Twilight
In the twilight of their lives, Blaine and Scarlett savored a love that transcended time and defied the laws of nature. From mortal to immortal and back again, their bond was as eternal as the sun they finally embraced. Blaine, a world-renowned rock musician and music producer, found sanctuary in Scarlett’s arms—a place where the world’s noise faded away, leaving only their shared heartbeat.
When they decided to abandon their immortality, it was a choice fueled by the heartache of outliving those they loved. Scarlett, born a vampire, relished in the simple joys of mortality: the warmth of the sun on her skin for the first time, the rich flavors of food, the fleeting nature of life. After raising seven children and several more fosters together, some of whom were already retirement age or had passed on, they thought their parenting days were long behind them. However, the transformation back to mortality brought unexpected surprises—Scarlett’s pregnancy was an unplanned blessing that reignited their sense of purpose. Somehow, returning to mortal life had rekindled their ability to conceive, which had long dried up during their vampiric years. They embraced this miracle with hearts full of hope, seeing it as a chance to build a new chapter of their legacy.
Blaine and Scarlett had eagerly anticipated the arrival of little Blaine, their excitement palpable as they picked out nursery colors and furniture, and laughed over tiny clothes. They looked forward to raising another child together, reliving the joy and challenges they had experienced decades ago with their older children.
But fate, in its harsh and unforgiving manner, dealt a cruel blow. Complications during childbirth claimed Scarlett’s life. One moment, she was fine—glowing with excitement as she welcomed their new baby boy, holding him close and beaming up at Blaine. The next moment, she was flatlining. Blaine was quickly ushered out of the room, only to receive the grim news a short while later. It was as if the universe had played a heart-wrenching trick, tearing her away in the instant they believed they had it all.
Feeling lost and alone in the world, Blaine was left to cradle their newborn son amidst the shards of his shattered heart. The weight of her absence pressed down on him, a constant reminder of the love they had lost. All the laughter that always got them through even the roughest patches was now gone from his life.
The days following Scarlett’s death were a blur of grief and despair. Blaine found solace in the memories of their decades together, but the ache of her absence was a wound that refused to heal. As a father and a public figure, he faced a crossroads. Blaine didn’t want to disrupt the lives of his seven grown children or their descendants, many of whom had grandchildren or in a few cases even great-grandchildren older than his youngest son. It felt awkward and burdensome to impose his problems on them. In search of guidance, he turned to a different source of support.
Cry for Help
Blaine felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness and awkwardness as he clutched Blaine Junior close to his chest. The huge age gap between his baby and his other children made it feel strange to go to them for help. It was a burden he couldn’t bring himself to place on them.
Blaine stood at the entrance of Castello Vannucci, its medieval stone walls casting long shadows in the dim twilight. The chill in the air seeped into his bones. The castle guards, aware of Blaine’s identity, allowed him to pass. His heart heavy with grief and desperation, he needed help, guidance—anything to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume him. The stables out front were silent, the horses restless in their stalls, adding to the eerie ambiance.
The massive wooden doors creaked open, their sound echoing through the stillness. The stewards, medieval-styled staff, greeted Blaine and showed him through the castle’s cavernous halls. Each step echoed like the tolling of a death knell, amplifying Blaine’s sense of doom. Clutching his newborn son, he felt as if he were being led to the guillotines.
The cold, stone walls whispered of ancient secrets and unspoken fears, casting an eerie silence that mirrored Blaine’s turmoil. They finally reached Cesare Vannucci’s study. The steward announced, “Grand Master, Blaine Cameron requests an audience.”
The study was dimly lit, lined with towering bookshelves filled with ancient tomes. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows that danced across the room. Cesare sat behind a large mahogany desk, a chalice of dark, crimson liquid in his hand. He looked every bit the Florentine nobleman from the height of the Italian Renaissance, with his elegant attire and dignified bearing. Yet his once stern and just demeanor was now hardened by bitterness, his silvery grey eyes cold and unyielding.
Across from him stood Blaine, a stark contrast in his rock musician attire: leather pants, a band tee, and shaggy hair that gave him a rugged, modern appearance.
“You dare show your face here?! What do you want?!” Cesare’s voice rang with a mix of fury and pain.
Blaine hesitated, his voice trembling as he spoke. “Cesare, I… I need your help. Scarlett is gone, and I know not how to even exist without her, let alone raise Blaine Junior without her. She was my rock, my everything, and I feel lost and can’t even think straight. I don’t have anyone else to go to, our children are older themselves, some nearing the end of their own days I can’t burden them with this now. Most have grandchildren or great-grandchildren older than my son. Please, for Scarlett’s sake, in her honor, and for baby Blaine’s sake, help me. I need help, I am begging you, Cesare. He is your grandson…” he pleaded.
Cesare’s eyes, cold and unyielding, bore into Blaine’s soul. “Help? HELP?! You dare ask me for help? You dare come here, expecting sympathy? You, who brought this upon us? And that… creature you are holding is NOT my grandson!” he spat, his voice dripping with venom, as he slowly rose from his chair. The chalice trembled in his hand, its contents threatening to spill. “Your weakness and insolence led to my beloved daughter’s death. You and your mortal folly clouded her mind, she allowed it and I allowed it for she loved you so. All your talk of natural death, it is UNNATURAL for a vampire to die, as it is unnatural for a mortal to have so many children! You didn’t need another baby! But YOU wanted all this. You caused all this with your glee and gluttony!” He glanced at Blaine Junior, a pained expression crossing his face. “And now, you bring this… reminder of your failure before me asking for help!? I should have you killed for it, and that… thing as well!”
Cesare’s voice grew colder. “You are fortunate that my son Caelan is not here, or he would have torn you to pieces on sight. And this time, I would not have stopped him. Luck seems to be on the side of fools, Blaine.”
In a sudden outburst of rage, unusual for him, known for his stoic composure even in the face of adversity, Cesare hurled the chalice at the fireplace. As the chalice hit the flames, the wine combusted, causing the fire to flare up with an explosive burst. Blaine winced and instinctively clutched his newborn son to his chest, shielding him protectively. For the first time ever, Blaine felt a pang of fear towards his (former) father-in-law, Cesare.
Cesare stood there, his chest heaving, eyes blazing with a mixture of grief and anger. The firelight flickered wildly, casting a chaotic glow over the scene. The dark liquid from the chalice splattered like blood, staining the ancient stones of the fireplace. The room was filled with a tense silence, the air thick with unspoken emotions.
Blaine’s heart raced as he looked at Cesare, his mind struggling to reconcile the man he had known for many decades with the fury he now witnessed. The weight of Scarlett’s absence pressed down on them both, leaving them grappling with the overwhelming grief and the daunting reality of moving forward without her.
Cesare turned his back to Blaine, unable to look at him or the baby. “Leave, while you still can,” he hissed, his voice a low growl. “For I have a good mind to end you and that abomination you created which killed my daughter, the apple of my eye. That you dare show your face around me! My darling wife Breanne has not left our private chambers since we received word of Scarlett’s death. She might never get over our beautiful daughter’s death, nor will I! You have destroyed everything! LEAVE! GO NOW, or I will guarantee for nothing!” Cesare’s voice echoed eerily and preternaturally off the stone walls, sending a chill down Blaine’s spine.
Just as Blaine began to step back, Cesare whirled around, his eyes glowing with an eerie light, fangs bared in a terrifying display. Blaine became painfully aware of the imbalance of power in the room, realizing that he and his son were completely at the vampire Grand Master Elder’s mercy. The sheer force of Cesare’s rage and power made Blaine’s heart race with fear.
A steward approached to escort Blaine out, but Cesare had more to say, his voice deep and dark. “Listen to me and listen well: Never come back here, Blaine. I will instruct my staff and guards accordingly. You are no longer welcome, nor is anyone in your family. They all died along with my beautiful little girl Scarlett, none of them exist to any of us any longer! I will not see that hellacious creature you are holding. I will not acknowledge this betrayal of everything I stand for, everything my beloved daughter stood for, which you took from her and from us! I have tried over and over again to integrate you into our society, you fought me left and right and now, now you have gone too far! It is only because my daughter loved you so that I spared your life so far, but the longer you stand there, soiling the sanctity of my home with your unwelcome presence and the little devil you call son. You are no longer welcome here, Blaine. Leave, and take your entire cursed legacy with you. If I ever see you here again, you will not live to tell the tale! That is a threat and a promise!” Turning to the steward, Cesare spat with anger, his eyes seeming to glow. “Get this man and the creature out of my sight, have him ported back to his dismal home and inform all that if he is ever allowed near this castle, I will hold all of you responsible and you will be executed alongside him!”
“Yes, Grand Master! Right away, Grand Master,” the steward bowed several times, clearly afraid, grabbing Blaine’s upper arm and pulling him with. The icy coldness of the vampire’s touch radiated through his clothing.
Tears stung Blaine’s eyes as the gates of Castello Vannucci closed behind him with a resounding thud, he felt the full weight of his loss. Next, he felt the steward’s arms around him and his baby, the familiar buzzing and blurry darkness of porting, which soon unblurred into the gates of his own mansion in the prestigious Del Sol Valley hills. Immediately the vampire steward was gone again, leaving Blaine alone with his newborn son. The chill of the night air bit at his skin, emphasizing his isolation. He was truly alone, facing a future without the love of his life and the support of Scarlett’s family.
Planned Departures
Chase noticed his father’s somber demeanor and leaned in to his wife Hailey. “Patches, don’t you think my dad is seriously off today?” he whispered.
“Oh Gump, cut Blaine some slack! His wife just died, baby. Losing your mom is hard on you, imagine how he feels. I’d be more worried if he acted normal, then again, hard to define normal where he’s concerned,” she replied softly, squeezing his hand.
Connor, sitting on the other side of Chase, leaned in as well. “I kinda get where Dad’s coming from though. I noticed it too. Grampa has lost his parents and other loved ones, his best friend, all of that threw him, he was down then too, but not like this. From a medical standpoint, I think he needs professional support—grief counseling, maybe medication. I’m going to pull him aside later and talk to him about it. Grampa seriously lost footing, I think. That’s rough in its own, but with a newborn to take care of, yeah, I am concerned too.”
As dessert was served and everyone continued to linger, talking and catching up, Chase noticed that Blaine had been absent for longer than what a typical bathroom break would take. The baby, Blaine Jr., was still in his travel bed in the dining room, content and peaceful, but his father’s absence grew more concerning by the minute.
Trusting his instincts, Chase nudged Connor, and they slipped away from the festivities, determined to find Blaine. They ascended the grand staircase, the soft carpet muffling their hurried footsteps. Connor checked a few of the rooms, while Chase made his way straight to the marital bedroom as if drawn by an inner navigation. The sight that greeted him there froze his heart. Blaine lay unconscious on the bed, surrounded by scattered photos of happier times. The images captured moments of Blaine and Scarlett with their children at various ages, a visual journey through their lives together. Beside Blaine, a sealed letter marked “To My Beloved Children” rested ominously.
Chase’s mind raced as he cursed, then called out for help. “Connor! Get over here—NOW!”
Connor, a seasoned doctor, came running within moments. At six foot five, with an athletic build and longish blond hair, he cut an imposing figure. His keen eye quickly assessed the situation and began administering aid to his grandfather while Chase called for the ambulance. Minutes felt like hours, but finally, Blaine was put on temporary life support and hauled off by a care team.
Fighting his emotions, Chase looked at his son, who shrugged. “I am going with them. I’ll keep you and Mom posted!” Connor said, running out after the ambulance staff, explaining who he was.
How To Save a Life
The sterile white walls of the hospital room contrasted sharply with the weight of the emotions within. The faint beeping of the heart monitor provided a rhythmic backdrop to the heavy atmosphere. Connor sat beside Blaine’s bed, holding his grandfather’s hand. As Blaine slowly regained consciousness, his eyelids fluttered open and shut several times. Confusion clouded his eyes as he blinked, trying to orient himself to his surroundings. Gradually, recognition dawned on his face when he saw Connor beside him.
“Shit, unless they make angels looking like my grandson, I am still here. I can’t even do THAT right…” he groaned, his voice weakened but still carrying the gravelly edge of a rock musician who had spent a lifetime belting out tunes.
Connor’s eyes softened, but his grip remained firm. “Grandpa, I get it. I understand the pain you’re in. We’re all hurting. But a quick exit isn’t the answer. You have a baby who needs his daddy. Nice touch, by the way, naming me Blaine Jr.’s guardian in your suicide note, but I have to politely decline. I’ll help, Keke and Chris will help, so will Mom and Dad and the girls, and Jasper and Jackson, even Jack offered to come down and pitch in, but not like this, Grampa! Seriously, what were you thinking?!”
Blaine’s eyes filled with tears as he whispered, “No, not a lecture now, Con-Bear, you don’t get it. I loved raising my kids, and you grandkids and the great-grands, it was the highlight of my life along with being on stage, but I can’t do any of that without my Letty. You raise him, Connor. You and your daddy and sisters, you have such a great, tight family. You guys have exactly what I wanted for all my kids, some got it, some not so much, and most are scattered all over the world, but you guys, your little branch of our family tree all stayed close together. And you are all our kind of people. That’s why Letty and I came to see you so much, your grandmother and I just felt so much at home with you guys and you are such a smart man, always know the right thing to do and say, you would be perfect to raise baby Blaine. Vivien and her family are always working, and I think she is pissed at me now because Caelan won’t speak to her anymore, since I got you all blacklisted with the vampires, AG has all those rules at the palace every time I went there I felt like just me standing there humiliated them all, Gavin has that nitwit wife, Bianca just makes my brain hurt each time she opens her mouth, Caitlin and her boys are scattered all over the world, the twins are doing their own thing, Blake is… well, we both know he won’t be around for much longer because of his health, and after his wife died he just isn’t himself anymore, and I feel so helpless. Am I supposed to ask all of them for help with a new baby, their sibling? Was easier when I had fangs, never got tired and could just port. Having to rely on planes sucks as does running out of steam and having to sleep. Not to mention that unturning is getting me older fast. I think by the time Blaine Jr. is in school, I’ll be on a walker. Cesare was right, I caused some serious shit here.”
Connor shook his head, his voice gentle but resolute. “Grandpa, I get it, we all do, it’s a real SNAFU. We can sit here and what-if everything to death, I get how it’s hard to even get out of bed these days for you, but Blaine Jr. needs you. He’s just a helpless little newborn, doesn’t have a chance unless you give him one. He needs to know his dad and he needs to grow up knowing his mom too. No one else can do that for him the way you can, he needs you for that. We’re here to help, but you have to be the one to guide him, teach him, remind him who grandma was. You really can’t bow out now. Sorry grampa, just not an option. I won’t let you. Plus, my son still has a right to fully experience you, as have my nieces and nephew. No easy button, sorry.”
The door opened, and Connor’s parents Chase and Hailey entered, Hailey carrying Blaine Jr. in her arms. Connor gently adjusted the bed, raising Blaine to a seated position so he could hold his son while his parents approached the bed, handing the baby to Blaine. Chase couldn’t help but inject some humor into the heavy atmosphere.
“Hey son, get your uncle a fresh diaper, will ya? Smells a little rank my little brother.” Chase patted Connor’s shoulder, chuckling.
Blaine managed a weak laugh, sounding like himself for a brief second. “Oh, that might be me. Guess trying to off yourself comes with side effects. Yeah, that’s right son, your dad shat himself.” He smirked weakly at Chase, then looked down at baby Blaine. “Goddamn kid, aren’t you fifty shades of screwed already?”
“No worries, Gramps, I’ll get some cute nurses to give you the VIP treatment. We’ll get you sorted with a bed bath and some fresh bedding.” Connor winked.
“There you go, Blaine, you get to live out your hot nurse fantasies,” Hailey giggled.
The brief moment of humor brought a flicker of hope to everyone in the room. Tears streamed down Blaine’s face as he cradled his son, his voice breaking.
“I’m so sorry, little one. You’ve been on this earth for a few weeks now and I’ve already been a terrible dad. If I hadn’t talked your mom into getting unturned, if I hadn’t fucking knocked up your mom…” His words trailed off, choked by sobs.
Chase spoke up, his tone unusually strict. “Dad, quit the BS! No return policy on babies, so just deal with it. None of this is your fault. Mom was stubborn as hell, if she hadn’t wanted this too, she wouldn’t have gotten unturned and she wouldn’t have gotten pregnant again, she did that for you, because she loved you so, she wanted all this as much or more than you. You both have always been awesome parents, and you two are the reason my kid over there is such a cool and solid dude, and all my siblings would agree, even the one who can’t talk yet. Nobody could know it would go this way. You are NOT a shit-dad, you and mom were the best parents any of us could have asked for, not to mention all the foster kids over the years. You can do it again. You owe Blaine Jr. as much, make sure he knows how to fill those big shoes he was born into. Do it for mom, for baby Blaine and for all of us. Teach him how to play your guitar, how to write chart toppers, how to handle a crowd like you did with me, with Vivien. All that takes time to learn, teach him to love it.”
Blaine looked into his son’s innocent eyes, already showing the same shade of very light green as his, feeling the weight of his responsibility and the love that still remained. The room was filled with a silence that spoke of unspoken promises and the strength of a family united in grief and hope. Hailey bent down and kissed the cheeks of both Blaines.
“So here’s what is going to happen. You may not realize it, but you are actually in San Sequoia. Connor had you moved to his hospital. Once you get released, you and little Blaine will be staying with us until I am convinced you can be trusted on your own. Got it?” she said, her tone firm, inciting a small smile from Blaine before his eyes met Chase’s, then Connor’s.
“Hear that, kid? THAT is why she was always my favorite. When your dad was young, always with his face buried in a computer monitor, Scarlett and I thought he was our dud. But the minute he met this beauty, his life changed forever. Your dad celebrated his 18th birthday with a surprise proposal to her. And she always reminded me so much of my Letty. You even sound like her now, Hailey. Yeah, I’ll take you up on that. I’ll stay with you. That’ll be fun. I need fun, and so does he.”
Life, Rebooted
Seaglass Haven, a sprawling mansion with two guest houses at the harbor of San Sequoia, was buzzing with activity. It was a typical Sunday brunch, and the kitchen was a whirlwind of laughter, clattering dishes, and the delicious aroma of freshly cooked food.
Hailey, Maddie, Keira, and Briar Rose were bustling around, preparing and serving a mouthwatering array of brunch dishes. The sound of sizzling bacon and the hum of the coffee maker added to the lively atmosphere.
Iris was seated at the dining table, feeding her infant daughter, Anastasia, who kept blowing kisses at baby Blaine. The little boy was in Jackson’s lap, giggling uncontrollably at Anastasia’s playful antics. Jackson, in his cowboy attire, was trying to feed Blaine, but the baby’s laughter made it quite a challenge.
“Anastasia, you little flirt, quit it!” Iris chuckled, wiping a bit of baby food from her daughter’s chin.
Across the table, Bri and Jackson’s seven-year-old twins were deep in a heated argument about the correct way to eat pancakes. “No, you have to cut them into squares first!” Bonnie insisted, while Beau countered with a drawl just like his father’s, “Nah, just roll ’em up, swirl them in syrup real good and then …” He demonstratively shoved half a pancake into his mouth, chewing with exaggerated enthusiasm. Bonnie grimaced, shoving him away. “Eew! MOM, DAD, Beau is being gross again!”
Jackson, in his cowboy drawl, called his son to order. “Beau Wyatt, act like you wasn’t raised on a farm!”
“But Dad, I WAS raised on a farm! Still am … ” Beau protested.
Jackson, shaking his head with a smile, replied, “I know that son. Said don’t act like it! Eat with yer fork, or y’all get a trough like a piggie! And quit annoyin’ yer sister or yer mother is gonna have to take her shoppin’ again, and I need to make us some more money first. Cos ya see, son, with girls, they keep buyin’ all them shoes and purses and clothes until they run out of room for them, and then they go buy more furniture to put it all in. Gets expensive,” Jackson grinned and winked at Bri, who turned and stuck her tongue out at him.
Chase and Colton were seated nearby, reminiscing about their band days, their laughter mingling with the children’s chatter. Maddie playfully swatted Colton with a dish towel. “Quit hogging the stories, Cole. Let Chase get a word in!”
Keira chimed in, laughing. “Like it matters, mom. Not like we all haven’t heard every single one at least a thousand times!”
“Dad could talk about his work, that would bring down the house… gross boils and surgeries and all.” Connor and Keira’s teen son Chris laughed up.
“Or we could talk about your girlfriend, and all that kissing that almost gave Stryker another heart attack. Not to mention the other stuff you were doing, thinking you were so covert, but you weren’t, like slivers of wrappers for raincoats for your little buddy and such. Ooooh, rookie mistake. Bad form, kiddo,” Connor laughed, teasing, wiggling his eyebrows.
Chris turned a deep shade of red, groaning. “Dad – seriously now?! Do we have to bring that up again?”
“Well, at least he didn’t mention your best friend’s sister’s crush on you and her drugging your little girlfriend out of jealousy. You kids need your own reality TV show!” Colton laughed, making the teen blush even deeper.
Everyone around the table burst into laughter, adding to the lively and jovial atmosphere of the brunch.
Blaine Sr. sat at the head of the table, contently observing the chaos with a smile. He had been staying with them for a few days now, ever since his release from the hospital and his third oldest child Chase’s family rallying around him had done wonders for his mood. His eyes twinkled as he watched his family, his heart swelling with love. The noise, the bickering, the laughter—it was all music to his ears. For a moment, he felt a deep sense of peace, knowing that amidst the madness, his family was his anchor.
He watched as Briar Rose handed a plate of pancakes to Hailey, who served them with a flourish. “Voilà! Pancakes à la Bri! Well Bri as in Briar Rose, not the French cheese, obviously,” she announced, making everyone laugh.
“I’ve got to say, I missed this,” Blaine mumbled to himself, his voice carrying a nostalgic tone. “This is what life is all about. You all with your crazy mess might have well saved a man’s life. I guess Connor was right, I don’t get to exit just yet. No, not yet. I need me some more of this and I need to make sure baby Blaine gets his fill of this.”
The Cemetery
The cemetery in downtown Del Sol Valley was a somber place, its silence punctuated by the distant sounds of cars and the hum of city life. People hurried past, oblivious to the quiet grief that lingered among the tombstones. Blaine walked slowly through the rows of graves, pushing a stroller with his infant son, Blaine Junior. The Cameron family crypt loomed ahead, a testament to the generations that had come before.
Blaine’s face bore the unmistakable marks of accelerated aging, with deep lines of sorrow etched into his once youthful features. Though only a few months had passed since his stay in the hospital, he now appeared a decade older. In his early forties, an accident during an amorous moment with Scarlett had resulted in his transformation into a vampire, freezing his age. While his return to mortality meant he would age faster than normal, the rapid acceleration he experienced now was driven more by the weight of his grief and sorrow than the unturning itself. The profound loss and the transition from immortality to mortality had taken a visible toll on him.
He reached the crypt and sat down on the cold stone steps, positioning the stroller beside him. Blaine glanced at his son, who cooed softly, and then turned his gaze to the crypt. His voice trembled as he began to speak to his late wife, Scarlett.
“Hey, Letty. I brought our boy to see you. You’d get a kick out of him, you know. The other day, he managed to knock over a whole bowl of peas and looked so proud of himself I swear I heard him laughing watching my old ass crawling around on the damn floor picking that shit up. Then he refused his milk so daddy tried to show him how tasty it is, and guess what now, Letty? I am now lactose intolerant. Just those few sips ended up flying me to the moon and back all damn afternoon, our son giggling at me blowing ass non-stop. Just like his mama, always laughing at my misfortune.”
Blaine chuckled softly, though his laughter was tinged with sadness. “And the grandkids, and great-grandkids, oh, you’d be so proud of them, Letty. Got some weddings lined up. And the next generation in the works on several fronts. Man, girl, you and I, we created a legacy the world has never seen. I had some rough months since you left us, but our kids, grandkids and great-grandkiddos managed to see me through. Out of all of them, our nerd Chase has his shit and entire family together the most, he and Hailey are so much like us, babe, I guess I never realized how much. We made a great family, Scarlett. Your dad, however, hates my guts now. I fucked that up for good. He cut all ties with all of us, I think he forbade all vampires to interact with any of our family at all and told me straight up, if I went to bug him one more time, it would be the last thing I do, which is good to know, cos the minute I think Blaine Jr. doesn’t need me anymore, I am so at your old man’s doorstep so he can send me straight to you, babe. Your daddy thinks it’s my fault and that I killed you, Letty, he doesn’t realize how much I agree with him and how much losing you already killed me. I am not the man you knew, babe, just a shell, holding on by a thread here, for our little boy. I have been trying to write songs, since that used to be my release and I cannot write a single note that makes any sense.”
His voice grew quieter, more contemplative. “Damn girl, I miss you, you have no idea. I know you didn’t mean to just leave me, but gotta say, you did get one in on me. Remember after we got unturned and started to realize that one of us would probably die before the other and we argued who would be allowed to go first? Well, looks like you won that one. You always said you would hurt me so bad if I ever knocked you up again, and I did, accidentally, since we both didn’t realize getting unturned meant we had to be back on birth control again, man Letty, you sure did me in there, girl. I tried to join you, but our Chase and Connor didn’t let me. Guess they are right. I still have business to finish up down here, gotta do right by you and make sure our Blaine is exactly how we imagined him to be, I know I owe you that. When I know he is gonna be okay, THEN I can come to you. Keep a seat for me, baby. And don’t you go messing with any dead dudes up there. I’ll keep my tool holstered until I see you again. But when I do, oh baby, it’s on again. Clear your schedule, Letty. Did I mention how much I miss you, everything about you. The way you smell, the way you move, the way you smile, the sound of your voice, the way you call me to order, the way you laugh at my crappy jokes. Oh man, I could talk for hours on every way I miss you.”
Blaine’s eyes were misty as he finished speaking. He stood up slowly, the weight of his years evident in every movement. He turned to leave, but something caught his eye. There, just a few steps away, was the ghostly figure of Scarlett. She smiled warmly at him, her ethereal presence radiating love. Scarlett raised a hand and waved, then blew him a kiss.
Tears streamed down Blaine’s face as he waved back, a bittersweet smile forming on his lips as he ‘caught’ the kiss she had blown at him in mid-air, placing it on his lips. “I love you, babe! Thanks for the heads up, now I KNOW you are out there, waiting for me, just like you always have,” he called out to her. Then he turned and began to walk away, pushing the stroller with newfound resolve.
A passerby noticed Blaine smiling, waving, and speaking to an empty space. The man’s face crinkled in confusion as he took in Blaine’s worn jeans, leather jacket, off-color shirt, and shaggy hair streaked with gray. “Jeezes, now we got those washed-up past-their-prime headbangers running around here, wasted or high in broad daylight and with a baby, just when you think you’ve seen it all. Whoever lets some loser like that take their grandkid to a cemetery drunk belongs reported to CPS! This town is going to hell in a handbasket!” he mumbled.
Just then, the infant blew a raspberry, and Blaine chuckled, looking at his son. “Yeah, I agree, son.”
“Son? At your age!? You should be ashamed of yourself!” the passerby scoffed.
Blaine turned to the man, his eyes twinkling with defiance. “Ashamed? I don’t do ‘ashamed.’ I do ‘legendary.’ Why don’t you toddle off and mind your own business, you walking talking epitome of a whiskey dick!?” With that, Blaine blew a raspberry at the stranger, and to his delight, the baby joined in, blowing a raspberry right after him.
The synchronized raspberries made Blaine laugh. He held up his hand and playfully “taught” his infant son to high-five. The baby giggled uncontrollably at the gesture, filling Blaine’s heart with warmth. He smirked and continued on his way, pushing the stroller with renewed resolve.
As Blaine glanced back, he saw the stranger trip over a loose cobblestone and collide with a nearby lantern post. The man stumbled and muttered angrily, further confirming Blaine’s sense of satisfaction. Just then, Blaine caught sight of Scarlett’s ghostly form, smiling tenderly at him from the shadows, and he swore he saw her wink at him.
Blaine laughed out loud, a sound filled with both relief and joy. He looked down at his son in the stroller and whispered, “Yeah, your mom hasn’t left. She’s still watching over us. Now I know for sure we will be all right.”
Moreover, Blaine didn’t have an ounce of alcohol in him, and he knew what he had seen. The love that bound him and Scarlett was eternal, and it gave him the strength to carry on, for their son and for the legacy they had built together. The faint echo of Scarlett’s presence remained with him, a comforting reminder that even in death, their bond would never be broken.
A Family Rallies
The Cameron Mansion in the Del Sol Valley hills was bustling with activity. All of Blaine’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren had gathered for a family meeting. The air was filled with chatter, laughter, children’s voices and the clinking of glasses as they reunited, reminiscing about old times and sharing stories.
Vivien, Blaine’s oldest child, stood up and raised her glass. The room quieted down as she prepared to speak. “It’s so wonderful to have everyone here again,” she began, a warm smile on her face. “But please, this time, don’t try to off yourself, Daddy. We all know you like to add your own flair to family events, but we’ve had enough drama for a lifetime.”
Smirking, Blaine saluted her, nodding. “Well, you keep bringing your yip-yap dogs around which makes everyone wanna kill themselves. Well, my Coltrane deserves a decent meal, and they should make a nice snack for him.”
Vivien shot him a sharp look. “Dad! My dogs are purebred poodles, better behaved than most people’s children and they go where I go, plus they are worth more than some people’s cars! If I see Coltrane even look at them funny I will personally put a muzzle on him—and you!”
Laughter erupted in the room, the lighthearted banter bringing a sense of normalcy to an otherwise emotional gathering.
Liam, Vivien’s husband, interjected with a grin. “Now now, let’s not start this meeting by jumping straight into a lawsuit. We have plenty of lawyers here, but we don’t need to put them to work just yet. Nobody will be eating our poodles, and that’s final.”
Nick, their son, added, “Yeah, I’ve got enough on my plate without having to draft a pet protection order!”
Blythe’s husband, Jensen, also a lawyer, chuckled, “Wow, took us five minutes to go from hello to talking lawsuits, that has to be a new record, even for us.”
Cai, their son, joined in, “Right, and that’s NOT why we are all here, for some live-action courtroom drama. We’re all stocked up on case files without getting sucked into poodles vs. black shepherd mixes now.”
“We’ll take the poodles. I was thinking our baby should grow up with pets,” Jasper added, nudged hard by Iris.
“Seriously? In case you forgot, I am a lawyer at Jensen’s law firm, I work all the time, and you are traveling for your acting gigs all the time. Hard enough to juggle the baby as is, now you want me to find someone to dog walk while you’re off jetting around the time zones? Delulu much, you idiot?! Touch some grass, will ya?!”
“Seriously, you brat, touch something, except my dogs! They are NOT up for adoption you entitled millenial!” Vivien snarled at him.
Jackson, Briar Rose’s young horse rancher husband, stepped in, speaking with his signature drawl. “Now hold yer horses, y’all. I am sure Jas was just jokin’, he don’t want yer poodles, Miss Vivien. And there ain’t no need fer a full-blown relationship drama at a family gatherin’ Iris and Jas. Plus, we’re all happy y’all are back together raisin’ yer kid and plannin’ a weddin’, not fixin’ to split up again. We’re here to support Blaine and lil’ Blaine, so let’s keep it civil, will ya? Don’t make me come over there and bang yer noggins together!” he chuckled.
“Oh, please do!” Maddie, Jasper’s mom, chimed in laughing.
Her husband Colton added, “A little noggin-knockin’ might do my kid a world of good. I am in favor.”
Jasper rolled his eyes dramatically, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. “Great, yeah, let’s all team up against Jasper, why not, right? Even my own parents are siding with the cowboy! I know where I stand with all of you.”
“Oh Jas, you know we all love you and your motormouth!” Briar Rose leaned over and gave her best friend and soon-to-be brother-in-law a kiss on the cheek, making him smile, knowing it was all in good humor.
Laughter erupted in the room, the lighthearted banter bringing a sense of normalcy to an otherwise emotional gathering.
Blaine shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “Man, I love this crazy family. I missed our get-togethers. We need to do this more often. This is what’s gonna keep me alive, guys. This is what baby Blaine needs to see.”
Vivien continued, her tone becoming more serious. “I agree with Daddy. Most of us are wealthy enough or already retired, so we can travel more than before, and we should come here. That being said, let me get straight to the most important point for this family meeting. Since we are all sitting here, you obviously read the email I sent about meeting here, so you must have read the other part about helping Dad.
We all have our thoughts about having a new sibling with such a crazy age gap in our family tree, and those thoughts are valid. But what we need now are actions. We need to come together as a family and support him through this difficult time. I know we all live all over the world, and we all have busy lives and can’t always get away. But there are enough of us to work out a solution to help Dad and baby Blaine.
At the very least, I expect all of you, every single one present here, to visit frequently. But we need more permanent solutions. Liam and I will be moving in with Dad to help out, temporarily, just for a few months. Blythe and Fallon live in town, so I am sure they and their spouses and kids can swing by and lend a hand. Iris and Jasper, you live next door, so you can bring your baby over and help. But I’d like at least one more permanent helper, preferably someone younger and able to move in permanently. Liam and I do our best to stay fit, so nothing shifts on our bodies, but we’re not exactly child-rearing age anymore, plus, our home is San Myshuno.”
There was a moment of silence as everyone absorbed her words. Then, Blake, Blaine’s second oldest, stood up. “Vivien’s right,” he said. “We need to be here for Dad and little Blaine. With my own wife passing so recently, I don’t think I’m the best choice to move in. I am still healing myself, and losing Mom is just not easy for me. Plus, as you all know, I have a lot of health issues. But I have an idea—I’d like to volunteer Chandler, my grandson. He could move in. He’s young, just graduated college, and is pursuing his acting career like his dad and me before him, so living here locally would be beneficial for him. I already made all the introductions to jumpstart his career, but he needs to be available at the drop of a hat. Plus, he can learn how to raise a baby, as I am sure that is in his not-too-distant future anyway. At least I hope so, as I’d like to see him get married and hold another generation while I am still around. We can all pitch in and make this work.”
Chandler raised his glass. “Yeah, I can totally move in, like, right away. I mean, I’m good with babes—usually the ones my age, though. But hey, how hard could this cute little guy be, right?”
The room buzzed with approval and support. Vivien smiled, raising her glass higher. “To family,” she toasted. “To love, and to never giving up on each other. To the Cameron legacy.”
Learning to Live Again
Chandler moved into the mansion the following week. The transition wasn’t without its challenges, but the entire family rallied together. Chandler, in his early 20s and full of enthusiasm, found himself juggling auditions and baby care. The learning curve was steep, but he was determined to make it work.
There were moments of chaos and laughter as Chandler adjusted to his new routine. One evening, as Blaine Jr. cried inconsolably, Chandler tried to change his diaper for the first time. “How can something so small make such a big mess?” he exclaimed, fumbling with the diaper tabs, only to get peed on the moment he had them off.
Blythe, who had come over to help, laughed. “Welcome to fatherhood, Chandler. This is what you have to look forward to one day. Just wait until he starts crawling. Or talking. You ain’t seen nothing yet, kiddo!”
Chandler looked bewildered. “Fatherhood? He’s not even my kid, he’s my… wait… my great-uncle? Oh gawd! I hadn’t even thought about that part yet!”
Blythe laughed, shaking her head. “Oh Chandler, welcome to the Camerons, we just don’t do normal.”
Chandler sighed, a smile tugging at his lips. “Uh, hello, I’ve been a member since birth and I know, but you gotta admit, this is a bit extra!”
Blythe nodded, grinning. “Tell me about it. I am standing here teaching my great-nephew how to change my brother’s diaper. Talk to me about normal, dude.”
In the mornings, the mansion was filled with the smell of coffee and the sound of laughter. Blythe, Fallon, and Iris often dropped by to lend a hand. They would sit around the kitchen table, sharing stories of their childhood and offering advice on baby care.
One morning, Blaine Jr., now old enough to sit up, gurgled happily as he played with a toy. Chandler watched him with a smile, marveling at how much he looked like Blaine. The same light green eyes, the same mischievous grin. “Man, it’s such a trip, looking at a baby-version of my great-grandpa.”
As the months passed, the Cameron family grew closer, bound by their shared love and commitment. Blaine Jr. thrived in the warm, nurturing environment, surrounded by his extended family.
A Hopeful Future
One sunny afternoon, the entire family gathered in the garden. Vivien, Blake, Chase, Caitlin, Fallon, Blythe, and Gavin sat around a table with their dad Blaine, sipping coffee, watching their youngest brother, Blaine Jr., play on the grass. The baby giggled as he crawled chasing after a butterfly, his bright green eyes full of wonder.
As Blaine Jr. reached out for the butterfly and it fluttered off out of reach, he suddenly exclaimed, “Phuck!”
Everyone froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. Chase chuckled, “Definitely already sounds like you, Dad!”
Vivien added, “Good thing Mom’s not here, or she’d whack you in the back of the head for this, Daddy. Who cursed around the baby?! I gave very clear instructions to be very careful and now here we have the mess. You can’t un-teach that! Great job, all.”
Blaine smirked, shaking his head. “Oh, relax Viv, he was bound to curse. And you all know your mother IS here, I betcha Letty’s sitting somewhere here laughing her ass off, ’cause she doesn’t have to deal with that anymore. Ain’t that right, babe?”
Just then, a gentle breeze blew through the garden, rustling the leaves and sending a few petals floating through the air. Blaine Jr. looked up, his eyes wide with wonder, and suddenly said, “Mamm-maa…” then looked at Blaine, giggled and said “Dadda!”
A collective gasp, then loud sobs erupted from the family, their laughter mixing with tears and hugs around the table. The shared emotion brought them even closer, each person feeling the presence of Scarlett in that simple, precious moment.
“Told ya guys, Letty’s still here, making sure I don’t fuck it all up too badly,” Blaine said with a sobby chuckle, wiping his eyes.
EchoesOfLegacy 