Who I Really Am

"Isabella, I am calling to let you know that there has been a shift in the time frame for my arrival in Los Angeles. I will be arriving next weekend instead, there are some finer details I need to go over for the gala. I will call you once I have arrived and will inform you of when and where I expect you to meet me. As I recall we have things to discuss."

Izzy groaned at the message from her father. She had only been out of bed five minutes and that was not the way she had wanted to start the day. Shuffling her way around the kitchen to make herself the much needed first cup of tea of the day, Izzy sighed at the thought of how quickly her father's visit appeared to be creeping up on her.

Her life had been so consumed over the last couple of weeks with Brian and the new group of friends she found herself a part of, that it had been easy to push all thoughts of her father to the back of her mind, in some kind of vain hope that it would just go away. She had managed to avoid seeing him for the last four years, but it seemed as though this time she was going to have to bite the bullet and endure meeting with him. She needed to if she wanted to rid her life of him and all that she was. 

As she poured boiling water into the pot, the doorbell rang. Pushing her glasses up slightly, Izzy slowly made her way to answer, wondering just who felt the need to be disturbing her day so early. 

"Good morning gorgeous," Brian greeted from the doorstep, his grin falling a little at the unenthused look on Izzy's face. 

"It's not noon," she mumbled, heading back towards the kitchen as he stepped inside. "So you either need to learn to tell the time or check your watch is working," she added as she poured her tea.

Brian placed the bag of muffins he had bought on the way over down on the counter so he could study Izzy, wondering just what the hell he had done. He stepped closer to her, tucking a lock of red hair behind her ear that had escaped from the messy bun she had it up in. 

"I know we said noon, but truth is, I haven't seen you since Monday, and I've kind of missed you," he murmured. "But if you'd rather leave it today, I can always go," he added quietly. 

Izzy laid her head on Brian's chest and sighed.

"No, I don't want you to go," she assured him quietly."I've just had a bad start to the day, that's all. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

Brian wrapped his arms around her, placing several soft kisses in her hair.

"That's okay then. Anything you want to talk about?"

Izzy shook her head adamently.

"Okay, but if you change your mind, I'm here. Nice pajamas and slippers by the way," Brian teased. 

Izzy giggled, looking down at the fluffy pig slippers she wore.

"Amber got them for me, they're comfy and I don't care," she murmured, enjoying the feeling of Brian gently rubbing her back. 

"Anyway, seeing as I am here early, how about you go get yourself ready, then we can get to the store earlier, then the rest of the day is ours," Brian suggested.

"Okay. Any ideas what you might want to do?" Izzy asked.

"Well Ms.Hamilton, if you don't get dressed in something a little more appropriate real soon, we won't be leaving the house," Brian told her suggestively.

"I'll go get dressed," Izzy stated with a smile, walking away from him and heading upstairs. 

Brian grinned to himself as he watched her walk away. He couldn't remember the last time he'd ever wanted to take things so slowly with a woman before. But something was telling him Izzy was around to stay, and he wanted to make sure he did everything right, because scaring her off by rushing into things was the last thing he wanted.
**********

Izzy stood in the hardware store looking at the vast selection of paint. She held the color chart in front of her, but couldn't spot the one Amber had earmarked for the feature wall in their lounge for the life of her. The sea of varying shades of red was beginning to all merge into one, and Izzy was almost at the point of picking just the first one that grabbed her attention.

"It's that one right there," Brian whispered over her shoulder, pointing at a can right under her nose.

Izzy groaned as she realised Brian was right. She glanced back over her shoulder as she grabbed the can, her eyes widening at the sight of him laden down with paint brushes and trays.

"Starting a new career?" she asked.

"I have nothing going on this weekend, and I thought I may as well help you and Amber out. You know, show you girls how it's done and all that."

"Cheeky bugger!" Izzy exclaimed "Brian, you really don't have to do that. I'm sure there's better things you could be doing."

Brian shook his head.

"Iz, I like being with you, and it doesn't matter in what capacity.I'd like to help," Brian told her, kissing her cheek.

Izzy felt herself redden a little as she smiled. 

"That'd be really nice, hank you."

"Right, let's get this lot paid for, and then head off for lunch" Brian stated, heading for the checkout.

Brian slammed the trunk of his car shut, and got in next to Izzy. Just as he was about to start the engine, his phone went off. He rolled his eyes as he looked at the screen to see who was calling. 

"Matt," he mouthed to Izzy as he answered. "Hey dude, what's up?"

"Nothing, just bored, wondered what you were up to."

"I'm busy with Izzy today Matt, you knew that," Brian answered wearily.

"Shit, sorry, forgot about that. How's that going? She ok?"

Brian smirked at Izzy as he switched loudspeaker on. Izzy shook her head, trying not to laugh.

"It's going great thanks man, but then you'd know that if you actually hung out with us a little more. What's up with that deal?" 

"Nothing, I just...well..." Matt stammered, unable to think of an answer quick enough.

"Dude, I don't know why you don't just admit that you like Amber and actually make a fucking move. I don't think she'd mind," Brian insisted. 

"Are you fucking kidding? After the way I behaved when I first met her. And besides, who said I like her?"

"No one has to, it's as plain as day Matt, you haven't stopped talking about her since you met her. And from what Izzy has said, for some reason Amber's the same when it comes to you."

"Really?...not that I care of course."

"Matt, quit being a fucking woman about all of this and just grow some balls and admit that you like the fact that she's talking about you," Brian sighed. 

"Whatever dude. Izzy could be feeding you a line on that one anyway."

"Well, there's only one way to find out, I'm helping Izzy decorate her lounge this weekend, why don't you come with and talk to her about Amber....find out for yourself," Brian suggested.

There was nothing but silence for a while, as though Matt was weighing up the possibilities.

"Will Amber be there?"Matt questioned.

"Not that I know of dude," Brian answered, pressing a finger to Izzy's lips to keep her quiet.

"Well....I guess I could tag along...as long as I won't be getting in the way of anything...."

"It's paint and brushes, nothing to get in the way of Matt," Brian growled, taking the phone off speaker quickly.

He really didn't need Matt dropping him in any kind of shit over his behaviour before Izzy had come along. 

"Dude...that's none of your business....I'm not talking about this Sanders," Brian could feel Izzy's gaze on him as he struggled to keep his composure. "Ok, so I'll pick you up around 9 on Saturday....Matt, shut the fuck up man!"

Brian hung up, closing his eyes for a moment. He should have known once Matt realised that Brian was taking his time with Izzy he wouldn't be able to let it drop.

"You do realise Amber's going to kill you don't you," Izzy stated.

"Right now, I'll try anything to get Matt to stop moping around," Brian admitted "Val hurt him bad, and Amber's the first girl he's shown any interest in since her...it's gotta be worth a shot."

Izzy just nodded and flashed him a shy smile.

"Everything ok?" she finally asked. "Sounded as though Matt wasn't letting go of something," she pushed gently.

Brian gave an embarrased chuckle, taking Izzy's hand in his.

"Let's just say I wasn't exactly a saint when it came to women before I met you," he answered quietly.

"Oh," Izzy mouthed. "And what makes me any different?" she enquired, her curiosity getting the better of her, even though she wasn't quite sure if she wanted to know the answer to that.

Brian looked over at her, his brown eyes staring deeply into her blue as he cupped her cheek with his large hand.

"Because you've made me realise some things are actually worth waiting for," he whispered, pressing hs lips to hers, knowing that he meant every word.