openpassionates

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SHAKING HER HEAD at chris, venus fails to keep her laughter in once he hints at the two of them having sex later in the day. she didn't have the time to focus on any insecurities when he is always showing that he loves her body. "yeah but it's a memory that we could remake. maybe i'm just cheesy. we'll include him, don't worry. i know how it feels when family misses out on important things." she smoothly rubs her thumb against his hand to comfort him. venus hopes that one day she could officially meet chris' dad. she's heard the stories and the updates but that was all. she takes a sip from her mug, still amazed at the fact that he has yet to notice what both of their mugs say. just when she's about to change the subject, she notices that it's starting to click for him now that his plate is clearing up. "finally, you noticed. that's how i know you're awake now. yes, i'm pregnant, baby. i went to the doctor for some tests and i left with some extra results i wasn't expecting." she jokes, smiling at him from across the table. "that's why i was hellbent on not drinking."

chris definitely doesn’t have any plans other than laying in bed with his wife all day. he takes a big bite of turkey bacon, smiling at her. “it’s a chill day, baby… maybe not as chill? we’ll get a few rounds in.” even though he’s still fighting off his hangover, he’s never too fatigued to show his affection towards venus. after all they rarely have the house to completely to themselves. “oh so, i’ma old head now? the first set of millennials?” he pretends to be offended, drinking his coffee. he grabs her hand and squeezes it. “yeah, yeah… i know. it’s just like— that’s a memory you don’t get back. like your dad givin’ you marriage advice, making sure your tie is good. i don’t know if it was comforting, but it was a nice phone call. i’ll send him a letter and some updated photos.” he chuckles, nodding. “yeah, that was a little deep for breakfast, but i feel the same. i’m enjoying the silence, but i kinda miss the kids already.” he shakes his head, continuing to devour his food. “hey, there’s somethin on the plate, what is it, words?” he’s confused because some of the letters are still covered. he squints, moving the food around. “b…a..b— baby? baby loading? huh? what baby whose? wait— boo..” he looks at her with wide eyes. “are you for real?” there’s excitement in his tone. “you’re pregnant?”

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VENUS ISN'T SURPRISED by chris' hormones. they're the reason she couldn't enjoy any of the special cocktails last night in the first place. "we can shower together, boo. it's your choice. is today a chill day? i wouldn't mind since we have the honeymoon coming up but my brain has to prepare." she mentions. she pours her tea into the mug before she adds some honey to it. it doesn't take her long to join chris at the table. "i have to use facebook more frequently now that i'm married to someone repping the first set of millennials, right?" she smiles at him, satisfied with her own comeback. "i know, baby. it's okay. he was there in spirit. i know that doesn't make up for anything but does it comfort you knowing that he would've been at the wedding if he could? it'll be cute to write him a letter or send him something." she goes on. "is it too early to be sappy? the morning feels different. i'm excited for more mornings like this. just us some days. us and the kids on a lot of the days."

“hey, now!” chris jumps up slightly, laughing when venus grabs his butt. they’re always touching and feeling each other up, especially in the kitchen. “you wanna lay down or shower with me after breakfast?” he wiggles his eyebrows at her, smirking. he sips his coffee, nodding when she mentions his father who has been incarcerated since he was five. “yeah we talked last week, he said he’s gonna try and call again soon. he’s really upset that he missed the wedding and he said he wants to meet you.” life has been hectic, so unfortunately he hasn’t had the chance to fly home and see him. he has to change that soon. he takes his coffee and takes a seat at the table. after taking a few bites of his pancakes, chris starts their conversation up again. “you still use facebook?” he teases. “i wish i could’ve gotten everyone here, especially my dad. i hate that he misses big milestones, you know?”

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VENUS LOVINGLY GRABS chris' butt before she begins to make her some chamomile tea. "i slept pretty well. ya know, since i didn't drink my heart out like you did. we can lay back down after bed, babe." she promises. she would've loved to have some mimosas to make up for the fact that she didn't drink at all but she's under a particular circumstance. a circumstance that her husband has yet to realize. "have you spoken to your dad lately?" venus curiously asked. his family's presence was impossible to miss. she even felt the spirit of his dad there even though she has yet to meet him. "some of your family hit me up on facebook. they were saying congratulations. i thought it was really sweet."

after spending the night in their newly-wed bubble bath and hours exploring each other, chris finally tapped out. he had worn himself down with the relaxing bath and sex combo. having no regrets, he slowly wakes up from the deep sleep he had been in. not opening his eyes immediately, chris feels around for venus, wanting to hold her for a few minutes before he physically removes himself from the bed. “mm.. good—” he’s stuck, confused. why is her side empty? now he has to get up. chris yawns, feeling sedated, almost. coffee will wake him, but he has to actually open his eyes. he drags his feet trying to find some boxers, settling on sweatpants instead. he shakes his head. where’s the damn advil? he groans, going into the bathroom to splash some cold water on his face and find something for his headache. he looks through their medicine cabinet motrin? good enough. he dries his face with a clean face towel and hangs it on the towel rack before turning out the light, leaving the bathroom, and heading downstairs. “smooks? where you at?” he calls out in a raspy tone, his vision still blurry.

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VENUS CONSIDERED THE wedding night to be a complete success. once the two finished having deep conversations and funny exchanges in the tub, they bonded even more through making love. the night made her even more energized for this morning. she had gotten up early to make the two of them breakfast but it wasn't just any kind of breakfast. she plans on revealing that the two are expecting. venus places her custom 'baby loading' mugs onto the table to fill up later with whatever drink chris may want. she can't help but smile when she hears her nickname groggily being said from close by. "i'm in the kitchen, smookie pooh." she responds. "good morning, baby. how'd you sleep?" she asks before she kisses him on the lips. she was used to mornings where she would cook the pair food while sporting his clothes but today felt different because they were now married. "i made pancakes with fruit, eggs, and turkey bacon. i made myself some grits but I've made enough for the both of us." she gives him the rundown, fixing their plates that contained the same phrase and year as the mugs.

after spending the night in their newly-wed bubble bath and hours exploring each other, chris finally tapped out. he had worn himself down with the relaxing bath and sex combo. having no regrets, he slowly wakes up from the deep sleep he had been in. not opening his eyes immediately, chris feels around for venus, wanting to hold her for a few minutes before he physically removes himself from the bed. “mm.. good—” he’s stuck, confused. why is her side empty? now he has to get up. chris yawns, feeling sedated, almost. coffee will wake him, but he has to actually open his eyes. he drags his feet trying to find some boxers, settling on sweatpants instead. he shakes his head. where’s the damn advil? he groans, going into the bathroom to splash some cold water on his face and find something for his headache. he looks through their medicine cabinet motrin? good enough. he dries his face with a clean face towel and hangs it on the towel rack before turning out the light, leaving the bathroom, and heading downstairs. “smooks? where you at?” he calls out in a raspy tone, his vision still blurry.

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VENUS SMILES AT chris as he carries her up the stairs. she hopes she isn't ruining his fun. she's overjoyed with the fact that the pair is now married but she feels like she isn't on his level considering he has the influence of alcohol running through him. she finds it rather endearing. "i see your alcohol has made its way down south. i miss the littles but i love our kids-free nights. tonight's going to be really special. i love that i get to spend this moment with you. my hubby cakes." she finds it humorous that she's still being sappy while chris' mind is heading to the gutter. "your breath doesn't stink, boo. my stomach isn't the strongest. i don't wanna taste all of the different drinks you had. we can have some tomorrow." venus ends her statement with a lie. a harmless one, she believes. chris will be fully aware of why she's trying to avoid alcohol in every way tomorrow. she stares off at him lovingly as he rushes off into the bathroom. she uses that time to pick out her silky night gown for tonight. the last thing she wants is for her insecurities to ruin any of the fun. "we have to make sure we protect this dress." she says aloud once she hears no water running. "and no breaking beds tonight."

chris did drink a decent amount of alcohol tonight, but only enough for his silliness and mushiness to be amplified. he loves his wife so, kissing her everywhere is normal, aside from the amount of times he’s done so in the last five to ten minutes. “yes, i did… i am feeling very nice right now. you’re sober and not as giggly, but it’s okay, we’re gonna have fun tonight. we don’t have the kids..” he presses a kiss to her neck. “i’m gonna get you out of this dress in more ways than one, by the way. god, you look fine as hell.” he kisses her cheek. “mhm, you’re welcome. i got you always. i got everybody.” he nods when she suggests they head upstairs. “feel sick? does my breath stink or somethin’? damn, i’ll brush my teeth before we get in the bath, boo, okay?” he lifts her into his arms before standing up. he smiles down at her. they can still have wine and strawberries in his eyes, but she obviously doesn’t want to and he can respect that. “it’s okay, maybe we can pop a bottle tomorrow? just to spray it and be over the top and yell: we married baby!” he sprints up the stairs playfully, his laughter echoing throughout their home. he pushes their bedroom door open and carries her in. he still is in awe that they’ve made it this far. “you’ve made my life so much fun…” he says before placing her on the bed. “let me go brush my teeth for you and run the water.” he retreats to their bathroom and leaves the door cracked while he brushes his teeth.

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VENUS COULD TELL that chris has been drinking because of how affectionate he is. of course, the new marriage is factored into that as the main reason. if she weren't carrying his baby, she would be joining him in the festivities. "you really had a time with that alcohol, huh? i can tell. thank you for everything, baby. i feel like i'm on top of the world. or at least literally on top of mine right now." she purposely gets cheesy before letting out soft laughter. just when she's about to change the topic away from gabriel, chris already does it for her. the two were always on the same wavelength and that's one of the things she loved the most about him. "you're so silly. let's go take our bath. i want you to get the taste of alcohol off of your tongue so i can kiss you how i want to kiss you now that our parents and the kids aren't around. i don't wanna feel sick." venus kisses his forehead and tangles her arms around his neck for whenever he's ready to pick her up. "i know it's a missed opportunity to do a cute strawberry and wine type of night, i'm sorry."

chris knows venus is right, but at the time if them meeting he was being overly-cautious. that movie determined whether he’d be able to provide for his children, but now he sees that he was just taking things too seriously. “baby, i was really grinding at the time, nothing could ruin that.. i was being silly, but i was so… stressed. thank god for you…” he raises her hand to his lips and kisses it. the alcohol has kind of removed the pent up tension in his shoulders from gabriel’s antics. being married to the girl of his dreams drowns all of the ex drama out for now. “i’m glad we we’re both able to enjoy today and each other… i can’t believe— no— i can definitely believe that he tried to do that.” chris isn’t too sure about the next time that he sees him. all of his anger might come rushing back. he nods in agreement. “i won’t say you told me, baby. i know how he gets, unfortunately.” he sighs. “ enough about him, i wanna talk about my wife and this newly-wed bath…” he smirks, cheekily flirting with her.

[openpassionates]

"BEING PROFESSIONAL WHEN we were already kissing each other as strangers is something. plenty of costars go on to date each other. my ex husband was the director of the movie, hello?" venus points out in amusement, never understanding chris' logic. she always made sure to make him feel welcomed by arranging cast lunches and short quality time activities during a few of their breaks. squeezing chris' hand, she doesn't want him to worry about what gabriel did. part of her is surprised that he didn't seem to have as much of a reaction as she thought he would have. "he didn't ruin anything for me. it was a tiny bit of annoyance but i don't think he interfered with anything except his own participation." she gently rubs his leg. "just don't tell him i told you? i don't want it to be an even bigger thing. it's okay if you two talk on your own terms but i've spent years having to argue with him over everything under the sun so i'm a little exhausted."

chris shakes his head, smirking in amusement when venus laughs. it took so long for her to get comfortable with him doing small acts for her that she can do herself. “the single dad life was hard, but i made it work the best i could. then you came into our lives and just brought so much comfort and joy to them. it really shocked me at first but i’m so happy that everything worked out how it was supposed to. this—” he points between the two of them. “us, our family is everything to me.” he holds her chin between his index fingers and his thumb pecking her lips. it does feel like venus is trying to get him naked, but he knows her well enough to know that she’s just caring for him and making sure he’s not feeling any discomfort. “it’s okay, you can be real with me and say you can’t wait to get upstairs.” he loves messing around with her. that’s one of his favorite things about their relationship, is how fun it can be even in the midst of a heart to heart. “you gonna keep ‘em in for the honeymoon? i know you keep braids for like five business days and then they’re out.” he pokes her cheek. chris knows that gabriel tried to ruin their day,but she doesn’t know he was listening. he doesn’t wanna spend too much time talking about gabe, but he is curious. “yeah, i saw him being somewhat carried out? what happened? was he drunk, or?” he asks, wanting to know how it ended since ryder pulled him away from the door.

[openpassionates]

HEARING CHRIS DISCUSS their blended family creates a smile on venus' face, even more since she has a secret to share with him tomorrow. she went back and forth on if she should wait until the honeymoon but she'd rather get any accommodations that she may need out of the way. she's a big kisser and she doesn't want to taste alcohol during their intimate moments. "yeah, even though you didn't want me at first because of my age." she teases. she couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. there was nowhere else she'd rather be than in chris' arms. when he jokes about her being sexually excited, she rolls her eyes and squeezes his bicep. although he was joking, she couldn't deny that. since discovering she was pregnant, she had a slight bit of body dysmorphia, making her think it was obvious, but all she could think about was the two of them celebrating their marriage in other ways. "i don't know. i think i should keep them since you would be the one on takedown duty." venus manages to come back to their conversation without zoning out. "he wasn't drunk but maybe he was high. i'm not sure. he showed up having casual conversation so it was okay at first. then he started begging me not to marry you and professing his love to me. at the end, he fainted and ryder took care of that." she explains, strategically leaving out what made him faint.

chris shakes his head, smirking in amusement when venus laughs. it took so long for her to get comfortable with him doing small acts for her that she can do herself. “the single dad life was hard, but i made it work the best i could. then you came into our lives and just brought so much comfort and joy to them. it really shocked me at first but i’m so happy that everything worked out how it was supposed to. this—” he points between the two of them. “us, our family is everything to me.” he holds her chin between his index fingers and his thumb pecking her lips. it does feel like venus is trying to get him naked, but he knows her well enough to know that she’s just caring for him and making sure he’s not feeling any discomfort. “it’s okay, you can be real with me and say you can’t wait to get upstairs.” he loves messing around with her. that’s one of his favorite things about their relationship, is how fun it can be even in the midst of a heart to heart. “you gonna keep ‘em in for the honeymoon? i know you keep braids for like five business days and then they’re out.” he pokes her cheek. chris knows that gabriel tried to ruin their day,but she doesn’t know he was listening. he doesn’t wanna spend too much time talking about gabe, but he is curious. “yeah, i saw him being somewhat carried out? what happened? was he drunk, or?” he asks, wanting to know how it ended since ryder pulled him away from the door.

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VENUS THROWS HER head back, laughter erupting from her as chris mentions how she learned to let him do his gentleman gesture with car doors now. it took a lot for her to get there. she knows that the habit will never go away judging by how her exes were. "i love you too babe. i could say the same to you. you've been so open with the boys and i know that's not an easy thing to do. as a parent, shit like that is scary but when you meet someone who's your person then it kind of all just works out." she returns his kiss, trying her best to ignore the taste of tequila and god knows what else he has had. she enjoyed seeing her husband let loose and have so much fun dancing with family and friends at the wedding. she removes his blazer off of his shoulders and unbuttoned a bit of his blouse underneath it. "is that better? it looks like i'm stripping you down for other reasons but i promise i'm just making sure you feel better." she smiles at him. "it would've taken maybe seven or eight hours. this took four including the wash and blow-dry." venus pushes her hair back from out of her face. she's wondering if she should somehow bring up gabriel. it'll be on her mind forever if she doesn't. "something happened after that and before the wedding that almost ruined my mood for the day. i'm really glad it didn't. gabe showed up being a menace but ryder helped out."

all day christopher has been unusually emotional, but rightfully so. he has everything he could ever want and hearing his wife practically say her vows before even walking down the aisle gave him a sense of pride, knowing she really doesn’t play about him. although he knows that they both care about each other and have each other‘s back even when one of them is not in the room, the reassurance made his heart swell. “yeah, baby. you be letting me open the door for you now, but we’ve been together for a minute.” he silently admires her face. someone is going to have to pinch him or something. “fuck— you’re so… i love you. who knew movie could be so life-altering. i didn’t get to say this because i forgot… you know, nerves and shit, but thank you for trusting me to love you and the girls. i don’t take that lightly.” his tie being off makes it easier to breathe and relax. he leans in to kiss her for real this time. “shit, make three people in your head it had to take like, what four hours? usually you sit in the chair forever.”

[openpassionates]

VENUS NODS AND listens intently as chris tells her why he was anxious about speaking at the wedding. she felt like she saw a different side of him today. he's usually confident in a way where everyone else in the room could feel it and he doesn't usually show too much of his romantic side while others are around. "i jumped the gun by rushing to the door so i could sit on the couch. old habits die hard. remember on our first date when i got into your car but you were gonna open my car door for me?" she humorously remembers. that moment is when chris crowned her as ms independent and she hasn't fully dropped the title yet. venus faces him, draping her legs over his lap. "look at us being a bunch of mushy pants. i'm in love with you too. i'm so grateful for that movie." she gives him another peck on the lips. she begins helping to unloosen his tie so he could get the relief he desperately wanted. "i hired three braiders to work on my head right before the wedding. they finished a little before so i had some time to rest. i was surrounded by them and the makeup artist. it was really overwhelming." she tells him, placing his removed tie on one of the arms of the couch.

“a newlywed bath? sounds sensually romantic.” he can’t stop cheesing. even though gabriel pissed him off earlier, chris feels so at peace now that the wedding has concluded. he knows venus must be too after all the work that they put into it. he wanted to help plan and know how things were going to go. this day is one he’ll never forget. the idea that man never have anything to do with their weddings never crossed his mind. “thank you, it’s a little tight now after all that food.” he chuckles, kissing her back twice. as they exit the car, chris holds onto her hand and thanks the driver for getting them home safely. once they reach their front porch, chris takes venus’ shoes out of her hand while she opens the door and carries them in. “i don’t know we had a lot of guests today, i guess i was just anxious? too many eyes.” he snaps his fingers, remembering he wanted to carry her inside of the house. “damn, I want to carry you over the threshold… i’ll carry you upstairs to make up for it.” he goes to sit beside her, taking off his dress shoes. “it was nice having my family there.. from both sides, everyone said that we looked beautiful and in love with each other. i’m very in love with you so i’m glad it shows.” he laughs, kissing her temple. “those boho braids look really good too, when did you have time to do that?”

[openpassionates]

VENUS HESITATES ON if she should tell chris about what happened with gabriel right before the wedding started. she didn't want to ruin their day by talking about it. she's not sure how chris would react. "we can take a newlywed bath. that's not a thing but i just made it a thing." she gently squeezes his knee and smiles up at him. she lays her head on his shoulder until she notices they're finally approaching their home. when she catches him looking at her, she sticks her tongue out at him. however, she ends up blushing anyway once he compliments her. "oh, stop. thank you baby. you look handsome in your tux even if you do want to take it off as we speak." venus delivers a peck to his lips. she doesn't want to engage in too many of their regular kisses because it's evident chris enjoyed himself at the reception and consumed a lot of alcohol. with her pregnancy, it's easy for her to become nauseous from the taste transferring to her tongue. "why were you nervous boo?" she inquires, holding her heels in hand while she opens the door to their home. they were kid-free for the next two days. she immediately sits down in the living room so she could rest her feet. "i was so happy that everyone came out and everyone was so fun. i'm happy."

chris can’t believe that he and venus are finally married. there’s no one else he can see himself spending the rest of his life with, but her. regardless of how the wedding day started, he’s genuinely happy and grateful to be building a family with her. it wasn’t too long ago that he was living as a single dad trying to make ends meet and now his world has drastically changed for the better. “yeah my feet are on fire and i need to take off this tux.” he smiles at his wife as they pull into their driveway. he takes a minute to soak in the moment before they go inside. “you look so beautiful… mrs. santos.” he grins, still buzzed from the reception festivities, but sobering up quickly. “today was surreal. i’ve never been so nervous to speak in front of people.”

[openpassionates]

DESPITE EVERYTHING THAT had happened beforehand, venus enjoyed her wedding and the reception. gabriel wasn't present so she didn't have to worry about any interruptions. once she and chris get in their limo to go back home, she immediately takes off her heels. "do your feet hurt? all of that dancing and standing around has gotten to me." she asks her new husband out of curiosity. once they're at home, the two will finally get to enjoy their time together as newlyweds without other people around, though she wouldn't really count the driver who has the partition closed off. "today was so perfect. i'm so happy that everything went well. i was really stressed at first." she sighs in contentment before giving chris a kiss on the cheek.

gabriel can’t believe that venus is pregnant. the news is echoing in his head as she speaks. he’s zoning in and out, and his body feels like it’s vibrating. “i’m sorry…okay i- yeah…” his voice cracks as he prepares to leave, but before he can make it to the door, ryder enters the room. “i was just taking a minute to talk to her. the conversation isn’t going too well.” he says honestly. he knows venus is upset because of how he reacted to her news but he couldn’t help it, it just came out that way. he has no other choice but to sit down again because he feels like he’s going to pass out any second now. this whole day has been terrible for him. everything that is going on feels like a punch to the gut. he stands up again and reaches out to grab onto ryder’s arm. “i’m about to…” is all he can get out before the room goes dark.

[openpassionates]

IT'S OFFICIAL - VENUS is beginning to become furious. she knows it's shocking news but she hates how he's speaking as if she betrayed him. chris is the love of her life and she imagines that they'll be together for a very long time. the vows that she has for him later on are words that she feels like don't even begin to cover her love and appreciation for him. with gabriel, it's over and a done deal. "you seriously need to go." she repeats herself. venus doesn't want him in her line of sight any longer. "what the fuck do you mean how could i do this? we're not together, gabriel. we haven't been for a long time. i don't need to run life decisions by you. you're not happy for me. you're full of shit." she gets riled up, being saved from the sound of a knock and the door opening.

RYDER WASTED NO time in making his way to the smaller conference room that venus was getting ready in. he couldn't believe gabriel was still in there. he and chris had heard their a small bit of their conversation earlier and it sounded nothing like the tense one they were having now. when he walks into the room, his eyes instantly scans his little sister who looked ready for the wedding clothes and make-up wise but appeared to be upset when he looked at the expression on her face. "i'm ready when you are, vee. the guests are all sitting down. everyone's in formation. chris is probably about to piss his pants." then there was gabriel. he looked stress and as if he had seen a ghost. ryder decided not to rat her out by announcing she had texted him about her ex husband being in her room. "what are you doing in here man? no one should be back here." ryder reprimands him. he found his demeanor to be odd. his hands were trembling and he was blinking rather quickly than the average human per minute. "what's going on? why does she look upset and why do you look like that?"

gabriel has changed as far as he’s concerned, but he doesn’t argue with her. his pattern is just as she says it is. “listen, i know… i know that. i wanna do better.” he emphasizes as if that will help him regain her heart again. the fact that venus is unfazed by everything he’s saying isn’t lost on him, but he has to fix it somehow. “just let me in again, let me show you…” he gets off of his knees, not tearing his eyes away from her. his chest tightens as she once again remind him that he’s not one that she wants to be with. her reasoning leaves gabriel more dazed than he was just a moment ago. “you— you’re pregnant? no… you can’t be…” he is devastated. marriage and a baby? how could she? why would she? he stumbles a bit, blinking rapidly. dizzy… his hands are shaking. “you’re pregnant? why would you tell me that? i’m.. fuck! why?” he would be selfish if he asked her if she would abort it. “how could you do this?”

[openpassionates]

VENUS' FACE DROPS as if she's offended by what gabriel said about feelings passing. she doesn't know if he means his own or if he means her feelings for chris. nonetheless, she's tired of the pleading after he disrupted the order of their family. "you haven't changed. you never do. this is the same thing you always do. you always cry, we get back together, you get fixated on something or say that you're depressed, we break up, you find someone new in less than a month, i find someone new eventually, you don't want them anymore and then you're back to the crying in front of my face." she lays it all out. she was beginning to get cranky and she just wanted the wedding to start already. when venus notices gabriel getting down in front of her, she shakes her head. "i'm getting married to chris and i'm pregnant. so give it a rest. that's why it won't work. i'd like for you to leave so i can continue doing what i have to do." she reveals. she felt pressured to tell him and he's the first to know. that's not what she wanted for herself. "thanks for coming but please go." she requests again, taking out her phone so she could begin texting ryder about how gabriel won't leave.

gabriel doesn’t know what outcome he expected after professing his love (again, for the hundredth time). he stands up slowly to walk around the room. “i just… i’ve changed, vee… this isn’t some— some cry out for help. i mean, it might look that way, but i… i’ve thought about this over and over and over. you love christopher, i can deal with that.. maybe it’ll pass?” the last part is more of a question he’s asking himself, trying to make sense of everything he’s lost in real time. “ how do you know it’s not going to work if you don’t give me a chance to prove it to you? I’m ready. i swear.” he walks over to her and kneels. “please?” he continues to plead with her.

[openpassionates]

VENUS' EYES CONTINUE to bore into gabriel's, not finding any interest in having this conversation anymore. she's sparing his feelings because she doesn't want things to escalate into an argument on her special day. however, it's not lost on her that he always chooses a special day to do these types of stunts. "you make the same mistakes over and over again and do this same crying and begging for forgiveness thing over and over again. i'm just a little tired of it. and that's putting it gently." she admits. she checks her phone for the time. it's almost time for her to walk down the aisle to her almost-husband. "gabe, it's not going to work. it's done. i'm sorry. i know that for a fact. i'm not leaving and then you'll end up resenting me."

gabriel doesn’t want this conversation to consist of him crying in front of her, but the toll his decisions have taken on his mental state has been piling up for years. he’s trying to remain hopeful that he can get over today’s hurdle of intense feelings, but this feels like a push right over the edge. “i don’t believe in time limits or expiration dates because people can own their mistakes and choices and change… i get that things aren’t like they were , but we could’ve had something new… better.” venus is just being honest with him, and he nows that. it’s because of her approach to the situation, that he has no room to feel the need to get defensive. he did open up the discussion. she has every right to say what she thinks. “i- it’s not theatrical, or at least it’s not meant to be. i don’t want to cry right now. i just want you to see how much i miss and love you. i’m not trying to react like this… i anticipated a no.” this wedding isn’t being called off, gabe is sure now, but he can’t seem to give up. “why? i walked in ready to show that it wasn’t going to be the same thing like before. this is what i want…”

[openpassionates]

UNFORTUNATELY FOR GABRIEL, venus isn't taking his tears seriously. instead, she's thinking about stepping forward and walking down the aisle to someone who doesn't show her mixed signals. she retracts her hand away from him and sits it in her lap instead. "it doesn't feel the same anymore so you can think we don't have an expiration date but i don't agree with that. when i tried to fix everything because i loved you and i wanted the best for the kids, you weren't having it. now, you're all emotional because chris stepped up and i'm marrying him. i just think we're too old for the back and forth and the childish manipulative games." she stresses. she finds it hard to feel bad for gabriel. venus is beginning to realize he misses him being wrapped around her finger and having a safety net to fall on. "okay, you don't have to stay for the wedding. we invited everyone who worked on the movie. we can be friends or just co-exist and co-parent. i don't know what to say. the theatrics are too much, gabe. it's old and tired." she begins to speak like she usually does once she sees him wiping his eyes. she still believes that either drugs, alcohol, or one of his mental conditions is to blame. "if i got up right now and ran off with you, you would get tired of me in five months. that, and i promise you you wouldn't want to be with me." venus says, thinking back to her positive test results from two weeks ago.

rejection is something gabe struggles with, even though he knows that with venus it’s bound to occur. she’s being patient with him, and letting him down gently— a rarity for the exes nowadays. he takes a shaky breath and smiles. “maybe… i don’t think i can handle meeting anyone right now. i… i can’t even watch you get married and i thought i could, i can’t even if i didn’t ask you to leave christopher for me.” he isn’t strong enough for this. it will be evident on his face if he attended the wedding. his heart is drumming in his chest snd not in the way it used to when he looked at her. you stupid, idiotic, worthless, pathetic peice of shit. why would she want you? there goes that voice again. taunting him. he ignores it to focus on venus. “you’re saying no, right— i should’ve known you would. no is the logical answer.” gabriel tries to not let himself get too emotional, but the dress isn’t helping. “i don’t think we have an expiration date, but you deserve to feel loved fully and i understand why you would choose him.. you are so happy and i want you to be, i do… i just wish it were me making you happy.” feeling the tears pricking away at his eyes, gabriel blinks them away, quickly. “the girls deserve a happy mom, for once.”

[openpassionates]

VENUS LIGHTLY SCRATCHES her head, careful not to ruin her new braids. she's not swayed by gabriel's confession and pleading but she's overwhelmed. there's already so many things happening and he only added to it. "i'm sure your love will be good enough for the next random girl you find but chris loves me enough to not get sidetracked. things feel secure with him. i feel secure around him." she gushes over chris again. she can tell she's making the right decision based on how mushy she's getting over him while he's not in the room. venus glances down at her hands being connected with gabriel's, contact that once made her feel fuzzy but has since fizzled out into making her feel nothing. "i don't wanna keep doing this pattern of a honeymoon phase then you getting annoyed with me and sabotaging us then you wanting me back when someone starts taking me seriously." she tells gabriel as she maintains their eye contact. "i can cherish our good memories but that doesn't mean we should see each other. i love our girls. i loved prom night. i loved our weddings. i can look back at those and smile while still being excited to create new memories with chris. don't you think we have an expiration date? we've had our time. there were fun times and there were wasted times."

what he’s asking isn’t fair, given the things he’s done out of spite. “i know, i know…” he sighs, preparing to give venus an explanation for his sudden confession. it’s a horrible thing i’m doing, but i have to do this regardless of what comes out of this.. i need you to know how i feel. i’ll do anything. i’m serious.” she’s clearly uncomfortable with this conversation. anyone could see that. he listens to her, patiently. he can’t be mad at her for pointing out his wrongdoings and cruelty towards her when he could’ve fixed things then; did better before it was too late to try. “i was being immature and spiteful when we got divorced, vee. it’s a choice that i deeply regret. i do love you. i may have gotten a little sidetracked for awhile, but that’s one thing i’m sure about.” reaching out to take her hands, he lightly smiles at her. there’s pain behind his eyes, but he knows it the consequences of his actions. gabriel got himself here and it’s no one else’s fault. “if you marry him, i’ll accept it to my best ability and bite my tongue. we never have to have this conversation again.” he promises.