You Don't Have to be Alone

Chapter 10

A/N: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! Okay, I lied about my chapters L PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!! LoL. THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER…BUT there is going to be a sequel :-D. This is just the place where I wanted to end it and you'll see why in the end. But the new sequel will be out TONIGHT! So there, I'm making up for ending it at Chapter 10 :-D. LOOK OUT FOR THE SEQUEL…I don't have a name yet, I'm going to listen to some of my favorite songs and see which ones I like, so, just look out for it! Thanks for everything! Still review this so I know your feelings on the whole story.

Disclaimer: Hey guys! I do not own Summerland or anyone affiliated with them! I do, however, own all the fictional characters, the story line and the title. No stealing! I don't own NSYNC's song, You Don't Have to be Alone.

The whole table was silent as Nikki continued with the prayer. "And thank you for allowing us to all be here on this Christmas. Amen." She concluded. Everyone whispered "Amen" and Ava smiled.

"Let's dig in!" Ava smiled and dished some ham onto her plate. Everyone continued to pass around food. Genesis watched across the table as Bradin helped Derrick with food. She really did like him. Maybe Nikki was right. Maybe all Bradin was waiting for was for Genesis to reach out and take his hand. The only problem was that Genesis didn't know how.

"Genesis, would you like some ham?" Nikki asked her. Genesis smiled over at her and nodded.

"Yeah, thanks Nikki," Genesis smiled and took the plate of meat from her. She put a few slices onto her plate and continued to pass it down the line. She felt someone's foot on hers and glanced under the table with a slight frown. She saw Bradin's flip flop gently graze the top of her foot. A small smile curved over her lips and she looked up to find Bradin's green eyes. She found them and he blushed lightly when he realized, himself, that he had been playing a small game of "footsie" with her. Genesis smiled and playfully tapped his foot with hers.

This small game continued until everyone was finished with dinner. "Aunt Ava, would you like some help with the dishes?" Bradin asked his aunt and walked into the kitchen where Nikki and Ava were busy with dishes.

"I think Nikki and I have it under control," Ava winked as she spotted Genesis standing behind Bradin. "How about you and Genesis go for a walk on the beach and then you take her home? It's getting dark outside and I wouldn't want anyone to worry about her." Ava smiled.

"Okay," Bradin nodded and smiled.

"Thank you very much for dinner, Ms. Gregory. It was amazing," Genesis smiled, grateful of the family dinner she had.

"Absolutely! Please, call me Ava," she smiled. "Merry Christmas, Genesis." She walked over and hugged the young girl. "You are always welcome here."

"Thank you…so much," Genesis smiled. "Merry Christmas!" She waved as she and Bradin left the house. They walked outside and Genesis smiled at the horizon. The sun was just getting low over the water and a yellow/orange color was glowing off the top of the ocean. It was silent for the first few minutes. "Thank you for today, Bradin." Genesis said softly. Bradin looked down at Genesis and smiled at the way the sun hit her face. "I've never felt so welcome in my life…even around my own family. This was an amazing Christmas."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Bradin smiled a small smile as they continued to walk. "My family seems to really like you being around. You should come over more often," he chuckled softly. Genesis smiled and looked down at the grains of sand below her feet.

"I'm sorry, Bradin," Genesis said softly. She wasn't sure how to tell him what she was about to tell him. She tried to organize the words in her head, but she wasn't sure how to.

"For what?" Bradin frowned and looked down at her, once more.

"For everything. You made a move on me, Bradin! You tried and I pulled away!" Genesis sighed and looked at him. Bradin stopped walking and looked at her. She turned towards him and closed her eyes. He didn't think she would ever be so open about it…of all people…not her. "I was taken back by the kiss and I wasn't prepared! I never thought in a million years that I'd be worth your love, let alone your time. I never thought that I meant anything like that. No one has ever made me feel like I'm worth something in life…like I have a purpose of being here. Never. And when you kissed me, it made me feel like I did. And that was a good feeling. I just had to let it all sink in." Genesis sighed when she realized everything she had just told him.

"But that's what I wanted you to see. You are worth something. You aren't some useless person put on this earth to sit around and think badly of yourself. You're meant to be. Everything's meant to be. And I'm starting to think that you and me moving here was meant to be for us to find each other. You have showed me so much in this world, Genesis," Bradin sighed softly. By now, Genesis had tears in her eyes. "You've showed me how to be grateful of myself and my family."

"I'm glad I could be of some help," Genesis laughed lightly and wiped at a single tear as it rolled down her cheek. Bradin took one of her hands and held it in his own. He moved in slowly and gently pressed his lips to Genesis's. This time instead of pulling away or running, Genesis brought her arms up around his neck and kissed him back. When they broke apart, Bradin smiled at her and she smiled back. "Thank you for the best Christmas ever." She whispered softly and lied her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her tighter and rested his head on hers. "The first time I wasn't alone."

He pulled back and looked deep into her eyes. They both could have sworn they saw each other's souls. "You don't have to be alone." Bradin whispered. Genesis closed her eyes and put her head back on his chest and let it all sink in…those six simple words made an impact on her heart…you don't have to be alone.