PRT 385- “Lust, Love, and Forever”

I woke up feeling like I’d been through a blender. My head was throbbing and the little bit of sunlight that was coming through the curtains was killing my eyes. Once I adjusted to the pain I noticed that I wasn’t wearing any clothes and I was in a bed that wasn’t mine. I paused and carefully looked to my right. There slept Brett.

‘Oh great Mina, great job.’ I thought to myself with a sigh.

I put my head back down on the pillow and closed my eyes. I tried to remember what had happened last night. I remembered going to Sunset and running into Brett. I had gotten really drunk…what happened after that? How did I end up here? I tried to think. It started to come back to me in flashes. Brett had invited me…Michelle tried to stop me but I wouldn’t listen…Brett brought me back here and we…well it was obvious what we did. Yeah, I remembered enough. This is so not what I meant to happen.

I felt Brett turn over and pull me into his arms. I opened my eyes and saw him staring back at me.

“Morning Beautiful.” He mumbled.

“Morning.” I mumbled back.

“Last night was amazing.” He said as he kissed me.

I pulled away from him and sat up, “Last night shouldn’t have happened.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I wasn’t thinking straight. I was hurt and trying to kill the pain.”

“I think you succeeded at that.”

“Yeah, for a night, but Brett, you know I’m not the kind of girl that has a one night stand.”

“So don’t let it be one night.”

“What? You can’t be serious. What about Taya?”

“I would leave Taya in a heartbeat if you told me to. You know that.”

I shook my head, “No! You know how this ends. We’ve tried being together and it never ends well.”

“You know I still love you Mina; that has never changed.”

“Neither have your womanizing ways. You’re still the stereotypical rock star that can’t turn down a groupie. You’ll always cheat on me and I’ll always get my heartbroken. It’s always the same story.”

“What if I could change? I can be faithful.”

“You don’t know the meaning of the word Brett. Last night was great but it was also a mistake. Now I’m going to get dressed, go home, and try to forget it ever happened.” I said as I started to slide out of bed.

Brett grabbed my arm, “Mina, please, wait.”

I shook my head, “Let me go.”

“Just give me a chance. You were wrong about Adam, maybe you’re wrong about me too.”

“Do not drag Adam into this.”

“I’m just saying, you never thought a man like that would cheat on you…give me a chance to prove I won’t.”

“You have…many times.”

“I didn’t know what I was risking. You’re an amazing woman that I was stupid to ever let go.”

“I’m sorry Brett, no.”

“Can you honestly tell me you don’t still love me?”

“You know I will always love you, but I can’t be with you. That’s just the way it is.”

Brett pulled me into his arms and kissed me passionately. I instinctively kissed him back.

“Tell me you don’t miss that.” Brett said when the kiss broke.

I looked into his blue eyes. He was right, part of me missed him. But I was also brokenhearted over Adam and I knew all too well what happened when I got involved with Brett. He wouldn’t change. I knew that.

“Mina, please, give me another chance.” Brett begged.

I looked at him, “Brett, you and I are in different places. I want to settle down, get married. You? I don’t think you’ll ever be ready to marry.”

Brett looked like he was thinking, then he looked intently at me, “What if I were?”

“Are you saying you want to get married?”

“Sure. If it were you. Let’s get married.”

My jaw dropped, “Oh my god, you can’t be serious.”

“Sure I am. Let’s get married.”

Every part of my brain was screaming at me, “NO! DON’T!” But I was so shocked by his proposal that I wasn’t thinking clearly. I was still hurt by Adam and Amy’s betrayal and I was flattered that Brett was fighting so hard for me. Without thinking I answered, “OK. Yes!”

Brett smiled and pulled me into his arms, “You won’t regret this.”

“When do you want to do this?”

“Let’s go to Vegas. We can do it today.”

I nodded, “OK, let’s do it!”

Michelle

~~~~~~~

I woke up slightly hung over. I popped a Vicodin to take the edge off then I headed to the kitchen to make some breakfast. While I was cooking I heard the phone.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Michelle, it’s Harley. Did Mina stay with you last night?”

I sighed, “No, but if she didn’t come home then I know where she is.”

“Where?”

“She left with Brett. I’m thinking she’s at his place.”

“She what?!” Artemis cried.

“Artemis, calm down.” I heard Harley say. Obviously I was on speaker phone.

“I know Sunset was a bad idea.” Artemis said, “Michelle, how could you let her leave with him?!”

“I tried to stop her, she wouldn’t listen.” I said.

“That’s it…I’m tracking her.”

“Artemis, the tracker is for Sailor business, not to track us in our personal lives.”

“I don’t care. Brett is bad news and I’m not going to sit back while he sucks her back in.”

I sighed, “Relax. I’ll try to call her and see if I can figure out what’s going on.”

“OK, fine, call us back.”

“I will. Bye.” I hung up and grabbed my toast. I went to the living room and sat down. I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be a fun conversation.

I dialed Mina’s cell number. It was a few times before she picked up.

“Hello?” she asked, cheerfully.

“Mina? Hi. Are you ok?”

“I’m fine. Great actually.”

“Ok, Artemis is worried. You need to get home.”

“Can’t, have plans.”

“With Brett?”

“Yup.”

“Oh lord. What plans?”

“Hmm, if I tell you, you have to promise not to try to stop me.”

I had a feeling this was bad. I sighed, “Fine, what plans.”

“Brett and I are getting married!”

“WHAT!” I cried.

“Brett proposed and I said yes! We’re going to Vegas today!”

“Mina…”

“You promised.”

“Ugh, ok, fine…this is a bad idea.”

“You have no room to talk.”

“Why are you trying to be me all of a sudden? I thought you hated my impulsiveness?”

“I thought I did, maybe I was just jealous. Besides, being level headed never got me anywhere. Time to shake it up. Anyway, Brett is ready. Gotta split. Bye!”

“Mina, wait…” I started, but she’d already hung up.

I sighed. This was bad. Mina was about to make the biggest mistake of her life but I couldn’t stop her without risking our still fragile friendship. I had to do something though. I called the only person I could think of that may actually have a chance to stop her.

“Hello?” Rocky answered.

“Hey babe, is your insane business partner around?” I asked.

“Adam? Yeah, why?”

“Because he’s made the biggest mistake of his life and someone needs to tell him before it’s too late.”

“OK, sure. I’ll get him, but can I see you later?”

“Oh, I know I’ve been busy. I’m sorry. Yeah, after Adam takes care of the mess he’s in then we’ll plan something. I promise.”

“OK. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

“I’ll get Adam.”

A few seconds later Adam picked up.

“What’s up Mich?” he asked.

“You’re an idiot.” I said.

“Whoa, what?”

“You broke Mina’s heart and thanks to your stupidity in doing that you’re about to lose her forever.”

“What? What are you talking about Mich?”

I sighed, “Mina was heartbroken about you and Amy. She went with me to Sunset last night and Brett was there…obviously you haven’t seen the gossip column today. Pictures of her have taken over the headlines from me…that’s the one upside here. Anyway, not the point. The point is she got drunk and left with Brett. I’m not sure what happened between then and now but somehow she’s gotten it in her head that she needs to go to Vegas and marry Brett, today.”

“Whoa, whoa…what?”

“Yeah.”

“Fine. If she wants to marry Brett he can have her.”

“Oh my god, you idiot! She doesn’t WANT to marry Brett. She is hurt and thinks this will heal her. She’s about to make the biggest mistake of her life!”

“It’s her life.”

I rolled my eyes, “Oh my god, you ARE an idiot! Adam, seriously, can you tell me that you will be ok if she says ‘I do’ to Brett? Let go of your pride foe just a second and think about this rationally.”

Adam was silent for several seconds, “You’re right. I don’t want to lose her.”

“Then get your butt to Vegas and stop that wedding!”

“Do you know what chapel she is going to?”

“No, but they took Brett’s motorcycle. It’s not hard to spot.”

“The yellow monstrosity he owns, yeah. I can find it. Thanks. Seriously Mich, thanks.”

“No worries, now get going!” I said as I hung up.

I’d done all I could do…now I just had to home Adam could talk some sense into her.

Mina

~~~~

Brett and I threw a few things in a backpack and hopped on his motorcycle.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready.” I said.

He started the bike up and drove off. As we drove I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his back. I loved the feel of his long blonde hair against my cheek. Yeah, this was crazy, but sometimes the biggest risks had the biggest pay offs. I hoped that was the case here.

A couple of hours later we arrived in Vegas. We found the first chapel that didn’t have any customers (we wanted to try to keep this low key for now) and pulled in to the parking lot. Brett parked and killed the engine.

“Ok, let’s do this.” Brett said.

I nodded.

Brett and I walked into the chapel hand in hand. We signed in and while Brett talked price with the worked I excused myself to the bathroom. I pulled a brush out of my purse and fixed my hair. It was a bit wind blown. I put on some lip gloss and looked at my reflection. I was about to become Mina Richards. Was this really what I wanted? Did it matter? I had wanted to become Mina Park and look how that ended. Brett, for all his flaw, really had always loved me. When he cheated it wasn’t because he was hurt or angry, it was just for physical satisfaction and I did know it didn’t mean anything to him. He didn’t go falling in love with other women…especially not my friends. He was devoted and I didn’t have to question his love for me. He’d never been ‘confused’ about his feelings for me.

When I was satisfied with my appearance I came out of the bathroom. Brett had brushed his hair and looked ready.

“We all set?” he asked.

I nodded, “Yeah. Let’s get married.”

We went into the chapel and stood in front of the justice…or…whatever he was. He started the ceremony.

“We are here today to unite Brett Michael Richards and Mina Rachel Gordon in Holy matrimony. Is there anyone here that contests this union? If so, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“STOP!”

I turned around and saw Adam running down the aisle.

“Adam?” I asked.

“Get out of here.” Brett said.

“No. Mina, you can’t marry him. Please.” Adam begged.

“What do you care? You’re confused about me, remember?” I scoffed

“No, I’m not. I thought I was, but I’m not. Soon as I heard you were marrying Brett I knew that I couldn’t let that happen. I love you and you belong with me.”

“What about Amy?”

“We had a connection and I thought it was more than it is. Whatever it was isn’t worth sacrificing you for. You’re who I want Mina. You’re the one I want to spend my life with.”

“Mina, you can’t be buying this. You know you belong with me.” Brett chimed in.

I looked from Adam to Brett and back again.

“Mina, please, marry me.” Adam begged.

“Mina, tell him to get out of here so we can finish our wedding.” Brett said.

“I…” I didn’t know what to do at all.

“Mina…”

I closed my eyes and tried to listen to my heart. I was the Solider of Love. I could figure this out. When I shut out everything else and listened to my heart it was screaming at me what to do.

“I’m sorry Brett, Adam is right, I belong with him. I can’t do this.” I said.

“Mina, you can’t be serious.” Brett said.

“I’m sorry.”

“When he breaks your heart again don’t come crying to me.” Brett said as he stormed out.

“I am so sorry. I never should have left. You needed me and I wasn’t there. Can you ever forgive me?” Adam asked.

I nodded, “I’m sorry too.”

“Will you still marry me?” he asked as he pulled out my engagement ring.

I nodded, “Of course.”

“You know, I know this isn’t your dream wedding, but we are at a chapel…”

“You mean get married now?”

“Sure, why not? We can always hold some fancy ceremony to renew our vows later. I don’t want to waste another moment without taking you as my wife.”

I smiled, “OK, let’s do this.”