Taking Aim

Jaycee walked him to the door where they stood facing one another in a rather awkward moment of silence. Brandon wasn't sure whether to just say 'goodnight' or shake hands or hug her when Jaycee looked at him, put her hands on his collar bones, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Take care, Brandon," she said very...sweetly.

"I will and you, too."

"Stop by again if you get a chance," she told him as he opened the door.

"I'll do that," he told her.

"Of course, you know you could bring Isabella with you, right? You know, whenever you get to bring her home. I would so love to see her whenever you think it's appropriate."

Brandon turned around, smiled, then said, "I will, and...I'd like that."

"Okay. Well...see you then," Jaycee told him before closing the door.

The next three days were a blur of overwhelming emotions, with the worst part being when Brandon and his parents went to get Isabella in order to say goodbye to the parents she would never really know and likely barely even remember.

Just as Will, Sr., had said, Janice was his rock. She was also Brandon's as she held Isabella while he and his father struggled to keep their emotions in check during the service. It wasn't that she was hurting any less than they were, she was just able to somehow stay strong in the face of adversity.

Donna's parents weren't doing anywhere nearly as well. They'd had a rough time struggling with serious health problems, and now their only child was gone. Brandon felt a little bit less sorry for himself for a brief moment when he tried to imagine being in their shoes, but it only lasted a minute before reality brought him back to his own world of grief and pain.

The most difficult part for Brandon was trying to explain to Isabella that her parents weren't really there even when the two caskets, with the remains of her mother and father laying in repose, were on display at the funeral home's chapel. It was nearly as hard as trying to explain where they'd gone and why she couldn't see them again let alone why they couldn't say anything.

The only thing making it any easier was the knowledge that she was so young she would almost certainly fully recover given enough time and love.

And as resolved as he'd been to provide both before, he left the cemetery an hour later even more committed to making Isabella the focus of his life from that day forward. They still had to see the judge again, who'd agreed to expedite the petition for custody, and although their attorney kept assuring them it was likely the judge would rule in their favor, the fact that he couldn't guarantee kept Brandon from sleeping much even after he'd mostly recovered from the jet lag.

When they walked into the judge's chambers the following day to plead their case, there was also a social worker and a lawyer from the state representing Isabella's interests. Brandon couldn't help but think that was odd considering how he and his parents were the only ones who truly cared about her best interests. But he understood how bureaucracies worked as well as how he was powerless to change the system.

The judge listened carefully, asked thoughtful, probing questions, then said he'd issue his ruling the following day. The three of them spent the rest of that day trying not to worry as they sat around the house doing their best to talk about anything else.

It was both comforting and deeply emotional to recall Will's childhood and the many memories they all shared of his early life, but these were things that needed to be remembered. The phrase 'lest we forget' kept running through Brandon's mind each time one of them recalled a particular memory. The three of them laughed often and although no tears were shed each of them came very close several times.

Somewhere around eight o'clock, Brandon said he was going out for a walk and asked his parents if they'd like to join him. They both declined as they were mentally exhausted and only felt like staying inside and relaxing.

As he headed out, he glanced over at Jaycee's place and saw that she was home. He thought about knocking on her door but wasn't sure that was the best idea. But as he walked on by, he heard the door open before she called out to him.

"Brandon?"

He stopped, turned her way, then said, "Jaycee. Hi. I was just thinking about you."

"I...well, I was wondering if you're going for a walk, and if so, would you maybe like some company? If not, that's understandable and I..."

"Yes. I'd love to have some company," he said even before she could finish.

"Okay. Let me just throw on some comfortable shoes, and I'll be right there, okay?"

It took her less than a minute to reappear on the front porch then walk down toward him.

Brandon smiled as she stood in front of him and told her how glad he was she'd stopped him.

"I've wanted to come over a thousand times, but I just couldn't interrupt your family during a time like this," she told him.

"You wouldn't be interrupting," he assured her.

"Well, just the same, I didn't feel right stopping by."

She smiled then said, "But I am glad I stopped you."

Brandon smiled back then said, "Shall we?"

Just seconds later Jaycee asked how the memorial service was and if he knew anything more about getting custody of Isabella.

Without going into detail, Brandon tried to convey how difficult it been to lay his brother and sister-in-law to rest as well as trying to find some way to help a four-year old girl understand what was going on without frightening her.

"It's all just so awful," Jaycee said. "I find myself thinking about it every waking moment. I can't even imagine how hard it's been for you and your family."

Brandon exhaled loudly then said, "It's one of those things you know in the back of your mind could happen at any time, but you never actually think it'll happen to you. It's always something that happens to other people, you know?"

"Yes, I know exactly what you mean. It's a kind of defense mechanism or something. It would be very difficult to go on if the thought of dying was front and center in our minds at all times."

"Yes. I agree. And then when that kind of dreadful call does come, when the reality that it is happening to you hits you, it's very difficult to process. I mean, it isn't actually happening to us, but since it involves people we know and love, it feels like it is. If that makes any sense."

"It makes perfect sense. Since it does involve people we love, it affects us even though we're physically unharmed. People then go through the grieving process one step at a time.And as I recall, denial is the first step, and denial seems to help us with the news. Initially, at least."

"Yes, exactly! You're hearing the words and thinking, 'Wait. Hold on here. This can't be true. I must be imagining this. Not my brother. Not Will. Not Donna."

"I know I've said it several times, but I really am so very sorry, Brandon," Jaycee told him with total sincerity.

He glanced over at her, smiled, then said, "I'm really glad you came with me."

She smiled back, looked down at his arm, then slid hers under his and told him she was, too.

"So assuming all goes well with the judge, do you know how long you'll stay? Here in Seattle?" she asked.

"Wow. I hadn't gotten that far yet. I have to say the honest answer is...I don't know."

"I won't ask about the house or anything else then. I'm sure you're already on overload. I know I'd be a total basket case," she told him as she held onto his arm.

"Is it out of line to ask you about your future, Jaycee? As far as your...well, are you just separated or are you planning to..."

"Divorce my husband? Yes. It's almost final, by the way. And no, you're not out of line at all. I don't might sharing things with you, Brandon. I just feel lucky to have a friend to talk to."

He smiled at her then said, "I know the feeling."

"I was trapped in a very bad marriage for so long I was afraid I might forget how to relate to regular people or ever be able to meet someone and fall in love again."

"Have you?" he asked. "Forgotten anything?"

"I suppose it's like the old adage about riding a bicycle. You never forget. You just need to get on and ride again no matter how long it's been since you last got off."

"For what it's worth, you make me feel pretty great whenever I'm around you," Brandon told her.

"Hmmm. I was thinking about saying the very same thing to you," she told him with a smile as she looked up at him.

"Have you given any thought to even trying to find someone to maybe fall in love with?" he asked, hoping he wasn't pushing their budding friendship too far.

"It's funny you should ask," she told him.

Brandon looked over at her but didn't say anything.

"You not only inspired me to get up the nerve to insist my husband move out, you also made me feel like there really were 'other fish in the sea'."

"Fish in the sea, huh?" Brandon said with a smile.

"I know it's cliche, but it's true."

"How so?" he asked.

"Oh, I don't know," she said as though she really did know but didn't want to say.

"Okay. I was just wondering what role I played in that, but no biggie."

Jaycee laughed politely and said, "No biggie. I haven't heard that one in quite a while."

"It's an oldie but a goodie," Brandon said as they hit the halfway point.

"I haven't that one in just as long," she told him with a happy smile.

There was a quiet pause before Jaycee kind of squeezed his arm then said, "But I will say I very much enjoy being with you."

There was another, longer period of silence before Jaycee said, "Honestly? I wouldn't mind being around you more often."

Brandon felt a surge of adrenaline and stopped walking. As he did, he also started turning toward her, and that caused Jaycee to assume her comment was way out of line and was going to apologize as he faced her.

"Brandon, I was only saying that..."

He reached up and gently touched her cheek then said, "I would like that very much."

Jaycee blinked twice very quickly then said, "You would?"

"Yes. I would," he told her.

Now certain he wasn't upset with her, she smiled at him and said, "Then I'm glad I said that."

She looked down for a brief moment then back at him and added, "I'd like that very much, too."

When she didn't break eye contact, whatever it was that causes men to take cues from women 'kicked in' and Brandon put his index finger under her chin then began lowering his head. When Jaycee didn't resist or move away, he continued until their lips met.

She not only didn't move away, she softly kissed him back. Neither of them spoke when the kiss ended, but Brandon did take her hand before kind of nodding his head in their former direction of travel indicating they should keep walking.

Jaycee smiled at him and squeezed his hand then moved very close to him as they continued their stroll. Neither of them said another word until they got back to her house where she thanked him again for letting her come along.

Brandon turned to face her then took both of her hands in his, smiled and said to her, "I very much like the idea of you...coming along with me."

She smiled back then said, "Oh. Well, then just ask me and I'll happy to 'come along with you' anywhere you'd like."

"Okay. I will," he said quietly before leaning down to kiss her again.

This time she raised her arms and put them around his neck as the two of them kissed for a second time right in front of her house. Neither of them had any idea Brandon's mother was looking out the window for any sign of her now-only son's return, but because they were directly under a street light, they were clearly recognizable to anyone looking.

"That was really nice," Jaycee said sweetly when Brandon slowly pulled away.

"Yes, it was," he agreed.

"So...I guess I'll see you then," she told him.

"You will," Brandon replied. "I promise."

"K," she said with a warm, happy smile.

He let go of her hands and told her goodbye before she turned to head inside.

He then walked over to his late-brother's house and waved to her just before she went inside. As he stepped inside 'his' house, he was more than a little surprised to see his mom standing there right in front of him.

"Oh. Hey, Mom," he said.

"She's very pretty," his mom said almost flatly.

"Oh. Um...Jaycee? Yeah. She is. She's very pretty."

"Just be careful, okay?" she said without judgment. "This is a very emotional time for all of us, and you don't want to make an emotional decision you might regret."

Only partially sure of what she was saying, Brandon replied, "No. Of course not," then excused himself as he stepped to the side then walked on by.

Brandon had never been so 'all over the map' where his thoughts and feelings were concerned. He wanted to bask in the joy of sharing time with Jaycee but couldn't get the loss of his brother out his mind. That is, until his concerns about Isabella won out. For a few moments, anyway, until some other thought took over.

While he was confident this confusion was temporary, it was something he knew wasn't going away in another day or two. And that's when he realized he hadn't thought about darts once since getting the call from his dad. He managed to focus long enough to check online where, to his utter amazement, he saw his name on the 'top eight' list.

"I'll be damned," he said quietly.

The first person he should have told was his father, but he got up and walked back across the driveway and knocked on Jaycee's door.

"Brandon! I...I didn't think...come in. Please."

She closed the door then asked, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes. No. I mean, everything's not okay, of course, but I have some really great news I wanted to share with you."

Her eyes were bright and her smile was amazing as she asked, "What is it? Are you getting custody of Isabella?"

"No. It's not that good, but it's something I couldn't wait to tell you."

"Okay. So...tell!"

"I did pretty well in Australia in my last tournament and, well, I'm now the eighth-ranked player in the world."

"You made the...oh, my gosh. I forgot what's it called. The 'something eight' thing."

Brandon laughed and helped her out.

"The top eight."

"Yes! The top eight. You're in it?" she asked with true excitement.

"Barely, but yes. I'm number eight."

"Oh, my gosh! That is SO amazing!" she said as she went to hug him.

He let her put her arms around him, but he pulled his head back to let her know he wanted to kiss her again. There was no hesitation on her part once she knew what he was doing. She smiled happily then kissed him back as hard and as long he kissed her.

"I am so proud of you," she told him moments later.

"Thank you. You have no idea what that means coming from you."

"You have no idea what it means to me that you would care enough to share something that important with me," she told him.

"I did tell you first," he said as he put his hand on her cheek.

"Me?"

"Uh-huh. You."

"That is so...special," she said barely above a whisper as they stood very close to one another.

"I think you're special," Brandon said very quietly as he gently brushed her blonde hair back.

Jaycee continued smiling but this time tears welled up in her eyes.

"You okay?" Brandon asked.

"Yes. I'm fine," she replied. "It's just that no one's ever been so sweet to me before."

Brandon was so touched he forgot about the way that word had so recently made him feel. And for some reason, this time it made him feel...happy.

"I...I really like you, Jaycee," he told her as he continued to hold her.

She was looking into his eyes when he said those words, and as a tear rolled down her cheek she told him, "I really like you too, Brandon."

He put his hands on her pretty face then just stared into her bright, blue eyes before leaning in and kissing her like he hadn't kissed her before. When he gently offered her the tip of his tongue, he heard her moan softly then offer him hers.

Nothing more than that happened, but when the kiss ended, Brandon stood there and held her for at least a minute, and Jaycee was thinking how she wished that hug, or the way it made her feel, would never end.

But it did end, and she reluctantly walked him to the front door where they kissed again before saying goodnight to one another.

His parents were thrilled when he shared the news with them, and his new status prompted all kinds of questions about his future, and...Isabella.

Undeterred, Brandon informed them this bit of good news had no effect on his decision, and that if it had done anything, it had only strengthened his resolve. And that comment put a damper of their conversation prompting his parents to say it was time for bed even though it was still very early.

"Nervous?" his father asked as they got ready to meet with the judge the following morning.

"A little. But I'm feeling pretty optimistic," Brandon replied.

"Excellent. I have a good feeling about this, too."

The judge was succinct and to the point when he came in and sat down.

"I've made my decision, but before I announce it let me tell you that my only concern is for the best interest of the minor child, Isabella Green. Normally, custody would be granted to the grandparents in this situation assuming they were willing to assume the responsibility and capable of carrying it out. But because both grandparents have expressed their belief that their younger son is capable of doing that, I am willing to grant temporary custody to Mr. Brandon Green."

Everyone sighed and smiled but the judge stopped it immediately.

"I will need to see, however, proof of Mr. Green's ability to support his niece before I'll consider granting permanent custody. Therefore, two weeks from today, I will see Mr. Green and his attorney back here in my chambers with evidence in the form of W-2 forms, Form 1099 or other suitable documentation. Are there any questions?"

Now slightly intimidated, Brandon asked, "Your honor? Does that mean I can take Isabella home with me today?"

The judge glared at his attorney who said, "Yes. That's what it means."

"Any other questions?" the judge asked.

All heads shook but no one spoke.

"Very well. That will be all," he pronounced.

The social worker present for the hearing informed Brandon Isabella would be ready by noon and that he could come be anytime after that and pick her up.

"I'll be there right at twelve o'clock," Brandon assured her before he and his parents hugged each other.

All three of them went to pick her up, and this time there were no tears when they brought Isabella into the same room.

"You ready to go home?" her uncle asked her after she ran to him.

There was a moment of sadness when she asked him, "Will my mommy and daddy be there when we get home?"

Brandon did his best to smile and said, "No, sweetheart. But I'll be there from now on."

"Okay," she said before giving him a big hug.

Will, Sr., and Janice stayed two more days in order to give Isabella some additional support before flying back to Minnesota. It was a tearful goodbye tempered with the knowledge that their granddaughter was with someone who loved her and would always put her needs first.

They insisted Brandon not go with them to the airport to avoid the kind of goodbye that took place there. They wanted Isabella to remember them being at her house, the one place where she felt safe and loved, even though the two people who'd loved her the most were no longer there.

"Be a good girl for your Uncle Brandon, okay, honey?" her grandmother said.

"I will," she told her as she hugged her goodbye.

"I love you, punkin'," her grandfather told her.

"I love you, too, Grandpa," she said as they also hugged goodbye.

"Well, I guess we'll see you back in Minnesota," Will, Sr., said to his son before they, too, hugged goodbye.