mrs. Charles Jeffrey Jones!”
Overjoyed by her answer, he quickly retrieved the ring he bought on their eight-month anniversary from his gym bag. Holding her shaking hand, Charles slid the three carat engagement ring on her finger. Brandy cried falling into his arms relieved that she didn’t have to explain herself and elated about becoming his wife.
“So I guess we have a wedding to plan!” She said in between crying.
“Yes we do.” Charles responded keeping her in his arms. “But first, we have to tell your parents!”
Brandy’s parents immediately fell in love with him when they came to visit her during the holidays. Her mother, Yolanda, constantly reminded that she had a good man and to not let him get away. Anytime she’d talk to her father, he wouldn’t hang up until he heard Charles’ voice. That alone solidified his place in their family. The same occurred when Brandy met Charles’ family.
“We have to tell Chase too! I think he’ll be excited!” She said.
“Yea I think so too!” He replied. “He’ll be home in a few days. We can wait and tell him in person.”
Her cheerful expression swiftly turned sour. “What about Monica? What do you think she’ll say?”
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