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: Thanks for the amazing feedback guys! Egh, this one person was bashing the fic over at the lj community, but whatever it's only fiction, it's not meant to be true. And if you do think this is too out of character for them, keep in mind this is like a flash forward to seven years-people do change and also, there hasn't been any brannah interaction since after the kiss so we really don't know what they are going to be like. I can only hope they stay together, but I have a feeling that Hannah's dad is going to die over the summer and she's going to push bright away, but let's hope he's not dumb enough to let her go. Okay, I'm done venting! Enjoy it and thanks!
According to Bright, there was nothing like going back home and he was all too happy to be going home now, Hannah in tow. The two lived in the city of Denver, a couple of hours away from Everwood, but they would visit the town every once in a while, especially Hannah, once the football season started and Bright had to be on the road; she couldn't just up and leave with him considering her job and everything, especially now, considering the baby, so she often visited with Rose or Nina, anything to avoid feeling lonely. Rose and Harold still resided in the town refusing to move even though Harold was often caught complaining about the town and its residents; Andy still lived in the same house, the only difference being Nina too lived there now, as the couple married sometime after the heartfelt declaration of love. Nina and Andy now had a black lab named Gidget, complements of their now five-year-old daughter Charlotte Leona, who looked every bit her mother, except the sparkling eyes that were clearly her fathers. Delia still came by the house whenever she could, but was too caught up in enjoying the life of a college student, as was Sam.
Driving back to their hometown, Hannah couldn't help but look over at her husband, remembering with perfect detail the first step he took in making her his wife.
She was at work when she received the flowers that held the message that said 'Tonight, 6:00. No later, no earlier. Love you always, Bright.' Confused out of her mind, all Hannah could do was wait around until six o'clock rolled around because she knew Bright would never concede his plans once he had his mind set on something. That only left harassing Amy and Ephram, but they too wouldn't give up anything, claiming that they honestly knew nothing of Bright's plans.
She was now making her way up the stairs to hers and Bright's apartment, nervously wringing her hands together, anxious to see what Bright had planned. Knocking on the door, she was met with no sound, so as curiosity got the better of her, she turned the doorknob and found the door open. Opening the door, she was met with the most beautiful and romantic sight she had ever seen; rose petals of every color were littered everywhere around the medium sized apartment and a dinner for two was set up in the middle of their den, the sofa and living room area completely cleared out.
"Do you like it," asked Bright coming out of the darkened kitchen to her right.
"Bright, what is this? Why'd you go all out? And did you really cook," asked Hannah, too shocked to move from her spot. It wasn't that her boyfriend wasn't romantic, it was just that he never did anything like this unless it was an anniversary or celebration of some sort.
"I wanted to surprise you and I went all out because I love you Han and I just want to let you know that. I've been so busy and I just felt like I hadn't seen you in forever. I missed you," he replied, coming forward and pulling the love of his life into his arms and as an afterthought, he chuckled, "Oh and I had one of the team's chefs whip this up; I told you I missed you so killing you with my cooking wouldn't be a good thing."
"Well thank you Brighton," she said, pulling him in for a kiss and letting him lead her to the candlelit table, seating her.
The conversation was light and not really too deep, as both were caught up in their own thoughts.
"Han, I need to tell you something," began Bright.
Getting nervous, Hannah replied, "Okay."
With her response Bright got out of his seat and knelt before her and taking her hands in his, he began, "Han, I've been in love with you since I was a teenager. You've taught me so much in our time together and I just wanted to thank you and tell you I love you so much. I know I'm not perfect, but you make me a better man and hope you will for the rest of my life." And with that, he eased up on one knee this time and digging in his right pant pocket, he pulled out a velvet box and with Hannah's ragged breath in the background, he opened the box and asked, "Hannah, will you marry me?"
Taking the time to officially freak out, Hannah couldn't believe what was happening. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined that Bright was actually proposing to her.
"Yes, Oh my god, yes," she exclaimed, throwing her arms around Bright, effectively bringing them both to the ground.
Kissing her with all his might, he pulled her closer into his arms, still lying on the floor, and asked, "For real Han?"
Instead of replying with words, she just pulled him in for a kiss, pulling back only when air became necessary.
"Brighton, not to sound like a greedy sociopath, but can I possibly get my ring now?"
"Oh yeah. Sorry," Bright replied sheepishly, taking the ring and sliding it on to her bare finger.
"Bright, please don't tell me you spend ridiculous amounts of money on me," asked Hannah now looking at the three princess cut diamonds adorning the platinum band.
"First paycheck Han. And you're worth every penny, so don't you dare worry about it okay. Now, what do you say we celebrate," asked Bright, pulling his now fiancée to the couch, where he would proceed to kiss her senseless.
"I love you Brighton," said Hannah some time later, now being held in Bright's tight embrace on the couch.
"I love you too Han."
"How long have we been here," asked Hannah taking in her surroundings.
"Welcome back and a few minutes-I was waiting for you to notice for yourself. You okay," asked Bright, allowing Hannah to take in her surroundings.
He had pulled up their car into the Abbott driveway and was ready to get out of the car, but once he saw the faraway look on his wife's face, he knew it was better to let her live out her memories than to startle her. Now though, she was aware and ready to make her way into the house, so getting out of the car, Bright went to his wife's side and helped her out of the car-something Hannah made sure he did, especially now since even walking was becoming an issue.
"Oh look at you sweetheart," came the voice of Rose Abbott, as soon as the couple walked into the home. Hannah was then pulled into a hug by the matriarch, her father-in-law, Ephram, Amy and then finally settled back into the arms of her husband, but the fussing wasn't over yet.
"Oh honey, you look so wonderful. The baby treating you okay," came the over excited voice of Rose, as Hannah nodded in reply. "And don't look at me like that. You know I want some more grandbabies. You have no idea how happy I was once you announced your pregnancy-I mean I'd never thought Bright would get married so I was content with that, but when the baby news came, I'd thought I'd died and gone to heaven," said Rose, recalling Bright and Hannah's announcement of the pregnancy.
It was now five months since the couple married and being the newlyweds they were, they took every opportunity to make love and just be together, but in true Hannah fashion, she had to go and get sick, or so she thought. At Bright's insistence, she went to the doctor and happily found out that she and Bright were now to be expecting a baby-her sickness being the nasty bought of morning sickness. Bright was obviously told first and once that was taken care of, the two newlyweds made their way over to their own parents. Telling Hannah's family was easy, as they had come to love Bright and his laid back attitude-that and he made Hannah happy; Hannah's mom and brother excepted the news with open arms and in a private meeting, Hannah visited the cemetery to tell her own father that his little girl was to be a mother now. Next, came the Abbotts, but that too was easy.
The two decided to tell them following the trip to Missouri to Hannah's family and once they stepped through the doors, Rose knew something was up.
"What's going on you two? Shouldn't you be enjoying married life, instead of being here," asked Rose, equally curious and worried.
"We'll tell you once dad gets here," and as soon as the words came from Bright's mouth, Harold Abbott walked through the door and into the living room.
"Bright, Hannah, is everything alright," he asked, spotting the two, taking a seat next to his wife.
"Why does everyone assume something is wrong," asked Hannah.
"I don't know sweetheart, but we should probably tell them now-you know make them less nervous and worried," replied Bright.
"Tell us what," came the voices of both Harold and Rose.
"Okay, well mom and dad, umm, I don't know how to say this, but well, you guys are going to have another baby to spoil in about eight months or so. What do you think?"
"Oh Bright, Hannah, congratulations to you both," Rose replied giving both her son and daughter-in-law a hug.
"Congratulation Bright, Hannah," piped in Harold, also getting in his hug and well wishes.
With gigantic smiles on their faces, the four sat around the living room and discussed everything related to babies, from the gender to the name to even potential professions. All in all, it was a really great day and Rose was more than happy to spoil another one of her grandchildren.
Even back to the present, Rose was gushing over how big Hannah had gotten, but then quickly remembered the effects of hormones on pregnant women and amended her previous statement by assuring her that she looked so beautiful and that the baby was going to be really beautiful.
"Yeah, I wish he looks like Bright," said Hannah.
"Ew, why would you want a mini Bright," asked Amy, joking around. "Oh yeah, I forgot, you're into my brother."
"You bet I am. Egh, Amy how did you do this whole pregnancy thing and with the two of them," asked Hannah, now putting up her feet, so that she could relieve the pain in her ankles.
"I don't know, but let me tell you something Hannah-despite all the discomfort you feel now and the horrendous labor pain, there is nothing like when you first hear your baby cry and then hold him or her in your arms. Nothing comes close to that moment," said Amy, trying not to cry.
"I can't wait then. That and I just want to see if the baby is a boy or girl."
Laughing, Amy replied, "I'm on your side, I want the baby to be a boy, but just to see Bright lose," clearly referring to Bright and Hannah's bet. "Seriously though, I don't think Bright could handle having a baby girl. She'd have him wrapped so tight around her little fingers that he wouldn't be able to see straight, just like her mom does. She'd be so spoiled, but then again, she'd also never be able to leave the house-he would never let the boys near his little angel."
"Boy or girl, all I know is I'm going to spoil all my grandbabies rotten. And Hannah, after this one, I'm expecting loads more. You have no idea how much fun babies are when they are your grandchildren," came Rose's voice. "Come on girls, let's go see if the men are any close to finishing with the barbeque."
Never needing to be told twice about feeding her now constantly hungry stomach, Hannah made a beeline for the back porch, where the men were gathered, huddled around the grill. Sometime during the heartfelt talk between the girls, Andy, Nina and Charlotte had shown up and Andy was present at the grill, but Nina and Charlotte were no where in sight.
"Andy, it's so good to see you. Where are Nina and Charlie," asked Hannah, using Charlotte's nickname, which only her and Bright were allowed to use, as they were the cool, unofficial aunt and uncle.
"Hannah, it's good to see you too. Nina had to take Charlotte back home because Mr. Sniffles was left behind by accident," said Andy, referring to Charlie's stuffed rabbit, which she treasured more than anything because her uncle Bright gave it to her. Hannah suspected that the little girl had a crush on Bright, but then that would mean Charlie should hate Hannah, as she was Bright's wife, but Charlie loved Hannah as much as Bright. Maybe they really were just a really cool aunt and uncle.
"Aunt Hannah, what are you doing here," came the voice of Charlie, Mr. Sniffles in hand, and running straight to Hannah, wrapping her chubby little arms around Hannah's legs. Holding her arms out in front of her, indicating that she wanted to be held in her arms, she asked, "Where did Uncle Bright go?"
"I'm right here munchkin," said Bright, taking Charlie into his arms, knowing Hannah didn't have the energy or space for the toddler. "So missy, how come you made your mommy take you back home to get Mr. Sniffles-he can stay home you know."
"Because, Uncle Bright, he's afraid of the dark," she replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Is he," asked Bright, taking the toddler with him to the hammock where he could lay with her and listen to all her anecdotes.
"Did Auntie Hannah eat too much Uncle Bright," she asked, as soon as she finished a tale about Gidget.
"Why would you say that," asked Bright, humor in his eyes, thankful that his wife wasn't there to hear such comments, for there would be hell to pay.
"Because, her tummy is bigger and that's how daddy gets when he eats a lot," she answered all knowingly.
"Well, sweetie you know that your Aunt Hannah and I are going to have a baby right," and with her nod, he continued, "well, that's where the baby is and once the baby is ready, she will come out and grow up to be as big as you."
"A baby girl?"
"Well, I think the baby is a girl, but it doesn't matter if the baby is a boy because I will love him just as much." Bright knew he said something to upset the little girl laying contently in his arms because all of a sudden, she began to get teary eyed and turned away from him. Turning her back to him, Bright wiped the tears from her sparkly eyes and asked, "Munchkin what's the matter? Tell me what's wrong so I can fix it."
"You're not going to love me anymore or play with me when the new baby comes," she hiccupped, the tears now running freely down her chubby cheeks.
Wiping the tears away once again, he pulled her closer and said, "Munchkin, I love you-I promise I won't stop and I'll always be here for you okay? Besides, do you want to know why I want a little girl?"
"Sure," came the sniffly response.
"It's because I want a little girl just like you because munchkin, you're getting older now and you're not always going to want to play with me either and you're the coolest person I know besides your aunt. I want my little girl to be just like you, okay? So, are we good, now that you know I'm always going to be here for you?"
"Yeah," she replied, snuggling further into her uncle's arms and eventually all that could be heard was the even breathing of the both of them, as they had fallen asleep right there in the backyard hammock.
Hannah had found them and not having the heart to wake either of them, just gathered a blanket from inside and placed it upon the two. She couldn't wait till their own baby was born-Bright would be the perfect father.
Author's Note: I thought that was a good place to end it. Okay, so what do you guys want the baby to be? Boy or girl? You can kind of guess what I'm leaning towards, but either way, the most votes wins, so drop me a line with your preference!
Thank You's:
smarstar247: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked the story, but as for the sex of the baby, well you can decide it if you want! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! xoxo, meeaz.
kursk: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like this! It's really funny that you mentioned that I should add in a visit to Everwood because I was actually planning on doing that in the first place if people actually wanted me to. Hope you liked this installment! xoxo, meeaz.
Vanillastar: Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoyed this! xoxo, meeaz.
Tessie26: Thanks for the review! I wrote this because I really haven't seen a future fic with brannah so yeah. Hope you enjoyed this! xoxo, meeaz.
peachykeen: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed this! Hope you enjoyed this! xoxo, meeaz.
ashley: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked this! Hope you enjoyed it too! xoxo, meeaz.
totaltvjunkie: Thanks for the review! I'm really glad you enjoyed this! Hope you enjoyed the latest! xoxo, meeaz.