- Bradley who still runs away after the papers incident. Finds his butt all the way in Montana in the middle of nowhere. He didn’t really take much with him. Hence leaving all his art stuff at home.
- he finds a little craft store tucked away in the little downtown area of the rural town. The little old lady who runs it actually is looking for help and hires Bradley on the spot, and also lets him stay in the apartment above.
- thus he starts to work there with the little old lady, who is named Clementine. With his first paycheck be buys a canvas and paint, and he paints the outside of the storefront for Clementine. She absolutely adores her painting and starts telling all her friends. Eventually, Sarah Ann Seresin stops by to ask if Bradley could do a custom painting for her after hearing from everyone that Bradley is a really good painter. She commissions John’s favorite photo of his horse.
- When he’s done, he calls Sarah Ann, and she tells him her son is going to come pick it up. Jake walks into the little art store with his normal attitude till he sees Bradley, and he’s star-struck. Bradley, with his big brown eyes and soft brown curls, yeah, Jake is smitten.
-Jake starts to find any excuse to go see Bradley. Eventually, Bradley agrees to go out with him. They work surprisingly well together, and Bradley is oddly content that Jake wants to be a naval aviator. He’s told Jake about his family pulling his papers, but Bradley has found more joy in painting. At this point in time, everyone within the area has commissioned a painting from Bradley, and people from other states are reaching out.
-Jake and his family, 12 siblings, and all welcome Bradley into their home. Clementine transfers ownership of the store to Bradley cause said little old lady has traveling plans on her bucket list. Bradley is great with kids and offers art classes after school for parents who work on the farms. The town loves him.
- Jake goes off to school, and over breaks, he brings Javy home cause he’s estranged from his family and is very surprised that Jake has the sweetest and loving boyfriend ever. “You’re willing to date that?” He asks. Bradley just laughs and nods.
- Fast forward a few years, and they get married, and they adopt twin boys. Then the suicide mission comes. Jake is given a week to go home and get his affairs in order. He doesn’t tell Bradley much, but he can tell Bradley just knows. Bradley makes sure the boys spend as much time with Jake and Uncle Javy without making a big deal. He knows his husband, and basically, his little brother might not come back.
- another fast forward. They survive, and Jake wants Bradley and his boys at the pinning ceremony along with the rest of his family. Jake never knew who Mav was to Bradley cause Bradley never told him his call sign or last name. All he ever said was Uncle Pete. Jake ended by asking Bradley to paint an F-14 for Mav. Bradley brings the painting with him, and when Jake introduces Mav to Bradley, they just stare at each other. Ice, sensing his husband has gone quiet, makes a beeline towards them. A silent Mav is never a good thing.
- Once he sees the spitting image of Goose, he puts it together that it’s Bradley, and he makes the first move, pulling Bradley into a hug. That starts the water works for Bradley, and Mav finally gets out of his stupor and joins the hug. Obviously, later on, they all have a talk about what happened, but what matters most is that Bradley was safe and well cared for.
Hope you enjoyed my silly thoughts
