Chapter 5: Fallout

Adam Slade, the founder in this legacy story, has passed away and his only son, Brandon, is growing up to take charge of the Slade Legacy.  However, Brandon has discovered that relationships are not as easy as he thought.

In this chapter Brandon and his girlfriend, Qiana, have to face the consequences of their actions as they make some of the most important and difficult decisions of their lives.

Whenever she went into the town centre, there was always someone who would approach River to ask for her style advice.

She loved showing off her portfolio and seeing how happy people were when she made even the simplest suggestions about how they could get the look they wanted.

Having witnessed some of the drama between Brandon and Jesse a few days earlier, RIver was pleased to bump into Jesse while taking a break between styling consultations.

It  was a somewhat uneasy conversation and Jesse was giving nothing away, not explicitly anyway.  Even so RIver could tell from his body language that there was more being left unsaid than said.

But, she decided, she wasn't going to push him, he had been a good friend to Brandon over the years and trusted them to sort out whatever difficulties they had. 

The next time Qiana came over to see Brandon, she could tell there was something up with him.

When she asked about the phone call the other night, Brandon stammered out a story of how he had had a really difficult day, that his latest invention wasn't working as he had hoped and he was getting pressure from the guys at the store.

Brandon hated deceiving Qiana but couldn't believe that she would ever be able to understand or forgive him for what had happened with Jesse.  Then, almost as a way of denying it to himself, he decided, right  there and then, to ask her to move in with him!  She looked at him, quizzically, not quite sure why he had suddenly asked but, before she could stop herself, she had said yes!

The following morning Brandon and Qiana were discussing the future and how they could afford to stay in this house and, one day, support a family.

It had been at the back of her mind for a while but seeing how successful River was, Qiana decided that she would like to put her artistic skills to good use and become a free-lance stylist.

Of course, Qiana was some way from being the 'Style Queen' that River had become.  In fact, only a few days later, River was invited to a very special presentation at the City Hall.

When she arrived at City Hall, not only was the mayor there to meet her, but there was a large crowd of people from all across the valley.

She could hardly believe it when the crowd started cheering and calling her name as the mayor
presented her with the "Keys to the City" as part of a lifetime acheivement award for services to fashion!

Looking at how she could now afford to make a substantial contribution to their house on Summer Hill, River decided that she would spend the bulk of her reward on adding the latest transport technology to the Slade home - a teleporter!

River Slade was not the only one to receive a surprise presentation ...

It seemed like only yesterday that Brandon had asked Qiana to move in, and now he was asking to make that ultimate committment to each other.

"Qiana, you are the most amazing person I know and there is no one else I could imagine spending the rest of my life with ... will you marry me?"

Knowing that he was truly devoted to her, that there was nothing he would not do to make here happy, there was only one answer Qiana could give him. "Yes, yes, yes!"

Later, that evening, River spent some time talking with Qiana.  Telling her how pleased she was that Qiana was to join their family. 

They talked about many things. About  Brandon, how he would be a wonderfully devoted husband, but Qiana had to be aware that he also had his 'eccentric' side.  RIver also told stories about her husband, Adam Slade, and his vision of creating a lasting legacy for Sunset Valley.

Was it excitment about the upcoming wedding?  Nervousness about the expectations of the Slade family legacy.

Or was there a simpler, more biological reason for the frequent bouts of nausea that Qiana suddenly started to suffer from?

She didn't have long to wait to disvover the reason.  She was pregnant!

Brandon was ecstatic. he could hardly contain himself at the thought of being a father, being responsible for the third generation of the Slade dynasty.

River was also delighted to hear the news, reassuring Qiana that if there was anything she needed at all, she would be there to help her and Brandon.

It seemed like no time at all before the wedding party.  Making sure all the invites were sent out, all the food, drink, and entertainment was set up.  New suits and dresses bought.  This was going to be one great party!

Until, that is, as the guests were congregating, Qiana asked Brandon about Jesse.

"I know something happened!  Did you sleep with Jesse?"

Brandon could not believe it.  How could she do this?  On their wedding day!

"No, of course not!  Why would you even think such a thing!  I love you, I want to marry you!"

Brandon was torn, he didn't know how she could have found out and he couldn't just confess to it now.  Not now.

But whatever he said, to deny it, to calm Qiana down, it just seemed to make her angrier.


It even occurred to him that she had known all along and she had always planned to expose him in the most public and humiliating way possible.

He loved her, how could she do such a thing.

And that is almost exactly what Qiana was thinking.  How could he?  Was she not enough for him?  Was this marriage going to to be a complete sham?



When all the other guests had left, Sandi French, one of Qiana's old housemates, and oldest friend, stayed behind to understand what was going on and do what she could to help.

Brandon was, basically, a good guy, but if what Qiana thought was true, could she forgive him?

Was he a cheater at heart?  And if he was, what was Qiana going to do, after all she was pregnant with his baby! ...

 

Brandon was left feeling dazed, hurt, betrayed, and, most of all, guilty.  He knew that what had happened, on what was supposed to be the happiest day of his life so far, was all his own fault.

If he hadn't slept with him, if he had been a true friend to Jesse then that fateful night should have ended quite differently. But now, as he slept, alone, in the guest room he could only think of what he had missed out on.





As fate would have it, on her next visit into town Qiana met Jesse in the park.

She went for him "What did you do!  Why did you sleep with my boyfriend?"  Jesse, though, was having none if it and snarled back denials, that she was not only mad to think such a thing and it just showed that she didn't really love Brandon at all, not how he deserved to be loved.

When Jesse stormed off, Qiana was left to contemplate what he had said.

She knew something had gone on between them and the anger Jesse had just shown was further proof to her that there was more to Brandon and Jesse's relationshiop than either was going to admit.

Returning home, with her back aching and exhausted from the confrontation with Jesse, Qiana was in no mood to listen to Brandon's pleas.

Maybe there really was nothing going on but she still didn't believe that he was being entirely honest with her so there was no way she could reconsider marrying him.

Their double bed felt empty, and she longed to be able to share it again with Brandon, but that was not going to happen ... not yet.

Even so, Qiana knew that her baby was due soon and that might change everything.


Chapter 6: The Baby Effect?