I do NOT own Summerland. I DO own Teresa Coleman, her family, and story.
Wow! 12 reviews!!!!!!!!! Is that a record? Might be... I think it is... not sure though, but whatever! 12!! Wow! Thank y'all so, so, so, SO much!!!! And, y'all, I am so sorry it's taken me this long to update! I promise to try my best not to let it be that long next time! I hope you all enjoy it and will review! Merci!
StrawberryCheeseCak3: Lol! Wow... like, was NO BODY feeling at least the LITTLEST bit sorry for Jerry? don't answer that ;) Anyway, yes, he killed himself... why is it not right??? What, did you want me to throw him into an old Roman torture chamber or something:P Anyway, I hope you like this ch! Oh, and I'm reading Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl! Lol! You know, you had to read about Hitler and I'm reading Anne Frank's diary. Ever read it? It's good and very interesting, but also very sad.)
XoCaliBabiox: Lol! Every time I read your name it makes me think of Callie on Summerland! Lol! But anyway, thanks so much for the review! And yes, he killed himself. See, he figured if he didn't he was going to go to prison anyway and he had just like, realized how much horror he'd done and so... he killed himself:-\ Anyhow, Brae was referring to Nikki. (Remember, he had raped her.) and thanks! So glad the drama/dialog was good:D I was really worried that it was just um... I don't know.. not strong enough or something... lol! OMGosh! Thank you!!! I'm honored it's made it to your top 5! (Just out of curiosity, what's you're #1 Summerland story? Cause I'd like to read it if I haven't already. Have you ever read Secrets by CharmedCat? Awesome story!) Okay, talk to you later, Mary!
Sweet-Romantic: Ok... lol! Glad that uh... made you happy that he died... lol! Hope you like this ch!
justthegirl07: Thanks so much for reading/reviewing! I shall do my best! ;) (To keep up the good work, I mean.) And yeah, Jerry's gone. SICK-O indeed... Gosh! What a crazy character I created! Oo Oh Gosh... lol! Anyway, hope you like this ch!
Candace Storms: Yes, no worries, the bad guy is indeed dead:) Cool, I think you did update but I haven't gotten time to read it yet... will soon! Anyway, thanks so much for reading/reviewing, it means so much!! Hope you like this chapter!
ChrissyD: No problem! I'm sorry it took me this long to update:O Anyhow, thanks so much for reading/reviewing! I'm so glad you liked it and that it was that intense! I really didn't think I'd done that great a job with that chapter but... you changed my mind! I'm so glad you liked it! He, he... ABCs huh? Well you know... whatever floats your boat! ;) And yes, I was trying to show just what a fighter Bradin is. Glad that meaning, apparently, came through to the readers:D Thank again and I hope you like this chapter!
Krissy: Hey, Krissy:D You so need to get on AIM sometime when I'm on! Lol! Anyway, thank you so much for reading/reviewing!! So glad you were freaking out, well, I'm not but... lol! You know, it means the chapter was good! smiles Anyway, yep, Jerry's gone! Lol! Which seems to be something everyone who reviewed was happy about! Sorry, I didn't mean for that to be confusing... Okay, so what happened was: Jerry shot the gun but Bradin had just run out of strength, like, thinking he was about to die so he just dropped his head, thus, the bullet whizzed past but everyone thought it had hit him. Until Jay went over to him, you know. And, actually, a gun would fire even if nothing was in it as long as there was gun powder. (Sorry, I'm sure you knew that! Lol! And it sounds like I'm talking to a 3rd grader or something.. lol!) You shall find out if Brae's okay or not in... THIS CHAPTER:D Hope you like it!!! And, yeah... lol! It does sound shallow but, heck, he's HOTT, dude:P Yes, there's a good little bit more to the story, so don't worry! I think I got the email, I'll have to see though, if I did I must not have replied yet or something... but I'll get to it. Yes, please give me the site! Lol! Cause I like, can't figure anything out about him lately! Thanks, but I figured out who she was. :)
kandykane33: Thanks so much for reading/reviewing! I hope you like this chapter and I really hope you like how I've decided to end the story... probably about 5 chapters to go:-\ Hope you like 'em!
froggy2045: Yep, he's finally gone:D lol! Who knew somebody's death could make people so happy?? Lmao at how many people were like, YEAH!!! JERRY'S DEAD!!!!!! Lol! Thank you! I'm glad they keep getting better, it means I'm improving! Maybe the sequel will be better still:D He, he... you don't hope it as much as I hope it! I swear, I'd probably like, drop dead or something! Lol! Well, of course, not literally but you know... Hope you enjoy this chapter!
CraZyLilGiRL: Omg! Wow... lol! I'm honored... But don't get yourself into trouble over it, please:) But thank you so much for reading/reviewing! It means a lot!!! And I'm really flattered that you love it so much! Thank you, thank you!!!
Varinia: Thank you!!! Well... read to find out:D Hope you like this ch!
SoMuch4MyHappyEnding: BJ:D Wow, you've been one of my most loyal and faithful readers! Thank you so much for reading/reviewing!!! And uh oh... was that the gulp puppy dog face gulp a- again? No!!! Now I have to update! ;) So glad you liked it!!! WHAT!??!?! Do you HONESTLY believe I could kill off Bradin- ...oh... I already did that didn't I... He, he... laughs nervously (Referring to my story Lost Soul btw) Well.. anyway, no, I will not kill Brae in this story! ;) Hope you like this chapter! And I'm so sorry it took me so long to update... but, God, life has been HECTIC!!!
Whoa, that was a lot of blabbing wasn't it... sorry... um, how 'bout a consolation prize of, you guessed it, a chapter! READ!
Chapter XXX
I Love You
"Baby?" Teresa Coleman sat beside her unconscious boyfriend and clutched his hand; he had to wake up any second now... It had been nearly 9 hours.
Bradin's eye lids slowly opened. White. That was the first thing he saw. Where was he? Was that an angel? No..."Huh... Reese?" he murmured, still half out of it.
"It's me, Baby, it's alright, I'm here..." Teresa gripped his hand in hers and wiped away a tear that slid from her eye.
"Where am... never mind..." The only place in the world Bradin knew of that was white was a hospital. Why did they have to be white anyway? It was so... so... emotionless... actually, it was almost painful!
"I know... you hate these places... So do I, Brae," Teresa whispered, "I told your aunt that and she agrees... she's gonna see if she can get you out today."
Bradin turned his head to meet Teresa's eyes. They were beautiful. That vivid green that was so captivating to him... "Babe, what happened?"
"Well, you remember everything up to Jerry falling over the edge?" Teresa bit her bottom lip. The horrors of the past night came back to her, the biggest one being when it looked as though Jerry had killed Bradin...
"Yeah... I remember..." Bradin lowered his gaze so his eyes didn't meet Teresa's.
"Well, after that Jay picked you up and we all headed back to our cars and called the police while Ava, me, Nikki and Jay drove you to the hospital... you've been here since, that was about 3:00 this morning, it's noon now." Teresa finished.
"Oh... how did you guys know where I was?"
"Well..." Teresa relayed the events of the night from when Ava and Susannah heard thuds coming from his room up getting to the hospital and finding out that he was gonna be just fine. (They had followed the road Jerry had taken until they saw his car parked on the side of the road. Then they had followed the trail, thinking that must be where Jerry had taken him. They were, of course, right.)
"You've been here since 3:00am?" Bradin turned and smiled up at his girlfriend.
"Yeah..." Teresa blushed and looked away letting go of his hand.
"Hey," Bradin grabbed her hand back and sat up, "look at me."
Teresa turned her head slowly. Why did she suddenly feel so shy around him!? And why should she be embarrassed that she'd been worried sick about him?
"Thank you." Bradin said seriously, "And, Resa?"
"Yeah?" Teresa's eyes were soft, tears brimming in them making them shimmer.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Brae..." Teresa whispered into his ear as she put her arms around his neck and let her head rest on his shoulder.
He put his arms around her shoulders and held her close taking in every second, thanking God that he was still here to be with her...
The door opened quietly and Ava Gregory stepped in. "Bradin!" she exclaimed, "You're awake!"
"Hey, Aunt Ava... yeah, I'm awake..." Bradin smiled weakly.
"How do you feel?"
"I'm alright... When can I get out of here though?"
Before Ava could answer a doctor came in and asked the two women to step outside a minute while she checked Bradin over. After she finished she smiled, "You faired very well considering what happened to you... I think you'll be A-okay!"
Bradin smiled at her, "Thanks..."
With a nod of her head she disappeared into the hall, the door shutting behind her. Bradin leaned against the back of the bed and sighed. God, he hated hospitals...
A minute later the door reopened and Ava stepped back in. "Now." Ava's smile radiated over her whole face.
"Huh?"
"You asked when you could leave, and I'm answering; now!"
Bradin smiled, "Can't just walk out though can I?"
"No..." Ava shook her head, "They don't want to 'get sued,'" she made air quotes with her hands and they both laughed. "Get dressed though, cause Teresa's waiting in the hall with a wheel chair and my car's out in the lot and then it's home again, home again jiggety jog!!"
Bradin shook his head, "Just stop," he laughed, "I can see now why Derrick doesn't even laugh at you..."
Ava made a face then laughed, "Fine, no stand up for me!" she left the room so he could dress.
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"Here we are, you two!" Ava looked in the review mirror to find that neither of them had heard her, "Guys?" she half yelled and laughed as they both looked forward at her.
"Huh?" Teresa mumbled, her face turning red.
"We're here..." Ava repeated, a sly smile on her face, "Now you can 'get a room!'"
Teresa turned redder but Bradin grinned impishly, "Right..."
They all climbed out of the car and headed up the front steps. Entering the living room Bradin was surprised to find Jay, Susannah, Johnny, Erica, Cameron Nikki, Derrick, Teresa's mother, sister and aunt all sitting in the living room, smiles engulfing their faces as soon as the front door opened. "Bradin!!" the exclamation came from everyone's mouth at once.
Ava slipped past Bradin and Teresa put her arms around his neck from the back and leaned up to whisper in his ear, "We all love you, Bradin... everybody was deathly worried about you.. have been for quite a while now but especially today and last night... We all love you and could never bare to lose you and we hate to see you hurting... so, everybody came here today to wait for news. This is the best they could've gotten! You coming home!"
Bradin couldn't help but smile. He laughed as Derrick ran up to him and said, "You wanna play catch?"
"Not today, buddy... but soon, okay?" He smiled.
Derrick smiled back, "Okay!"
After everyone had talked to him and assured themselves he was okay they all ate and then went their own ways to give him room to breath.
Teresa's mom, aunt and sister went back home but on her way out the door Karen Coleman stopped, "I'm glad you're okay, Bradin. I really am... I honestly love you." She hugged him quickly trying not to embarrass him but he held onto her, "Thank you, I love you too!" She smiled at this then headed out the door calling over her shoulder, "Resa, make sure you call me when you're coming home!"
Johnny said that he had a meeting to go to and left, Jay and Erica headed out to go see a movie and Derrick went out to play with Martha, who had come over unaware of the day's earlier events, for the last two hours before sundown. Susannah also left, to meet with Kiki, a designer she'd been talking to, Nikki and Cameron went to take a walk on the beach and Ava went to the kitchen to clean up after the massive dinner they had all eaten. It was about 6:00pm.
"So..." Teresa leaned onto Bradin's shoulder and sighed, "are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah... I'm alright, Babe... wanna go somewhere more 'private?'" he smiled mischievously.
"Maybe..." Teresa's smile was mysterious, causing Bradin to want her more.
He stood up and took her hand, pulling her off the couch. He lead the way upstairs to his room and shut the door behind them, silently locking it. "I know one thing about this door now..." he started, coming closer to where she stood beside his bed.
"What's that?" the right corner of her mouth upturned.
"It's damn hard to break down!" he smiled, putting his hands under her shoulders and running them down her sides to her waist.
"Oh... that..." Teresa grinned and pulled him close to her, kissing him deeply. Bradin's right hand moved under her shirt and over her back stopping in the middle. She groaned slightly and ran her hands through his hair, careful not to touch the wound on the back of his head. She also reminded herself that his left arm and right hand were injured... and his back... But he seemed like he could do this... She pulled back suddenly, "Baby, are you... sure you wanna... er... can do this?"
Bradin just looked at her, "I don't know... doesn't mean I can't kiss you though..." that impish grin of his returned to his face, "Come here..." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
Five minutes later Teresa found herself on Bradin's bed, wrapped in his strong arms with her Robin's egg blue, blouse unbuttoned down the front, revealing the lacey, light pink bra she wore. "Brae..." she mumbled, his head close to hers, his hands around her waist. He sat in front of her, both of them with their legs crossed, sitting Indian style in the center of his bed, "Brae, I..."
"What is it?" he asked, moving away from her slightly, "If you want me to stop just say so."
She hated to... this would make the second time she had "teased" him. "I'm sorry..." she murmured, avoiding any eye contact with him.
"No, I'm sorry! I didn't know you didn't want to." Bradin said. No reply. "Teresa, look at me," he lifted her face to his and gazed into her eyes, "Baby, I respect you in every way and I don't want to do anything with you that you don't want me to. Hey, listen," Teresa had tried to drop her gaze again but he wouldn't allow her, "I love you. I don't want to hurt you! If you don't want to do this then I won't try to make you. I can wait until you're completely ready. Believe me, you're totally worth it!" He smiled at her even as a tear escaped her eye.
"Oh, Brae!" She dropped her head to his chest and sobbed. He held her tightly and rocked her back and forth whispering into her left ear, "Shh... it's okay..."
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It had been a month since the untimely end of Jerry Brown. Police had come and taken statements and both Bradin and Nikki had told of their molestation/rape. Now they were all moving on and just trying to forget everything that had happened... It would be a long road but... they'd make it.
Bradin sat on his bed, it was 6:00pm, Teresa was over but here he was in his room, alone. Why? Because he didn't feel good. Or, at least that's what he had told his aunt and girlfriend. She was helping Ava cook dinner and had told him to go lie down and she'd come get him when it was time to eat. He agreed and was now sitting on his bed as the sun sank low behind the horizon. Honestly he felt fine... physically anyway...
Jerry's scream echoed in his ears. He shook his head in an effort to make it stop. This was wrong! He shouldn't be feeling this way about Jerry's suicide. And it was suicide. He shouldn't! Jerry had tried to kill him God's sake... And come within inches of succeeding!
"Babe?" Bradin's door opened and Teresa poked her head inside, "Your aunt wants to know if-" She stopped and tilted her head. Stepping into his room she shut the door and walked over to where he sat on his bed, "You okay?"
"I... don't know." Bradin admitted, feeling defeated.
"You wanna talk about it?" Teresa's voice was low and gentle She sat down next to him and took his hand.
"Baby... it's just... ever since Jerry... fell..."
"It's bothering you?"
Bradin nodded mutely.
"Oh, Baby! It's alright! Gosh, I don't blame you... You know something?"
"Huh?" Bradin avoided her eyes.
"After I watched my brother and dad die... well, the scene replayed over and over and over again! I couldn't get it out of my head and it gave me nightmares... I still get them, some, but... you know what I found?" Teresa asked, putting a hand over her boyfriend's.
"What?" Bradin looked up at her.
"If you talk to somebody about it... it starts to go away." She smiled, then added, "Slowly, yes. But... they do go away."
"Who did you talk to?" Bradin asked.
"Well, my mother... and aunt... even your aunt!" she laughed.
"Not me?"
"I... I thought you were going through too much at the time..."
"I understand... thanks!" Bradin smiled slightly, "I probably was."
"But hey, if it'll make you feel better, we can share our memories/hauntings with each other... it might help you open up and... I know it would help me get rid of mine completely! Whatcha' say?"
"Sure... And you're right, I think that would help me... thanks!" he smiled and kissed her on the forehead.
"Anytime!" Teresa smiled, "Bradin?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you." Teresa's eyes filled with tears and she threw her arms around Bradin's neck, "I love you..." she repeated.
Bradin didn't need to say anything, he held her tightly and pulled her to his chest. She was perfect, an angel. "I love you..." he said it anyway. He meant it.
Well, there it 'tis! I hope you all liked it but even if you didn't, come on, you know the drill, ;) REVIEW!!!! please Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
Anna Christie AKA SecondStarToTheRight15