Chapter 93 Maxi Iron

- Max, for what did you call us? Emily asked after greeting her brother and settling in front of the desk, next to Aiden.

"First, thank you for coming..." Máximo clenched his jaw, a clear sign of how tense he was.

"Collins, you're making me nervous... Don't tell me something else happened, because..." Aiden blurted out, leaning back in his seat anxiously.

- No, nothing bad has happened... It's just that..." Maximo exhaled heavily, clearly uncomfortable. "I called them to ask them for a favor..."

"A favor?" Emily raised an eyebrow, in disbelief.

“Yes, a very big favor...

- Speak now, man... So much extension to ask for a favor? Aiden asked, somewhat amused.

- Well... As you know, Isabella will give birth in the next few days, in fact, we are just waiting for the moment to come and, well, I thought that after a few months, when the recovery process passes and we adapt, I... I'd like to... Taking her back abroad...

- What?! Aiden and Emily looked at each other, confused.

- Listen... It is no secret to you how much Isabella has lived through and everything she has suffered. I want to... I want to give her everything I can, to compensate her in some way for everything that was taken from her in the past, and the truth, nothing seems enough to me..." Maximo said thoughtfully. “I want to give him all the opportunities he missed and fulfill each of his dreams.

"What exactly do you mean?" What does that have to do with taking her abroad? Emily asked, confused.

"I want Isabella to resume her studies...

- Maximo, do you realize what you are saying? Do you plan to take her away from you once again? And with the baby? Aiden looked at him frowning.

"No..." Máximo watched them with determination. "I'm thinking of going with her...

"What?"

"That's why I called them." I want to ask you to take charge of the commitments of both families, to take control as leaders. Both are prepared...

Aiden and Emily looked at each other again, practically open-mouthed.

"It will be for some time, until Isabella finishes and we return..." Máximo clarified.

- Well... I've never been very good at these things..." Aiden murmured thoughtfully. "But I'm willing to help in any way...

“We're the same... I have the preparation, but you know that I never took charge of a company, Max. Dad never wanted to..." Emily explained.

"That's why I'm asking you now. In the coming months I will be able to teach you all about it and bring you up to speed... I know it's a great responsibility and what I'm asking of you is a very big favor, but I only trust you..." Máximo looked at them seriously, anxious for their answer.

"Good..." Aiden got up from his seat. - This seems to me a great gesture on your part, Maximo, and I really thank you for all the support you are giving my cousin. To be honest, I also believe that she deserves to recover everything that was taken from her and even more. That's why I now think that life is rewarding her with you... I congratulate you, brother. Aiden let go, reaching out to Maximo, leaving him with his mouth open, as well as Emily. - Count on me.

"I support you too, Max..." Emily also got up from her seat. “I have no experience, but I am willing to learn. I'll be happy to contribute something... The truth is, I'm tired of not contributing anything, of feeling useless.

"Princess, don't say that..." Aiden muttered to the young woman. - Your father didn't give you opportunities, it was just that...

"Aiden is right... Now you can learn, work if you want..." Máximo approached his sister.

“I will begin by learning to manage the family. I understand that it is more difficult than running a company, because it is not only fortune, but also all the properties, investments, and businesses... With that, I'm sure I'll be able to do better in other areas..." Emily smiled at her brother, hopefully.

"I'm sure you are, you're a very smart girl... And thank you, both of you, for agreeing to do me this favor... Not only for me, but also for my spouse. - Máximo nodded, enthusiastic.

"Max, I was thinking that we could also include mom..." Emily added.

"What?"

"She was the head of the family; she could be of great help...

"I understand, but I'd prefer not, mom is still in therapy, she's still adapting to her return to the city, and now that she completely quit her addiction, I don't want to put her in a stressful situation..."

"Max... Mom is already more comfortable in the mansion and has some time since she left her addiction, I understand that you don't want to stress her out, but recently she told me that she is getting tired of being at home doing nothing... He said he wanted his life back... I'm not saying she leads families as a ringleader, but perhaps, if she could mentor Aiden and me from time to time, which would make her feel useful and help us a lot. Emily said very seriously.

Máximo felt proud and grateful for Emily's empathy for her mother, the young woman was much more mature, she had changed a lot.

"You're right, Emily... And you've just made your first good decision as a ringleader... I knew you were the right ones for this...

Máximo put his arm around his sister's shoulders, squeezing her with satisfaction, when the office door burst open.

The concern in Margaret's eyes was palpable. "It's time...

- What?! “Máximo felt his body tense and his heart beat wild.

- Did something happen? What is it time for? Aiden stirred, confused by Maximo's and Margaret's expressions.

"It's time..." repeated Maximus, with his eyes wide open. Then he looked at Aiden and smiled. "I'm going to be a father."

Without saying more, Maximo ran away, while Margaret followed him as fast as she could, leaving Aiden and Emily perplexed in the office.

They arrived at the clinic, everything was ready, Isabella did not stop breathing deeply, it was evident that the contractions were becoming more constant and stronger, it would be a quick delivery, which was for sure.

After some check-ups and some waiting time, the doctor announced that it was time, Isabella had to go to the delivery room where she was taken on a stretcher.

"Do you wish to be present, Mr. Collins?" The doctor asked Maximo, who was paralyzed for a second, the man was a bundle of nerves, unrecognizable in the face of his usual temper and seriousness.

"Yes... Yes, of course. Maximus replied agitated.

The doctor handed her the implements to change, and they both left, while Margaret, Aiden and Emily stayed outside, Marian was already on her way.

The next hour, it was a mixture of emotions.

On the one hand, it was tortuous. A terrible suffering overwhelmed Maximo, making him feel a little guilty, to see Isabella scream in pain and with each contraction she suffered, while he squeezed her hand tightly, Maximo felt his heart stir.

On the other hand, witnessing the greatest miracle I had ever seen was wonderful.

After screaming and the enormous effort made by his spouse, a squeal was heard and Máximo saw that small baby, fragile and somewhat dirty, who was being carried by the nurses, his son.

"You did well, my dear..." Máximo kissed his spouse's forehead, still squeezing her hand. “You are incredibly strong and brave. She smiled at him, trying to catch her breath.

A few minutes later, one of the nurses returned with the little one, clean and wrapped in a cloth, who was delivered into Isabella's arms.

The young woman's eyes filled with tears instantly, the pain she had gone through was instantly forgotten, was it possible to love more?

Yes, it seemed that the heart had the capacity to grow, to double in size, because now it was two men who ruled it.

"Max... Look at him..." The young woman cradled him gently, rocking him gently. “It's perfect.

"It is... It's beautiful and perfect, just as you are. “Maximo surrounded his spouse in a hug, feeling how all the emotions enveloped him to the bone.

*

“Congratulations! Aiden exclaimed when he saw his cousin back in the room.

"Thank you, Aiden..." Isabella muttered, showing her tiredness.

Marian, Emily, and Margaret hugged her affectionately.

- Let's see, let's see... Where is my nephew? I want to carry it now..." Aiden rubbed his hands, excited, as he scanned the room with his eyes.

- There it is...

Isabella pointed to a corner, where Maximo was sitting on a sofa, holding the little boy with a tender smile full of devotion, not noticing that the family was watching him.

"Wow, go with Collins..." Aiden approached, astonished.

"What?" - Máximo looked up when he noticed the other people.

"Who knew that the imperturbable Maximo Collins, the man with the iron heart, would end up so dumbfounded and melted? Aiden asked mockingly.

"Stop talking nonsense..." growled Maximo, looking back at the baby.

"Yes, that's right, cousin..." Aiden turned to Isabella, winking at her. "We've lost the iron Maxi, he's already melted."

"Maxi of iron?" Isabella raised an amused eyebrow. “I like that name. “He laughed.

"Let's see, iron Maxi, lend me my nephew..." Aiden bent down to take the little one. Máximo looked at him with a face of few friends but said nothing. - By the way, cousin, what name did they give it? Aiden asked as he rocked the baby, surrounded by Emily, Marian, and Margaret.

"Albert..." Isabella muttered, with emotion in her eyes.

"It will be called Albert Collins, in honor of Isabella's father, may he rest in peace." - added Máximo, approaching his spouse to give her a small kiss.

"Oh, Isabella, like your father," Margaret murmured, excited. "Thank you, daughter.

“I think it's a great name. From the beginning I told you, Isabella, I'm a fan of your father..." Aiden nodded. "All right, Albert..." he began to talk to the baby. "Someday you'll be the richest and most powerful man in the country, as well as being very handsome like your mother, and I'm sure the girls will rain on you." When that happens, your uncle Aiden will give you very good advice and a lot of tips.

"Hey, Aiden!" Emily gave him a little slap on the shoulder. Aiden smiled mischievously.

"I can't wait to see when you have your first child, which will probably be soon... Although it will surely be a girl and when she becomes a woman, I want to see just the moment when that ridiculous smile is erased..." Maximo growled, somewhat sulking.

"Max!" You too? Emily crossed her arms. "Surely Aiden and I will have children, but later, in the future, not soon...

Everyone laughed, everyone celebrated, Isabella looked around, the faces of each of those present, among them, were annoyed, argued over nonsense, laughed again, and continued talking.

It was his family.