Chapter 27: The Party

Megan's POV

I was expecting it was Gael who sent me the beautiful bouquet in my hands, and I was smiling from ear to ear, but my face turned sour, and my eyes widened when I read the card. I can't explain the emotions I felt. At first, I felt the thrill, and then the dread that followed made my limbs shake.

"How did Ashton know where I live? It is not yet time for him to know about Axel, Alice. He has no right to send me these flowers as if nothing happened eight years ago. How could he act and pretend that everything was okay between us?" I asked as I smashed the bouquet on the floor, and then I used my heels to ruin the flowers completely.

And when I raised my head, my entire body turned so cold when I found my son standing near the bottom of the stairs, and I had never felt so horrified in my whole life. I sweetly smiled at him, and then he ran towards me and tightly hugged my waist.

"Mom, are you okay? Why are you angry and yelling at Aunt Alice? Are you fighting with each other?" he asked as he looked at me; he was crying, and I felt so guilty. He had never once heard me so angry.

"Hey, Axel, I am not angry, and we are not fighting. Mom is upset with something and not with your Aunt Alice," I said, and I felt so glad he didn't hear me mention Ashton's name. I don't know when I will be ready to face his father because I am aware I am not afraid my ex will take Axel away from me, but I am more worried about my heart.

I couldn't stop myself from reliving my reaction after meeting Ashton at the mall the other day. For so many times, I thought about meeting him again. And I promised myself I would show him that I am no longer the Megan he used to know, the naive girl who was so in love with him. But instead of facing him without fear, I did the most childish thing. I ran away from him after pretending I didn't know him at all. I know I wasn't proud of what I did, and the next time we meet, I will surely show him I am no longer affected by his presence.

"Happy, happy birthday, Axel," I said as I picked him up, and my son giggled. He is now so heavy and tall that I can't carry him for a long time. I put him down, and I was on my knees as I faced him.

"Are you ready for your birthday party tonight, Axel?" I asked, and he gave me a beautiful smile as he nodded at me. I kissed his forehead and cheeks, and I felt so happy and proud that I am his mother and he is now officially seven years old. As I looked back at all the pain I have been through in raising him, it was nothing compared to the satisfaction I feel right now as I face my little boy, who is still wearing his pajamas.

I felt glad Alice took care of the bouquet, and when she got back to us, she took Axel in her arms and greeted him with a kiss. My son was laughing hard when my best friend started tickling him. Then together we went to the kitchen to eat breakfast, and moments later, my sister and brother joined us while they both had gifts in their hands, and I could see the happiness on my little boy's face.

We sang a happy birthday, and Clara brought the cake I baked with Alice late last night. But I ordered a different cake for the party this evening, and this one is special since we baked it with love, and I could see the happiness on my son's face as he looked at the cake on the table.

"You need to make a wish, buddy, before you blow the candle," my brother declared.

"I know, Uncle Dexter. Mom and Aunt Alice asked me to do the same thing every time it was my birthday," my son answered, and we all laughed.

"Oh, I see, you are brilliant since you remember what your mom and Aunt Alice told you," my brother responded as he looked at my little boy with amusement on his face, while my little sister was in awe as she looked at her nephew. Axel closed his eyes, and after making a wish, he opened his eyes and then slowly blew the candles.

"What did you wish, Axel?" my brother said, and my son shook his head.

"I am sorry, Uncle Dex. Mom said I should not let anyone know about my wish so it will come true," Axel responded, and my brother chuckled while he ruffled Axel's hair.

"This is for you, Axel," my brother said as he handed his gift to the birthday boy, and my son kissed his uncle on the cheek after he said his thanks. He did the same to Ava after my sister gave him her present. I know he is excited to open his gifts, but I taught him how to be patient, and I felt so glad Axel is a good boy. He was responsible at a young age, and every time he played with his toys, I always smiled when I saw him put his toys back in the toy box I provided for him. He always listened to what I said.

"Mom, is Dad coming?" he asked me, and I could see the quizzical look on my siblings' faces.

"I am not sure if Gael will come, but I hope he can make it. But don't worry, he promised to bring you something nice when he comes and visits you after his tour," I said, and I saw how Axel's face fell.

"It is okay, Mom. I understand that Dad is busy making the people around the world happy with his songs," Axel said, and I smiled at his words as I realized my son is intelligent.

I know Axel's birthday would be complete if Gael celebrated it with us. I am just glad my brother is here because I can tell my son will not be asking about Gael for now since he is enjoying his uncle's company. But I know Axel will still look for Gael because he is the only father he knew.

I felt guilty because even if Gael told me everything would be the same between us, I knew he was hurting, and I hated myself that I couldn't reciprocate his feelings toward me. He usually calls me any time of the day, but today I haven't received a single call or text from him, and I could tell I injured his heart, and he was avoiding me after he confessed his feelings.

The entire house got crowded when the guests arrived, mostly Axel's classmates with their parents. We held the party in the house's ballroom. I wanted to have his party at the poolside or on the lawn, but it was going to rain according to the weather forecast.

My son looked so handsome in his prince charming attire, and I couldn't stop smiling when I saw Kimberly wearing a Cinderella-inspired gown. Axel excused himself and met her, and my heart swelled with too much happiness as I realized my son was growing so fast.

The party host was fantastic. She made the party lively, and the games were entertaining. I could tell the birthday boy was having so much fun with his friends. When the magician was about to perform his tricks, he motioned for Axel to sit at the front, and I beamed when Axel took Kim's hand, and they sat beside each other. The audience, including the adults, was fascinated by the magician's performance. The food was superb, and I could tell everyone was having fun, and Axel's birthday party was a blast.

"He must be so tired," Ava said after I put my son to bed and he fell asleep right away.

"I know, and what’s important is he had fun," I replied.

"Of course. How I wish I were still a child," Ava said.

"And why do you say that?" I asked as I raised my eyebrow.

"Well, a child's life is simple because you only think about toys and playing games. And if they fight each other, they easily make up," Ava responded, and I nodded at her.

"You are right, Ava. How I wish I could be like a child, so I could easily let go of my past heartaches," I responded as we got out of my son's room and went back to the living room.

"I know what you mean, Meg, but you don't need to be a child to give your forgiveness to those who have hurt you. I know you hated Dad for saying those words to you, but I don't think he meant it, Megan. He was only angry with you at that time because he was so devastated by what happened in your life. For him, you are the perfect daughter, and our father was expecting you to finish your studies first before getting pregnant," Ava declared, and I let out a heavy sigh.

"I am not angry anymore with Dad, Ava. I have forgiven him. I was just afraid he couldn't forgive me until now," I responded.

"Megan, I know even if he didn't communicate with you, Dad is very proud of you, and I am sure he isn't angry with you anymore. He is only ashamed of himself because instead of helping you, he was the reason you left home," my sister said.

"I know our mother is dying to see her grandchild, but I am aware Dad won't allow Mom to come here without him. And if our Dad is not angry with me, why didn’t they come to attend Axel's birthday party?" I asked my sister.

"I don't know, Meg, but I think you should come with us to Astikoz and visit our parents. After all, you are their daughter, and they’ve been waiting for you to come home for so long. And it is about time Axel met his grandparents," Ava added.

"I will think about it, Ava," I replied, and my sister grinned as we joined Alice and Dexter. They were drinking chamomile tea, and my best friend handed me the teacup as I sat down beside her. We talked some more, and then we called it a night.

The entire house is now quiet, and I feel so happy that Axel's birthday party was a success. As I walked into my room, I saw the card on top of my dresser. I shook my head as I realized Alice didn't throw the card away with the flowers. Even though I felt angry at Alice for keeping the card, I couldn't deny there was a part of me that wanted to reread what he had written, and I could feel the knots in my stomach and my anger toward Ashton as I reread his message.

My Dearest Megan,

You will always be beautiful in my eyes like these flowers. It was lovely to see you again, Meg.

Have a nice day!

Forever yours,

Ashton

I know I am crazy because I can feel my mouth wanting to smile as I reread his message repeatedly. They were only simple words, yet I can't deny my weak heart flutters with excitement. And I know I need to remind myself that he turned my world upside down, and I need my mind to control my heart because there is no way I will get swayed and be fooled by Ashton Pritzgold ever again.