Again, I do not own Summerland or any of it's familiar characters. I do, however, own the Martins and thank you for respecting that. :)

Here she is! The final chapter of On The Edge of Sanity.

Letting Go Is Hard...
(But I Can Be Done)

Another two months passed and it was clear to everyone that Bradin and Candice were in love. Tonight Shelly and she were coming over for dinner as well as Cameron. Nikki was eight months pregnant and she and Cameron had told Cameron's mother and father about 5 months ago. His mother had been shocked but said she would be there for her son and for Nikki and was proud that they were making the decision to keep the baby. His father had been a different story. Pissed at Cameron for letting it happen and angry that they were keeping it. He kicked Cameron out and Cameron had been living here and there with friends and with his mother then with an aunt who was staying in Playa Linda then with friends again. Recently, however, Ava had suggested to Nikki that Cameron move in with them and they asked him about it and he agreed, thanking them. He was going to get his stuff from his mom's house in a few days and go ahead and start living there.

"Hey!" Nikki exclaimed from where she sat on the living room couch as Candice and Shelly entered the living room followed by Cameron and her older brother. "Brae, would you go up to my room and get my digital camera off my dresser? I wanna show Cam something..." she added.

"Sure..." Bradin headed up the stairs.

"Sit down, you guys!" Nikki smiled, "What's been up?" she asked Shelly and Candice as they sat down across from Nikki and Cameron sat beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"Not much..." Shelly said, seeming lost in thought, "Josh and I have been going out for a month now... but that's about it..." she laughed, "Kinda boring, aren't I?"

"Nah," Nikki smiled, "Just a slow, boring month, no person." She added.

Shelly nodded, "Yeah, oh, and I've been working my butt off trying to get tat stupid promotion... which I finally got today!" she added excitedly.

"Really? That's great, congrats, girl!" Nikki exclaimed.

"Thanks," Shelly smiled, "Here that, little sis?" she asked turning to face Candice.

"Huh? Oh, yeah... that's good..." Candice seemed extremely distant for some reason. And unusually quiet for her normal nonstop-crazy-chatter-about-nonsense self.

Bradin came back downstairs and handed Nikki her camera then went and sat down beside Candice, wrapping his arms around her and, sensing that something was bothering her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "You okay, babe?"

"Mmhmm..." Candice tried to smile but didn't succeed very well.

"What is it?" Bradin asked, concerned and not taking her "mmhmm" for an answer.

"Nothing..." Candice turned away from him but found that Shelly was looking at her, also concerned. She looked down, "Nothing, guys, I'm fine..."

Shelly didn't seem to accept that and put a hand on her sister's shoulder, "What is it, girl?"

"Nothing..." Candice felt tears coming to her eyes by how much Bradin and her sister cared about her. She looked up and saw Nikki looking just as concerned, which only made the tears beg to fall more. She shook her head and said, smiling, "Really... I'm fine."

"Okay..." Shelly didn't seem fully satisfied but turned back to Nikki and started talking about something that had happened at work the day before. Nikki, also didn't seem fully satisfied with Candice's answer but dropped it, for the moment anyway, and listened, with interest, to Shelly's story.

Bradin, who had been holding Candice, realized she was shaking, ever so slightly, where you wouldn't know it unless you were close to her body, which he was. He whispered into Candice's ear, "Baby, what's wrong? You're shaking..."

Candice tried to smile but instead a tear fell from her eye. Bradin saw this and hugged her tighter, "What?"

"Brae... not now, not now..." she whispered, burying her head in his shoulder as Shelly and Nikki stopped talking, noticing that Candice really was upset.

Bradin just nodded, knowing she didn't want to talk about whatever it was in front of everyone. "Okay, baby..." he gave Shelly and Nikki a look that said, "Let it go for now, go on talking."

They, though concerned, started talking about the latest celebrity gossip and who was having the best sale at the mall that week.

Candice stood up, excused herself and went to the bathroom.

"What's wrong with her, Brae?" Nikki asked, concerned for her friend

"I don't know.. she won't say... she did say 'not now' though so I guess she really doesn't wanna talk about it right now..."

"I'm worried about her, Bradin... she's been acting like this, you know, distant and just... like this, since Tuesday..." Shelly said, "Also, last night I woke up late and she wasn't in bed, she wasn't even in the apartment. I got worried and was about to go out and look for her when she came in the front door. I asked her what was up but she just said she couldn't sleep and had gone up to the roof to look at the moon... I let it go but now, with the way she's acting today..." Shelly was clearly worried about her sister.

"Shh," Bradin warned, Candice was coming back from the bathroom.

Though they all tried to hide it, Candice could tell they'd been talking about her. "Guys, I'm fine." She stressed the word making everyone believe even more that she wasn't.

"Candy... do you need to tell us something?" Shelly asked.

Cameron excused himself and Nikki went with him, hoping maybe Candice would tell Shelly and Bradin what was going on with her if there were less people in the room. Thankfully Jay and Johnny were outside helping Derrick with his swing and playing catch and Susannah and Ava were in Nevada meeting a fashion company who was interested in their designs.

"N- no..." Candice hadn't meant to but she had stuttered.

Something hit Bradin and he stood up and went over to Candice, who was still standing in the middle of the living room looking almost scared. Standing behind Candice and wrapping his arms around her waist he put his head on her right shoulder and whispered, "Do you need to talk?"

"Kind of..." Candice was finally giving in. "I... I need to talk to you, alone, Brae..."

Bradin nodded and took her hand, leading her upstairs to his room, leaving Shelly in the living room, looking worried.

"Now, what is it, baby?" Bradin asked, sitting beside his girlfriend where she had sat down on his bed.

"Brae, I... Um... I mean... No, no, I don't know!" Candice stood up and went for his bedroom door.

"Baby!" Bradin followed her but she was already all but running down the stairs and heading for the front door.

Shelly stood up quickly and followed her sister, who was outside now. Bradin was right behind Shelly.

"Candice! Candy!" Shelly called, trying to catch up with her sister who was now running down the road.

"No, stop! Go back, okay? I just... I need some air!" Candice called, stopping and turning around.

"Candice..." Shelly caught up with her sister followed by Bradin seconds later. "Candy... what's going on? You need to tell me what's going on!" she said, calmly but worriedly.

"No, no! I need a minute, okay! You two go back to Bradin's house and I'll... I'll be there in a little while.. I just need to walk a few minutes, okay..." Candice tried with everything she had not to let tears fall from her eyes.

"Candice, I don't know... I think you should just come back...we'll leave you alone so you can get some air but just... come back, okay?" Shelly was worried, something was nagging her about Candice going walking alone... but that was probably just the fact that Candice had once missing for a while the first time she walked off and had gotten beaten up the second time.

"I'll be alright, just give me a minute, okay!" Candice yelled, frustrated that her sister wouldn't go away.

"I-"

Bradin stepped in at this point, "Come on, Shelly..." he gave Candice a forced smile, but was obviously very worried about her, "Go ahead and walk... I wish you wouldn't though, Babe..."

"I won't be long!" Candice said, "Just go on back..." she turned and started walking briskly away from her sister and boyfriend.

Bradin caught her arm, making her turn back, "Okay... I love you, baby."

"I love you too, sis!" Shelly added.

"I love you both so much!" Candice smiled genuinely this time, "Thanks..." she walked away now and Shelly and Bradin didn't stop her, they just stood there watching her for a minute then walked back to the house, talking about what was up with her.

Candice couldn't believe how stupid it had been of her to just walk off on Shelly and Bradin and Nikki too for that matter... she knew they were just trying to be there for her. Then again, she just needed some time to herself... she needed to think a minute... that's all...

She headed further down the road until she had thought herself crazy... Okay, that was all the thinking she could do for now... she needed to go home... Maybe Shelly would understand if she said she really needed some air still and wanted to go home and go to bed... Maybe Bradin would walk them home and hold her till she fell asleep... that would be nice...

Candice was so lost in thought that she failed to notice a car coming up the road behind her... in the wrong lane. By the time she did it was too late, once she noticed it she had no time left to dodge it. The car hit her at a good 50 miles per hour sending the teenage girl flying into the nearby, shallow ocean waters. She screamed at the impact and as she flew through the air and hit the water and ground beneath.

"Oh my God..." she gasped as the world began to spin in dizzying circles... She was lying in water that wasn't a foot deep but still freezing. She shivered and her head ached so bad that she wanted to scream... but couldn't find the strength. She realized that she was bleeding somewhere judging by the bronze color the water directly around her was starting to turn... She tried to figure out where... she tried to figure out what happened to the car... did they leave? They did... They weren't going to help her.. .it was a hit and run! So... she was helpless? She tried to get up... why? No... wait... Where was she again? Why had she taken that walk... Her head... yes, her head was bleeding... She murmured inaudibly, "Bradin..." there was no answer... no one was there... why had she left the house? "Bradin..." her head reeled and she lost consciousness.

"That's right, Ava... you guys better come home... or at least you... Nikki's really taking this hard... really hard. And I'm worried about her since she's pregnant and all.. you know it can't be good for her to be so upset."

"I know... I'm booking a flight now... Look, I'll be back in a few hours, that's when I should arrive if I leave on the midnight flight. I should be back about 3 or so... I think... I really don't know but I'll be there. Just... comfort Nikki as best you can till I get back... I know Cameron's there with her but just... well, you know..."

"I know. I'm trying with everything I've got... But, Ava, it's Bradin you ought to see... rather, it's Bradin you don't want to see..."

"Why?" Ava sounded almost scared to ask.

"Well..." Jay looked over his shoulder to see Bradin. He was sitting. Just sitting...

"You just should... I can't explain it... he's just... I don't know..." Jay whispered.

"I think I get it... his parents but ten times worse?" Ava asked, uncertain.

"No... it's not like that... with his parents he cried... he hasn't shed a tear." Jay continued to whisper so Bradin wouldn't hear him.

"Oh God... well just... just be there for both of them but mostly Nikki till I can get back and take over with her and maybe you and Johnny can do something for Brae... I mean, I know he's suffering too but, like you said, Nikki's pregnant."

"Yeah... I'll see you in a few hours, okay?" Jay asked.

"Yes. Okay, take care and you know my cell number so don't hesitate, got it?" Ava sounded serious.

"Got it. See you soon." Jay hung up the phone after Ava said goodbye and hung hers up. Turning around he expected to see Bradin still sitting there alone but he wasn't. Nikki was with him. She sat directly beside him, her head buried in his chest, his arms wrapped around her in a comforting embrace. He rubbed her back and whispered something Jay couldn't hear. Nikki's crying had turned to sobs Jay was thankful to see. It was amazing how Bradin could still be a comfort even when he was hurting... Jay had always admired that about him... Guess maybe they would be okay till Ava got there...

"Miss Martin, you are the only living immediate family, correct?" a police officer asked the 18 year old sister of Candice Martin.

Shelly couldn't speak, tears ran down her face in streams and she shook with sobs.

It had been 3 days since police officers had found Candice Martin's body near Ocean View Avenue. The autopsy had been completed and revealed that Candice had died of a head injury. Obviously from the car that hit her, which they were still looking for, but with on leads whatsoever since there were no witnesses but the victim, who couldn't tell them a thing. Shelly, Bradin and Ava were all at Shelly's apartment where police were talking to Shelly about what happened, who to leave the burial arrangements to and what the autopsy had revealed.

"Yes, she is." Bradin spoke for Shelly, who still hadn't answered the officer.

The officer, who's nametag read Holmes, nodded. "I see... Ma'am," he again spoke to Shelly, "Ma'am, we'll need to you..."

Bradin didn't hear what he was saying... He was lost in thought, still trying to figure out what had been upsetting Candice so badly the night she died... he assumed he'd never know now... not unless she just so happened to have written it all down somewhere... He knew she kept a diary but neither he or Shelly knew where it was or if they should read it... Something caught Bradin's ears, what had that cop just said? "What did you say?" he asked, having not heard it.

Holmes looked at him, "How are you related to this girl anyway?"

"I was her boyfriend..." Bradin said, wishing he'd just repeat whatever it was he had said, "What did you just ask Shelly?.

"Yeah, what was it?" Shelly had heard him but she wasn't certain so she wanted him to repeat it.

The officer turned back to Shelly and repeated himself, "I said, were you aware that your sister was about 6 weeks pregnant.

Ava, who was also standing there, murmured, "Oh, God..."

Bradin looked pained all of a sudden. He turned away from the office and looked at Shelly, who was looking at him.

"Oh, my God..." Shelly mumbled, "That's what it was..."

Bradin gave a nod, "Shit..." he murmured, biting his bottom lip. After a second of silence he exclaimed, "Damn it!" then left the apartment. How had he let that happen... And if he hadn't... then maybe Candice would still be here today...

Black dresses and suits. Flowers. Pictures. A minister. All the makings of a funeral... it was even raining... how quaint...

"And no one could know that something like this would happen... How could anybody foresee it? They couldn't. Nobody could. Nobody could do anything about it so there is no need to blame yourselves... any of you... it was fate, ill fate, but fate just the same... We will move on from this... slowly and, no doubt, painfully, but we will get through it and move on with our lives... But Candice, you will always be a part of every minute of every day of our lives for every one of us. Your spirit is alive in our hearts... forever."

Bradin Westerly stared straight ahead, not an emotion in his eyes. No tears, not a crack in voice when he spoke. His body was completely still, he didn't shake or sob... he just sat there in his chair between his aunt and his sister, who both cried, Nikki worse than Ava but both cried, and stared straight ahead. His body slightly leaned forward, his hands clasped loosely and a look on his face that said... nothing. He was blank.

Nikki looked to her left at her brother and more tears fell from her eyes... why did she have to die. Why, why, why? What did Candice Martin ever do to deserve to die so young? She had finally gotten out from under her abusive father and then this! Why... why did she have to go through so much just to... not get to live a normal life after all...

The months that followed Candice's death were the same as any other but minus one thing: Bradin. He just wasn't there... Ever. For anything. Not even when his sister gave birth to her first child, a healthy, 8 pound 4 ounce baby girl. Yes, he had been there but he wasn't there. He hadn't said more than 3 words to anyone since it happened... And he stayed constantly busy and away from the house. Nikki suspected it hurt him too much to be where she used to be and that his sudden need to be so busy was brought on by the fact that any time he had alone his mind probably wandered back to everything that hurt him so badly now... She wished she could help him but... she knew she couldn't. She had tried... he wasn't coming back. He was gone now... he might as well have died in that accident with Candice. She also knew he blamed himself for her death for having gotten her pregnant... since that's, apparently, though no one could be certain since she was dead, what she had been so upset about, making her take that fateful walk in the first place. Nikki wished he wouldn't... it's not like he planned to get her pregnant! It was just an accident... Just like it had been with her and Cameron... nobody's fault, just an accident.

"Hey, Brae..." Jay tapped the teenage boy on the shoulder to get his attention. The two were in Jay's shop, Bradin behind the counter just staring.

"Huh?" Bradin swung around to face Jay, "Oh, sorry... what?" he had been so lost in thought he hadn't noticed Jay there till he tapped him... he'd have to quit that-

"Bradin!"

"I'm listening, damn it, what!" he snapped. He hadn't been paying attention again.

Jay sighed deeply, "Look, Brae... I really don't wanna do this but... I'm gonna have to give your job to somebody else..." Jay prepared for Bradin to go ballistic.

He didn't though. He raised his eyebrows and stared. "Huh?"

"I said I'm going to have to give-"

"I heard you. Why?" Bradin cut him off.

"Because you're not here! You're never here anymore! You don't pay attention to what you're doing and you go too slow now so you keep me behind and you look like somebody out of a horror movie with that stupid blank look! You need to get a grip on life, Bradin! She's dead for God's sake, dead! Get over it! And stop going around making everybody feel bad just cause you do and- and..." Jay stopped yelling and just stared at Bradin, who stared back, emotionless.

"I see." Bradin said plainly. "Here." he handed Jay his nametag and left the shop calling over his shoulder, "You owe me a week's worth of pay."

The door opened and shut with a cheerful ding. Jay slammed his fist onto the counter and shut his eyes cursing under his breath. Why did he just say all that!

Bradin left the shop and walked down the beach, his mind whirling. He knew everything Jay had just said to him was true... he knew it was! He knew that the one thing out of all the things he'd said that hurt the most was also the truest. He needed to realize that she was dead and not coming back and he needed to move on. She would have wanted him to... He told himself over and over again that she would want him to be happy... he couldn't do it. Breaking into a run he made his way towards that fatal road where Candice's life had been lost... He had spent many a night down here since her death... getting drunk to kill the pain... How dumb was that anyway... What was he doing with his life now! Was he just going to live this way forever and never move on? Was that what he had intended! No... All of a sudden he knew what he had to do.. he knew it... He was going to move on... he'd be alright... but first... He pulled a pocket knife out of his pants pocket and thrust it into the wood of a nearby tree and pulled it back out. He sliced again and again until he had drawn a cross and a heart surrounding it with the initials C. M. under it. She may have been gone but that didn't mean he was going to forget her... ever. A silent tear slid down Bradin's cheek, glimmering in the sunlight and falling to the ground below. He hadn't cried once... not once. Not even a single tear like that, since her death... He couldn't take it anymore and the one tear was enough. He sunk to the ground on the side of the road, nearer the water than the road, leaning his back against the tree he had just carved her memory into, and let all his emotions for her seep out in silent tears... He would never forget her... and she would never be far from him he knew... And no matter how bad it hurt, he would move on from it and live normally again... Candice had been his best friend since the two of them were 10 years old and you didn't just forget someone like that! Besides, he loved her. He always would... but he knew he would be able to find someone else if he would just do what he feared doing the most... let her go. Wiping the tears from his eyes and cheeks and standing up he turned back to the tree and gave a slight smile. He carved, on the other side of the tree, a heart with the initials B.W. and C. M. inside of it... he didn't think that was quite right... Forever. he added that under it then smiled again. Yes, forever... friends, lovers... whatever anyone wanted to think... he knew what it meant.

He walked back home and, taking a deep breath, entered the house to find his family living like nothing had ever happened. He knew that didn't mean they'd forgotten her... just... that they moved on. Like he was doing now. He smiled at Susannah and Derrick who were sitting in the living room laughing about something he had missed while still outside. They stopped laughing and smiled back, a bit shocked looking. He just laughed slightly, "Yes, I just smiled..." he rolled his eyes at the look and the way that Johnny scratched his head as he entered living the room and saw the looks on Derrick and Susannah's faces and Bradin's smile.

"Welcome back, Brae." He laughed all of a sudden. "You should-"

"Where's Aunt Ava?" Bradin interrupted.

"Find your aunt." Johnny finished then laughed. "Upstairs trying to, and I quote, 'perfect this thing, Johnny! Leave me alone,!' end quote." Johnny laughed.

"Thanks." Bradin went upstairs and everyone in the living room looked at each other and shrugged, smiling. Bradin was back! He'd come home today instead of his ghost like it had been for the past two months. He was alive again!

"Hey, Nik!" Bradin popped his head in Nikki's room, her door was open, and smiled at her.

She was sitting on the floor with Cameron doing some homework. Ava wanted Nikki to finish school just like any other teen so she and Susannah had volunteered to watch her baby during school hours and she and Cameron would when they were home and on the weekends and school holidays. Nikki and Cameron were grateful, knowing their education would come in handy in the future when they needed to get jobs. Their baby, which they had named Ariel Hope lay, peacefully sleeping, on Nikki's bed with pillows and blankets wrapped in a circle around her to make sure she didn't fall.

"Get any sleep last night, or did Ariel wake you up again?" he asked then added, "Hey, Cam!"

"Hey..." Cameron smiled, shocked Bradin was... talking? He was talking, right? Yeah... wow.

"I- I mean, actually, yeah, I did sleep... I mean... I mean, yeah, but..." she jumped up and ran into Bradin's arms. He had laughed and gestured that she come give him a hug when she stuttered through her words from shock that he was acting normal again.

"Hey, sister..." he hugged her tightly.

"Oh, Brae..." Nikki whispered happily, "Did you... let her go?"

Bradin didn't answer for a minute then Nikki pulled away, her eyes concerned that she had said the wrong thing. "Yeah, Nik... I did. I'm gonna be alright with a little help from you guys..."

"Of course!' Nikki knew he was asking her if she'd be there when he needed a little extra strength.

"I love you, Nik." He hugged her and kissed her head.

"I love you too."

"So... how's the little one?" he winked.

"Very... She's a perfect little angel!" She laughed. "Most of the time." she added, still laughing.

"Good." Bradin smiled, looking over at the baby. "I don't think I've told you guys this but she is beautiful."

"Thanks," Cameron smiled. He agreed.

"Thanks, Brae, I know she's gonna love her uncle!"

"I'm an uncle!" Bradin pretended to be shocked, "Wow... I always think of uncles as being well, old!" he laughed.

Nikki and Cameron both laughed. "I know what you mean," Cameron said, "And I always think of aunts as being ancient... at least, I did until I met yours!" he laughed again.

"Yeah, well, can't accuse her of that... being ancient, I mean!" Bradin said, laughing.

"Nope..." Nikki laughed, "Sometimes I think she even acts a little too young! Anyway, you know you should really go see that girl who moved in down the road... she's so sweet! I think you'd like her!" she laughed.

Bradin cocked his head with a funny smile on his face, "Nik, that's..." he burst out laughing.

"Hey, she's totally sweet and you know she's liked you forever! Can't you tell!"

Bradin sobered and looked at Nikki, "Me? She likes me? That's funny."

"She does! Just think about it!"

"Nikki, she doesn't know me though! I mean, she's only seen the 'grieving' me!"

"So? She still likes you. I can totally tell."

"Yeah, but really... Lesley?"

"Why not Lesley?"

"Well, she's known you forever that's why..."

"Right, which proves that she has seen the non-grieving you!"

"I guess you're right but I still... I don't know..."

"Is Brae here?" Jay asked, coming into the beach house's living room.

"Yeah, why?"

"Cause, I said something really stupid to him and I just wanted to-"

"Whoa... don't. Don't do anything... whatever you said... it worked." Johnny threw his head towards the stairs and Jay looked up to see Bradin and Nikki standing in the hall... laughing? Bradin was laughing!

"I see..." Jay looked shocked.

"That's what I thought." Johnny shrugged, "I'd love to know how that happened... I thought Bradin Westerly was no more... you know, the living dead or something..."

"Yeah..." Jay called up the stairs, "Hey, Brae!"

Bradin turned his head and when he saw it was Jay his smile dropped, "Jay, I'm sorry-"

"Forget it! The job's still yours if you want it, mate!" Jay smiled.

Bradin smiled again, "I'd love it... thanks!"

"Not a problem... glad to see you're feeling better, though, man."

"Yeah... And, Jay,"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you." Bradin smiled.

"Not a problem, you're welcome." Jay smiled back.

Bradin nodded then turned back to Nikki.

"Give it a try, Brae! She's 16, she totally loves the beach and surfing and you know you think she's cute!"

"Nikki..." Bradin smiled in spite of himself though. He did think she was cute...

"See." Nikki nodded then went back in her room leaving Bradin in the hall laughing to himself.

"Okay, okay... yeah, sure, Nik!" he said into her room, "Bring her over and maybe I'll... introduce myself." He said, hinting at more than just saying, "Hey, I'm Bradin Westerly."

"And maybe ask her out..." Cameron said.

Brain rolled his eyes and said simply, "Maybe." He winked at Nikki and she knew he was serious about inviting her over.

"Cool! I'll call her and tell her to come to dinner Friday!"

"What's wrong with tonight?" Bradin didn't wait for Nikki to answer, he only let her get her mouth open before going on, "Ha! Caught you! You're worried I'm not really gonna be myself for more than this one day..."

Nikki rolled over laughing, "God... why does my brother have to know me so well!" she laughed some more saying between giggles, "Fine, I'll bring her over tonight!"

Bradin smiled, "I don't really care, Nik, I was just saying how you don't think I'm really okay..."

"Yeah, well, to prove I do I'll invite her over!" Nikki sat up and tried to stop laughing.

Bradin smiled and walked down the hall to his aunt's studio. Knocking, he heard her exclaim, "Ouch! Who's there!"

"Bradin." Bradin said.

"Oh!" Even though the door was shut Bradin could tell his aunt was surprised if not shocked. She hurried to the door and tore it open, "Hey, honey, what is it?"

"I just wanted to say hey... and tell you I love you." Bradin smiled and gave his, definitely shocked, aunt a hug.

"Well... I- hey, I mean, I love you too! I... Bradin, what happened!" Ava smiled and hugged him back.

"Nothing... I just... well, Jay made me realize how stupid the way I was living was... so... I'm moving on." Bradin smiled. Ava could tell he definitely still missed her but he was making an effort to live normally again and that was all that matter.

"Oh... well..." Ava was still in shock. She smiled, saying, "That's good, Bradin. I'm so glad."

"Yeah..." he hugged her again then smiled, "Well, I'll let you get back to 'perfecting' things!" Mumbling, he added, "Like that's gonna happen..."

Ava started to say something to that but she saw Bradin wink and laughed instead.

"Come on, Aunt Ava! Don't stay in there all day! Why don't we all go down to the beach for one of your wonderful picnic lunches?"

"Oh? Well..." Ava looked at the skirt laying on the table in her studio and back at Bradin... that skirt would still be there... But Bradin... well, he'd most likely still be there too but she should enjoy and love him first and foremost over the skirt! Candice's death had made her realize even more then she had already that someone really could be there one day and not the next. Be there one minute and... not the next. Bradin was here... now, and she didn't want to take any chances on him not being there tomorrow. Or any of her family for that matter... things changed and life went on... Nikki already had a baby and she and Cameron were planning to get married and would be moving as soon as they finished school and could get on their own two feet. And Bradin would be 18 in a week, graduating in May and would be going to college in the fall of this year or next, he hadn't decided yet, then, before she knew it, Derrick would be grown too! But she had them all with her right now and she wasn't about to waste a second of it. "Let's!" she smiled, "Now gather the herd!"

There they are, y'all! I really, really hope you liked this story! And please don't forget to review and tell me what you thought of the ending, the story as a whole and just... whatever! Also, if I made any huge mistakes. Thank you so much! You have no idea what it means to hear from my readers!

P.S. Please don't give up on me. I may be on a break from writing for a little while but I promise you, I will be back. I'm already 3 chapters (and a little future stuff) into Healing The Heart: Hidden Secrets Of My Broken Heart II and I might have a story for y'all called Driving Free, mostly surrounding Nikki. So, again, don't give up on me! I know it took me FOREVER to get this finished and I'm really sorry about that. It shouldn't happen again but you wouldn't imagine how the stress of moving and leaving all my friends behind effected my writing for a while there... Then I had serious Writer's Block... But I think I'm back to stay now! So I hope y'all will just bare with me and keep on reading my stories. It means the world to have such loyal readers who actually ENJOY my writing. Thank you.

Anna Christie (SecondStarToTheRight15)