Chapter 112: Now And Forever

Ashton's POV

"Where are we going, Zachary? Why do you need to keep it a secret?" I asked my best friend again when I couldn't contain my curiosity.

"Relax, I already told you; leave everything to me." He responded, and before I could say anything to him, he pulled over in front of a coffee shop, and I was surprised he didn't take me to Megan's place right away.

"I am not in the mood to drink coffee or eat something, Zach. You need to bring me to a place where I can calm my nerves." I said to him, but my best friend only smiled at me.

And then Zach motioned me to follow him, and I was astounded when I could see that the far end table was occupied by no other than Megan's father. And when he saw me, I couldn't stop myself from feeling worried, and I am sure Megan's dad called Zachary with the help of Alice.

And my best friend excused himself, and I walked toward Mr. Corteza; feeling anxious about what he wanted from me, and I could feel the rapid beating of my heart as I neared him, and I felt so guilty that I didn't come to Megan's house after I learned the news about Megan and Gael.

"Have a seat, son," he said as he motioned me to sit down in front of him, and then he asked me what I wanted to order, and because of my nervousness, I didn't want to take anything. I don't have the appetite to eat.

"Good evening, dad," I mumbled, and I felt relaxed when he smiled at me.

"I know I should never get involved, but I almost lost my daughter once, and because of you, I reconciled with Megan. I love my daughter, Ashton, even if I knew there was a time in my life I failed in my role as her father, and you are aware I am not proud that I hurt Megan." Mr. Corteza declared.

"And as a father, I only wished Megan her happiness, and what happened recently is only a test. I could see the sadness on my daughter's face when you didn't show up, and she was waiting for you, Ashton." He added.

"Mr. Corteza, I am sorry. I know I made a big mistake. You know how much I love your daughter. I asked her to marry me because I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, but when I saw the photos and video clip of Gael and Megan kissing each other, I lost my ability to think, and I couldn't believe your daughter will betray me." I responded.

"And I was blinded by my jealousy and pain, and I was so afraid if I come to Megan, she would tell me the truth that she is no longer in love with me, and I thought she planned to take a revenge on me for what I did more than eight years ago," I said, and Megan's father shook his head.

"Ashton, you know my daughter is not like that; she will never say yes to you if she doesn't love you." Mr. Corteza responded.

"Of course, I know, and I came with Zachary to see Megan and make everything right. I didn't know he would take me here to you." I stated.

"Yes, I called Alice, and I asked Zach's number. I don't want my daughter and grandson to suffer, Ashton, and I believe that you are in love with my daughter, and I don't want to give Gael or Claire the chance to ruin your beautiful relationship with my daughter.

"If I were only around when he harassed my daughter, I would never have a second thought, even if I am old, I will beat him, he came to Megan's house with his men, and he forced Megan to come with him." Mr. Corteza declared, and I could feel my face turn so hot as my blood was boiling with anger.

"My daughter begged him to stop, but Gael didn't listen; the kiss you saw on the video was only short. It didn't show the whole story." Megan's father said, and I was curling my fists on my sides, and I wanted to leave and find Gael right away.

"Megan struggled from his hold, but you know Gael has a toned body like you. He is also tall and stronger than Megan, and my daughter was terrified, and I am thankful Axel wasn't there to witness Gael's uncalled behavior." He added.

"Megan loves you, Ashton, and her loyalty will always be with you; and I could tell she is hurting, and I wished you would never give up on her." Mr. Corteza declared.

"I couldn't believe Gael's love for my daughter will turn him into a wicked man." He added.

I felt so ashamed of what I had done. And I could feel my body trembling with anger as I listened to Megan's dad narrate what happened that time.

"Dad, I will never give up on your daughter, I love Megan so much, and I knew I was a coward because I felt so afraid she would tell me she was in love with Gael. I should have come and fought for her instead of taking time to feel the pain." I declared.

"It is okay, Ashton, I knew you were hurting, and I don't believe what I heard on the news this morning." He said, and I nodded my head.

"Of course, it was fake news. My dad asked me to come with him to Majuscule country club to meet his friend, who happens to be Claire's father, and I didn't expect my ex-fiancee would be there." I answered.

"I was hoping Megan will never listen to any of those rubbish news," I added.

"I am sure my daughter will only believe in what you say, Ashton, because she loves and trusts you." Megan's father said, and I couldn't stop myself from beaming at him, realizing how much I missed Megan.

"I wanted to marry Megan the soonest possible time in a civil union, Dad; I don't want Gael and Claire to ruin what we have, it would be a simple celebration, but the grand wedding I promised to give your daughter will still happen, it will only follow. I couldn't rest until I made Megan my wife." I said, and I could see the tears of Mr. Corteza that welled up in his eyes.

"Oh, Ashton, I wanted to advise you to do something like that, and I am so delighted you came up with that solution. Do it, and I will give you my full support." He responded, and he got up from his seat, and I stood up, and then he hugged me.

"Thank you so much, Ashton, for making me a happy father; I couldn't wait for you to marry my daughter, and I know you will make Megan happy." He added.

"That is what I want for Megan, and I wish to make her happy and show her how much I love her every day. Thank you, dad, for talking with me, and I knew things would become harder for us the moment we got married, but I promised you I would protect your daughter with my life." I said, and Mr. Corteza tapped my shoulder.

"I know, son, and I will make sure to give Megan my full support this time." He said, and together we got out of the cafe.

"Thank you, Zach, for being my best friend and doing all this for me," I said as I settled on the driver's seat.

"Don't mention it, Ashton, I just want you to settle down with Megan because I know how much you love each other, and it was such a waste if you would end up hating each other because of those people who are trying to break you apart." He responded.

"They can't accept you belong with each other, and since they couldn't have you, they will do their best to wreck what you have. And I hope next time you will never hide, and instead of spending your time feeling the pain, why not face the problem heads on, Ashton?" My best friend added.

"Yeah, I know that by now," I replied.

I drove Zachary's car since I was so excited to see my fiancee, and it felt like I hadn't seen her for another eight years. But I felt disappointed when we arrived at her house, and Megan wasn't there, but I felt relieved when I saw my son running down the stairs, calling me daddy.

I met Axel halfway, and I took him into my arms; and I could hear my son's laughter as I put him at the back of my neck, and he said hi and goodbye to his uncle Zachary. I asked my best friend to stay, but he said he would be having a date with Alice.

"I missed you, buddy," I said as I put Axel's feet down on the floor, and when he looked up at me wearing an adorable smile; I couldn't express the joy I felt and the satisfaction I had felt being a father brought me to a different level of happiness.

"I missed you to dad, and mommy misses you too," he said, and I beamed at him.

"I miss your mom more, Axel," I responded.

"Does it mean you will be staying with us tonight, dad?" My son asked, and I found it hard to answer him, but after talking with Megan's dad, all the uncertainties I felt were gone, and all I could think right now was to take Megan into my arms and kiss her until her lips got swollen.

"Yes, I will be sleeping here tonight," I responded, and the happiness I saw on my son's innocent face was priceless.

"We should wait for mom outside, dad," Axel said, and I ruffled his hair as I nodded my head.

"We should wait for mom outside, dad," Axel said, and I ruffled his hair as I nodded my head.

"Yes, of course, son, I love to wait for your mom outside," I replied, and I took his hand, and we made our way to the front porch, and just on time, I saw Megan's car pulled over in front of her house, and I could feel the rapid beating of my heart as I watched her climb out of the vehicle.

I could see the pain all over her face, and there was nothing I wanted to do at the moment but take all her pain away, and I didn't waste my time. I ran towards her with my son on my side, and before she could say anything, I took her into my arms, and I kissed her long enough to make us catch our breath, and I felt so delighted that she kissed me back with total abandon.