Prologue

The sun was setting down in the distance. The beach was already nearly empty just the last couples here and there making their way down the shore. The scene reminded him of another beach back at home where the couple down the shore used to be them. Taking a swig from the bottle he screwed his face as the taste of alcohol hit his throat. During the years of absence he forgot how disgustingly it tasted. But the delicious taste was not what he was after. Alcohol always made him forget, that's what he needed this time as well.

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a photo staring at it for countless time that day. He hadn't seen her in years, five years six months and twenty-three days to be exact, but looking at the photo he could swear that she hadn't aged at all. Kelly Taylor was still as beautiful as ever, he ran his finger over her face. What he couldn't miss tough was the pain in her eyes. The pain he knew he caused. His eyes slipped lover looking at the brown haired girl seated in Kelly's lap. She must have been five by now, starting kindergarten, learning the letters and numbers, finding new friends, laughing and running around, keeping her mom on her toes every day, a brief smile crossed his face. He missed it all.

He could still remember the night he left her, the memory forever engraved into his brain. In a completely untypical Los Angeles weather it was pouring rain outside. On his way out he stood in the doorway for minutes looking at her sleeping form, taking in every detail of her, her eyes, her lips curled up into an absent smile, her hand resting on eight months pregnant belly. He was not expecting that she'll understand that leaving her and their unborn child alone was the best thing he could have done for them. He did not expect her to appreciate it, even if she knew his reasons.

After he left Los Angeles he traveled for a while, Europe, Asia, Australia...finally finding his home in this small town in Bahamas where he lived a peaceful life away from everything and everyone. Until this morning. The last thing he counted with when he got out of his bed was to meet Brandon Walsh. Just as he didn't expect the few well-meant friendly words he said to him. He did not blame Brandon though, he had no idea. No one had an idea why he left.

His eyes were drawn back to the photo, examining the little girls features. She had Kelly's smile and lips, the rest was all him. Deep down he wanted their child to look just like Kelly so she wouldn't have to look at the remainder of him for the rest of her life. His eyes still on the precious little girl he pushed those thoughts quickly aside.

He sat there alone for a few more minutes just staring into the distance deep in thoughts. It had been hard staying away from them until now. It was going to be even harder now. When he knew he had a daughter not a child, when he knew that the pain after his departure was still visible in Kelly's eyes. Maybe it was time to return...maybe it was safe to return again...

"Ava Taylor, it's the last time I'm telling you to get out of your bed." Kelly's voice gave away her irritation as she walked into Ava's room on that particular morning. Pulling the sheets off her daughter's face her mommy alert told her immediately this was not one of Ava's lazy days. She brushed the back of her hand over her daughter's forehead. It was hot.

"My tummy hurts, mommy." The little girl let out, the tears building in the corners of her eyes.

Kelly quickly though back to the previous day trying to figure out what Ava ate, but couldn't think of anything that could make her feel unwell. Maybe it was again that bug that was going around the kindergarten? She wrinkled her forehead in worry.

"I'll go and grab something that will make you feel better." Kelly said soothingly. Regretting her previous harsh words she tucked her little girl back in the bed and placed a kiss on her forehead. She'd have to call to work letting them know she won't be coming. Harry won't be happy as it was the third time in the past two weeks that she called in at the last moment. She stopped short of the doorway and looked back at her daughter who laid in her bed with her eyes closed sobbing obviously in pain. For the first time the idea of this not being only a stomach bug crossed her mind.

Turning around swiftly she walked back inside heading to her daughters bed. Running the back of her hand over her soft cheek she watched as the little one opened her eyes. "Come Ava, I'll help you get dressed and we will head to see doctor Laurie." She said softly.

"I don't want to." Ava sobbed pouting her lower lip.

Without discussing it any further Kelly walked towards the dresser picking up an outfit for her daughter, dressing her while the little one had a full blown meltdown.

Half an hour later they were sitting in the waiting room. During the drive Kelly called her work and also the praxis to let them know they were coming. Luckily they didn't have a packed schedule that day and promised to take them as soon as they arrived, which turned out to be true when the door flew open and Sarah, the nurse, called them in.

With Ava clinging to her like a koala bear she picked up her daughter carrying her inside.

"You can sat her directly on the table." Sarah spoke closing the door behind them.

"Hello Ava. Hello Kelly." The doctor greeted them walking into the office.

"Hello Laurie." Kelly replied, while Ava just sat there silent, so untypical for the otherwise chatty little girl. The doctor and Kelly exchanged a glance.

"Your mommy is telling me, your tummy hurts." Laurie spoke to the little girl who barely nodded in reply.

"Can you show me where does it hurt?"

"Here" Ava said quietly placing her hand on the right side of her abdomen.

"Alright. How about your mommy helps you get your top off and I'll have a better look at your tummy?" Laurie said soothingly.

Helping her daughter with the shirt she held her hand watching as the doctor gently kneaded her daughter's tummy. Ava winced a few times, but otherwise made it through the examination with flying colors.

"It's all soft." Laurie stated when she was done. "Does she have fever?"

"She seemed hot after she woke up, but I haven't measured her temperature." Kelly replied a guilty expression on her face.

"We will measure it." Laurie gave Kelly a reassuring smile. Working with children for years, she'd seen so many parents beating themselves up for the smallest things. "It's slightly higher. To be safe I'd like to draw some blood and send it for the labs."

"Alright." Kelly confirmed. She couldn't have known that the results that came back later that day were going to turn her life upside down.

"Daddy!" The little boy shrieked throwing himself into Brandon's arms as soon as the door closed behind him. His favorite welcome home committee after any trip he had to make.

"Hi champ!" Brandon threw his son into air catching him safely into his arms seconds later, the little boy giggling.

"I've missed you." Isaac stated wrapping his arms around Brandon's neck, his heart melting. With his job leading him to many places around the world, leaving his family behind even for the shortest amounts of time was the hardest thing he had to do.

"I've missed you too. Were you a good boy for your mommy and sister?" Brandon asked watching as Isaac nodded his head.

"Yes, he was his usual cute little monster self for the past three days." Hannah stated leaning against the doorframe a grin on her face.

"Hello to you too, Hannah." Brandon grinned moving towards her with Isaac still in his arms.

"Hi Brandon." Hannah let out hugging her step-father.

"Where's your mom?" Brandon asked as they pulled apart, standing Isaac back on the floor. Andrea was usually at home at this hour.

"She called about two hours ago. Some emergency at work. She'll be late. Maria is in the kitchen preparing dinner." Hannah sighed turning around and leaving in that direction.

Brandon gave one quick glance to his baggage that was thrown near the door and quickly decided it could wait, following his son and daughter into the kitchen. With his and Andrea's time demanding jobs Maria has been their savior. She helped them with the household and took care of the kids when they couldn't be there, both Hannah and Isaac loving her dearly.

It was not an easy decision for them as parents leaving their kids with someone else. Even if Maria was basically their family, the fact led to many discussion among the couple and ultimately to the decision to not have any other children after Isaac was born a little over three years ago.

Walking into the kitchen he smiled seeing the scene in front of him, Hannah was helping Isaac to set the table. The little boy always wanted to do things as the grownups around him. Brandon could just stand there the whole day and watch the two of them interact together. Despite the age gap they loved each other to pieces. Whenever Hannah was gone for her time with Jesse, Isaac couldn't wait to have his big sister back and the other way around, although she would never admit it in front of her parents. Moving inside the room to join them Brandon was really thankful for his little family and all the joy they were bringing into his life.