Berkeley Estate;

Saya awoke with a start, feeling like she had just been drifting through the highest tides.

Her arms were stiff with tension, and her muscles were clenched with stress.
She did not have much time to dwell on the reason behind her discomfort though; for, the very next moment, her husband entered the chamber with a radiant smile.

"You are awake."

Saya could not help but mirror his smile; his simple presence soothing her in a way nothing else could.

"Was I asleep for long?"

Even before she got her answer, Saya knew that she indeed had slept way past her normal time. She turned her head to the window, and witnessed the sun already high in the sky.

"Oh Lord! What is wrong with me?"

She scrambled to get out of the bed, pushing the covers off of her in an urgent motion. She paused in just another second, pulling the covers back up with a gasp.

Her husband smiled slyly as he came to sit next to her.

"That was a sight I could get used to seeing every morning."

Saya swatted his arm, looking at him with a chiding expression. She tightened her grip on the sheet, hiding her nakedness from his ravishing gaze.

"It is not good humour to tease your wife when she is in such a delicate condition."

Geoffrey's expressions softened and he leaned to place a warm kiss on her lips.

"I was just stating the truth, my love. And there is no need to hide from your own husband."

Saya sighed resignedly; knowing that she would not be able to remain angry at him for long.

"Now, tell me what had distressed you such? I know something was wrong."

Saya hesitated before answering,

"I- I just had the most bizarre dream."

Geoffrey's smile never left his face.

"What sort of a dream?"

Saya gulped nervously.

"I hardly remember much of it...just that it was awful."

She did not disclose the bitter taste that it had left in her mouth; or the tearing agony she had felt in her heart.
No, it would not be wise to stress him with that. After all, it had been nothing but a dream- a horrible one, but a dream nonetheless.

Geoffrey straightened and lightly stroked her midsection through the material of the sheet.

"Well, try not to think much of it. As you stated- it was only a dream. And there is no need to be upset about waking up a little late than usual. After last night, both you- and the little one in here, needed their rest."

The adoration in her husband's gaze filled Saya's heart with love. She placed her own palm above his, basking in the beauty of the moment- one that was soon interrupted by the clatter of feet that barged their way inside.

"Ma! Papa!"

Saya chuckled as her children jumped upon the bed, tackling their father.

Geoffrey did not break a sweat before setting them both on his lap. He looked at them with an expression that carried a very poorly managed censure.

"Now, now! Maya, Brandon, I thought I had asked you both to be careful around your mother for a while."

The children's face immediately turned regretful. They looked at their mother with eyes that pulled at her heart.
Saya shook her head lightly.

"It is alright, my dears. I am fine, and so is the babe. You need not worry."

Her words seemed to have comforting effect on them. Brandon was the first one to recover, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Then, we can go for a ride?"

Geoffrey groaned, while Saya looked at him quizzically.

"What ride?"

"They have been torturing my ears since the moment they woke up."

Maya unleashed the power of her doe-like eyes on her father, knowing that he was powerless against its charm.

"Please, papa!"

Saya knew it was a lost battle. Geoffrey had never been able to refuse Maya anything. She had him wrapped around her little finger.

Geoffrey, to his credit, did try his best to act tough; though it lasted only a second.

"Alright! You may go."

The excited shouts of both the children rang in the chamber.

"-but you have to return before lunch. And you are required to stay in the sight of the squire. No venturing past the pastures."

The children nodded their heads with fervour, caring less for the restriction being placed on them.
They placed sloppy kisses on their parents' cheeks before running outside.

"You are not too good at pretending to be strict."

Saya grinned at Geoffrey's annoyed expression.

"Well, it is all your fault. I love you and our family too darn much!"

Saya let out a ringing laughter at his words; a laughter that was soon absorbed by a searing kiss from her husband.

Her grip on the sheet loosened, and the fabric pooled around her waist.
But Saya could have cared less for anything else. Her heart soared with euphoria.

Geoffrey's touch etched her skin- marking her as his. They would not have parted if not for the need of air.

He looked at her with a blazing passion in his eyes.

"Lord! I do not know what I would have done without you ....I love you."

Saya did not reply. She did not need to.

Instead, she pressed her lips back to his.
__________________________________

Author's Note-

Hello to all my wonderful readers!
This was the alternate ending I wrote.
What do you think about it?

Some of you have also give me your take on the story.

P.S. IF ANYONE DOESN'T AGREE WITH THE VIEWS PRESENTED BELOW, KINDLY BE KIND AND PATIENT.
LET US SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS AND APPRECIATE THEIR AMAZING IMAGINATION!💜💜💜

And now, for your part-

1. This is by Rachaelie

'Emma couldn't sleep.
Her eyes just couldn't shut when she missed him so very much.
She felt like a great fool. After everything, his rejection.... she still thought of him. Loved him when she should hate him.

She placed her hands tenderly on her still flat stomach. It felt like yesterday since everything happened. Brandon and her always fighting, then finding out that she actually loved the boy! 

Oh, had it not been just yesterday she had been happy in his safe arms, and now..... Now she was sad and feeling more alone than ever.

She hugged her night dress tightly as she stood.

Brandon couldn't sleep or sit or do anything. His mind kept tormenting him. All he could see were her eyes and her tinkling laughter that always made his day better, or how she fit him perfectly.

He couldn't stop remembering her face when he had awfully rejected her and his child. His eyes clouded with tears. His baby, his daughter. He shook his head. He was just like his father.

He knew he was being a coward, but he couldn't let them be in his life. It would be selfish of him. Even if all he wanted was to have her in his arms as he went to sleep every night, and to see his child.... His daughter grow, he couldn't.

He was a man with demons. Everyone knew it. He knew it.

Eventually, he had to chase the only woman he had ever loved and his child away. Because he didn't want them to have to put up with him. He wasn't what Emma deserved. He was a tainted man from birth and he didn't want to stay with her only to have her live in regret of ever loving him.A coward. That's what he was.

But then... Why did every second without her feel like he couldn't breathe?
Why couldn't he just forget about them and leave?
Why did he feel like being selfish?

He knew that he could never let her go. But he also knew he had to let go of his hatred and bitterness or he would never get her back.

So, Brandon quickly put on his coat and boots. With long strides, he walked into the cool night. He kept walking and walking till he reached the place he used to call home.

Zachary kept taking gulps out of his glass.
This was what his life had been reduced to, all meaning had since disappeared from his life and he knew it was little compared to what he deserved.

He wished he could go back in time, but then what would he change? He didn't know.
He took another gulp from his glass.

Then the door slammed open.He almost choked in suprise, not at the sudden entrance but from the fact that his son who hated him with everything had come to him in the middle of the night.

Brandon stared at the man in front of him. The man that had destroyed his mother. The man whose DNA he shared. And he stepped in and shut the door. Because as much as he hated him, he would do anything to get his family back.

Emma was startled by the sound of pebbles hitting her window panes.

She dropped the glass in her hand and turned towards the window curiously. A pebble hit the window again and she looked around for anything to defend herself.

She picked up a bottle of body scents she kept on her table and slowly inched towards the window.
She pushed it open and stepped onto the balcony. The moon cast a faint light over over everything and she could see clearly. She drew her dress closer to herself and looked over the railings. Then she froze.

Brandon looked back up at her.

She couldn't help but notice the little things like the way his hair looked like he had run his hand through it countless times, or the way his eyes had bags under them.

She couldn't place her finger on it but he looked different.

"What are you doing here?"
She asked.

He smiled.
"I've come to get you back. Both of you."

She couldn't believe her ears.
"What?!...."

He nodded.
"I understand if you hate me My love, but please hear me out.... Please."

Emma couldn't talk, she just kept looking at him.
"You left us."

"I have always been a fool. You should know that."

Despite herself, Emma found herself smiling faintly.

She sighed and nodded. In no time, Brandon had climbed up to the balcony. He dropped right in front of her and it took all she had not to press herself against him and bask in his secure arms.

Emma knew she should absolutely hate him, but just being in his presence made her blush. She quickly turned around and walked back in side with him following behind.

When they were finally in the confines of her warm room, they just stared at each other for a while.
Brandon looked away first and ran his hand through his hair. He laughed dryly.

"I don't know where to begin."

When Emma didn't say anything, he took a deep breath and exhaled, then he looked her right in the eye.
"I'm sorry."

Emma just watched him. Her heart beating wildly.

"I am so so sorry. I know what i have done is wrong and disgusting and cowardly. But i couldn't let you be with me... I couldn't let our child have a father who has so many demons. I didn't want you to have to suffer quietly with my already tainted life."

Emma realised that her eyes had filled with tears. She had a lot of questions, but she asked the most important.

"Then why? why are you here?"

Brandon's eyes shone and Emma almost gasped at the love shinning there.He took steady steps towards her and knelt.

Emma's heart almost lept out of her chest when he tenderly placed his hand on her stomach.

"I am back because i couldn't do it. I couldn't be unselfish and let you go. I love you too much to do that. Both of you."
He gazed at her stomach with love.
"I love our child too much."

Her tears ran down her cheeks and Emma felt weak.

Brandon cupped her face and ran his thumbs against her soft skin.

"I went to him Emma. I went to my father and I forgave him. My love, I forgave him because I decided to be unselfish. I held onto my hatred because I wanted him to know how it feels to be neglected, to be despised. I wanted to ruin him, but I have realised, that in ruining him I was ruining myself. I almost lost you...."
He gazed lovingly at her stomach.
"Both of you. And I realised that no amount of hating and despising my father is worth losing you."

Emma's tears turned to sobs that shook her body and Brandon held her to his chest.
"I am so sorry my love. I am so sorry. I shouldn't have....."

Emma threw her arms around Brandon and pressed herself against him fisting his shirt.

"Never. Never ever leave me like that again, Bran."

Brandon stroked her hair and cried with her.
Finally, they pulled away to look at each other. Emma closed her eyes and placed a kiss on Brandon's chin.
"I..."
She stood on her toes and placed another on his cheek.
"Love.."
She placed one on his forehead.
"You."

Then she pulled back to look him in the eyes.
"I never did and never will stop loving you."

***

2. This is by AquaWaterfall23

"For some reason in the end I'm imagining:

Zachary seeing Saya in the after life and be like: "OMG you forgave me and your waiting for me?"
And then Saya be like:
"PLEASE! As if I would wait around for trash like you! I'm waiting for Geoffrey. Have fun with your mistress!"
And then Zachary would watch as Geoffrey and Saya enter heaven, while he enters the underworld with Scarlet!!! 😌"

3. This is by -melodious_song

"If I have to change something in this story then I would love to switch roles of Averey and Brandon.
Averey and Emma were in love and Averey abandoned Emma. Brandon married Emma to save her. I don't feel like Brandon got happy ending in current plot. I love him as he is Saya's son and wanted best for him but he had to stay away from his sister, his niece and nephew, his own daughter. Living in guilt and regret. I wish he didn't have to live such unsatisfied life"

4. This is by sajigrace22

"I wish Annie would be informed about her real paternity in future. No need to tell every minuscule detail to her; but make her aware of this fact. Considering her parents forgave Bran, I assume she wouldn't be hating him. I really think Bran deserves this."

5. This is by pattiey16

"I want revenge for Minerva.
And one more kid for her and Richard.
Then a peak at other siblings. I truly hoped saya would be born again by her children"

6. This is by MJ-trish14

"I hope Scarlet and Zachary go to purgatory and pay for their sins; and maybe reborn and are given the opportunity to love each other without any interference for outside forces and live a simple life, cause they were also victims of circumstances. They did pay but I still want a clean new slate for them."

7. This is by critixose1

"I want Saya and Zachary to meet in heaven and to reconcile with each other. There should be an afterlife for the both of them as youths where they'd love each other and learn to respect themselves....because I believe in second chances."

I am sure that there are many characters that you're still waiting for. For example- Brandon and Chitra.
Well, I will be uploading some one-shots and other fun stuff some time in the future.
(Can't promise the date!)

Till the next time👋