Chapter 24: Their Support

Ashton's POV

I don't want to go home because my anger towards my father returned when I learned about my son. I am already in the process of forgiving my father, but how can I stop myself from hating him? He was the reason I tried my best to drive Megan away. I did everything I could to make her hate me. I didn't realize I had made a terrible mistake and what I had missed in my life until yesterday when I found out the truth. I felt so ashamed of myself that I couldn't even call Alice after I learned Axel was my son. I thought football defined me, but I was so wrong. How could I abandon Megan and my child?

I flew to Astikoz the following day with too much resentment in my heart. Mom expected us to come home and be with them this weekend since my father is now recovering from his illness, and Dad asked my siblings and me to go and visit him. My father can now clearly talk, but he is still in his wheelchair, which is a significant development. His therapy continued, Mom hired the best physical therapist she could find, and of course, my father's doctors were the best in the country.

"Ashton! It is lovely to see you, son. Your father is on the terrace with your brothers, and he was expecting you to join them. Your dad wanted to see the sunset with you, and you can join them while I help Isabelle in the kitchen," my mother said after I greeted her.

"Mom, I have a headache. Can I see Dad during dinner?" I asked, and she nodded her head at me. I don't want to see my dad yet since I don't want to talk with him because I was afraid I couldn't control myself, and I wanted to tell my mom and sister about Megan.

"You better go to your room and have a rest, or it's better that you take a nap. I will ask any of your brothers to wake you up when it is time to eat our dinner," she said, and I smiled at my mother.

"Thank you, Mom, and you don't need to ask any of them to wake me up because I will just set my alarm and join you at dinner," I replied, and I turned on my heels and walked towards the grand staircase.

I hate lying to my mom, but I couldn't tell her that I was upset with my dad again. It has been a long time, but now that I have learned about Axel, I can't stop blaming my dad that I lost my chance to know my child because of him. I know I should have never given up on Megan, but I also realized she would never become successful in her life, especially her career, if it didn’t happen. And I can't deny I became more in love with Megan now. She is a strong woman, and I am so proud that she could raise my son independently.

I don't have a headache. I just wanted to stay in my room. I changed my business suit into sweatpants and a t-shirt. I had a meeting with the managers of every department of our company before I left Majuscule. I lay on my bed, and if before, every time I was alone, I would be thinking about Megan, now I am thinking about her and our son. And I wanted to be with them, and I know I will go crazy if I can't speak to Megan about Axel. I don't know how to face her yet, but I need to do it soon because I don't want to miss another day of my son's life.

I didn't realize that I dozed off, and I felt someone shake my shoulder, and when I opened my eyes, I saw my sister smiling at me, and she was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"How are you, Ashton?" Isabelle asked, and I slowly got up as I looked at her.

"I feel fantastic now," I lied again, but I felt better after taking a nap, and I felt guilty that my mom and my sister were worried about me.

"That's better because dinner is ready, and they are now waiting for us," she said as she stood up, and I put my arm over her shoulders as we walked out of my room, and I couldn't stop the racing of my heart as we neared the dining room. My father was in his usual spot, and he was sitting at the head of the table while my mom was seated on his right side. And when he raised his head, my father smiled at me, and I tried my best to give him a warm smile. I could tell my father looked better now compared to the last time we visited him.

"Thank you for coming, Ashton," he said, and I was surprised that he could talk straight now, yet I couldn't deny I felt relieved that he was okay and recovering fast. Even if I am still angry with my father, I am glad he looked healthier, and I hope he will fully recover by the end of this month. My siblings were happily talking while I remained silent the entire dinner. I helped my mom bring my dad back into the master bedroom.

"I can tell something is bothering you, son. Is everything all right with your work?" Dad asked by the time we arrived in my parents' room.

"Everything is fine, Dad, and you don't need to worry since I was able to run your company smoothly, of course, with the help of my siblings," I responded, and he smiled at me.

I left after I said good night to my parents, and I found my siblings in the game room, and I smiled when I saw Cole and Lennon playing a game while my sister looked so amused watching them, and I wanted to join them, but I am not really in the mood. I got out of the game room and proceeded to the living room, and I was shocked when I found them following behind me.

"Why didn't you finish the game?" I asked.

"We can still play another game any time, Ashton, but we are worried about you, and we can tell that something is bothering you. What is it? We want you to know that we are willing to help and listen to you," Lennon said while I saw Isabelle and Cole nod in agreement.

"Thank you, guys, and yes, you're right, something is bothering me, and I wanted to tell you about it right away because it is making me crazy, but I don't want Dad to learn about this," I said.

"We already know, Ashton. Isabelle told us you met Megan and Alice at one of the malls in Majuscule," Lennon responded.

"Yes, that is true, but there is more than that," I replied.

"We already knew that your engagement with Clair was off even before she could announce it to the public," Cole responded.

"This is not about Claire; it is about Megan and me. I just found out we had a son," I declared, and the silence that followed made me feel worried. My siblings fell silent for a long time.

"Wow! I never expected this at all; this is great news, Ashton," Isabelle was the one who recovered first.

"Yeah, this is a lot to take in, but this is wonderful news," Lennon added.

"Yes, this is fantastic news. I didn't know I was an uncle," Cole declared.

"Yes, it is, but Megan doesn't know that I found out her greatest secret," I said to them.

"I couldn't imagine how much she had suffered during her pregnancy. I know it wasn't easy for her because she was dealing with her broken heart, plus her future was uncertain because she needed to give up her scholarship to give birth to your son," Isabelle declared.

"Yes, and now I realize I can't blame her for selling her music to Gael, and it is now apparent to me that Gael played a big part in Megan's life. And even if I hate to admit it, I feel grateful for his help to Megan, and if he is now Megan's boyfriend, I need to try my luck even if I feel so ashamed of what I have done. I can't give up Megan now, knowing we have a son, and of course, I can't deny she is still the only woman I love, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her," I responded.

"I am so proud of Megan because even if I hurt her and left her all alone, she was able to attain all her dreams in life, and I can tell that she became a chemist who developed some perfume products, and I couldn't believe that she is now the owner of the leading perfume company in the country," I declared, and I could see the happiness and concern on my siblings' faces.

"What are you planning to do?" Lennon asked.

"I have to win her heart back, and of course, I want Axel, my son, to know I am his father," I said.

"Of course, because I can't wait to meet my nephew," Isabelle said, and they all agreed Axel looked exactly like me when I showed them the photo of my son on my cellphone, and I saw my sister cry, and I know it was tears of joy.

"But I don't know how to win her heart back, and I feel so ashamed of what I have done to her, and I know I need all your help," I said to my siblings.

"Don't worry, Ashton, you have our back. There is no way we will let this chance pass. We are all excited to know about our nephew and can't wait to bring him to the malls and buy him lots of toys and clothes," Isabelle said excitedly.

"I agree with you; count me in, Isabelle. We are here to give you all the support that you need, and no matter how hard it gets, don't surrender, Ashton," Lennon declared.

"Yes, Ashton. We are here for you," Cole added, and I never felt so happy to know that I had all the support I needed from my siblings, making me feel more confident and alive. And now I can say I am ready to face Megan and win her heart back, no matter how hard it could be.