Disclaimer: I do not own Summerland or any of it's characters. I do own the Colemans and their story.
Hello everyone, first off, I'm so very sorry for the long wait but here it is! I hope y'all still wanna read it, lol!
I would like to thank everyone of my readers who has ever reviewed this story: ChrissyD, justthegirl07, kbg17223 (Krissy), Sweet-Romantic, Shelby, Shelbyq, Samahenoy Phye, chelsea, beautifuldisaster3903, froggy2045, 88KarateGirl88, Varinia, SoMuch4MyHappyEnding, CountryHottie, xoCaliBabiox, Candace Storms, StrawberryCheeseCak3, CraZyLilGiRL, Julie, codywells305, harryhermione25, OurBeautifulLove99, BAMFx13. (If I forgot someone, I am so sorry, forgive me and I thank you too.)
And a special shout out and thank you to kandykane33 for inspiring me to write Summerland fanfiction and for encouraging me to even put this story up. For reading, reviewing and for being a friend. Thank you so much! Talk to you soon, girl! And keep your chin up, life will get better!
I thank you all for being friends, really. Luv y'all too much! big smile
Now, I know I had said there would be about 4 more chapters but that didn't work out so... this is it. I truly hope you all enjoy the final chapter. So, without further ado, here is chapter 33, the final chapter of Hidden Secrets of My Broken Heart. It's been a crazy ride and I thank you all very, very much and hope to see you soon when I begin the sequel titled Healing The Heart: Hidden Secrets of My Broken Heart II. Until then, thank you, I love you and goodbye.
(I hope I don't disapoint with this ending.)
Read!
Chapter XXXIII
Sunset
Teresa Coleman woke up sleepily to her alarm clock beeping. She looked over at it as she hit "off." It was 3:45am. Wow... She slowly got up and got dressed then quietly headed downstairs and made herself some breakfast. After eating and washing and putting away the few dishes she used she went back upstairs and checked her overnight bag to make sure she had everything for her and Bradin's road trip today then, tidying her room a little bit she went back downstairs and set her bag and purse by the front door. She hated to take the chance of waking her mother up so early, it was still only 4:45am, but she just couldn't take leaving without telling her mother goodbye! She hurried back upstairs and slipped into her mother's room, trying her best to be silent. She kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "Bye, Mama..."
"Huh? Reese?" her mother sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes.
"Sorry," Teresa made a puppy face, "I just had to tell you bye and I love you!"
"Awe! It's okay, sweetie! Bye!" her mother said, smiling, "I love you too! I'm glad you woke me," she mother stood and slipped on a robe, "Honey, why don't I walk you over there since it's so early..."
"Okay!" Teresa readily agreed, smiling. After slipping on a simple dress and flip flops her mother walked Teresa the half mile across the beach to Bradin's house in the fresh early morning air. The two chatted about Christmas, the road trip, their family coming down, the dinner with Bradin's family and other such things the whole way.
When they reached the back porch of Bradin's house Teresa's mother set down her daughter's bag and kissed her on the cheek, saying, "Bye, Sweetheart, you two have fun, okay?"
"Okay! I know I will!" She grinned, and hugged her mother quickly before turning to head up the steps.
Her mother shook her head then waited to make sure Teresa got in, adding, "You behave yourself, too, young lady!"
"Yes, Ma'am..." Teresa blushed but tried not to show her embarrassment as she put the key Bradin had given her to use today, instead of knocking and risking waking anyone else up, into the lock. Turning the door she stepped in quietly, and took her bag as her mother handed it to her smiling and saying, "I'll see you tomorrow, Mama!"
Her mother smiled, "Okay."
Quietly shutting the door behind herself, and locking it, Teresa set down her bag and looked around, it was just barely light out so there was still no sunlight in the house. She could see that a lamp was left on in the living room, however, so she walked through the door and looked up the stairs. It was still dark but she knew exactly where Bradin's room was. She tiptoed up the stairs, it felt weird to be in Bradin's house without him, or anyone else for that matter, up and about... Not bothering to tap on the door she slipped into her boyfriend's room. He was still asleep, naturally. Derrick had spent the night with a friend so it was just her and Bradin in the room. Tiptoeing as quietly as she possibly could she made her way over to his bed. She was certain she hadn't made a sound and yet, Bradin's eyes flew open suddenly. He turned his head but it was so dark she couldn't see his eyes. For a second neither said a word than Bradin murmured, "Babe?"
"'Mornin'!" Teresa smirked, sitting down beside him, "You ever gonna get up?"
Bradin sat up and stared at her. After a minute of this Teresa felt shy and looked away mumbling, "What?"
"You're beautiful." Bradin said, sounding awed.
Teresa bit her bottom lip, she kind of knew what was coming next and it bothered her for some reason... Why didn't she want him to touch her?
Bradin didn't touch her though, he just kept gazing at her. He hooked a finger under her chin making her look back at him, and met her eyes. Smiling he moved in and kissed her, simply, on the lips then pulled back. "I'll hurry and get ready!" he said, jumping up and heading over to his dresser. Teresa just sat in silence while she watched him run around doing this and that. When he was finished he had pulled on a pair of blue jeans over the boxers he'd slept in and changed into a green T-shirt. Putting on shoes and combing his hair he turned back to Teresa, "Something the matter, Babe?"
Teresa shook her head to pull herself out of her thoughts, "No..." she tried to smile but there was this emotion taking over her that she'd never really felt before... "Almost ready?" she added.
"Yeah, just let me get my bag." Bradin got down on his knees and bent over to pull out a black duffel back from underneath his bed. He stood back up and looked around the room, "I think that's it..." he walked over to his nightstand and grabbed his wallet, keys and watch. Shoving all of this in the correct pocket and putting the watch on his arm he extended a hand to Teresa. She took it and he pulled her lightly to her feet, "Let's go," he smiled, "Soon as I grab something to eat..." he added with a grin. Teresa smiled in spite of her trying to look disapproving.
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The car was already parked at Bradin's since that's where they had decided to leave from. So as soon as Bradin had eaten something the two hit the highway.
"Brae..."
Bradin's head was leaned back against his seat, his eyes were closed and he was close to being asleep when Teresa spoke, "Uh huh?" he asked, his eyes still closed.
"I've been thinking..." Teresa said slowly.
"About what?" Bradin asked, this time opening his eyes and looking over at his girlfriend. She was sitting in the driver's seat, one hand on the wheel the other at her side. She wore dark designer sunglasses and silver star earrings. Her hair was pulled into a tight pony-tale to keep the wind from tangling it too bad, as the car was a convertible.
"Well... about us..." she said, keeping her eyes on the road.
"What about us?" Bradin asked. He slipped on his sunglasses. God, the sun was bright today! Or he was tired, or both.
"Well... I guess... I don't know... noting really." Teresa glanced at Bradin for a second. He was staring out his window, thus he couldn't see her. Looking back at the road she sighed in spite of herself. She wanted to ask him something... but she didn't even know what it was.
"What, babe?" Bradin looked over at his girlfriend. He had heard her sigh...
"Oh, it's nothing... I mean, I honestly don't know what it was... put on the radio, would you?" Teresa requested, taking a right turn onto the interstate.
"Sure..." Bradin decided to let it go... for now. Putting on the radio he found a station they both listened to and turned it up. Photograph was playing.
"You know, this song could be so sad if you thought about it..." Teresa commented, "Most of Nickleback's stuff could be..." she added.
"Yeah, I guess..." Bradin thought she was right, but there was no way he was gonna let anything be sad on this trip...
After a few more miles the station went out, Bradin reached up and tuned it to another, but that one went out too. "Dang it..." he mumbled, "It'd be so much easier just to put on a CD..."
"You're right, find one." She said.
Bradin reached into the back seat and grabbed a bag of his, "Um... how 'bout that mix CD you made for me?"
"Sounds fine."
Slipping the CD into the car's stereo system Bradin hit play and sat back as Billy Joe Armstrong's voice came through the speakers.
"Another turning point a fork stuck in the road... Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go. So make the best of this test and don't ask why. It's not a question but a lesson learned in time. It's something unpredictable but, in the end, is right. I hope you have the time of your life..."
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"Good morning, Johnny..." Ava looked over the rim of her coffee cup and smiled.
Johnny, still looking half asleep, nodded. "What are you so happy about anyway?" he asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"I'm not. I'm just being polite." Ava said, simply.
"Polite, got it." Johnny nodded.
"Johnny, look, before anyone else gets up, can we please talk about it?" Ava sighed, giving up trying to be "polite."
"Talk about what?" Johnny took a sip of his coffee.
"Johnny, don't do this. Please, what we did you said was a mistake... but... I don't know if I think so."
"You don't?" Johnny looked up, surprised, "I... I thought you thought it was a mistake..."
"And that's why you said it was?" Ava felt relieved, maybe he didn't actually think it was a mistake.
"Yeah... I mean, I was just afraid you thought it was so I thought if I said so too that... it wouldn't hurt so bad or something... I don't know, stupid I guess." Johnny looked down.
"No, it wasn't stupid! I know, I do things like that too... I'm just glad you don't think so... right?" Ava still wasn't certain.
"Right. It was amazing, Ava, and... honestly... I'd love to be with you again if you wanna give me a try."
Ava's jaw dropped. That was the last thing she had expected him to say! "I..." She smiled, "Yes, Johnny, I'd love to give us another try." She smiled.
"Good..." Johnny got up and came around the table till he was standing behind Ava, who got up, also, and turned to face him. Smiling, the two engaged in a passionate kiss. They neglected to hear Nikki walk into the kitchen. She opened her mouth to say something but when she saw her aunt and Johnny kissing she simply smiled and turned back into the living room, leaving the two alone.
"Shh! Susannah, look!" Nikki whispered as the African-American woman who was like another aunt to Nikki came down the stairs. She pointed into the kitchen and she and Susannah giggled slightly. Susannah put a hand to her lips and walked to the door way of the kitchen and said, loudly, "It's about time!"
Ava pulled away and her face reddened but Johnny just smiled and said, "Yeah, it is, isn't it?" Thus making Ava blush even more.
Everyone laughed until, even Ava was laughing as well. "Breakfast, you guys?" She asked, finally stopping laughing.
"Definitely!" Nikki and Susannah exclaimed, then laughed again.
"Alright, what's so funny?" Jay asked, coming into the kitchen.
"Nothing, you snooze, you lose!" Susannah laughed with Nikki.
"Ha, ha, okay, fine. I'll figure it out later." Jay rubbed his eyes and sat down at the table, yawning.
"Coffee?" Ava asked.
"Thank you." Jay replied as Ava handed him a cup.
"Hey! Where's Bradin?" Derrick entered the kitchen looking upset.
"He left for Raines with Teresa early this morning, remember sweetie?" Ava smiled, "He'll be back tomorrow afternoon.
"Oh yeah..." Derrick mumbled, "Okay, I was just gonna ask him something but..."
"What was it, sweetheart?" Susannah asked, putting a bowl before the young boy and pouring his favorite cereal into it.
"Nothing... I'll ask him when he gets back."
"Are you sure none of us can help you?" Nikki smiled.
"No, that's okay... it's kind of um... private." Derrick smiled, "I'll just ask him."
"Okay... if you're sure."
"I am, thanks." With that he dug into his breakfast as everyone else smiled.
"Oh! I've gotta call Cam and tell him to meet me here in one hour flat!" Nikki exclaimed, running into the living room. She came back only a second later with the phone pressed to one ear.
"What's in half an hour? That'll only be 9:00am!" Susannah laughed, "I didn't think teenage boys got up a minute before noon if they didn't have school!"
"This coming from someone who lives with a teenage boy who gets up anywhere from 5 to 6 every morning!" Jay laughed.
"Okay, so he's an exception! But really, what's in half an hour, Nikki?"
"Hey! No, I did not anyway! Oh shut up, Cameron Bale!" Nikki laughed then turned her attention to Susannah, "We're going shopping for the finally perfect Christmas presents!"
"Oh Lord! And there's the second exception, a guy who will go shopping!" she laughed as she ate a spoonful of her cereal.
"Yes, you are, bud! And be here in half an hour, okay? Okay, I love you, too! Bye!" hanging up the phone Nikki handed to Jay, as he had asked for it when she was done, and sat down across from her little brother, pouring herself a bowl of cereal and milk then eating it. "Yep, I've got the two perfect exceptions don't I?" she laughed, turning to Susannah, who was seated beside her.
"Two?"
"Bradin and Cam!" she giggled, "Who could want more! A brother and a boyfriend who will get up early and go shopping with you if you want them to!"
"I envy you." She laughed.
"Yeah, I know! But hey, Bradin's not that much younger than you..." she winked then the whole room exploded with laughter.
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"Here we are, Babe!" Teresa exclaimed, glancing over at her boyfriend in the passenger's seat. She shook her head, sleeping... "Bradin!"
"Huh?!" the teenage boy's head shot up.
"I said, 'here we are!'" Teresa repeated to her, now awake, boyfriend, "Isn't it beautiful!?"
"Oh..." Bradin slipped off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes, taking in the scenery of Raines, California, "Yeah, it is... but not nearly as beautiful as you." He added matter-of-factly.
"Brae... be ridiculous, for gosh sake!" Teresa said, however, she blushed in spite of herself.
"I will not, you are the single most beautiful thing I've ever laid my eyes on and that's the truth! I swear!" he said giving her a very serious look.
"Um..." Teresa couldn't think of anything to say, she'd made the mistake of looking into his beautiful blue/green eyes and was now completely lost. The next thing she was aware of was Bradin whispering into her ear that he loved her and then kissing her deeply and passionately. As he pulled away from her she noted a look in his eyes she'd never seen before... what was it?
"We'd better get going if we wanna be on the beach to catch that sunset..." Bradin said, looking at a map.
"Right... so which road?" Teresa asked, trying to sound like she was paying attention. But she wasn't. What was that look? Fear? No... Nervousness? Maybe... Worry? Hurt? No, no... It was nervousness... It must have been. What could he be nervous about? And why had he pulled out of the kiss so quickly... yes, it was deep and passionate, but far too short for Bradin's usual deep, passionate kisses... What was on his mind? She hated when she couldn't tell what he was thinking! She hated when she couldn't tell what he was feeling! She- "Reese? Hello!?" Teresa was pulled from her thoughts by Bradin's hand waving in front of her face. He was smiling, almost laughing as he continued, "Earth to Teresa!? Come in-"
"I get it, damn it!" she snapped, instantly regretting it.
He dropped his hand, and his smile, and said shortly, "God, sorry. Take that road." He pointed in the direction of a two lane service road to the left of where the car sat. Teresa had pulled into a parking lot to reorient right before she had woken Bradin up which is where they still sat.
"Sorry, Brae... just... lost in thought I guess..." she looked over at him, expecting him to say it was okay but he didn't. He didn't say anything. "I- I'm really sorry... are you-" Teresa suddenly remembered how they had met...
"'So um... you mind if I sit here?' Teresa asked. 'It's a public beach isn't it?' he returned. She felt herself getting mad at this but blew it off, 'Uh... yeah... You okay?' she said, sitting down about 2 feet away from him. 'Don't ask me that!' he screamed at her."
"Okay?" she finished, almost expecting him to scream at her like he had the first time she'd asked him that.
"Fine." Was the curt reply.
Trying not to sigh Teresa started her car and pulled out onto the road Bradin had directed her to get on. "Brae?"
"What?"
What? He never asked her "what." He would always say, "yeah?" or "Hmm?" or something nicer like that... and if he did say "what" it was a whole lot nicer than that "what" had just been! "What? You wanna know what!? I'll tell you what! You can be such an ass hole!!! That's what! Why the hell are you treating me like this!!?!?!" All of this ran through Teresa's head but all that got out was, "Um... nothing, never mind..." She wanted to scream at him but she didn't. What the heck had made him so mad anyway!? She just snapped! She snapped every now and then and he didn't act like this... God... And what right did she have to tell him he was being an ass hole? Or that he could be or whatever... Hell, she could be a damn bitch when she wanted to and get away with it! He was always patient with her, the least she could do was be patient with him. "Bradin, what's the matter?" she asked, gently this time, with an obvious patience to her voice.
"Nothing, okay!? Stop asking me that..." Bradin bit his lip. God, he hated being mean to her...
"I've only asked you twice, Babe..." Teresa remained calm despite his outburst.
"Sorry... I guess I'm just getting a little tired of sitting here or having a bad day or both... yeah, both..." Bradin tried to smile but didn't really feel like it. He looked out his window, dark sunglasses covering his eyes once more.
"I see..." Teresa knew him better than that, "Bradin Westerly, do you honestly think I believe that?"
"I... no, I doubt it." Bradin said in a sigh.
"Than, what's the matter?" Teresa took a right turn onto road leading straight a stretch of beach with no houses on it.
"I... I'm nervous, honestly..." Bradin admitted.
"Nervous? About what?" Teresa glanced over at him to find him biting his lower lip. She raised an eyebrow, he was nervous!
"Um... nothing I wanna talk about right now, okay?" Bradin prayed she'd just drop it.
"Oh... okay..." Teresa decided to let it go... for now. Silence fell over the two for the rest of the drive. Parking the car in a small parking lot beside the sandy beach of Raines, Teresa and Bradin got out of the car. It was 3:30pm.
It had taken the couple 8 hours to reach their destination for the lack of interstate from Playa Linda to Raines. They had had to drive on scenic roads for most of the way, which took longer, and had also stopped for lunch in a town a ways back.
"So, as soon as it's pitch black down here we'll head over to my friend's house and spend the night there, okay?"
"Okay..." Bradin moved closer to his girlfriend and put his arm around her shoulders. "Hey, I'm sorry about earlier... I guess I was just... well... I don't know really... but I'm sorry."
Teresa smiled and leaned into his shoulder, "It's okay, baby... I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"It's okay... incidentally though, why did you? I mean, that's not like you, is all..."
"Well... I think I was trying to figure out what was on your mind, honestly..." Teresa laughed slightly, "What was on your mind?"
"Oh... that... um... nothing important." Bradin tried to blow it off but Teresa wasn't giving up that easily.
"What? And if it's important to you than it's important to me!" Teresa insisted.
"No, it's not... really."
"Yes, it is, really!" Teresa stopped walking and sat down in the soft sand, looking out at the coast.
"Reese..." Bradin sat down behind her and put his arms around her neck, kissing her cheek.
Teresa smiled in spite of trying to get what was on his mind out of him. "What?"
"I don't wanna talk about it..." Bradin stopped kissing her and pulled his arms back from around her neck.
"Brae.. I'm sorry, just forget it..." Teresa wished he would kiss her again... she loved when he would sit behind her and kiss her cheek and neck.
Bradin said nothing and moved around her till he was beside, not behind, his girlfriend. Sighing, Teresa pulled off her shirt to reveal a green bikini top underneath. Bradin took off his shirt and the two lay in the late afternoon sunlight. After laying in silence for a good hour, just soaking up the sun, Teresa sat up and looked over at Bradin. His eyes were concealed behind sunglasses, as were hers, but she could tell they were open.
"Brae..."
"Yeah?" He sat up and looked at her, removing the glasses.
"Are you upset with me or something... I mean..." Teresa let her voice fade away.
"No... not at all... I uh... just... well... I think I'm more upset with myself than anyone or anything else... I'm sorry if I've been taking that out on you."
"You haven't really, I just meant... you know, you haven't said anything to me for the past hour and before that you were kissing me but stopped... I don't know..."
Bradin half smiled, "Hey, come here... I'm sorry..." he pulled Teresa into a hug and the two sat like that for another 15 minutes until Bradin turned his girlfriend's face to the western sky, "Look!"
The sun was just beginning to sink down below the horizon and golden and red/orange rays shot through the sky in every direction.
"Oh, Brae... it's breathtaking!" Teresa exclaimed, staring upward.
Bradin looked away from the sky and at Teresa, "Yes..." he sounded awed, "You are."
Teresa's smile lit up her whole face as she looked over at her boyfriend. He'd been through so much and yet... was still perfect. She didn't bother telling him that was silly... she loved when he told her things like that because... well, because he actually meant them.
"Reese..." Bradin suddenly looked nervous, "I um.. well, that is..." Taking a deep breath he took Teresa's hands into his and pulled her to her feet, then, looking deeply into her eyes, said, "Teresa, I love you. I love you more than anything or anyone else on this earth. I... I want to be with you until I draw my final breath, and when I do, I want to be in your arms. And, baby, after that, I want to be there... waiting for you. I love you so much... I don't even know how to tell you how much I love you... And I don't think you'd believe me if I tried to, that's why I need to show you. And to show you I'll need a lifetime and then some..."
Teresa had been listening to him, patiently, soaking in every word, she wanted him to finish so she could tell him how much she loved him but she didn't want him to ever stop because she loved hearing how much he loved her... she kept listening.
"So..." Bradin got down on one knee. Looking up at Teresa, who gasped and put a hand over her mouth, he said, "I want you to spend the rest of your life with me..." he put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small, dark blue box. Opening it to reveal a beautiful slender, silver band with a small, but shimmering and beautiful, diamond on top. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you..." With a smile across his face he spoke softly, "What I'm trying to say is: Teresa Coleman, will you marry me?"
Tears streamed from Teresa's eyes and she struggled to speak without choking, but failed, as she replied, "Y- yes... God, Bradin Westerly! I love you so," she laughed through her tears of joy and emphasized the word "freakin'" as she continued, "freakin' much!!" continuing to speak was useless as tears now covered her face and she was shaking from being so happy. Bradin's face was pure joy as he slipped the ring onto his fiancée's finger and stood up. Taking her laughing, crying, shaking body into his arms, he pulled her to his chest and kissed her forehead, "I love you." He whispered softly. She whispered it back and buried her head into his strong body, letting him hold her as the sun sank low below the western horizon, casting romantic rays into darkening sky. Bradin sighed... He was finally content. Everything was perfect... She was perfect... they were perfect... this was perfect... Life was- was it? Yeah... life was perfect.
The end...
Well... there it is. I um... hope you liked it and please review it for me, it's very greatly appreciated! I love you all and hey, I hope I'll see you in my other story (On The Edge of Sanity) and when (assuming I do) start the sequel to this. (Healing the Heart: Hidden Secrets of My Broken Heart II) Now, as hard as this is to say, goodbye.
Anna Christie AKA SecondStarToTheRight15
P.S. If you EVER want to talk to me my email, Myspace and a few other places are in my profile. I'd love to talk to you all again so feel free to contact me at one of those places mentioned in my profile! Love you all and thank you so much, again, for all the love and support I've gotten from y'all during this story. I feel like I should say something er... great here, lol, but can't think of anything so... (to those of you who know me better than just as a writer) I'll end it as always:
Rock on,
Anna Christie