Chapter #5 - "Love and Heartbreak"

Love. Love, love, love, love! That simple four-letter word held so much meaning and importance in Phoenix’s life during most of her adult years. She loved her supportive boyfriend Leighton and he returned her love tenfold. She loved her growing, intelligent children. She loved her job, as she was once again able to return to pursuing her dream career of becoming a famous singer. She loved life and life loved her!



Little Ashton was growing up quickly.



Before long, it was time to celebrate his birthday.



Phoenix and Leighton cheered as their little toddler blew out his candles.



Ashton Legacy transformed into an intelligent, brave, and playful young boy with deep brown eyes much like his father’s.



That Fall, little Ashton began first grade.



Even though he was a little apprehensive about his studies, Phoenix worked with him every evening to make sure he was completing his homework. In a way, she was making up for not being available to help Ariel with her schoolwork.



However, Ashton did not pay much attention to school, friends, sports, or even his family. He was often preoccupied playing imaginary games with his favourite toy – a red rocket ship.



His family grew concerned, as he was often pulling out the toy at inappropriate times, such as during dinner, family outings, and even in class.



In order to get Ashton to embrace another activity, Leighton – an avid sports fanatic – tried to interest his son in running.



Unfortunately, poor Ashton did not fare so well.

“Don’t worry about it champ. We’ll try this again soon.” Leighton always played the role of the supportive father.



Another Legacy family member not faring so well was Ariel. Since becoming a teenager, she had only one thing on her mind – boys! Unfortunately, she was a lost case when it came to attracting a boyfriend.



Some boys she approached gave her a lame excuse of not having the time for dating.



Other boys were rather forward and simply ran away from her as if she were radioactive.



The only boys that were interested in her had bad reputations and were creeps, and even poor, lonely Ariel knew that she should stay away from those guys. Even though she was desperate, she would not settle for just anyone.



There was one boy that caught Ariel’s attention. He was smart, handsome, athletic, and extremely kind. He was also older. And sort-of related to her.



Yes, indeed, he was Sam Sakemoto; Leighton’s son from his first wife Ophelia. Ariel couldn’t help it, every time she looked into his deep, dark eyes, her heart skipped a beat.



He helped her with her homework, he listened to her silly, immature jokes patiently, and he always drove her anywhere she wished to go.



One hot summer evening, as the two were strolling through the park, Ariel put her hand on Sam’s arm and stopped him from walking. He turned toward her, giving her an inquisitive look.

“What’s up Ari? Something wrong?” he asked.

”I…I-I…uhh…have something important to tell you Sam!” Ariel blurted out. She took a deep, shaky breath and continued. “I…I really like you!”

Sam laughed. “I like you too Ari! What’s all this about?”

“No Sam. I LIKE like you.”

Sam was silent for a while. He ran his hand through his hair and looked at Ariel sheepishly. ”Geez Ari…I’m flattered since you’re my favourite girl in the whole wide world, but you know that we can’t like each other like that. We’re practically siblings. If we-“



Ariel didn’t let him finish.

”I’M SORRY! FORGET I SAID ANYTHING!”

She spun on her heels and ran out of the park, trying to hold back hot tears of anger, embarrassment, and pain that threatened to escape.



Phoenix bumped into Ariel in front of the Legacy house. Her daughter refused to talk about why her eyes were filled with tears, but Phoenix suspected it had something to do with Sam. Over the past year she has been observing their blooming friendship, and she had a feeling that Ariel was developing deep affection for Sam. In fact, she was pretty sure that her feelings were also returned by Sam, however he knew better than to admit that to his sort-of-step-sister.



That evening, Phoenix decided that the entire family needed a vacation. She and Leighton were talking about taking the kids to visit both of their hometowns, and Phoenix felt that it was a perfect time to get away. Little Ashton needed a distraction from constantly playing with his toys and her darling Ariel needed to get her mind off Sam.



Upon arriving in Phoenix’s hometown and settling into a local inn (since Phoenix didn’t want anything to do with her parents), Leighton pulled his love into his arms and held on to her tightly.

“I have a surprise for you Phoenix. Close your eyes!”



”Okay, now open them! he urged excitedly.

When Phoenix opened her eyes, she saw the most beautiful sight! He beloved Leighton was bent down on one knee, holding a large, sparkly ring in front of her.

”Phoenix…Since the day I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were special. I knew that you were the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Even though we have spend most of our adult life together, I want to make it official. Phoenix Legacy, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”



Phoenix was speechless. Tears welled up in her eyes and she nodded “yes” over and over again.



Phoenix beamed, looking at her ring, then back at Leighton. She also waved at Ariel, who was observing the proposal from the inn window.



Watching her mother’s happiness, Ariel longed for her own. She also desperately wanted to forget the incident with Sam, so she set out to explore the town.



Ariel made a stop at the local museum, world-renowned for its many interesting artifacts. However, upon entering the place, she received a surprise incomparable to any treasure. She was greeted by very familiar yellow eyes.

For what seemed like an eternity, the two women just stared at each other. It was clear to Ariel that every inch of the woman, aside from her eyes, bore a resemblance her mother. When Ariel finally found her voice, she decided not to speak. She knew the reason her mother moved to Sunset Valley, a reason Ariel could not justify under any circumstances. She wanted to make the woman, her grandmother, suffer by not giving her the satisfaction of acknowledgement.

As Ariel spun around to leave the museum, her grandmother took a step forward, subconsciously reaching out to grab her.

”You don’t have to forgive me. You don’t have to say anything to me. But please, please visit the town square and see your grandfather. He doesn’t have much time left and his only dying wish is to see you and your brother.” Her grandmother pleaded in a soft, melodic voice greatly resembling Phoenix’s.



Ariel knew her mother wouldn’t approve, but she desperately wanted to see the man who gave up on his daughter and grandchildren out of sheer principle. She recognized him only because his grey eyes widened at the sight of her. He stood tall and proud, wearing a doctor’s uniform; however Ariel could tell that years have not been kind to the man. She knew that it would soon come time for Grimmy’s arrival. Even though she wanted to leave without saying a word to him, something in her chest – perhaps it was her heart that pumped with the blood of this man – told her to stay.



She gathered all her courage and spoke: ” All she ever wanted was to be a singer, but I suppose that was too lowly of a career for you! I’ll have you know that even though you tried to ruin her life, you didn’t succeed! She’s happy. She has so many people that love her, and she has us. Something that you’ll never have!” Ariel didn’t mean for her voice to sound so harsh, but as soon as the first word escaped her lips, all she could think of was her mother and how much she had to suffer because of her parents.

Her grandfather winced. ”I was wrong to do that to my daughter. I know that now. I wish I knew it back then. I wish I hadn’t let my pride rule. I lost everything after your mother left. Sure, your grandmother and I had all the money in the world, but we lost our only child. We lost the privilege of holding our grandchildren when they were born. We lost our life.” Phoenix watched as he broke down in tears. ”You know…I came to the hospital to see you and your brother when you were born. I was in a heavy disguise, of course, but nothing made me happier than to see the two of you. Thank you for coming here and allowing me to see you for one last time. Please send my regards to your brother…and your mother, if she’ll have them.”



The next day, Leighton and the kids went off to his hometown, while Phoenix stayed behind for an extra day and paid a visit to her parents. She knew that she didn’t owe it to them, but she thought she owed it to herself to say a proper goodbye.



Upon Phoenix’s arrival to Leighton's hometown, the happy couple did not waste any time. They exchanged their vows atop a beautiful mountain.

”I will. Forever and always.” Phoenix recited.



”Thank you for all the wonderful years Leighton. I can’t wait to share eternity with you.”



”And even after that.” Leighton teased his new bride as they shared their first kiss as a married couple.



Ariel was very happy for her mother and Leighton; whom she had gotten used to as a father-figure a long time before her parents tied the knot, however seeing them dote on each other so passionately just made her more lovesick.



She decided to give her mother and step-father some alone time and take her little brother to explore the town.



All Ashton has been doing since their arrival was playing with his silly toy and Ariel thought it was time for him to get some fresh air.



With the kids gone, Phoenix and Leighton enjoyed some much-needed alone time.



Even though they both desired another child, they decided that Ariel and Ashton were enough. After all, they weren’t getting any younger.



Their children were still at times a handful. Upon returning back to the inn after his walk with Ariel, Ashton took up playing with toys yet again. This time, however, it was a pink bunny!



Phoenix, somewhat concerned about her son’s sanity, decided to have a talk with him. He confessed that the reason he immersed himself in the fantasy world of toys was because he was feeling somewhat neglected at home.



Hearing her son’s sad news, Phoenix vowed to spend more time with her youngest child.



Ariel, being a good sister, also showered Ashton with affection. Spending time with her family also made her forget about the pain in her heart.



However, being a perceptive mother (at least when it came to her firstborn!), Phoenix noticed Ariel’s heartache.

”I hope we’re doing the right thing for our children, Leighton. I’m always second-guessing myself, my decisions, and my actions.” Phoenix confessed to her husband.



”You have done a wonderful job raising our kids, Phoenix. You’re the best mother ever.” Leighton assured her with a kiss.



The couple embraced, thinking happily of how lucky they were to have found each other. Despite their somewhat rocky beginning, they truly were soulmates.



Among the romance and the commotion of the family’s travels, little Ashton once again went unnoticed. This time, however, it was during a rather important event – his birthday!



Phoenix and Leighton, feeling very guilty for their rather large and unforgivable oversight, apologized profusely and promised to throw Ashton a big party upon their return home. Ashton, being a good sport and finding humour in his parents’ embarrassment happily accepted.



That evening, the family picnicked on the beach and celebrated Ashton’s arrival into teenhood.



Phoenix also found the perfect time to speak to her daughter about a very important event that was quickly approaching.



”It’s almost time for me to turn into an elder, Ariel. It would mean the world to me if you agreed to take over our family legacy and continue spreading the Legacy name through generations.” Phoenix said gently.



”I refuse to accept that you’ll ever turn old and grey, Mom!” Ariel couldn’t even look at her mother. She was horrified at the thought of her young, energetic mother ever growing old.



Phoenix pulled her daughter into an embrace. ”Hey, just because I’ll be a little bit older doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere. I’m going to be there for you every step of the way. Even to help you find the right guy!”

Ariel smiled slightly. ”Promise you won’t leave me anytime soon?”

“Of course not! And anyway, we still have to get a roof over our head. I’m not going to let you take over the Legacy household without a proper room fit for an heir and her family!”

”Fine, it’s a deal Mom!” Ariel laughed. The possibility of having her own room was enough to make her say “yes” to anything.



That evening as the family packed up to return to Sunset Valley, Phoenix’s heart was beating with excitement. She was in love with the best man in the world, her children were growing up happy and healthy (for most part!), and she was about to pass on the Legacy Family torch to her beloved daughter, Ariel.

Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out what happens! There is much in store for our new heiress and her family. What will Phoenix and Leighton do during their senior years? Will their love continue on or will Xander find a way to once again come between them? Will Ariel revive her friendship with Sam? Will she EVER find love? How will she fare as the new Legacy Heir?