Crossroads and Keepsakes

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Brindleton Bay
Harbor Haute Cuisine Restaurant & Bar
A few days after New Year's

Out of the sunny, but cold winter day, Briar Rose stepped into the cozy warmth of the restaurant, her gaze instinctively searched for the familiar mop of curly blonde hair. Spotting him, she felt a flutter of old affection when he waved, his arm a beacon in the bustling space. With a quickening pulse, she navigated through the tables, their reunion marked by a hug and a peck on the cheek—a testament to the enduring bond of their friendship. He was a gentleman as ever, pulling out her chair with a flourish that brought a smile to her lips, just as the waiter arrived to take their breakfast order.

The clink of cutlery and the murmur of conversations faded into a hush as Bri caught Brad’s lingering gaze.

“Braddy, you’re staring,” she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Sorry, it’s just…you look radiant. Seems like living in the land of the cowboys is becoming you surprisingly well. But you know, the campus isn’t quite the same without you, you are sorely missed,” Brad confessed, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

Bri’s smile wavered, her brow furrowing slightly. “Not gonna lie, some days the feeling is more mutual than on others, but overall, I do like it and it’s only for one semester, then I’ll be back studying with the rest of you guys. Look Brad, I am always up for hanging out with you, but your message… it sounded like an emergency. I was worried sick. I rushed here without a second thought, didn’t even leave a note for Jackson. He’s off with my dad since dawn, and I was too bleary-eyed to catch their plans. You know me, I am incapable of processing or retaining information before my first cup of coffee.”

Brad’s smile softened, a mischievous twinkle lighting up his eyes. “Maybe he’s out ring shopping, seeking your dad’s sage advice while asking him for your hand,” he ventured, earning a mock scowl from Bri.

“Come on, I am only 19, just like you, marriage definitely isn’t even on my mind, not for a long while, if at all, cos, ya know, for me it’s kinda pointless. Marriage makes sense if you have kids, which, as you well know, might not ever become a topic for me. Besides, I’ve got an extra semester to catch up on, thanks to my time at Jackson’s ranch. Unless I can cram in enough credits to graduate with the rest of you. That’ll be interesting,” she mused, her voice a blend of hope and determination.

“Maybe, though Jackson’s a bit older, isn’t he?” Brad prodded gently.

“Just by two years,” Bri confirmed, her tone resolute. “And he’s not in a rush to tie the knot either. His last relationship ended over that very discussion, so I’m pretty sure where he stands. But why this sudden melancholy and talk about rings? Hold on… did you—did you propose to Molly? You wouldn’t, would you?!”

Brad’s response was a somber nod, his usual brightness dimmed by the gravity of his news.

“Dude, why though?! Why the rush? You always said you wanted to be done with college and established in your career before you even thought about marriage and such, unless unforeseen circumstances were to…wait! Oh, my stars, you didn’t… she’s not…? Good God, I can see it in your face, she is!” Bri’s words tumbled out in a rush; her concern palpable. “Oh Braddy, what did you do?! You are gonna be a doctor, you know better than be lax about protection! Oh boy, but you don’t have to marry her because you knocked her up, it’s not the 1950s! What about your dreams, your college degree? And Molly’s. You can co-parent, like millions of other couples and get married in a few years without the rush. You literally just started dating, this is crazy! And Molly’s onboard with all that? Doesn’t sound like her at all!”

Brad’s sigh carried the weight of his predicament. “It wasn’t part of the plan; it just… happened. Molly and I were being careful, but life has a way of giving me the middle finger. Neither of us is thrilled about this situation. We found out about the pregnancy over New Year’s, and since then, we’ve been grappling with our options—the good, the bad, and the ugly. But from where I sit, it’s hard to tell which is which. Then, my dad accidentally overheard our conversation. Suddenly, there were no more choices to weigh. Dad decided that Molly was going to have the baby. Her parents were called, and they share my parents’ conservative values. They don’t want an out-of-wedlock situation tarnishing their family name. So, before Molly and I could even gasp, a wedding was set in motion. We have to legitimize our relationship before she starts showing. It’s unthinkable in our circles otherwise, as you well know,” Brad sighed deeply. He shot Briar Rose a sad look as he continued, “I know it’s awkward, asking an ex to attend your wedding. But having you there would mean the world to me, Bri. And Jackson, of course. If all goes as planned, we’ll exchange vows next month at the small chapel by the town square. I’ll be 20 in a few months, so it’s not that bad. I mean, 20 is all right-ish for all that, I guess. Right?” Brad almost sounded as if he were seeking Bri’s approval.

Bri sat frozen, her heart aching as she absorbed the reality of Brad’s words. The boy she once thought she would one day marry, though most definitely not at 19, the one she had loved through the tumult of her teenage years, was now on a path she never expected, and he was hurting because of it, yet there was absolutely nothing Bri could do to ease his pain. Their past, marred by her struggles and his father’s disapproval, hadn’t dimmed the care they still held for each other. And as the shock of his impending marriage settled in, Bri realized just how deep their roots had grown, entwined in a shared history that neither time nor distance could erase.

Briar Rose’s thoughts swirled with a bittersweet irony as she processed Brad’s revelation. The same issue that had driven a wedge between them, under the stern hand of Brad’s father, was now the very reason he was orchestrating a hasty marriage for his son. At 19, the age where freedom beckoned, Brad was stepping into a commitment that once seemed destined for her. The irony was as sharp as it was unexpected, a twist of fate that underscored the capricious nature of their intertwined paths.

Briar Rose reached across the table, her hand gently covering Brad’s. “I’ll be there,” she promised, her voice a soft echo of their shared past. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Oh, and Braddy–congratulations. Molly’s great and you are awesome, you two are perfect together and you’ll be such a great daddy. I’ll definitely be at the wedding.” With that vow hanging between them, their order arrived, and they finished their meal—a symphony of flavors that seemed to pale in comparison to the complexity of their conversation.

Brindleton Bay
The Elysium

Brad had insisted on escorting her home. The Elysium, her family’s grand estate, stood majestic under the still rising sun, its name a reflection of the idyllic life it represented. Walking up the old, familiar path to her front door, one he had taken so many times over the years, Briar Rose tried to weave words of hope and courage for Brad, her voice a lighthouse in the fog of his uncertainty.

“You’re stronger than you know, Brad. I am here for you, well, not so much currently, but I’ll be back on campus eventually. And no matter what, you’re not alone,” she said, her words wrapping around him like a warm blanket.

At her words, something within Brad crumbled. He leaned into her, his frame shaking as silent sobs escaped him, his tears a testament to the vulnerability he so rarely showed. Bri held him, her embrace a fortress against the world, until the sound of gravel crunching under tires announced the return of her father and Jackson.

Chase Cameron, with his mane of hair that spoke of his rockstar days, and Jackson Kershaw, the rugged horse rancher, stepped out of Briar Rose’s mother Hailey’s luxury SUV clashing starkly with Jackson’s natural, unrefined country allure. Their eyes took in the scene before them—Brad’s sporty convertible, once a birthday gift from his father, parked out front, Briar Rose in the arms of her former boyfriend, his body racked with emotion.

Chase’s protective instincts flared, a silent growl forming in his throat, but it was the look of understanding in Jackson’s eyes that halted him. Jackson knew the ties that bound Bri to her past with Brad, and he recognized the pain of a soul at a crossroads. With a subtle shake of his head, he signaled to Chase to hold back, to give Bri this moment of closure.

As Brad’s sobs subsided, he stepped back, wiping his eyes, a sheepish grin breaking through. “Sorry about that,” he mumbled, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Briar Rose smiled, her hand reaching up to smooth away the last of his tears. “No apologies needed. We’re all human, Brad, and we’re friends. And hey, we’ll get through this together, right?”

With a nod of gratitude, Brad turned to leave, his steps lighter than when he had arrived. Chase and Jackson approached, exchanging brief nods of greetings as Brad passed them before the performance engine of his Porsche howled up, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.

“Bri, is everything alright?” Chase asked, his voice laced with the remnants of his stage-commanding presence.

Bri nodded, her eyes meeting Jackson’s, finding solace in their steady gaze. “Everything’s fine, Dad. Just saying goodbye to an old friend.”

Jackson stepped forward, his presence a silent promise of support. “Come on, let’s get y’all inside. Y’look like y’could use some rest,” he drawled, his arm wrapping protectively around her shoulders as they headed towards the house, the doors of The Elysium welcoming them back to the sanctuary of home.

Later that same day at The Elysium

Following lunch with Bri’s parents, she and Jackson decided to go for some air. The sprawling backyard of The Elysium was a verdant oasis, the afternoon sun casting dappled shadows across its expanse. Briar-Rose and Jackson stood amidst the symphony of nature; the wind rustling in the treetops above, the salty ocean breeze filled with the scent of a slowly awakening nature following the hush of winter.

Jackson leaned against the old oak tree, his gaze following the flight of a flock of seagulls circling overhead. “So, Brad’s gettin’ hitched, huh?” he drawled, breaking the comfortable silence.

Briar-Rose let out a deep sigh. “Yeah, without trying to upset you by sounding strange about this, I’ll admit it was a shock to me. I never imagined him settling down so soon, especially under these circumstances. I mean, I am a Cameron, unplanned pregnancies have been a thing in my family for generations to the point the phrase ‘Cameron Curse’ was coined but getting married at 19–nowadays–because of it is a bit extra. That’s the mentality from back in the early 1900s or something. Typical Cunningham. Brad and Molly are both almost 20, yet they do what their parents tell them to. So crazy.”

He gave a slow nod, his eyes locking onto hers. “Well now, lemme tell ya, that’s still a thing down yonder where I hail from. Even in this modern age, I’ve witnessed my fair share of shotgun weddings, most of them were over 18. Life, darlin’, it’s chock-full of surprises. But you extending your shoulder to him? That speaks volumes ‘bout the kind of heart you got beatin’ in that chest. You see, most exes don’t get along so good.” His voice carried the warmth of a winter sun in the crisp air, and his drawl lingered like the scent of salt on the ocean breeze. 

She smiled, turning to him with a softness in her eyes. “Thanks for being so understanding about all this. Life really doesn’t always follow the script we write in our heads, does it? I mean, look at us. And then poor Brad. I know he doesn’t want any of this, but he just can’t seem to break free from it. I hope this works out, for his and for Molly’s sake. And for the baby.”

Jackson pushed off from the tree, got up, closing the distance between them. “That’s the beauty of it, though. We get to improvise, find new paths. Like we are doin’,” he said, his hand finding hers, their fingers intertwining naturally.

Briar-Rose leaned into his embrace, her head resting against his chest. “I’m so glad I have you, Jackson. Your understanding, your patience… you being here with me now. I know we only just saw my parents for Christmas, and here we are yet again in the Bay, but celebrating New Year’s with them was so nice, just what the doctor ordered. I had no idea I’d get homesick so easily, I never really have been separated from my parents for longer than a vacation. Even when dad and Colton were touring, they always tried to plan the away parts for school holidays and just take us kids along.”

He tipped her chin up, his eyes earnest. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else. And whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together. That’s my promise to you, Bri. Now and forever. I know I ain’t much to write home about, but I am loyal.”

As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s presence, the world beyond the backyard seemed to fade away, leaving only the certainty of their shared journey and the unspoken vows of support and love.

Briar-Rose eyed Jackson with a mix of curiosity and impatience. “So, where did you and Dad sneak off to this morning?” she asked, her tone genuinely curious.

Jackson’s lips curled into a teasing smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Now, why would I go spoilin’ the surprise?” he drawled, his Southern accent stretching the words.

Her gaze narrowed playfully, but before she could protest, Jackson produced a small jewelry box from his pocket, flipping it open with a flourish. Briar-Rose’s eyes widened, a gasp slipping from her lips.

“Don’t worry, darlin’,” Jackson chuckled, his laughter softening the mock sternness in his voice. “It ain’t a ring. Yer daddy would’ve killed me. I went askin’ him about pointin’ me towards a jewelry store today, wanted to know why, so I told him what I was lookin’ for. Yer momma really liked that, so she sent him with me to find something. Your mom wanted to go, but had some prior obligation, she said.”

Inside the box lay a delicate necklace, its chain glinting in the sunlight. Dangling from it was a pendant—a beautifully crafted horseshoe that seemed to hold a piece of their shared luck.

Briar-Rose’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes alight with delight. “Jackson, it’s beautiful,” she breathed, the earlier tension melting into a moment of pure joy.

He took the necklace and fastened it around her neck, his fingers brushing her skin. “Just a little somethin’ to show you how much you mean to me, and to bring ya luck,” he said, his voice low and sincere.

As she touched the pendant, feeling the intricate details under her fingertips, when Jackson pulled her in for a kiss. When it ended, they just stood there, her wrapped in his arms, comfortable just being together.

Watching on from a distance, Chase wrapped an arm around Hailey, their eyes following Briar Rose and Jackson’s embrace among the first early spring blossoms. Hailey let out a reflective sigh, her voice tinged with the warmth of the sun overhead.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been a few years since we stood here, watching Briar Rose with worry as she was so melancholic, feels like yesterday. Such a mess with her torn between Brad and Jackson. Then she collapsed, we almost lost her, and everything changed for her and for us. It was a lot to take in. I was worried about her, after she got the news about her impacted ability to have kids in future, wondering if she’d ever truly recover and then the mess with Brad’s father followed to make matters even worse—oh, I wanted to strangle that man. She was so sad, but I am glad she dodged that bullet of one day marrying into that Cunningham family. Brad is such a sweet boy, but that father of his is insufferable and it would appear you can’t have one without the other, so a hearty ‘no thank you’ from all of us! But now, just like nature awakening after the death of winter, I have this feeling… she’s going to be just fine. Our baby girl is gonna soar,” Hailey shared, her tone laced with hope.

Chase gave a thoughtful nod, his gaze lingering on a bee hovering over a daffodil. “I remember that day well. It shook us all and everything changed afterwards. Our Bri has a strength in her and while I heard all the medical reasoning, my parents and I aren’t convinced that she’s truly unable to have kids. It may be harder for her, but not impossible. Mom had five kids on just one ovary, I am one of them. Just hope it won’t be way too young by having an ‘oops’ moment like Brad. I kinda like Jackson now, but I don’t like him THAT much to wanna have him and Bri throw another grandkid at us already. One is still plenty at this time,” he said with a grin.

Hailey nudged him gently, her laughter soft but clear. “Jeeze, Gump! Let’s not borrow trouble now. We weren’t even sure about Jackson at first—him being a rancher and all—while Briar Rose was raised in a completely different world. But they’ve found their way to each other, and I have to admit, Jackson is growing on me too. He’s patient with her, keeps our little butterfly grounded, and he’s surprisingly mature for his age. Not to mention handsome—yeehaw, cowboy! Look at them, such a cute couple. And how sweet is this—the half-assed attempt to hide their making out from us in the wintery bare garden? I can see them loud and clear, even without my glasses.”

“I thought you said you don’t need glasses.”

“I don’t, not when I’m wearing my contacts. Seriously, Gump, let’s just be happy Bri’s happy. No need to bring up Brad’s situation and ruin the mood.”

Chase’s chuckles mingled with Hailey’s, a harmonious sound that underscored their shared amusement. They shifted their focus back to the present, where Briar Rose and Jackson stood amidst the burgeoning spring.

“Alright, Patches, let’s put aside any talk of the so-called Cameron Curse,” Chase said with a wink, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Today’s about savoring this moment and our daughter’s joy. And hey, if a cowboy’s what brings a smile to Bri’s face, then I’m all in for welcoming a Stetson-donning potential future son-in-law into the family.”

Hailey’s playful swat met his arm, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “Enough with the wedding bells and baby booties, Gump! Don’t you put that out in the universe just yet! They just started dating, I wanna hear no more about anything beyond that. They are young, they are in love, that’s that,” she teased, only to be silenced by a kiss from Chase that spoke volumes of their enduring love.

A few paces away, Briar Rose caught sight of the affectionate display and grimaced, her nose wrinkling in mock disgust.

“Oh no, not the parental PDA again. Talk about a mood killer,” she groaned, though the corners of her mouth twitched upwards.

Jackson’s laughter was light and easy, the sound carrying on the gentle breeze. “I reckon it’s kinda nice, seeing folks in love. My old man’s always planting kisses on Izzy, and it don’t bother me none. Means they’re happy, which beats the alternative any day.”

Briar Rose’s mock frustration dissolved into laughter, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Must you always be the voice of reason?”

“It’s a tough job, but one of us gotta do it, and that clearly ain’t gon’ be you,” Jackson retorted with a grin, his eyes alight with mischief, prompting Briar Rose to give chase, their laughter trailing behind them as they disappeared into the house.