Chapter 74: Family day

Ashton's POV

"Why didn't you tell me you are coming?" I asked Megan the moment we got inside my office.

"I want to surprise you, and I want to have lunch with you," I responded, and my smile broadened.

"I love that, Megan, and you surprised me since I never expected you to come here to my office today," I said.

"I think you have to get used to it starting today, and I would be your frequent visitor, Ashton." She responded.

"That would be lovely then, and I think we should go now, so we can have more time to talk," I said, and I took her hand, and we got out of my office holding hands. And I realized I missed her so much even though we had been together this morning. I used my car, and I brought her to the nearest Italian Restaurant since I was starving.

I was expecting she would invite me to Axel's family day, but she didn't, and I couldn't deny I felt a little disappointed, but I couldn't bring it up since I didn't want her to tell me not to come for the sake of Gael.

"Is there anything you wanted to tell me, Meg?" I asked just in case she had forgotten why she was having lunch with me.

"No, I just wanted to see you." She responded, and I tried to give her a sweet smile.

The moment she finished eating her dessert, I drove Megan to her office, and from there, I took a cab since I was driving her car. I wanted to sleep at her house, but Isabelle would be waiting for me at my place, and when I got back to the office, I was surprised to find Claire waiting for me, and I felt so thankful she didn't come during lunchtime, or else I would be having trouble with Megan.

"Claire, what are you doing here?" I asked her.

"Those are not the words I expected from you, Ashton. Is it because you now have a girlfriend?" She asked, and I smiled at her.

"Of course not; I am happy to see you, Claire. We are still friends." I replied.

"I don't want us to be friends, Ashton, you only want that thing, I wanted more than friendship, but I couldn't do anything about it; I came since dad's birthday is coming up, and as friends and your ex-fiancee, I think you will not say no to me, Ashton." She said, and I know it is not a good idea to see her again.

"Claire, I just got Megan back, and I don't think that is a good idea; I am sorry, but I passed," I replied.

"Ashton, you can't do this to me. You canceled our engagement, and I kept silent about it, and it is an insult on my part that you paraded your girlfriend here in your office; you should at least give me time

to recover from my heartache." She responded, and I smiled weakly at her.

"I am so sorry if I hurt you, Claire, but you knew Megan was part of my life before you became my fiancee, and we have children. So, I don't think I need to hide my girlfriend from the public." I responded.

"I don't need any more excuses, Ashton, be there if you don't want me to call your father." She said and stood up and left my office after she closed the door with a loud bang, and I was left shaking my head.

"Ashton, you needed to come home with me this coming weekend; dad wanted to have a meeting with us," Isabelle said while she was cooking our dinner. I was leaning on the kitchen counter while watching her do magic in the kitchen. Isabelle and I love cooking so much that there were so many times during our younger years we cooked together for family gatherings since our mom loved to cook.

"What? I couldn't make it, Belle. I asked Megan to borrow Axel so you can meet him." I said, and her face fell.

"I am sorry, but his attorney told me it is urgent, and I think we all need to go home. Lennon and Cole are already there in Astikoz." She said, and I took a deep breath as I thought of an excuse to tell Megan that I couldn't take Ashton with me Friday night.

"Just tell Megan, I am sure she will understand." My sister said, and I wish it would be that easy.

"I am excited to meet my nephew, Ashton; maybe next weekend I will go to Megan's place with you," Isabelle added, and I smiled at her.

"That would be lovely, maybe we will go there together, and then we will bring Megan and Axel here; I want them to be here at my place, Belle. I have been dreaming of that day to come, but Megan insisted I should have bonding time with our son alone." I said.

"That would be great, Ashton, don't worry; I will convince Megan to come with us." My sister said, and I was grinning at her, and I helped her prepare the table, and we ate dinner while talking about my father's meeting, and I wondered why he wanted to see us all this time, and I could tell it was something that could affect our lives.

Dad had done nothing so far but to manipulate our lives even after he got sick. Even if he retired from the company, he could still control us with his fingers since he didn't turn over his business to us, and I felt so glad my siblings are good children, or else they all end up living as far away from my parents.

"Ashton, what are you doing here?" Megan asked when she opened the main door, and I could see the surprised look on her angelic face.

"Hello, Megan, of course. I am here because Axel invited me to come with you to his family day." I said enthusiastically while I could see how her face turned so pale.

"But, I don't think it would be," She trailed off, and I put my finger on her lips.

"Meg, don't worry, I get it. I know, and I understand that Gael would be there, but don't worry, I will never make a scene beside you already telling me that he will always be part of your life. And because I love you so much and I want us to work, I am willing to compromise." I declared, and I could see her face softened.

"I don't want to be selfish, Megan, and I don't want to lose you ever again." I declared, and she cupped my face.

"Thank you, Ashton, and I am sorry if I didn't invite you. I was planning to tell you, but I got scared, and I don't know what your reaction would be if I told you Gael would be there." Megan responded.

"I know, Megan, you don't need to apologize," I said.

"Dad! You came!" I heard Axel's voice, and I could see him over Megan's shoulder that he was running towards us, my son hugged me right away, and I couldn't explain the happiness that I felt in my heart as I embraced him back.

"Of course, I promised you that I will come, and daddy will never break his promise to you, son," I said as I let go of his frame, and I couldn't stop myself from ruffling his hair.

"Are you ready, Axel?" Megan asked our son, and I could see the happiness all over her face.

"Yeah, and I'm so excited for today since dad is with us, and uncle Gael would be there too; it would be amazing having two daddy's," He said. I couldn't stop feeling so jealous, but I don't want Megan and Axel to know I am affected by Gael's presence since I know he likes Megan, and I know they are so close with each other.

"Mom, can we ride at dad's pick-up?" Axel asked, and Megan nodded her head, and I picked up my son and helped him settle at the back; I slowly closed the door after I fastened his seatbelt, and I did the same with his mother.

"Thanks," Megan murmured, and I gave her a quick peck on the lips before I ran towards the driver's side, and I climbed on my car, feeling so excited to attend my son's family day.

I could see the shock on Gael's face as we walked towards him, and he was looking at our intertwined fingers while I was holding Axel with my other hand, and I could see the hurt on his face.

"Megan, what is the meaning of this?" He snarled, but he kept his voice low, and I know he didn't want Axel to realize he was angry.

"Dad!" Axel exclaimed, and he ran towards Gael. I could feel the pain in my heart right away, but I tried to control myself; I should maintain my composure if I wanted to pass today. I need to prove to Megan that I can handle my jealousy.

Axel and Gael hugged each other like they were father and son while I could see the worried expression on Megan's face.

"Hey, don't worry, I will speak with him," I whispered in her ear, and she nodded her head.

"Why are you here, Ashton?" Gael asked me after we excused ourselves from Megan and Axel. They proceeded to the registration area while we promised to follow them. 

"Like you, Gael, I am here for Megan and my son. I know you are angry with me; I appreciate all the things you have done for them. I want to tell you Megan and I are now back together, and if we are going to talk about it, I have more right to be here because I am her boyfriend, and Axel is my son." I said, and I could see the anger and hurt on his face.

"You have to face it, Gael, Megan is still in love with me, and you can't dictate her heart. I don't want trouble, but I want to remind you, you don't own them; if you helped Megan, it was because you used her music without her I am sure your career was over that year. I know what happened between you and your bandmates." I calmly said while I could see the blazing anger in his eyes while he curled his fists on his sides.

"You son of a bitch!" He yelled, and he tried to hit me, but this time I avoided his attack.

"If you want to beat me, go ahead. I will never fight with you, Gael, because I love Megan and my son, and if you care about them, then I guess you will also do your part.." I said, and he was frozen on his feet while I walked away from him, and I was hoping he would stay and follow me since I didn't want Megan to hate me.