2.0 The Right Path

Bellandra started her new life with her young adult birthday and surrounded by her family.

She heard her siblings suggesting her to make a wish but she thinks she had everything she wanted.

Just one slice of cake is enough.

She contemplated how this birthday was different from the others, not only it was the first day of her adulthood but for the first time her entire family was gathered to celebrate it. Her cell phone ringing interrupted her thoughts, it was Mario, he wanted to see her and tell her some news.

They arranged to meet in the central plaza, where many of their teenage dates took place. Watching him walk towards her made her heart beat like it was the first time. Maybe they met very young, but she knows for sure that this is the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with.

"Well... and I thought your teen self couldn't be more beautiful."

She snorted a little and his smile became wider.

"When you called me you seemed serious." She said going directly to the reason for the meeting.

"Yes, I know. You remember my uncle Harold?"

"Vaguely, he's your mother's brother, I think?"

"Yes, he passed away a couple of days ago, he was living in Appaloosa Plains and had a small ranch where he raised horses."

She looked at him carefully, trying to figure out why he was talking about a guy he had hardly ever had contact with.

"My mother, being the only family that Harold had, inherited the property and is thinking of selling it. I asked her to postpone the sale for now because I wanted to make you a proposal."

Bellandra continued to be silent as Mario explained.

"I know your father gave you a nectar maker, but there is no place in this city where you can develop that activity the way you've been thinking. On the other hand, since the moment my mother told me about the ranch and the horse that is still living there, it had intrigued me."

She couldn't help but laugh, because the idea that he was hinting at seemed crazy and somewhat rushed. But she couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to have her own nectar cellar.

"What do you know about horses?" 

"Nothing, really. But how hard can it be to learn?"

"This is a crazy idea." She finally said but with a smile on her face.

"So what do you think? We're doing this?" He asked taking her hands.

"God! This is madness but yes, I love to." She threw herself into his arms to hug him tightly while nodding and repeating that it was crazy over and over.

Explaining to her parents was perhaps the hardest thing to do, but they only supported her decision.

"You were never a big city person, you've always liked more the tranquility that perhaps a smaller town can give you." Said Zoe smiling slightly. 

"Maybe I just came into your life, and for selfish reasons I want you to stay, but it's your life, honey, and you have to do what makes you happy." Devin approached the two woman.

"Although we hope you stay a few more days..." Bellandra saw a impish smile on her mother.

"Mom?"

Bellandra saw her father look at the glass instead of at her. "Dad?"

"Well, Devin and I have been talking and we believe that the best thing for this family is to go one step further."

"I asked your mother to marry me." Added Devin.

"Really? That's... that's..."

"I have decided to take Zoe's last name. I think it is better if I change my last name instead of all of you, I don't want to cause identity conflicts." Joked Devin.

Bellandra gave a little cry, brushing the joke aside, and threw herself at her father. "That's fantastic!"

"Well, now I feel a little bit neglected." 

"Mommmm!" Bellandra said a little exasperated but hugged her mother too.

With that news, the young woman had no problem postponing her move to Appaloosa Plains. 

Devin and Zoe didn't take long to plan their wedding. Only family would be present, the man didn't want the event to turn into a circus and just wanted to enjoy that day with the people he loved. In no time, he was standing at the altar with the woman he had always loved.

Exchanging rings while their children observed happily.

The road to this moment had been long and winding, with several bumps along the journey. But it had taken him up to that point, that very moment, so he couldn't help but accept that it had been the right path.

Bellandra thought, as she looked at her parents, that this was the perfect memory to be the last one of Bridgeport.

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I like a lot how this chapter turned up, let me tell you. And all of this happened in the same day! Thank you Nraas for the Relativity Mod. 

So this chapter is both a epilogue and an prologue, I wanted a happily ever after for Zoe and Devin but without forgetting Bellandra is already in charge of the legacy. When I started this gen, I intended for Devin to only be the pixel donor but he grew on me. I don't think I ever had a pixel donor so involved on his children life without my intervention like he was. He was always calling and visiting spontaneously and he never stopped asking Zoe out on dates. My beautiful clumsy snob, I may have developed a little crush on him. 😊💗

So next chapter, Bellandra and Mario will arrive at Appaloosa Plains. I hope to stay there a couple of generations. So relieved to live the bug nightmare that's Bridgeport behind.