San Sequoia
Seaglass Haven (home to Chase and Hailey Cameron)
Jasper snatched the piece of chocolate from Iris’s hand, ignoring her protests with a casual shrug.
“Doing you a favor. Can’t be seen dating fat chicks with bad skin once I make my big break. People dig up old pics.”
Iris’s curses were met with Connor’s snicker. “Well Jas, let’s hope no one digs up your pre-LASIK school pics. Personally, I liked your nerdy glasses and acne phase with the big hamster cheeks and that cute baby fat,” he teased.
“Wow, with family like this, who needs enemies?” Jasper huffed.
“Not your family, kid,” Chase said, entering the room with a box labeled ‘Christmas Stuff’ in Hailey’s handwriting.
“Aww, Daddy Chasey, you’re breaking my heart. But seriously, is it ‘hate on Jasper’ day again?”
“NOT YOUR DAD! You’re Colton’s and while I love my best friend, I am NOT claiming you! At least not until I absolutely have to. There’s still hope Iris changes her mind and finds a different boyfriend.” Chase grumbled, pulling open the box after placing it down.
“Don’t look at me for support, nerd. You called me fat,” Iris grumbled.
“No, I said I’m making sure you don’t get fat. Big difference. You know I think you’re hot and put any damn Victoria’s Secret supermodel to shame, babe.” Jasper started snuggling and smooching Iris, who tried to fight him off but couldn’t stop giggling.
“Not THAT again!” Chase grumbled, shaking his head. “Connor, where’s the goddamn Christmas stuff? This box says Christmas, but it’s old band merch.”
Connor shrugged. “Dad, I haven’t lived with you in over eight years and far as I recall I was never in your band, nor have I packed for your big move, so how am I supposed to know? You think my guilty pleasure is sneaking into your house when nobody is looking to repack all the boxes in your attic?” Connor laughed, receiving a shove from his dad.
“Well smartass, we spend Christmas together as a family every year, and since you’re the big, buff one, you’re usually the one tasked with putting stuff away.”
“Yeah, the brawns, Dad, not the curator of your household overflow items and nic nacs. Ask Mom.”
“PATCHES!” Chase rushed out of the room.
“Where are the newlyweds anyway?” Jasper peeked into the adjacent rooms, then out the window.
“Hey! None of that, we’re not there yet and no need to call forth genies we can’t put back into their bottle. Don’t even give them cutesy ideas or Dad will have a heart attack and a stroke. Last I saw them, they were outside, enjoying the view while smooching the lips off each other. You know Jackson isn’t much for being indoors for too long. Speaking of Jackson, dammit, I’m late. If Keira and Chris get back, tell them I had to go pick up Jack, Izzy and Cody from the airport.” Connor looked at his wristwatch then hectically grabbed his phone, keys and jacket.
“Take Jackson with you. It’s his dad, stepmom and half-brother. And it will give Bri’s lips a moment of peace, they have GOT to be raw as much as he’s been attached to them ever since Jas and I got here. To think they live together, if it’s anything like that, I am shocked she still has lips,” Iris suggested.
“Nah, thanks. I’m already gonna have to hurry, and Hop-Along-Jacky is a bit too laggy and draggy for my taste right now,” Connor said, then headed out.
A moment after he left, Chase entered, carrying another box, followed by Hailey, Keira, and Chris.
“Where’s my dad?” Chris wondered.
“Left for the airport. Just missed him.” Iris told her nephew.
“I was gonna go! Dad…. DAD waaaaiiiit for meeeee … ” Chris exclaimed and ran out.
“Chris! Slow down! Don’t run into a car! CHRIS, your coat! Argh, that kid…” Keira sighed when the front door slammed shut, the sound echoing in the hallway.
“No worries Keke, Chris is surprisingly fast on his little legs, managed to flag down Connor and is getting in the car now, that little brat. Maybe you should have another, sis. Second time’s a charm, maybe. If it’s better, you can give Chris up for adoption and keep the winner.” Jasper grinned at his older sister after peeking out the window.
“Mom and Dad should have given YOU up for adoption, you accident. Anybody hear anything about when they’re supposed to get here?” Keira wondered.
“Yeah, Maddie called a while back. Stuck in holiday traffic trying to leave DSV. They’ll be at least an hour late.” Hailey told her.
“Stuck in traffic, my ass. Colton was probably stuck in Maddie, balls deep,” Chase grumbled, receiving a shove from his wife along with a glare.
“It’s Christmas, Chase. Can we have a few quiet cozy, reflective and contemplative days without gutter talk a la Cameron–PLEASE?” she told him, frowning, while Chase rolled his eyes. Keira spoke up, shrugging.
“Personally, I don’t mind the gutter talk, as long as they don’t end up with another unwanted sibling for me. I know Mom is probably past her conception age, but knowing my luck … One of those is more than enough, Jasper’s face should be on every package of birth control as a warning of what could happen if you forget to use them,” Keira muttered, receiving the one-finger salute from her younger brother.
“My miraculous albeit accidental conception is a story of good fate and tenacity, not things YOU would know ANYTHING about, sis. By the way, is that a gray hair I see on you? And by one I mean several dozen?”
Keira shot back some off-color remarks, and the siblings started bickering like grade school children, not grown adults.
Some hours later, the house had filled up more. Colton and Maddie had made it, as had Jack, Izzy, and their young son Cody, whom Jackson and Bri were playing with.
“That baby sure looks good on y’all. Almost like he’s yer own,” Jack chuckled, receiving a raised index finger inches from his face from Chase.
“Shut your mouth right now, or you can celebrate Christmas out on the street, cowboy! Enough that your horse-and-occasionally-cougar-wrangling son and my 21-year-old daughter are engaged already when she should be in college instead of playing ‘Little House on the Prairie’ at your old ranch. I want to hear NOTHING about babies!”
“What’s got yer britches in a twist? They’re engaged, Chase. Whatcha reckon that means? Sooner or later, they’ll tie the knot and start a family like folks do. Our young’uns may be spry, but they ain’t no babies no more, partner. I’m hankerin’ to be a grandpappy one day, ain’t you? And I want that while I’m still spry enough to enjoy it. While I can still chase after a little ‘un and roll around on the floor with ’em.”
“I AM a grandpa already, thank you very much, and one is plenty for the time being.” Chase retorted.
“Yeah, grandpa says I am a handful.” Christian, Chase’s 6-year-old grandson by Connor and Keira, chimed in.
“Understatement of the century. You’re a nuclear disaster,” Jasper teased him.
“Well, Grampa Chase can handle more than you, Uncle Jas. So weak. SOOO weak,” Chris shot back, giving a ‘thumbs down’ gesture, making everyone laugh.
“Yer kid don’t just look like ya. I didn’t know ya when ya were his age, but if today’s any indication, I’d say he sounds like ya when you was his age too, Connor,” chuckled Jack at his best friend Connor’s expense.
“Oh, you got THAT right, Jack! Connor and Keira are getting back all they gave us and then some with our mini-Con-Bear here,” Hailey laughed.
Jackson and Bri were quieter than usual. Jackson was still healing from the cougar attack, not as resilient or active as he normally was, and he tired easily. But it was clear how much he enjoyed Christmas with the Camerons, his dad, stepmom and his little half-brother. Suddenly, Bri lifted off him, having been leaning against him with his arm wrapped around her.
“You’re buzzing,” she told him, prompting him to pull out his cell phone.
“Well, shoot, I didn’t even notice, I was so caught up in all this here. Oh, looky here, it’s Stryker. Reckon he’s wantin’ to wish everyone a Merry Christmas too.” Jackson announced, putting his phone on speaker. After the usual greetings and everyone yelling their well-wishes, Stryker spoke up.
“Well, since I got all of you on here already, I wanted to see if any of you have plans for New Year’s. If not, Sophie and I would love to have you here. Pretty sure we can set all of you up in some rooms for a few days. Soph and I are getting married again. Small event, but large family, so it will be kinda of a close circle deal, even though in our case that still means upward of 50 people. Her dad will officiate. We were gonna do it in fall, but after Jackson’s accident and his long recovery, we decided to wait until he’s upright again. We didn’t want to do it without you, man. Hoping you could be my best man, kid.”
Cheers erupted, and instantly, any and all New Year’s plans they had were out the window, replaced by new ones of attending a wedding.
“Don’t know how much good I can do for ya as yer best man, still flyin’ on half-staff here, but yeah, sure, it’s an honor I can’t deny. Here’s to hopin’ second time’s a charm for ya both. We’ll be there, and from the sounds of it, I’ll have a plus ten or more, if my dad and Izzy can make it,” Jackson said, while looking at his dad.
Jack shook his head then said, “Nah, son, we gotta get back. Yer lil’ sister was not happy she couldn’t come with us, so I promised her we’d be doin’ New Year’s over there with her. Congrats though there, Stryker, to yer wife as well.”
Windenburg
Old Downtown Area
Christmas came and went, and by December 30th, a large group made their way to Windenburg. While Jackson was off with Stryker for some last-minute groom and best man things, Bri walked into a restaurant, craning her neck, when a young, curly-haired blond man flagged her down.
They hugged, exchanged belated Christmas wishes, then were seated at a table.
“Good to see you. Thanks for the call. Appreciate it. Was hoping with me being in San Sequoia I’d see more of you, but guess you had your hands full with Jackson’s recovery. How is he?”
“He’s great. Still has a way to go but getting better every day. Also… this.” Bri said, holding out her hand to Brad. He took it, looked at the engagement ring, turning her hand this way and that, without letting go, he smiled.
“Congratulations. Do you have a date yet?”
“Sometime in the next century, if you ask my Dad.” Bri giggled.
Brad chuckled. “Well, you could always do what Molly and I did… definitely helps speed up the planning process.”
“Oh Gawd, no thank you! No offense, but we are definitely not ready for kids yet, unplanned or otherwise. Spending Christmas with my nephew and Jackson’s little brother, I am well served for the time being. Iris was about to move into a hotel.” Bri giggled.
“Yeah, after a week with a newborn you start wondering if they didn’t mean curse when they tell you children are a blessing, but one can get used to anything. Luckily, we had and still have a lot of help. Really does take a village.”
“Yeah, a village Jackson and I wouldn’t have. Just him and me and the horses, occasionally someone visits. So, thanks, but we’ll wait. Plus, there is still that issue… you know.”
“Yeah,” Brad inhaled deeply, scoffed, but then smiled a distant little smile, tilting his head slightly. “How could I forget. If it weren’t for that, who knows, you might be wearing my ring on your finger now.”
Bri exhaled audibly, closing her eyes, grimacing. “Not you with THAT again. I shouldn’t have called you…” She reached for her purse, but Brad grabbed her hand, his eyes pleading with her to stay.
“I’m sorry. Please stay. I’ll be quiet about that.”
“Brad, I keep thinking you’ll get over it eventually and we could really be friends, but every time I try, you do THIS and I feel like a complete idiot. I’m starting to wonder if that will ever happen. What you told Jackson at the hospital resonated with me, about not cutting us out of each other’s lives completely, but now I’m wondering if maybe that’s what needs to happen. You’re hopeless. And it’s annoying! We tried, it didn’t work, and I love Jackson. The end.”
Bri’s voice cracked as she spoke, her eyes welling up with frustration and sadness. She reached for her purse, her movements hurried and shaky.
“Bri! I’m sorry… please stay,” Brad pleaded, his voice desperate and filled with regret. He grabbed her hand, his grip firm yet gentle, his eyes searching hers for any sign of forgiveness.
“Brad, I can’t keep doing this. Every time I see you, it’s like ripping open an old wound. I need to move on, and so do you,” Bri said, her voice trembling. She tried to pull her hand away, but Brad held on, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Please, Bri. Just give me one more chance. I promise I won’t bring it up again. I just… I can’t lose you completely,” Brad’s voice was barely above a whisper, his desperation palpable.
Bri looked at him, her heart aching. She took a deep breath, her resolve wavering. “Brad, I need you to understand. I love Jackson. He’s my future. You need to let me go.”
Brad’s grip loosened, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “I understand. I just… I wish things were different.”
Bri nodded, her own tears threatening to spill over. “Once upon a time I felt that way too, Brad. But things are different now. I’ve moved on, and I’m in love with Jackson. It’s not a temporary thing, it’s the real deal. Everyone keeps telling us we’re so young, but I also remember people saying, ‘when you know, you know.’ And I know. We know. He’s the one. I don’t have room in my heart and life for two men like that. Something has to give. So, if you’re serious about friendship between us, then I need you to understand and believe that friendship is all there is left for me to give to you. There isn’t a double bottom.”
“Yeah, I know. I feel the same way about Molly. I think she and I were meant to be. I’ve been told by others, including her brother Tyler, that she’s been in love with me since 9th grade. I just didn’t see her because my eyes were always on you, ever since I started liking girls that way. And with you, I knew you weren’t after my money or my legacy. All those years I was Jasper’s friend, at your house all the time… speaking of, how is Jasper?”
“Fine. Jas is always fine, I think, as long as he has Iris. Nobody knows why he’s so crazy about her. All she does is abuse him, yell at him, and then make out with him so hard there’s steam coming off them. Jas is here in Windenburg too. I can call him and see if he…”
“Ah, Bri, I think we’re not quite ready for that. He’s still sore with me, I noticed that last time we talked. Always the same tune everyone tells me: stay away from Bri. I swear one day that will be my epitaph.”
“Well, be friendly and not creepy, and I’m sure everyone will quit. Maybe we can do a triple date: you, Molly, Jas, Iris, Jackson, and me. I’m sure there’s some time tomorrow. Mom is making us all drive out to Brindleton Bay anyway, to see her sister, my Aunt Michelle, even though I cringe at the thought of seeing what’s left of my childhood home. Or better: what’s not there anymore.”
“Well, that would be nice if you could get them to go, but maybe during a future visit, I think Jasper needs a little more time to be able to be civil around me again. Don’t worry about the house, I assure you it won’t be as bad as you think. Mom and Dad pulled some strings. Our new house, the stables and most of the landscaping are finished. Some smaller things are left since it’s winter now, but it may just look like a different place altogether to you and not evoke memories. I would invite you all over, but I have a feeling that’s just asking for it, especially with Jasper AND Jackson at the same time. I think if we all meet up, it should be on neutral grounds, maybe for lunch or dinner or a coffee.”
“Yeah, and I’d like Jackson be back to full health before we attempt that, just in case he has to separate you and Jasper. You still got the horses? You mentioned stables being built last time I saw you.”
“We have two Clydesdales left, the two oldest ones you still know: Clyde and Clara. The rest were sold off. We’re looking to switch breeds. Thoroughbreds of some kind, warmbloods. We’re looking at various breeds and breeders. Turns out Molly does like horseback riding, just not the massive drafts, so we’re switching gears.”
“Oh, Jackson might be able to help you with that. He knows EVERYTHING about horses, his dad taught him. Jack, that’s Jackson’s father, is a walking encyclopedia on all things equestrian. As is his wife, Izzy.”
“No offense, Bri, but I think that’s a different kind of horse than we’re thinking.”
“I think you underestimate them. Izzy and Jack were the main caretakers of the royal Cromwell horses and still get called to help out or give expert opinions. I don’t think you can get any more prestigious and exquisite than a Cromweller. You think the royals let just anyone near their horses? I’ve ridden one and let me tell you, there is a reason they are so expensive. The Ferraris, Lambos and McLarens of equines.”
“Oh yeah? No, I did NOT know that. We were actually looking at those, but quickly realized they’re outside of our price range. We may be able to swing stud fees once we have found some good mares and trained them.”
“I might be able to get you a good deal. On a horse or a stud fee, or both, seeing how the queen is my cousin. For you, Brad, and for Molly. NOT for your dad. No offense to you, but that douche can ride a wild pig straight off a cliff for all I care.” Bri’s tone changed for the latter part, making Brad laugh.
“Lovely image, but my dad doesn’t ride anymore. Health problems.”
“Aww, sad face.” her tone and facial expression told the real truth.
Brad chuckled, shaking his head. “This is why I can’t let go. You are just the right amount of sugar and spice. Jackson is a lucky man. So am I that you didn’t just write me off and turn your back. I’ll do better from now on, cos I really can’t lose my occasionally dose of Briar Rose. I feel rejuvenated already.”
Windenburg Isle
Hayes Estate
The next day, the last-minute wedding preparations were in full swing. The house buzzed with activity as family and friends arrived, filling the rooms with laughter and excitement. Jackson and Bri were busy helping out, Jackson was a little nervous but excited to fulfill his honorable role in the wedding.
As the evening approached, Jackson stood by Stryker’s side, ready to fulfill his role as best man. Bri watched from the sidelines, her heart swelling with pride and love for the man she adored. He looked dapper next to the bridal party, no easy feat, as Sophie and Stryker were positively beaming.
The ceremony was beautiful, filled with heartfelt vows and joyous tears. As Stryker and Sophie exchanged rings, for the second time in their lives, there was barely a dry eye left in the house. Their story was certainly one for the ages. Jackson couldn’t help but glance at Bri, imagining their own wedding day. One fine day.
After the ceremony, the celebration continued late into the night. Jackson and Bri danced together, lost in their own world.
There was a brief moment of collectively held breaths when Stryker’s mother, who unlike several members of the bride’s family, had not been chosen to be part of the bridal party, pushed Hailey too far with her frequent snarky remarks.
“Oh, will you shut up already, you old harpy?!” Hailey hissed at her, inciting wide-eyed stares that quickly turned into withheld snickers.
“Excuse you?! Who are you even?!” Theresa shot back, but this triggered Hailey’s best friend Maddie to spring into action.
“Who she is?! Oh my God, woman, which rock have YOU been living under for the past 30-some years? Hailey is ‘only’ the wife/band manager of the frontman of one of the biggest Rock Bands ever! Go outside and touch some grass sometimes, will you?” Maddie’s tone clearly warned not to pick a fight with her.
“Come on, ladies, let’s not start anything at a wedding…” Chase tried to mediate.
“And who are YOU supposed to be now, and who named you leader?! That will be the day that some graying late teen who seems afraid of hairdressers tells me what to do!” Theresa retorted.
What followed most certainly made the event memorable for all, a shouting match between Theresa, Hailey, Maddie and even Iris chimed in, filled with snarky remarks, ending with Connor and Jay, the bride’s father, separating the group and escorting Theresa to the ferry back to the mainland.
“Sorry about that, Stryker, but your mother is insufferable,” Hailey muttered through gritted teeth at him, while Chase, Colton, Maddie, Jasper, Briar Rose, Jackson and Iris Marie looked still angry but also embarrassed.
“No need to tell me,” he shrugged. “Why do you think I ended up sliding so deep into addictions? Started early, cos she’s always been like that. I would have never invited that witch, but the wifey made me,” Stryker said with a sheepish side-glance at his wife Sophie, who shrugged.
“She is our children’s grandmother. And she is great with them; they like her. And don’t worry about it. You just said what I always wanted to say to her, but like I said, she is my kids’ grandma and I am supposed to be a role model.”
“Yeah, and my parents played the part of bad example fabulously. Just glad Chris was upstairs sleeping for that,” Connor sighed, smirking at his parents, sister, Colton, and Maddie.
“No, I wasn’t!” Christian’s voice chimed in. “I saw everything. My grandparents 1, Stryker’s mom zero. Womp womp.”
Connor turned around to his son, picking him up. “You were supposed to be asleep like a good boy, remember? Mom and I let you stay up an entire hour later than normal so you could see the ceremony.”
“Yeah, but I had to pee, I was thirsty, and I remembered how the groom always crawls under the bride’s dress in the movies and then flicks some rubber band into the audience. I wanted to see that!” the little boy explained, inciting laughter.
“Sophie, why do brides wear rubber bands and where do you keep them?” he directed his question at the bride.
Laughing, Sophie, who loved kids and had babysat since she was 13 until she had her own five children, took him from Connor.
“Come here you sweet, hilarious little troublemaker, I’ll explain that to you on your way back upstairs to your bed. I’ll show you again where the bathroom is and I’ll get you some water for the nightstand, okay? Say night-night to your daddy, mommy and the others, okay?”
Watching them walk off, Connor nodded.
“She IS good, I give her that. Usually, at bedtime, that sweet little loinfruit of mine turns into a Gremlin who got wet in the middle of a buffet after midnight. That kid fights having to go to bed while barely able to keep his eyes open. Maybe I’ll leave him here for bootcamp.”
“Why do you think we have so many? Soph loves kids, and watching her with them is magical,” Stryker told him.
“You gonna have any more?” Jackson wondered.
“Well, it crossed my mind, but after my catastrophic collapse, I have to be glad that my tools even work at all, at least sometimes. The doctors all told me I’d be shooting blanks, if anything. So, probably not, unless by some miracle one of my zombie swimmers happens to be virile enough to accomplish the unlikely. I’ll admit though, I’d like to. I know she would love it.”
“Not the distant-glared-wet-eyed ‘I wish I could have babies’ spiel again,” Iris groaned, scoffing. “I heard that so many times from Bri ever since her ovary debacle, then she finally got over it until she got together with Jackson and back to the reruns again, Bri dreaming about little mini-Jacksons she may or may never have. Then I come to a wedding only to have to listen to Stryker with the same tune. I just wanna puke. Anyone ever heard the news? Overpopulation is a real thing, guys, jeeze!”
The twins were the next who had to be separated by their mom, who managed to silence both quickly until they were each sitting, pouting, arms crossed, at opposite ends of the couch.
“Bet ya never regretted anything more than askin’ me to be yer best man, huh?” Jackson said near Stryker’s ear.
“Jackson, I regret just about every choice I ever made in my life, except Sophie and my kids, but this isn’t one. You saved my life, kid. You helped me heal. You, Bri, Soph, and our Con-Bear over there. Oh, and Chase too, back when he could still speed travel. And even before, this family you are gonna marry into one fine day are great people. Without them, I would never have had my second—well, I guess it’s probably closer to a number in the double digits by now for chances, but you know what I mean. I wouldn’t never have gotten to marry the love of my life a second time. So, no, I do not regret asking you to be my best man, nor having all of you here. I owe a lot you all of you.”
“Not even joking,” Maddie frowned. “You would still be with that skeleton Uglycia,” she added, inciting collective groans, moans, and frowns.
“Who the heck is that? Never heard that name before,” Jackson wondered.
“Never envied you more, Jackson. I told you about her back when I was staying with you, we mean Alycia Stiles, aka Uglycia, my ex, and the bane of my -and Sophie’s – existence. Just about killed me, several times, and that’s all I am willing to say about that. You make sure you don’t do any stupid crap to lose Bri, she’s an angel.”
Smiling and winking at Bri for a second, Jackson tipped his hat at Stryker, “No Sir. I’ll make sure to keep her or I’ll die tryin’.”
“Oh please! Bri’s the angel, yeah right. Angel, my ass, I know what all she’s been up to over the past few years and that wasn’t angelic! If she’s a sweet little angel, then what am I? The holy saint of chopped liver? Well, what else is new!” Iris complained.
“Iris, I love you, babe, but if anyone were to ever call you an angel they either wanna fuck with you or already are fucking with you!” her boyfriend Jasper told her, receiving a hail of swats for it.
“Hate to agree with Jasper on this, but kinda have to.” Chase told his daughter.
“Iris is MY little angel girl! Just like Bri is my angel and Connor is my angel boy! Iris just has to be assertive so she can be a serious and tough lawyer one day, right, my baby girl?” Hailey wrapped an arm around Iris Marie, kissing the top of her head and pulling her close. Iris’ big brother Connor raised an eyebrow, smirking.
“Well, by your logic, Mom, she must have wanted to be an attorney when she was a toddler. I remember coming home from college, and Bri was so happy to see me, snuggling and loving on me. Whenever I tried to hold little Iris, she screamed her head off and bit me.”
“She may not be a toddler anymore, but she still does that to me nowadays. If I want some affection, I’m just out of luck. If I pushed the issue, she’d probably still scream and bite—unless she’s in the mood. Then I better man up and put out ASAP or there’ll be hell to pay… She’s like a human version of Grumpy Cat,” Jasper snickered, expertly dodging a barrage of pillows from Iris.
“Great topic, kid. Just what the father of the girl you’re dating wants to hear,” Chase grumbled.
“Whatever! You all deserved it. So sick and tired of it being always Bri first and Iris-who? The curse of a middle child,” pouted Iris.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, that’s just straight-up bullshit! I always treated all of my kids the same.” Hailey exclaimed, nudging Iris.
“Agree with Hailz there, that sounds like some steaming pile of bullshit. How can you be a middle child when you’re twins?” Colton scoffed.
“You think I popped them both out at the same time?! Have Connor explain female anatomy to you again! Even with multiples, there is a sequence; one is always first, duh!” Hailey laughed, giving Colton a playful nudge.
Maddie shrugged, “See what I have to deal with? Colton might be easy on the eyes, but the nonsense he comes out with is just ridiculous sometimes. They say the dumber the man, the better the sex, and you never heard me complain about that.”
Brindleton Bay
The next day saw the group back in Brindleton Bay for the first time in almost a year. Hailey, Chase, Maddie, and Colton had a great time with Hailey’s younger sister Michelle and her husband Aiden. Their oldest daughter, Kristin, had gotten engaged, while their younger son, Donovan, entertained Iris Marie and Jasper with tales of his college adventures.
Since they owned horses, Jackson and Bri were hard to keep indoors. They quickly befriended the horses and were offered to take two out for a ride. Chasing each other along the beach on the borrowed steeds, they laughed and had fun until they ran into two other riders: Brad and Molly Cunningham.
After a few awkward moments and greetings, they all ended up riding back to the new Cunningham Estates, restored to their former glory by using old photographs and having architects modernize and upgrade the property. Briar Rose felt strange riding up to what used to be her childhood home, but now with a different house on it. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt as she thought it would. Nor did it when Molly insisted on getting her and Brad’s son. Bri realized she felt okay with it all. Smiling, she looked at Jackson as he accepted the child from Molly. The little boy squeaked with joy at Jackson’s cowboy hat, and Jackson put it on him. Naturally, it was way too big for the toddler’s head, but that didn’t take away from the fun the kid had with it. They started talking while Brad put up his horses and fed the two Jackson and Bri had been riding. By the time Molly realized it was time for the baby’s nap, they all noticed he had fallen asleep in Jackson’s arms.
“That never happened before. He gets super-fussy and does not want to be held when tired. It is so hard to get him into bed if we miss the sweet spot. Jackson, I know all this is awkward, but would you mind bringing him inside? Bri, that’s okay with you, right?”
“We can all go in. My parents aren’t home and they won’t be till Sunday. Come on, guys, we’ll put my son to bed and then I’ll make coffee.”
“Well, if you’re coming too, I will make coffee. Bri, would you help me?”
“Ummm,” Bri looked concerned, clearly worried the two guys might break out into a battle.
“It’ll be fine, we’ll be quick.” Jackson winked at her, as if guaranteeing that her worries were unfounded.
And so it happened. Briar Rose watched the two young men disappear up the stairs with the toddler while she followed Molly into the kitchen, which Bri had to admit was part of a very nice-looking, tasteful and clearly upscale home.
The moment they entered the kitchen, Molly turned to her, hugging her.
“I am so sorry for everything, Bri, but I hope we can still be friends. I miss you, I miss the late nights up talking and laughing till our parents would knock on the door, remember that? Man, we had the best of times. I really miss that so much. We must meet up again more. Jackson and you seem happy, so me and Brad, it shouldn’t be so awkward, right?”
“Of course I remember and of course I miss you too, but you know, it’s kinda hard to do. Obviously, I live across the country now, as do my parents, so it’s not like I could just swing by here for a coffee or something. And I am glad you get along with his parents, but I can’t with them. No way can I just sit here with you, Brad and those two assholes and have a decent time. I’d be miserable the entire time, no offense. Knowing your wonderful father-in-law he’d probably land jabs at Jackson and I’d go to jail for ripping his face off his dumb head!”
Molly looked around as if to make sure nobody would overhear.
“That shouldn’t be such a problem at all. You and Jackson could come here and stay with us and we get to do girl’s stuff while the boys do…well, whatever boys do. I am sure Brad and Jackson could work something out. As for his parents … well, I am not supposed to tell anyone, but he’s dying, Bri. The old Cunningham. And Brad’s mom has already told me that she’ll move back to Evergreen Harbor once he’s gone. I just gotta hang in until then. Fingers crossed it won’t be too long.” She giggled, then got serious, putting a hand to her mouth. “Oops, that came out wrong. I mean, nobody should have to die before their time but… well, you know. Right?”
“Well, technically yes, but in Cunningham Sr.’s case those rules don’t apply. That man barely qualifies as human. More like a cockroach in human form.” Bri said.
A moment of silence fell, then, almost simultaneously, the girls burst into hysterical laughter until tears rolled down their faces and they hugged.
“I love you, Bri, you know that. I wasn’t trying to steal Brad from you, you know that too, right?”
“Oh my God, yes! That never even crossed my mind. I didn’t know you liked him. Someone mentioned you crushed on him even back in high school. Why did you never say anything? We were friends! I felt like such an idiot for not knowing!”
“Were friends? Past tense?” Molly’s deep ocean-blue eyes looked sad.
“Figure of speech. ARE friends.”
“So, we’re good?”
“Yes, of course. You and I never had a problem, we just both had a lot going on and ended up being ships passing in the night. And I love you too, Moll. You’re one of my oldest friends. Even if you are now a Cunningham. Eeew.”
“Hey! Shut up, you. Cunningham is a good name, if you take the current patriarch out of the equation. And may I remind you that YOU wanted to be a Cunningham once upon a time. I remember you sitting next to me in class doodling ‘Briar Rose Cunningham’ with hearts as dots over the ‘i’ all over your notebook. And you can’t be serious asking me why I never said anything. THAT is why! You were dating him then. You don’t tell your best friend you are hopelessly in love with her man! Besides, Brad never even saw me back then anyway, I was totally invisible to him.”
“Oh gawd, yeah, I remember. Once a teacher saw me writing and came over, so you dumped your coke on my notepad trying to help. All my class notes, ruined, but it worked. I didn’t get outed for trying on his last name.” They both giggled.
Meanwhile upstairs, Jackson had put the little boy in his bed, tucked him in, and his dad had kissed the baby’s forehead. After they snuck out of the room, carefully shutting the door, Jackson turned to head back down the stairs, but Brad held on to his sleeve. A few steps away from the nursery, he turned to him.
“I wanted to apologize to you for everything. I know you and I didn’t have a good start. Or middle. Well, I wanted you to know that I have a lot of respect for you and hope you and Bri are happy and have a great future together. And thanks for… this. This is all I want. Just to see her, and you if you are up for it, you’re always invited too.”
Jackson looked taken aback and a little overwhelmed by the oddness of the moment. Scratching his neck, more a gesture of awkwardness than an itch, he inhaled deeply.
“Well, I guess I should apologize too. I did interfere a lot, but as ya know, Bri isn’t easy to let go. She was yours first when I already wanted her and, well, I probably shouldn’t have said out loud what I said in the hospital.”
“Well, you weren’t telling me anything new. She had fessed up to me, and I had chosen to forgive her. She always admitted to all her wrongs. She has this something about her, I don’t know what to call it, but spending time with her is like medicine.”
“Well, ain’t easy listenin’ to another guy sayin’ that, but hard to argue with. She sure is something, very special, one of a kind. But looks like y’all are happy here.”
Brad inhaled deeply, nodding.
“My father is dying of terminal cancer. I know I should be sad, and I am, but I feel relief. He is a very demanding person, being around him wears on anyone. My mother already said once he’s gone, she’ll be moving back near her family in Evergreen Harbor.”
“Sorry to hear that, I think. But it’s probably good for ya and yer wife and kid. You get a chance to do better without him chimin’ in.”
Brad nodded, then looked up at Jackson.
“This is going to sound horrible, but after all that happened between him and Bri, our relationship has been tarnished. For what it’s worth, Molly really helped me heal from all of it. I am lucky to have her, she opened my eyes to a lot of truths I just didn’t want to see. I made a lot of mistakes, with Bri, with Molly and with you. I am really not the asshole you might think me as.”
Surprised by Brad’s choice of words, Jackson couldn’t help but snicker.
“Well, I think we all are assholes sometimes. And we all got our reasons, or at least we think we do.”
“Thanks for being so understanding. And thanks for sharing Bri with me.”
Jackson’s smile vanished, his head snapped to Brad, his eyes narrowed.
“Naw, ya got that all mixed up there, Brad. I ain’t sharin’ her, no Sir. Bri’s her own person, she wanna see ya, talk to ya, I can’t and won’t stop her. But you make no mistake now, Brad, I don’t share. Best remember that, cos I don’t wanna have to remind ya.”
With those words, Jackson left Brad standing there and limped down the stairs to find Briar Rose.
EchoesOfLegacy 