This is the sequel to Complex Relationship and follows the characters of that story as they become a family. Together they will face the challenges of life as they try to fulfill their hopes and dreams.
As always thanks to luvtaread for editing
*
Brandon sat in the limo as the cold Chicago winter swirled around him. It had been weeks since he had last seen any of his companions from the island, but the time had arrived for Ashley to come to Chicago. As he awaited her call he pondered the events of the past few weeks. It had been a very busy time, but putting together your life can be a time consuming process.
*******
As he had expected the reunion at the airport was a tearful one. Despite the fact that they had known he was alive for days, and even spoken to him, his family was still relieved to see him again. To them he was back from the dead and being able to touch him confirmed it. He was met not only by his parents, but his brother and brother's wife and kids. None of his friends showed, but that was only because the welcoming party was already way too big and they did not want to draw too much attention. Brandon had arranged to see his friends later that evening.
His biggest surprise came shortly after sitting down to dinner at his parent's home when his mother asked who the lovely brunette she had seen with him on the news was, and more importantly, why was she not here with him. Brandon looked up to see the rest of his family and friends looking at him expectantly. So, he proceeded to tell them about Ashley and explain the situation with her family. He also brought up Mel and Katy's situation and explained that Ashley's presence was more needed in Boston with them at the moment.
His seemed to satisfy his friends and most of the family, his mom was not quite sure she had gotten the whole truth, but seemed to accept it. They all wanted to hear his tale about what he had done the past two months. He told them all a modified version of how he had met all three, the kidnapping, how he managed to survive the water, and then his rescue of his three friends.
He went on to tell a brief account of life before the hurricane. He then explained about how the hurricane had wiped out the shelter and his decision to build the raft. The rest of the tale had been widely told by the news, but he gave a brief account of it as well.
When he had finished his tale his brother, who had been drinking quite a lot throughout the night, asked, "So, did you do what I recommended?"
Brandon's sister-in-law glared at her husband and said, "He means did you find yourself down there, didn't you dear?"
Brandon looked at her and without waiting for a response from his brother said, "Yes, I did Gina, I was surprised at how much of my old self came back on the island."
That was the last outburst from his brother Jack all night. Brandon was a bit shocked he would ask that question with children present. In many ways the answer was pretty obvious, at least to most of the adults. Brandon answered a few more questions and spent the rest of the time hearing about what everyone else had been up to while he was away. When it was time to go Brandon went with one of his friends, he had decided that staying with them was far better than facing his mom and her questions about Ashley.
The next day he began his job search. He had already prepared for the search before the cruise and was simply a few months late on starting. To his surprise the market had picked up a bit most likely because companies were now preparing for the new year.
Brandon was pleasantly surprised that he found himself with quite a few interviews rather quickly. Foremost amongst these was a very lucrative offer from a company he had sought positions from in the past.
Unlike some of his other offers it was not a management position, but it was an industry he was quite familiar with so he was fairly sure he would do well there. After a surprising short interview process he was hired, and would start in December. The late start seemed odd to Brandon, but it was a new division and the equipment and facility were not quite finished. Not that Brandon cared as it gave him time to spend with Ashley.
Shortly after acquiring his job Brandon went looking for a suitable condo for himself and his expected roommate. Between the pay he would receive for the training and his savings were able to cover the down payment and his needs until he started his job in December. He spent the next week in mandatory training for his new position, while securing a place to live near his new job. Before he knew it, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving and time for Ashley's arrival in Chicago.
Brandon had talked nightly with her, but still missed her a lot. As his mom insisted that she come to Thanksgiving dinner it seemed logical that she come in the weekend before. With his training wrapping up and his move in to the new place complete it worked out well him.
Of course the fact that, with Mel's help, Ashley had secured legal protection from her grandparents was a great help as well. The early arrival allowed Ashley to miss most of the crazy delays that would undoubtedly hit O'Hare. Brandon also wanted to give Ashley a chance to meet his parents before introducing her to the whole family.
******
Brandon's reflections were interrupted by a sound from his phone. He looked down to see Ashley's message that she was off the plane. He informed the driver of this and he got out to meet her as arranged at the baggage claim.
When he arrived at the claim he noted that the passengers were not yet there but the bags were already going around the carousel. In a stroke of luck he had only been there a short while when he recognized Ashley's bags going past and he quickly grabbed them. He was so focused on grabbing the bags that he failed to notice that the passengers were arriving around him. One guy standing near him caught one of Ashley's bags by mistake.
When Brandon asked for it the man responded, "This tag says Ashley Wesson, you don't look like an Ashley, dude."
Before Brandon could respond a familiar southern voice said calmly, "Well sir, do I look like an Ashley?"
Brandon just smiled without looking, he knew Ashley had shown up. He turned and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a shocked look on the man's face.
When she had broken the kiss Ashley said, "I'll take that as a yes, now if you would be so kind as to give my boyfriend that bag you're holding it would be greatly appreciated."
The man shook out of his shock and quickly handed Brandon the bag with a mumbled apology. Brandon collected the rest of the bags and they set off toward the exit.
"Well that was fun," Brandon said as he tried to adjust the bags a bit to make them easier to move.
"I thought you would enjoy that darling." Ashley said with a giggle. "That guy was a royal pain to the stewardess all the way from Boston, I couldn't resist."
"You realize that was the first time you called me your boyfriend in public."
"Well, with you present maybe, I did it a ton in Boston."
