Disclaimer: I own nothing except some of the plot!
Summary: Brannah Bright muses on where the chances he took led him. Bright & Hannah with minor Ephram & Amy. Future fic-Bright and Hannah already married and expecting.
Author's Note: This is only my second shot at fan fiction so forgive me if it sucks. And also, let me know if anyone is interested in a long-term saga of this fan fiction. Oh for the ages-Bright is 25; Amy and Ephram are 24 with one-year-old twins; Hannah is 23 and six months pregnant. And I have the link to Hannah's dress, so if you want it leave me your email and address and I'll get it to you. Enjoy!
Chapter One:
Life is all about taking chances and those chances we take, will eventually lead us to a life we want and desire, but even if they don't we can say that we took the chance and that is far better than doing nothing. Bright Abbot knew all about chances and that's why he was currently living the life he was living. Now a successful professional football player, he was also a married man and soon to be father. The only thing he could chalk up his lifestyle to was the chance he took almost seven years ago, when he confessed to his now wife that he held more than platonic feelings for her and then proceeded to passionately kiss her, sweeping her up into his arms. It was Hannah that had encouraged him to get his act together, going to college and when his grades improved, getting back on the football team, furthering his chances at success. He did succeed too, as he now played for the Denver Broncos, taking up with the only team in Colorado, so that he could be near his wife. The two married shortly after Hannah graduated from Boston College, the distance tough, but survivable, in front of family and friends at a local church in Everwood after almost six years of courtship. Shortly after they were married, Hannah announced in her own creative way that they were now to be parents.
"Sweetheart, what all this about," asked Bright, holding his wife close to his body after a passionate session of lovemaking, clearly referring to the dinner for two and the overall romantic setting. "Not that I don't mind, but honestly, I'd make love to you any day, any time. All you have to do is just be in my presence. I love you so much Han and you're the most beautiful thing in the world to me."
Pulling herself out of her husband's embrace, Hannah wrapped the sheets around her and made her way into the luxurious walk in closet the two shared. Hearing his protests, she called out, "One second Brighton, I just have to get something." Pulling out a gift wrapped box, she made her way over to the bed and sat next to him, looking all the more uncertain.
"Please, don't tell me I missed an anniversary because I have all those dates memorized, written down and programmed into my cell phone. What is this, sweetheart," asked Bright, looking oh so confused.
"Open it and see," came the reply from his wife.
Taking the box from her hands, he began to tear at the carefully wrapped gift and upon seeing the soft tissue paper, he pushed it apart and was met with a Broncos jersey. Not understanding why his wife bought him a jersey of the team he played for and thus, had tons of pairs just for that purpose, he questioned, "Hannah, sweets, not that I don't appreciate this, but why did you get me a jersey I already have like thirty pairs of?"
"Take it out and see."
And with his wife's advice, he took out the jersey for inspection and noticed that the back had the last name Abbott sewn in where he had his own, but the only significant difference was that the jersey was about fifty times smaller.
"Sweetheart, I don't think this is going to fit me."
"No, not you, but maybe another Abbott," and with that, she took his right hand and placed it over her abdomen, giving him an unsure smile.
Breaking out into a humongous smile, he questioned, "Are you serious? You're pregnant? We're really going to be parents?"
"Yeah, I mean it. In about eight months or so, we're going to have a beautiful little baby boy or girl."
"Thank you so much Hannah," said Bright, pulling his wide in for a hug and kiss, only pulling back so he could now place kisses on her abdomen, trying to make up for the month's worth of kisses he neglected to give their child.
Lost in his thoughts, he failed to hear his wife come into the kitchen of their newly bought home, as a one-bedroom apartment wouldn't provide enough space for the newly growing family.
"What are you so lost in," came the voice of his wife, Hannah.
"You," he replied, kissing her first and then bending over to kiss her now sixth month belly that protected their first child.
"That's good to know. Anything good?"
"It's all good when it comes to you. How are you today? The baby playing soccer with your insides yet?"
"No, he's being quiet today."
Deciding they didn't want to call their child 'it' and not wanting to know what the sex of their child truly was till the birth, the two took to placing a bet on what the gender of the child would be. Hannah swore that their baby would be a boy, but Bright felt the need to spoil another girl and who better than his daughter, spurring his decision to bet that their first child was a girl. Three more months and they would find out exactly who would be changing diapers well into the night-the decided prize of the bet.
"Well, she knows her mommy needs her rest."
Letting the comment about the baby being a girl go, she asked, "So, what are we doing today?"
"Sweetie did you forget again? We have that Charity event tonight, but I can call up Ames to serve as my date if you're not up to it. I don't want you overtiring yourself."
"No, I'm not tired, I just temporarily forgot. And don't call up Amy; she has her own husband and kids to take care of. She told me the twins are getting crazy these days."
Ephram and Amy had reconciled once he came back from his trip to Europe, both realizing that they loved each other more than anything. They got married their senior year in college and soon had the twins-two boys, Jason Anthony and Jared Michael. Ephram became the renowned pianist they all knew he would become and Amy took up business classes and later opened up her own bakery, learning from her father's mistakes as a bagel seller. Hannah was a kindergarten teacher, who would soon be leaving on maternity leave, but still, it's not like they needed Hannah's source of income, as Bright's career left them well off, as Ephram's did with Amy; nonetheless, it was the principal of the matter.
"Are you alright Han? I don't want you to overwork yourself. I can go stag."
"Yeah right and let all those girl vultures think that our marriage was going downhill, making them want to clobber all over you and then steal you away from me and the baby," and right in the middle of her rant, tears began to run down her cheeks, later turning into sobs.
Bright knew it was all due to her changing hormones and mood swings, so all he could do to comfort his wife was take her into his arms and promise her anything she wanted.
"Sweetheart, I'm not going anywhere okay? I love you and our baby more than anything in this world okay? No stupid girl is going to make me want to throw that away okay? I waited so long to finally find you Han, I'm not letting you go," said Bright, rubbing her arms and back, as if to soothe her.
"I know, I'm sorry, but you have no idea what these hormones can do to a person. I was watching a commercial about this ant killer and you know I hate ants, but I started crying because people actually bought this stuff to kill ants, and argh, Bright I hate these mood swings," came the reply from Hannah, tears and sobs subsiding.
"I know sweetie, but just think, in three months, we'll be happy parents."
"Yeah, after hours of excruciating pain, which I intend on making you feel Bright and midnight feedings and changings and no sleep."
"Yeah, but we'll still have this tiny little miracle in our hands."
"I love you so much Brighton," using her nickname for him, even though it was significantly longer.
"I love you too, cool beans." And no matter how many times she smacked him for that, he always had to bring that up, referring to her thoughts of their disastrous blind first date.
And she did smack him too and managed to ask, "So, how much time do we have before this shindig," all too suggestively.
"Why Mrs. Abbott I'd say you're trying to seduce me," Bright said back huskily, already getting turned on.
"I am. Now, get to making love to me before I find someone else."
"Your wish is my command my lady. We can't have you finding pleasure elsewhere."
And with that, Bright swung her up into his arms, as she was still as light as a feather even with a baby inside, and proceeded to carry her into their bedroom, where he would ravish her well into the afternoon before they had to get ready for the charity event. This was a side of Hannah he had never experienced before, as she was always the shy and timid girl in her high school years and was often embarrassed by sex even after marriage, but once pregnancy hormones hit her, she was hornier than any sixteen year old boy, and Bright took full advantage of that, for there was nothing more fulfilling to him than making love to his wife.
Dayton Park:
The charity event was spectacular-of course it would be, the richest of the richest, the most famous of the famous, were all in attendance. The park in itself was gloriously decorated with lights strung all around the trees, waiters and waitresses catering to every need with appetizers and endless glasses of champagne, but, to Bright, nothing looked more spectacular than his wife. She was dressed in a dark brown spaghetti strapped dress that reached her feet and was rouched down the center with champagne colored beads accenting the neckline.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look?"
"Egh, Bright, I'm not beautiful right now-I look like a whale and do you know how many sizes big I had to buy this dress and still have to squeeze into it?"
"Well, you look utterly beautiful. I just want to take you home and ravish you," he whispered the last bit into her ear, so that no one else would hear.
"Oh look, here comes your favorite people," replied Hannah, ignoring his suggestive ideas, making mention of the reporters coming towards the couple. And hearing his groan, she added, "Play nicely Brighton."
"Mr. and Mrs. Abbott," started one reporter, at least trying to act civil before launching straight into questions. It was the price the couple had to pay for Bright's fame and Hannah, too, as she became their sweetheart, capturing the heart of the young and promising football player.
"I think I see Michelle over by the buffet table-I'm going to say hello," said Hannah to Bright, making any excuse to get away from the reporters-she wasn't lying, her friend Michelle was there, but she just didn't have the patience to deal with the reporters tonight.
"Sure Hannah. Don't over exert yourself and be sure to eat something," replied Bright.
As soon as she promised to listen to him, she bid the reporters a polite goodbye and made her way over to her friend.
"No black tonight," questioned Michele, as she spotted Hannah walking over to her, knowing her friend's tendencies to want to look less like the pregnant woman she was.
"No, not tonight, but dark brown is close enough-almost makes me look less whale-ish," Hannah replied, now hugging the woman, saying hello.
"Oh shut it you. You look absolutely gorgeous. Pregnancy suits you. And motherhood will too."
"Yeah, lets hope so. So what about you? Any chance you'll be wearing black to cover up your swollen belly soon?"
"First I need a man for that. No prospects so far."
Michele and Hannah were complete opposites, not only personality wise, but physically too, as Michele towered over Hannah's small frame, had pointed, aristocratic features and straight blonde hair so it was a wonder how the two went about at times, nearly inseparable and always joking with one another. They had met at one of these dull functions Bright's first year as a player with the team and had hit it off completely-gone was the shy and timid Hannah once Michele was in the vicinity.
The two continued to talk about their lives and eventually sat down, as Hannah needed to feed her and the 'little demon' inside her, complaining that her ankles had begun to hurt, despite the heelless shoes she had purposely chosen to wear.
On the other side of the party, Bright was dealing with the incessant reporters, who were trying very hard to get a word in.
"Whoa, guys, one at a time or I'll just walk away and not say anything at all," came the voice of Bright, hoping to bring about some peace amongst the reporters.
As the quiet settled, Bright nodded to the nearest reporter, letting him know that he should ask his questions, to which the reporter asked, "So what are your plans for when the season begins, I mean the baby should be born by then."
"Hannah and I have discussed this already and there shouldn't be any reason why I won't be able to come back. The baby will already be about four or five months by the time the season begins, but I can always be back if my family needs me-they definitely come first."
"Are you excited for the birth of your baby," asked a female reporter.
"More than anything," replied Bright, showing off his pearly white smile.
He answered many more questions about everything they could possibly ask him, but he wanted to get back to his wife, so politely he said, "Guys, if you'll excuse me, I want to check up on my wife."
Bright made his way over to her and saw her sitting by herself now eating some ice cream, enjoying it immensely.
"Our baby's going to be a junk food addict," came the voice of Bright, as he filled the vacant spot next to her. "I thought you said you were going over to see Michele?"
"I did and she just left. Unlike me, she doesn't need like twenty meals to fill her up. And I'm not a junk food addict, your baby is-must get it from you. He's been making me crave ice cream all night. Oh, some guy asked Michele to dance and after telling her a billion times that it was okay to leave me, she finally went off to dance with him. They're over there," pointed Hannah, to the dancing couple, twirling around on the specially constructed wooden dance floor.
"Well, it's good my little darling daughter loves junk food-it'll be easy to order pizza every night-two against one. And maybe, one night a week, we'll let her mommy make something healthy for us to eat," came the voice of Bright, as he picked at her neglected plate of chicken marsala.
"Shut up Brighton. I happen to now for a fact that you love my cooking."
"You're right I do, it was the moment I feel in love with you," said Bright, referring to that one night in his childhood kitchen, where she cooked dinner for his family, well hers too now.
"So, do you think we've put in enough of an appearance," asked Hannah, wishing so desperately to be rid of the dress and put on one of Bright's old t-shirts and some cotton pajamas.
"Tired," he asked and with Hannah's nod, he proceeded to pull her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and called for the car.
She fell asleep on the ride home and he didn't have the heart to wake her, as he knew these period of tiredness were partially his fault, for he was half responsible for her pregnancy; instead, he opted to put the car in park and making his way over to passenger side of the modest convertible, he took his wife into his arms, proceeding to carry her to bed, stopping only to open the front door. Once she was settled in bed, he carefully took off the dress and dressed her in her favorite nighttime set, which much to his pleasure was one of his old cotton shirts and a pair of heart covered pink cotton pajamas. Checking once again to make sure all the doors were locked, he went through his nightly ritual before settling into bed and placing a kiss on his wife's temple as well as her swollen stomach, whispering, "Goodnight," to the two most important people in his life.
Yes, Bright Abbott knew all about taking chances and was so glad he took that one chance all those years ago, for if he hadn't, he would have never gotten here, snuggled into the warm embrace of his wife and child.
Author's Note: Anyone interested in making this a chapter story? I'd be willing to do so, but I think it can be left as it is. Hope you enjoyed that! And I know this is shameless promotion, but if you like Smallville's Lex and Chloe, read my story 'Daily Planet Musings'! Again, I know it's shameless promotion, but whatever!