In a dry, dusty, rugged yet still beautiful environment, a former socialite, daughter of entertainment superstars who had grown up in the prestigious coastal town of Brindleton Bay, received a quick kiss and hug from her mom, Hailey. The tulle of her wedding gown rustled in the brief embrace as the young woman’s father arrived to fetch them.
Hailey exited with a kiss for Chase, her husband, who today was cast in a new role as father of the bride. The warm afternoon sun falling in through the old wooden chapel’s large windows cast a golden glow over the scene, highlighting the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. His smile was melancholic, undoubtedly seeing the beautiful young bride before him as the little girl who used to run into his arms. He now offered one of those arms to her, and she smiled and hugged him instead. He held her tight, kissing her, then gently pushed her off, knowing if he didn’t, he would lose what little composure he had left.
“Your sister worked hard on that makeup, don’t smear it all over my good suit now,” he teased, his voice thick with emotion, a slight tremor betraying his attempt to stay composed.
“I don’t care, Daddy. I love you,” she replied, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, her voice a soft whisper that carried the weight of years of love and memories.
“I love you too, Bri. Always have, always will. Come on, they are waiting for you.”
“For us. They are waiting for us,” she insisted, her grip on his arm tightening as if to draw strength from him.
“No baby, for you. This is YOUR big day. I had all the time in the spotlight and on stages, this is all you, sweetheart,” he said, his voice breaking slightly as he looked into her eyes, filled with pride and love.
“All right, fine, I am ready, Daddy,” she said, taking a deep breath, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.
As they stepped out, the soft rustle of her gown mingled with the haunting, hopeful tunes of ‘Canon in D’ which now filled the air, and the guests in the small wooden chapel all rose, their faces lighting up with smiles and tears of joy. The aisle seemed to stretch endlessly before them, a path lined with the love and support of family and friends.
Chase and Briar Rose took their first steps down the aisle. All she could see was the best man, Chayton, pointing at her, and as if in slow motion, she saw the groom turn towards her. Her heart stopped, then pounded, watching his mouth gape open. His bright blue eyes seemed to shine in his tan face, for once not overshadowed by his old cowboy hat. His smile made his teeth gleam, and Bri smiled too.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen stood at the front, a testament to the couple’s deep connections and shared history. The maid of honor, Iris Marie, Bri’s twin sister, stood proudly, her eyes mirroring Bri’s emotions. Next to her was Ashton-Leigh, Chayton’s wife, followed by Keira, Connor’s wife, Sophie Hayes and Izzy, Jack’s wife, with little ring bearer Cody standing next to her, clutching the rings tightly on a small pillow. The flower girl, Vivienne, Jack’s daughter and Jackson’s half-sister, scattered petals with a joyful smile.
On the groom’s side, Chayton, Jackson’s best friend and best man, stood tall and proud. Beside him were Jackson’s father, Jack, who had overcome so much to be there, and Stryker Hayes, a man Jackson had helped save from the brink of death. Jasper Hargrave, Bri’s lifelong best friend and aspiring actor, added a touch of glamour to the lineup, while Connor, Bri’s brother, with the build of a football linebacker, completed the group.
The moody moment was interrupted as they passed Colton, Chase’s best friend and bandmate from their college days when they founded the legendary grunge rock band, 2Dark 2C. Colton leaned in and whispered, “Don’t trip now, bro,” with a mischievous grin. In response, Chase flipped him off with his free hand, causing the entire chapel to erupt in laughter.
Still chuckling, Chase handed his daughter over to the groom after raising her veil. As Bri turned sideways, she revealed an undeniable baby bump, a poignant symbol of her resilience and determination. This bride was not as innocent as her white gown and veil might suggest, but the fact that she was standing there, pregnant and radiant, was nothing short of a miracle.
Bri had faced a harrowing journey. As a teenager, she had collapsed in her backyard after ovarian cysts ruptured, leading to the removal of one ovary and scarring on the other. The prognosis had been grim; she was told she might never be able to conceive. Yet here she was, defying the odds. Her pregnancy had been an unplanned shock and a surprise, fraught with risks. The couple had faced a difficult choice: terminate the pregnancy to avoid potential life-threatening complications or try to carry to term, knowing the dangers.
They chose to fight for their dream. Bri had moved back to her parents’ home in San Sequoia for closer medical supervision, enduring weekly checkups and the constant fear of losing the pregnancy at any given moment. Jackson went to see her, staying a few days at a time as often as he could manage. Then his old truck kept breaking down, making it impossible for him to make the 3 hour one way drive so often, so Briar Rose’s brother Connor, or her father Chase would go pick him up and take him back.
Reaching the 37th week was a milestone; the chances were now high that even if complications arose, the twins would survive.
Oh yes, that had been the next surprise: twins.
A boy and a girl, already named Beau Wyatt and Bonnie Rose, Bonnie and Beau. At first it complicated the pregnancy even further, but soon, everyone was joking that they were stronger united. Somehow the idea was born that Jackson and Briar Rose wanted to be married before the babies arrived, leading to this day.
Jackson took her hand, kissed it, then they turned to the priest. A few side-glances at him showed Bri that Jackson was fighting the tears, trying so hard to hide it, until Connor took the pocket square from Jasper’s pocket and handed it to him, since his own had been used to blow Jackson’s toddler half-brother’s runny nose earlier. Bri felt like she was in a dream throughout the ceremony; it felt surreal, even though she could feel Jackson’s hand still holding hers. When the priest asked them to repeat, she repeated, but it wasn’t until the kiss, the applause, and since this was Chestnut Ridge, the enthusiastic ‘yeehaws,’ when they turned to the congregation and were announced as Mr. and Mrs. Kershaw for the very first time, that it sunk in that she had just entered the next chapter of her life, as a wife and soon-to-be mother.
The entire celebration was a blur to her.
She remembered feeling elated, remembered laughing, happiness, dancing, registered hugs and kisses, and well-wishes. She tasted the exquisite food prepared by chef Sophie, who was there with her husband Stryker and their five kids, two of them with girlfriends. She saw her family laughing, dancing, celebrating her and Jackson. The entire population of Chestnut Ridge seemed to be there, including Jackson’s dad, Jack, who was dancing in a circle with his two younger children Cody and Vivienne and his young wife, Izzy, when Bri watched her brother Connor, join in with his young son, Chris, and wife Keira, their laughter echoing through the night.
At some point, Jackson whisked her away for their bridal getaway, to enjoy their wedding night at a remote cabin with the best view of the stars, so big and bright, uninterrupted by city lights. A last final reprieve for them to enjoy being a couple before all the sleepless nights that lay ahead.
Laying on a blanket outside, as the night was balmy and beautiful, while looking up at the stars, talking about the wedding, their affections grew more intense. Just as Jackson rolled slightly on top of her, both entangled, making out hard, at the verge of more, she cringed and wailed in pain.
Within moments, it was clear she had gone into labor and her water had already broken. With no cell phone service, Jackson knew he could neither move her nor leave her to get help. So, without any assistance, the twins were born under the Chestnut Ridge stars, their cries mingling with the sounds of the night.
***
Early the next morning, a couple dressed as bride and groom showed up at the San Sequoia Medical Center where Bri’s brother Connor worked as Chief of Staff. They evoked shocked glares from everyone as they were carrying newborns, wrapped in what had been intended to be the bride and groom’s getaway clothing, each child cradled in a cowboy hat.
With eyes as big as saucers, one of the check-in desk nurses unfroze from their shocked state long enough to get on the intercom. “Paging Dr. Cameron, Dr. CAMERON, please report to triage immediately! DR. CAMERON!” while another came running with a wheelchair, placing Bri into it, then both babies in her lap, while Jackson started filling out paperwork.
Dr. Connor Cameron finally came running through the employee-only door. He stopped short, staring at Bri and Jackson—filthy, tired-looking, seemingly all right. “What did you do?! Those were still inside you last time I saw you just hours ago! Dammit, Bri! Do you ALWAYS have to pull such stunts?! Can you never stick to the plan, like EVER!?”
Connor approached, mouth agape as if in wonder, as he briefly looked at the babies, relief washing over his face when as a seasoned doctor he instantly saw they were alive. Both were pink and healthy-looking, their eyes blinking open occasionally and clear and when one yawned, he saw pinkish gums. The boy let out a hearty burp, which echoed through the unusually quiet hospital lobby, unfreezing all from the shock, while causing a small ripple of laughter. Connor briefly looked at the babies then at Bri, kissing her.
“Well, at least that one’s digestion seems to be working well. Have they had a meal yet? Did they latch on? Any throw up or issues? Have they voided? How are you? Wait, did you two do this on your own?!”
“Yup, homemade all the way around. And trust me, the timing wasn’t really my idea, so blame your brand-new niece and nephew, Con-Bear. And yeah, both ate, so far, the food has stayed in. After the initial shock both wouldn’t stop crying, so Jackson thought we should try, and they snapped on like little piranhas. Healthy appetite too, I thought they were gonna suck my boobies right off!”
“TMI, sis, but nice! Well, they seem to have inherited your knack for causing drama and finding trouble, just like their parents used to and clearly still do,” Connor replied with a chuckle. “Come on guys, let’s get all of you looked at. I gotta say, Bri, for having such a rough pregnancy, you put any healthy woman with a regular pregnancy to shame, having a wedding one day, then popping out twins like it’s nothing, and here you are, little filthier than usual, but then again, we do enjoy ourselves some good ole country livin’, huh, so what’s a little dirt on the tires, am I right?” while speaking Connor had carefully taken the little girl out of the hat, wrapped in her mom’s getaway dress when the baby raised her arm and a pair of Briar Rose’s underwear dangled off it.
Wide-eyed stares ensued, until Connor raised an eyebrow at his beet red sister, who grabbed the pair of undies off her daughter’s arm, and since her wedding gown had no pockets, she stuffed them into Jackson’s suit pockets. Shaking his head at her, Connor groaned.
“Please don’t tell me you are going commando in the middle of a bustling town like San Sequoia, not to mention, my place of work!”
“No! They are extra, unused. Can you just let it go?” Bri snapped, her cheeks aglow.
“If I must. There is always Thanksgiving, and Christmas and ….” Connor dodged an implied kick by his sister, who cringed, clearly still very sore and weakened, while Jackson grumbled.
“Hey Connor, mind layin’ off ridin’ mah wife’s rear for a minute there? We had a night, and just wanna make sure she and our kids are all right. We’re tired, exhausted, and Bri probably needs stitches.”
“Impatience runs in the family, huh? You’re right, come on back then.” Connor waved at the check-in counter staff, “I got this.” then turned to the staff door, unlocking it with his key card, fast-tracking his sister and brother-in-law, plus his niece and nephew to an exam room.
“Her pregnancy bein’ so rough and high-risk,” Jackson explained as Connor examined Bri himself to speed up the process rather than find a colleague to do it instead. “I had to deliver them myself with nothin’ but high hopes and a pocketknife sterilized over a fire. Bri seemed to have come through without too much damage, but I don’t really know what I’m lookin’ for. And we’re both suspicious of how smooth it went, all things considered, and how good everything seems to be doin’. Feels like we’re missin’ something. Came here as soon as we could travel.”
Connor nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “You did a good job, Jackson. Bri, any unusual pain or bleeding? Issues you noticed?”
Briar shook her head. “It was intense, but I feel okay. Just… tired. So tired. Oh, peeing was brutal! Is that normal?”
Connor smiled reassuringly. “Well, yeah, that would be normal, you’re probably torn. And not to scare you, but the other bodily functions are gonna be a bit of a drama for a little while too. Alright, let’s take a look. Sorry, Bri, I know, normally we both try to avoid this, just forget I am your brother for a little while, I’ll do the same. You want Jackson to give you privacy for this?”
“Nope. He’s literally seen every angle, nook and cranny of mine by now, while I was at my worst. I really don’t have any secrets left from him.”
“Yeah, I’d like to stay. I really need to hear you say that Bri’s absolutely fine, and the babies are fine, and to be honest. I am so exhausted, I just wanna sit.”
After a thorough examination, Connor confirmed that while Briar had some minor tearing, it wasn’t severe. “You’ll need stitches, but nothing too serious, I’ll have a nurse prep you and I can get that knocked out in a few minutes. I see no signs of infections, but we’ll run a few tests. You’re lucky, given the circumstances. Now, let’s check on these little ones.” On the chair, Connor rolled over to the bassinets and inspected each child thoroughly.
The twins were small but healthy, each letting out a strong wail as Connor unwrapped them to examine them. “Yes, yes, I know, suddenly feels cold, give me a second you little airhorn and I’ll put you in a nice and soft and warm spot.” Connor cooed and probed, then finally turned to the parents with a smile “Well guys, happy to report they look perfect. A bit early, a bit smaller and lighter than we normally would like, but nothing that really concerns me, we’ can’t handle, we’ll get them fattened up in no time. We’ll keep an eye on them for a bit, but I am confident to say they’re going to be just fine. I’d like them to stay overnight, and you too, Bri, and maybe after I release you, you both could stay with Keira and me or with mom and dad for a bit. Just to make sure we’re in dry towels here. Oh, and I might just offer you a position here at the hospital as a midwife or maternity nurse. Nice job, Jackson.”
Jackson chuckled, tipping his hat, which he had reclaimed once his children moved on to bassinets instead of their parents’ hats as makeshift cradles. “Well, Connor, no offense, but I am just not gonna do that ever again. Done it plenty times for horses, luckily, so I had at least some idea here, but the human layout is different, and I have never been married to any of my previous mothers before, knowing this was Bri and our kids was scary, and I don’t need a repeat.” he said with a strangely hoarse voice.
Chuckling, Connor patted the young husband and father on his shoulder. “I understand. I remember my first delivery, and when my own son was born, I was torn between wanting to run far, far away and shoving the doctor aside to do it myself. You made nice clean cuts on the umbilical cords—not too long, not too short. Bri’s tearing is very minimal, especially for twins. Since they’re both so little, the kids wouldn’t look any better had we delivered them here.”
Jackson let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Thank you, Connor. I think the entire Frontier Ridge mountain range just fell off my shoulders.”
Connor patted Jackson’s shoulder. “You did great, Jackson. Now let’s get Bri and the babies settled. You all need some rest. And let’s get both of you out of your wedding clothing. I’ll ask Mom or Keira to take it all to get dry cleaned, so you can at least offer it to your kids one day.”
As they were being led to their room, Briar Rose turned to Jackson and smiled weakly. “Looks like we made it.”
Tests came back stellar. Despite the unexpected and dramatic birth, both mother and children were fine and healthy. The hospital staff quickly took over, ensuring that Bri and the twins received the care and rest they needed. Meanwhile, Connor took Jackson to the staff showers, offering him some clean clothes from his locker. Afterward, they headed out for a beer, which Jackson seemed to want to crawl into.
***
By the time they got back to Bri, her and Connor’s parents Chase and Hailey, Bri’s twin sister Iris Marie with her fiancé Jasper, and of course Connor’s wife Keira were there, receiving him with a kiss, before all continued to coo over the young mother and newborns. It was a scene of pure joy and familial love until Jasper, ever the jokester, couldn’t help himself.
“Yo Chase, that one even has your hair,” he quipped, pointing at Beau’s dark, wild tuft of hair that looked like it had weathered a tornado.
Chase, laughing, put Jasper in a playful headlock. “Oh yeah? How about we’ll make yours match?” He ruffled Jasper’s perfectly styled textured quiff with an undercut, making it look like a nest.
Jasper managed to free himself, frantically trying to fix his hair. “Chase, do you have any idea how long it took to perfect this? Hours! I don’t style my hair like you clearly have all your life, by standing out in a stiff seabreeze with a bottle of AquaNet! Mine is a quiff, which is considered the sexiest haircut for men, you know. Not to mention, it’s my secret weapon! My signature style! I designed this specific cut myself!”
Chase chuckled, shaking his head. “Kid, I don’t need to style my hair, it looks like that on its own because of all the BS you kids have pulled and continue to pull, like my daughter shitting out twins in what was supposed to be her wedding night. Show me the father of three worth a damn whose hair wouldn’t stand straight up! I am shocked I can get through any doors with all you kids have thrown my way.”
Jasper grumbled, bending over the in-room sink, trying to fix his hair in the mirror. “Well, as you like to remind me, I am not even your kid, and I am not responsible for Bri’s babies, nor for her shitty timing. So there. Lighting here is crap. How are the ladies even supposed to get their makeup on? I can’t tell if my hair is better or worse now.”
Iris sauntered over, ruffling Jasper’s hair again with a grin. “Oh, stop fussing, Jasper. You’ve got the whole ‘woke up like this’ look down. Very rockstar chic and soooooooo sexy. Hm hm yummy.” she playfully slapped his butt.
Jasper shot her a playful glare. “You think this is funny, do you?”
Iris laughed. “Absolutely. You look like you just crawled out of a haystack with one of those chicks who are always all over you when we go see Bri and Jackson in their one-horse town at the end of the world, including the one who was one attempt of sitting on your lap away from her untimely death at Bri and Jackson’s wedding yesterday. You look perfect for your big performance at the barn dance tonight.”
“Hardee har har, Iris. Sounds like my wonderful fiancée and her family are a bunch of A-holes,” Jasper retorted, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.
Iris smiled, running her fingers through his hair. “You know you love us juuuuust the way we are,” she whispered.
“I do love this crazy-ass family, but one of you especially. Unfortunately, that person chooses to be an A-Hole and a BiAAAtch way more than I would like. Oh, the things we do for love,” Jasper said theatrically, his tone playful yet affectionate.
“Oh, you know you love it. You need it. You beg for it with your own A-Holyness,” Iris teased, kissing him on the tip of the nose.
Jasper grinned, then did a theatrical dip kiss, before pulling her close. “No, what I am begging for is your sweet and gentle side, man, that gets me to do just about anything, that little bat of the eye, that certain smile and when you get all sweet and cuddly…. hmm hmm hmm! In fact, I’m obsessed with it. So much so, that I just endure the moments of BiAAAtch. Like, if insufferable was an Olympic sport, you’d have the gold medal and a fan club. But luckily you’re also damn hot and got a nice ass. Total distraction from the fact that you’re a BiAAAtch most of the time,” he said, his voice between teasing and sincere.
Iris instantly turned into the sweet and cuddly version he described, and they shared a kiss until Chase’s voice interrupted them. “Hey, you two, let’s keep it appropriate. We’re in a hospital, not plotting the conception of another grandchild for Hailey and me. I’m relieved these two are here and healthy, after 38 weeks of unnecessary drama and worry.” grinning he waited for the very much expected fallout and Iris Marie didn’t disappoint.
“Well Dad, unlike my sister and her new husband, we understand how to use birth control effectively. Therefore, you won’t be receiving any baby announcements from us until we’re both 100% ready. Hint: that is not now, not next month and probably not in the next few years, just FYI.”
“Hey!” Briar Rose yelled, hurling a pillow at her sister, striking her square on. Iris retaliated swiftly, hurling the pillow back and sparking a full-blown pillow fight. The twins’ feathery skirmish was cut short when their older brother Connor intervened with a soothing gesture—only to be caught off-guard by a rogue pillow. In a playful riposte, he swaddled Briar Rose in blankets so she couldn’t move, while simultaneously trapping Iris in a headlock. As Iris started to grumble, Connor playfully silenced her by tickling her lips, turning her gripes into a series of humorous sounds.
As Jasper rushed to help Iris, Connor released her and seized Jasper, proceeding to tousle his cherished hair. Once freed, Jasper had a mouthful of retorts, but his words were drowned out by the babies’ sudden cries, eliciting chuckles from all. Hailey, Chase’s wife, smiled and shook her head. “They may have their grandpa’s wild hair, but they both sound exactly like you, Jasper.”
Laughter echoed around the room, even Jasper couldn’t help it, even though he flipped Hailey off.
***
The next few weeks were a time of learning and adjusting for Briar Rose and Jackson. After staying with her parents for a while, who patiently and methodically taught them how to care for newborns, they returned to Chestnut Ridge, where life eventually settled into a new, chaotic rhythm.
The twins, Beau and Bonnie, were the talk of the town, their story growing more dramatic and legendary with each telling. The community rallied around the new parents, offering support in every form imaginable—homemade meals, baby clothes, and endless advice. The story of the twins’ birth under the stars spread quickly, becoming a legendary tale in Chestnut Ridge. This town, with its rich fused cultural heritage, embraced the story wholeheartedly. It wasn’t just a birth; it was a tale of resilience and love that etched the Kershaw family into the fabric of the town’s history. Briar Rose didn’t have to try to fit in anymore, she was now a part of it, irrevocable.
Told around campfires and during festivals, the story of the star-born twins would be cherished and remembered for generations, a testament to the enduring spirit of Chestnut Ridge. Chayton Graywolf, Jackson’s best friend, once stopped by with his parents and some other of their fellow tribesmen, including the wise Elder from the native community they were part of to see the magical twins, the Elder conducted the blessing ceremony, recognizing the special birth of the twins under the stars, while giving them native names: Atsadi for the boy, meaning “Star”, and Nokomis for the girl, meaning “Daughter of the Moon”.
While watching the ritual being performed among the chants of the others, Jackson took Bri’s hand and whispered, “For better or worse, yer part of this land now, and so are our kids.”
One sunny afternoon, Bri sat on the porch, cradling Bonnie while Beau dozed in the bassinet beside her. The sound of Jackson hammering away on the new room additions echoed across the ranch. Bri’s heart swelled with gratitude as she watched her husband work, his dedication unwavering even amidst sleepless nights and endless diaper changes.
Bri’s thoughts drifted to the future. She envisioned the twins growing up in Chestnut Ridge, running through the fields, learning to ride horses, and being surrounded by the love and laughter of their family. It was a beautiful dream, and she was determined to make it a reality. Maybe it all happened before anyone was ready for it, but it had happened.
She remembered being 16-year-old, waking up in the hospital after emergency surgery to the news she might never have children of her own. She remembered the heartbreak when her then-love, Brad, and she finally gave up fighting his father’s many attempts to break them up because according to him, Bri was broken. Brad strongly disagreed with his father and fought, as had Bri, but both realized how powerful he really was. Not to mention that all the conflict had driven her back towards her first crush, Jackson, which was even more complicated.
Her pregnancy had been rough and difficult, leading to much time spent apart from Jackson, to be able to at least have a chance to carry to term despite the low odds. While the actual birth had been more than scary and definitely painful, oddly, it was quick and left no lasting damage on mother or children.
Only Jackson was still shaken up from having to figure out how to deliver babies alone in the wilderness with no proper equipment, barely hot water and towels, having to cut the umbilical cords with his pocketknife, sterilized over a fire. Luckily, being twins and a bit early, they were small enough not to tear their mother too badly, until he could load them all up in his truck and drive straight to San Sequoia the moment Bri and the babies had recovered enough. Jackson didn’t frighten or panic easily, but he was then.
Just then, Jackson appeared, wiping sweat from his brow and grinning from ear to ear. “Guess what, darlin’? The new rooms are finally framed. Beginnin’ to look like livable space.”
Bri smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. “I’ll look at them in a minute, but already know they’re perfect. You’re amazing, and that definitely takes one worry off…”
He sat down beside her, gently taking Bonnie from her arms. “We’re going to be just fine, Bri. These little ones are fighters, just like their Momma. I always told ya. Didn’t we stand right over yonder, ya tellin’ me about the surgery and what they said, and I told ya I didn’t believe it for a minute? See, sometimes I know a thing or two about a thing or two.” He winked.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she leaned into him. “Yes, you did and you were right, Jackson. We’re all fighters here. It was right over… ‘yonder‘… when Chayton and the others brought you home after you had become a chew toy for a damn cougar. I thought I’d die.”
Jackson chuckled, causing Bonnie to open her eyes wide and stare at him, then realizing it’s just daddy, she yawned and closed her eyes while stretching her little fingers. “Yeah, but ya didn’t, didcha? And neither did I. Just like I told ya then, I’d be fine, and look at me, I am fine. More than fine. Dead-tired, but fine.” He winked at her, making her giggle.
“Fine, you were right. You’re also dehydrated. I’ll get you some water.”
“Make that beer, babe. Been a good boy, thinkin’ I deserve one then.” Jackson grinned boyishly.
“You need water, Jackson, we can’t have you get sick or collapse now.”
Bri got up, shooting him a look, smiling, but in the kitchen she decided to get him both, water and his well-deserved beer. When she got back outside, she found him fast asleep, snoring, drooling, with Bonnie in his arms equally fast asleep. Giggling, Bri sat down the beverages, pulled out her cell phone, and took a pic, which she sent to all their family.
Jack: “Yup, that’s what fatherhood looks like. 70% running around like a dang chicken with its head cut off and the other time so tired you pass out walkin’.”
Izzy (Jack’s wife): “Try being a mother then.”
Hailey: “I was just typing the exact same thing!”
Keira: “Me three!”
Iris: “I was gonna say looks like Jasper on any given day. Including in the bedroom.”
Jasper: “How would you know, you’re never around, too busy being Miss Important Attorney. I pass out waiting for you to grace me with your presence. Normal couples would live together by now, yet, here we are, me in Del Sol Valley, you in San Sequoia. I have to drive 3 damn hours each way just to see my fiancée! Cos she can’t be bothered to drive over here!”
Iris: “Well, one of us has to have a lucrative career, Mr. Big-Show-Actor, famous for his roles in …. ummm … and also … erm …. That’s right, I went there! You have a lot more spare time to drive than I do.”
Jasper: “BiAAAAAtch!”
Iris: “Sue me!”
Chase: “Seriously, you guys woke me from my well-deserved dad-nap for this shit?! My damn phone is about to go for a swim in the pool with all that non-stop buzzing. Does nobody use a phone to make calls anymore?!”
Colton: “Nobody ever knows if you are awake or asleep anyway, Boomer …”
Chase: “Ironic coming from someone older than me, BOOMER! Who even asked you? Not even your grandbabies. Why are you even included in this group text?”
Maddie: “Hey, we’re family you moron! You know the rule, Chase. I am the only one who gets to abuse my husband, don’t make me come over there!”
Keira: “Mom, shouldn’t you be at work?”
Maddie: “I AM at work. It’s called being the boss.”
Chris: “Cool, can anyone come get me? School’s lame, I wanna help Jackson build rooms and ride his horses again!”
Connor: “Why are you on your phone?! Put that away and get back to class!”
Chris: ” I am in class; how else would I know it’s bo…”
Chris: “This is Miss Alvarez. Your son will have to stay after school, again, and someone will have to come pick him up from the principal’s office. He will be without his phone until you do. Again!”
Connor: “Dammit Bri! Why did you include my son on the list!?”
Briar Rose: “He’s family, isn’t he? If I left him off, you and Keira would have ridden my @$$ off a cliff for it!”
Keira: “It’s okay, I’ll get him. You did it the last three times, Con-Bear.”
Hailey: “Three times?! What is going on with my grandson? Why is this the first I am hearing about this?! Are his grades okay?! I think I might be driving over to his school to pick him up and have a word with that Miss Alvarez!”
Connor: “Oh God, Mom, please don’t! Dad do not let your wife leave the house! Keira, get over to my parents’ house right now and prevent this! I will be there as soon as I can get a colleague to cover!”
Bri sighed, before turning off her phone, grimacing, but laughing. Yup, that was her crazy family, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She didn’t pick them, but she sure loved them and wouldn’t change them for the world. Just like her life.
Here she was, Briar Rose, the former socialite with dreams of performing on the world’s biggest stages, a performer, like her father and his father before him, wife of Brad, the wealthy heir to a medical empire, living in prestigious Brindleton Bay. Oddly, those dreams didn’t even sound good to her anymore.
She sat down, watching her new husband and their two new babies, hearing their horses nicker and snort in the background, as their dog Millie now came trotting onto the porch, shaking her fur before gently sniffing Jackson, Bonnie and then stretching her nose to sniff Beau in his crib, before settling next to Bri, who absentmindedly pet her, while dwelling how her life had turned out nothing as she had ever dreamed it would, yet she felt happier and calmer than ever.
EchoesOfLegacy 