Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? ( Briley--private)

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

Outfit- www.polyvore.com/untitled/set?id=7534746#stream_box
Inside the House- www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=67216167

Jamming out to Luke Brian on a Saturday night was so much fun for Nora. Especially when her niece was staying with her, and they danced around her living room and jammed like rockstars! Nora was fixing spaghetti with white truffle oil sauce, and she watched her niece dance around with Nora's aviators on, and singing with a brush. That child should be the next Carrie Underwood! She watched her from the kitchen as she was making the sauce from scratch, and Alissa was singing totally off key and jumbled the words around. She didn't care, she was only 5. Nora laughed, and checked the time to see when Briley was going to show up. She tested the sauce and added just a little bit more pepper before turning the heat down on low. She tried some of the noodles, and took them off the burner. Perfecto! She looked up at Alissa and laughed. What a little diva! She was so much like her mom, and she knew her daddy would be proud.

Walking out of the kitchen, she grabbed a pen while letting her hair down, and joined in with Alissa. Aw, country girl, shake it for me.Girl, shake it for me, girl, shake it for me.Country girl, shake it for me.Girl, shake it for me, girl, shake it for me," she laughed at herself as she sang and danced around the couches with Alissa. Chance was watching them, and ducked his head and crawled away to his bed in the corner.

[Briley Cole Ferris]

The water was warm upon my tense back, I had just finished my last class before jumping in the shower. Today had been a rough day, one of the girls had a troublesome horse who wanted to jump every other horse in the arena. I couldn't have that, no, not at all. I finished washing my hair before jumping out and wrapping a towel around my quickly. I dried a bit before darting off to my bedroom, I had to move quick. I hadn't even picked out my apparel. But, I wasn't a woman, I wasn't picky, it wouldn't take much time. I walked over to my closet, pulled out my newest, shiniest boots, picked out a white button up shirt, and some faded blue jeans.

Yeah, that would look decent.

I went back to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, put on seem deoderant, and then slid into my clothes. When I was done, I sprayed on some cologne and then grabbed my wallet, truck keys, and headed out the door. Locking my red door behind me. I had decided not to take Carlisle with me, he might get rambuctious and try to cause some trouble.

We didn't want that to happen.

Enough trouble had been caused for today.

I climbed in my truck, started the truck, and cranked up the stereo. I turned on some George Strait, I loved that man, and not in a homo way either. If that's what you were thinking. I drove down the rode and stopped when I got to Nora's house. I took a deep breath, stopped my truck, and hopped out of the car. Putting my truck keys in my pocket, I headed for her door. When I got there, I knocked politely on the door and smiled when I heard musing.

I wasn't going to intrude upon them.

004900

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

This was so much fun, dancing around with her niece, and singing at the top of their lungs. No one was watching and judging them. Alissa stood on the couch ,singing her little heart out in a country drawl, and Nora sang along with her and moved her hips slowly like she was trying to impress someone. Chance didn't want to have any part of this. He turned around in his bed and faced away from them. When will it end? Alissa laughed and raised her arms in the air and jumped into Nora's arms, and she spun her around at the end of the song. Alissa laughed as Nora spun her around, and she set her down. " Another song, Another song!," cheered Alissa.

How could that child still have so much energy after running around and jumping on her couch. How does her brother keep up with her? Nora sighed, running her fingers through her long hair, and slowly walked over to her stereo system. She held her iPod in her hand and scrolled down to another artist. This time she played Josh Tuner's ' Firecracker'. Alissa cheered and they went again. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Chance howled and ran towards the door barking. Nora stopped in place and looked bewildered. Had she really lost track of time, and forgot that Briley was coming over? She turned down the music, and straightened up. She slowly walked to the door to steady herself, and slowly she turned the doorknob. She opened it and smiled at Briely. He looked so presentable, and she was in jeans, a shirt, and her long hair was probably a mess. " Hey, you're right on time. Come in," she smiled. Chance smelled Briely and looked at him wondering where Carlisle was. Alissa stopped jumping and waved at him " Hi Mr. Briley, we singin' very loud," she said and climbed off the couch, running over to Nora and clamped herself to her aunt's leg.

[Briley Cole Ferris]

I stood at the door for a while, I looked around, did I have the right house? I had been here a couple of times.... but not enough to know the place by heart. I was pretty sure this was the place. I rocked back and forth on my heels, I had my hands in my pockets now, I took a step back nervously. I heard the radio change, Firecracker by Josh Turner was now playing and I tapped by foot and started humming. I liked to play the guitar myself, and sing a little

But, no one knew that... And I planned on keeping it that way.

I started whistling a bit, I was reaching for the door to knock again whenever Nora appeared. I put my hands back into my pockets and gave her a sheepish grin. I looked over her, she wasn't as dressed up as I, but she still looked great.... if I do say so myself. I entered the house and looked around, it was just as clean and perfect as i'd remembered it. "Thank you ma'am." I said to Nora before taking a stand near the couch in her living room. Alissa had grabbed ahold of Nora's leg and I started laughing.

She was definitely a wild one.

I took out my wallet and handed Alissa a dollar, children loved having change. Whether it be a hundred dollars or just one dollar. I smirked a bit, I grabbed Nora's hands and started dancing. Firecracker, the song, wasn't over yet and we might as well as enjoyed it while it was still on!

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

Alissa looked from around Nora's leg, and spotted the bill. Her eyes lit up as she let go and took hold of the fresh green bill. She held it in her hands and skipped off up to her room to put it in her piggy bank. Nora and Briley were alone again, and Nora looked at him smiling and shook her head. What a sneaky way to get rid of a child. It was as if he were trying to steal her away for all to himself. Nora smiled, and stood close as he took her hands gently and turned her about the room. She had taken dance classes when she was younger, but it'd been years since that and who knew how bad she was. She never took her eyes off of his as she gently looped one arm around his neck and her other hand held his. She was spun around, and they danced around the living room, and she gave him a little smile.

She felt his hand pull her slightly closer, and she felt as if her heart were to beat out of her chest. Steady girl, steady. Why was he making it so hard not to fall for him?! She hadn't noticed Alissa had come back down the stairs and was watching them. A few complacent curls had fallen in front of her face, and she brushed them away. When the song had ended, Nora's face was close to Briley's, she could kiss him if she wanted to, but she snapped out of it when she heard the tiny clapping of her niece. " Dance with me Mr. Briley, dance with me,"called Alissa and she ran towards them with her little arms in the air. Nora looked from Alissa to Briley, and she took a step out of his arms. Letting the little girl cut in, and she nervously walked away. Why were these feelings coming back to her She walked to the kitchen at a normal pace, but once she was out of sight in the kitchen she leaned against the counter and took a deep breath. She felt her hands tremble, and her heart race. Nora ran her fingers through her hair and took another deep breath and heard the next song play.

[Briley Cole Ferris]

I smiled as Nora made her way into my arms, her brown eyes boring into my blue ones. I smirked a bit as I pulled her even closer, I could have kissed her, but I wasn't going to. I put my face just a little bit close to hers and then tore my face away, I knew it would make her go all out of wack. But, I was going to do it. Alissa had darted upstairs to her room, she was pretty happy with that dollar. I wasn't really planning on her leaving the room, but, ah, at least we were alone now. Even though that was intended. Oh well, things happen. I stiffened up a bit as she placed an arm around my neck, I sighed and took in air then released it. My heart fluttered a bit, I had to get away from her. I couldn't stand this, no, I couldn't take this at all.

I was not going to fall for someone this close to me.

It became a bit awkward in the silence whenever the song flicked off. I dropped her hands and took a few weird steps backward. It had been forever since I had felt this way about a woman. I really didn't like it, every time I was in a relationship, I got my heart broke. I sure as hell ain't doing it again. Whenever I had feelings for a person, those feelings were ruined by someone else. I just wasn't going to do it. My eyes had grew large and my heart was racing and I was standing tensely whenever Nora left the room. I snapped out of it whenever Alissa started calling out my name.

It was kind of cute how she called me Mr. Briley.

I smiled a large, fake smile and caught her as she ran to me. The song Your Man came on and I smirked a bit, I took Alissa's little hansd in mine and started dancing. Whenever this song was over, I would join Nora in the kitchen.

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

It was all so confusing, and frustrating! Nora was beating herself up for allowing these feelings to surface. She just didn't want to admit her feelings for him, so she just pressed and buried those feelings deep down inside her gut. Ever since she and Santi called off their engagement, she had been so guarded to only allow work to take over her mind, but then she saw and met Briley and all hope was lost. She was a professional, responsible, and trusting adult. But this man, oh this handsome man was making her weak in the knees and forget to put the coffee in the coffee filter.

Get a grip! She walked around and had a silent pep talk with herself, and came to an agreement. She would treat this in a calm and adult like manner. Not like a silly little school girl notion. You know what happens when you play with fire? You get burned, and Nora wasn't one who was a fan of getting burned. If he asked why she went to the kitchen, she would say she needed to check up on the sauce. That seemed like a legit reason. No one liked burned sauce!

She quietly walked to the doorway, and leaned against the frame watching this cowboy slowly dancing with her niece. Both not even noticing her stares, but Alissa smiled and giggled at him and gripped tightly onto his big hands. She gave a little smile and tried not to cry. It stirred emotions in her. She could tell he would make a good father some day. The song ended, Alissa reached at his shirt to get him to come down to her level, and she kissed his cheek. Nora smiled, and turned to walk back into the kitchen before either of them noticed her. She walked back to the stove, and went back to keeping an eye on the sauce. It should be ready soon. The rich smells filled the room.

[Briley Cole Ferris]

I strode around the living room with the young girl, having a heck of a time. Dancing with her would take my mind off of things, I stopped for a minute to catch my breath. I took in a deep breath of warm air and released even warmer air. I then picked up the girl spun her around and placed her gently back down on the floor. My cowboy boots clicked against the hardwood flooring, and she was dancing in her socks. I felt sort of rude wearing my cowboy boots in here, but at least these were my new, clean boots. I smiled a bit as the girl smiled back at me, her large blue eyes watching me with curiosity and intelligence. The young girl was sweet, but she came from a good family. I had known her dad pretty well, her dad was a couple of years older than me, but not many.

Right before he had went off to the army, I had meet him at a local coffee shop. He took me under his wing, for I was new to this place. He was a nice man, he sure was. I was quite eager for him to return from the army. He was doing a good thing though, standing up for us Americans like that. So many men and women were risking their lives for us, we should be thankful. I sighed a bit as I watched the young girl, she was having so much fun. Too much fun, it was a cute little site to see. The way she grinned right big and her eyes lit up. It was adorable, I guess you could say I had a soft spot for children, but that didn't mean that I wanted them.

When the song ended, Alissa grabbed my shirt and pulled me down to her level. I obeyingly bent down and smiled at her, showing lots of white teeth this time. My face turned red as the small girl kissed me on the cheek, such a sweet heart. I stood up straight and awkwardly and said to the small girl, "Your such a sweetie, Alissa. Will you dance with me some other time?" I asked, knowing that the girl would hold me too it, and I looked forward to it. I looked towards the door frame, Nora had been standing there the whole time and was walking back into the kitchen now. I walked towards the kitchen, bidding a bye to the girl, not knowing if she would stay in the living room or not.

I awkwardly walked into the kitchen and asked Nora, "Do you need any help?" I took a sniff of the air and smiled when I caught the scent of garlic and noddles. She was fixing spaghetti, one of my favorites.

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

Alissa enjoyed dancing with Briley, it was like dancing with her father when he was at home. She was so young, so sometimes she didn't understand what was going on, but she knew that he was off fighting the bad guys and keeping her safe. She was glad that she had her aunt Nora to take care of her when he was away. Her head of curls bounced as she danced and she giggled when he spun her around. She nodded when he asked for a dance later. " I have a pwetty dwess I can wear," she said and smiled and went to play with Chance.

Nora really missed William. She knew that what he did was dangerous, and maybe he wouldn't ever come back. When Alissa was born, his beloved wife Shannon died of cancer soon after when Alissa was 2, and she made him a promise that if anything should happen to him that Nora would take in Alissa as her own and raise her. Every time that he got deployed she tried not to hope for the worst, but with fighting for your country one can never be too sure of their fate.

Nora ran her fingers through her hair and softly sighed, and she heard the music stop. Finally, some quiet. She was getting a little tired of dancing around. She wasn't as young as she used to be. She could hear Alissa playing with Chance, but Briley had gone quiet. She added a little more to the sauce and tried it. She heard Briley's voice behind her and she looked at him. She nodded and took a small spoonful of the sauce. " Here, try this and let me know what you think. Could you also grab three plates for me, dinner will be ready soon," she said softly. She stepped from around him and called to Alissa to tell her that dinner was ready. She walked back in, and showed him where the plates were and she grabbed three glasses. Two glasses of water, and one glass of milk.

[Briley Cole Ferris]

I was quite pleased whenever Alissa replied to me, I turned back towards her, away from Nora. She had a new, pretty dress, and she wanted to wear it to dance with me. I guessed I would have to dress nice whenever I came back to her, asking for another dance. More than likely, she wouldn't dance with me unless I looked presentable. You had to dress like a prince to dance with a princess. "And, to match your pretty dress, i'll wear my newest, nicest tux just for you!" I said, a touch of humor tainting my words as I smiled at the small girl.

William would be so proud of her.

I knew that he was wanting to be with her right now, I mean, if I was off fighting the bad guys, I would want to be at home with my family. Who wouldn't? A crazy person wouldn't want to be with their family, but if the person was crazy, it would be best for them to stay away from their family. Maybe. Perhaps. I shrugged it off, easing back into the kitchen where Nora was. She still hadn't realized that I was right behind her, so, I made myself comfortable and leaned up against the wall. Crossing my cowboy boots in front of one another. They were quite amusing, Nora and Alissa. I had never met such a pair as them. It was amazing, how Alissa behaved so well with her mother having passed away and her father missing out on such a large part of her life.

It would never cease to amaze me.

I sighed a bit, closing my deep blue, ocean eyes for just a moment. Relaxing with the peace and quiet that I had long forgot. Nora had finally realized that I was there, she turned around and busted out a small smile. Whenever she came towards me with a spoonful of sauce, I stood up straight and eased towards her. I opened my mouth, allowing her to dish out the sauce in my mouth. I rolled the sauce around in my mouth and smiled a bit. It tasted amazing! "It tastes wonderful!" I nodded whenever she told me to grab three plates, I eagerly followed her to the cabinet and pulled out three glass plates gingerly.

Then I sat them on the table, lining them up in front of the three closest seats. I called Alissa to the table and pulled out both Alissa and Nora's seats before sitting down myself.

It was now time to chow down!

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

Nora smiled when he gave his response to her sauce, " Thank you," she said softly and wanted to kiss him and taste the sauce on his lips. She smiled and brushed by him and led him to the plates and she set the glasses down. Alissa ran in with her doll, and Chance followed gingerly behind. Nora told Chance to go to his bed and stay, which he did, and Alissa climbed into her chair. Nora laid a napkin across Alissa's lap, and she sat in her chair as Briley pulled her chair out. She thanked him and saw Alissa immediately go for her food.

Nora tapped her arm and shook her head. " We have a guest sweetie. Can you say the blessing please," she asked softly. Alissa put her fork down slowly and folded her little hands and said a little prayer, she particularly prayed for her daddy. Nora smiled and when the blessing was over she wiped away a small tear. They ate dinner, and Alissa did most of the talking. About what she did in school, and about her fun at the barn.

After dinner, she helped Alissa wash up and get ready for bed. Alissa ran down and gave Briley a hug. " Night Mr. Briley. I will see you in my dweams," she said and ran back up the stairs. Nora came back down, and washed the dishes with Briley. After they washed the dishes, they sat in the living room on the couch and each had a glass of wine as they talked.

[Briley Cole Ferris]

Nora was a laid back, easy going woman, she would understand if I told her how I felt. But, today was not the day that I would tell her. Maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day, but sooner or later, I would have to tell her. I sighed a bit, taking my place at the table, I wiggled deep into my seat and took a sip of water. My blue eyes watched carefully as Nora laid a napkin across Alissa's lap. She cared for the child so much, you could see it in her eyes, how much she cared for the young girl. I smiled a soft smile, my eyes following from Nora and back to my plate. I straightened up stiffly as Alissa started going for her food and Nora stopped the girl.

Then, I realized what was going on, none of us had said grace and it had made Nora upset. Manners first. Nora spoke to the girl in soft, well spoken words. I relaxed my back, bending forward just slightly, preparing to say grace. Whenever I was younger, my mother always said grace at our table, of course, sometimes me and my sister would peek out at one another and giggle, like small children would do. As soon as Alissa opened her small mouth to speak, I folded my large hands in my lap and closed my eyes softly together. I listened to the girl carefully, taking in every word she said. I had leaned forward over the table now, using it for support. As the girl spoke, sorrow and blueness filled my heart. Honestly, I did feel sorry for the little angel, with her dad being away all of the time and her mom having died when Alissa was just a baby.

It was too much, just too much.

I opened my eyes up after she was done and took a deep breath for steadying. Then, we started eating. Throughout the dinner, I gave Alissa my out most attention, listening to every words she said. She talked about her dad, her school, her friends, and about horse riding. She was quite an interesting girl, from the sounds of it, and it sounded as if she enjoyed her life, whether or not her parents were away as much as they really was. Whenever dinner was over, Alissa excused herself and ran over and gave me a hug. Telling me goodnight and that she would see me in her dreams. I hugged her back and said, "Goodnight, sweet dreams." In a calm, cool voice.

As soon as Alissa ran upstairs, me and Nora started on the dishes, she washed and I dried. It didn't take long for us to wash dishes, but we washed them in the quiet. It was an awkward silence I guess you could say. Whenever we was done, we headed to the living room, where I took a seat on the couch and sipped on expensive wine. Really, I didn't know what to talk about, but I would try. "Dinner was wonderful...." I said simply.

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

Nora walked Alissa to her room, picked her up, and helped her put on her pjs. Alissa grabbed her doll off the rocking chair, and she scampered to her bed. She crawled under the covers and wiggled down, and smiled at her aunt. " Aunty Nora, I lost a toof, look," she said reaching under her pillow and holding a small tooth in her hand. Nora smiled and folded the little girl's hand. " Well, you better keep it under your pillow. Otherwise, the tooth fairy will miss it, and you won't get any money. Now, goodnight," she said and kissed her forehead. Alissa smiled and looked contently at her aunt, " Aunty Nora, do you like Mr. Briley," she asked softly incase he was listening outside the door. Nora looked at her and said," I greatly admire Briley. He is a good man, and any girl would be lucky to have him," she said softly as she added another blanket on top of Alissa, and turned on her princess nightlight. " I can tell he likes you. I have a knack about these things," she said giving her a big smile. Nora shook her head and kissed her again and walked out after she closed the door.

She walked down the stairs and thought about what Alissa had said. Did Briley like her? Or maybe even love her? She would like it if he did, but no one wants to get their hopes up when it comes to matters of the heart. She walked into the kitchen and saw him gathering the plates to be washed. She smiled and got the glasses and started to wash them and gently handed them to him to be dried. They passed the moment in silence, and would look at each other and smile. After they were done, they sat on the couch, somewhat close to one another and drank a glass of wine. " Good, I'm glad you liked it. Alissa is usually shy around strangers, but she seems to be very fond of you. Thank you for doting on her, with her father not here a lot. She gets lonely for a father figure," she said softly putting her glass down.

[Briley Cole Ferris]

It wasn't long before the brunette had made her way back down stairs, I sat there, wondering, pondering, what they had talked about upstairs. Surely they wouldn't talk about me...

Would they?

Perhaps, if they did, it was nice chat that meant no harm to anyone. I pressed my lips together in a thoughtful manner, did Alissa really like me as much as she acted like she did. Maybe. There was no way a kid could act the way she did and it all having been a lie. There was no humanly possible way. A small, laid back smile lit up my face, I relaxed my body, pressing into the couch before swirling my wine around in my glass. It was good wine, that was for sure, but I couldn't drink much, I had to drive home. I sighed, not wanting to put the wine back on the table, but I did. Then I sat up straight, stiffly and Nora had finally joined me for good.

I smirked a bit as she took a close seat next to me, she was a nice, good looking woman. I respected her, a lot. I liked her, a lot. But, I couldn't allow that to get in the way of our friendship.... could I? It could possibly ruin our friendship if I sat here and poured out my feelings to her. Would she laugh in my face? No, she wouldn't do that, would she? She was too nice of a lady to laugh at anyone in a harsh way. Or would she be completely delighted with my liking her? Nah, there was no way that she would like me back! Was there? I groaned to myself, my eyebrows furrowing up, I had to go home, I had to think. I straightened myself up, preparing to excuse myself whenever Nora started talking.

Ugh.

I would be here for a while, but I enjoyed her company.

I smiled a bit, Alissa had warmed up to me right off the bat, "Well, she warmed up to me pretty quickly. To be honest, I was kind of shocked the way she treated me." I stated softly, shrugging my shoulders before turning towards her. My ocean blue eyes looked into hers, "I don't know if I would be the best father figure though. I wouldn't care to help with her." Honestly, he didn't know if he could handle it. He definately couldn't handle being a father full time.... No way! I still had my life ahead of me, I was still chasing my dreams. But, I still wasn't sure.

What did I want?