Chase breathed in the scent of her hair. As she stood between his legs, his hands brushing the skin of her hips, the fire that ignited within him wasn't one he could deny. He had missed her so much. Standing so close to him, barely inches away, until she could suck in the same air he was letting out, Mackenzie did not know how to feel. She should have tried to keep her distance, especially now that he was mad at her, yet, all she wanted to do was be with him. She reached for the hem of his hoodie and slowly pulled it up to his neck. Chase did not struggle, he let her take his hoodie off, slowly revealing the tanned skin of his abs; all eight of them. Mackenzie adored every single one with her eyes, drinking in and relishing in the beautiful sight. She traced her gaze up to his shoulder. The cast rested over his right shoulder blade. She traced the veins that traveled from his shoulder to his neck, stopping beneath his bearded jaw.She dared to look above the jaw, up to his lips th

The Axfords met the president of the United States, Alexander Montgomery, and his family at the rooftop of Axford Hotel. Richard Axford was more than delighted to meet him, and so was Eleanor. He was with his wife and daughter, Christen and Sarah Montgomery. Mackenzie stood behind the Axfords, along with every other important staff in Axford Hotel. Nora was present to ensure the smooth welcome of the president and his family. They were ushered into a banquet hall, with a dinning table of ten set for them. A live classical band was stationed at the end of the room for live entertainment. Stewards were present behind ever chair to serve each and every person on the table. Chase and the president walked ahead of the rest of them. The president was not a boring old man like Chase had thought, he was full of jokes and pleasantries, and Chase found himself smiling at regular intervals. Until they were all seated around the table, and Mackenzie was nowhere to be found. He took out his

The hours rolled by, and the 12th sneaked up on them, both father and son. Richard Axford was dressed in a bright skyblue hospital dress with the words "Axford Medical" printed in dark blue upper case letters on the stomach region. Chase Axford stood beside him. His hands in his pocket - now that his right hand had almost healed - as he watched the bright blue sky from his father's window. "So, if I do not make it today, I'll be dying the same day as the love of my life." Chase's ears jerked up. He turned sharply in his father's direction and frowned at him. "What's that supposed to mean, dad?" He was waiting for the doctors to come in, and every second they spent away left him with nothing but crippling anxiety. "I'm sorry son, but I can't help it." Chase watched his old mean lean into bed, and lock his hands together. "If anything happens today, you'll be the only one who'll truly mourn me. I mean, all these years on Earth, and there is no big family left behind. It just ma

Chase Axford felt the children fight to free themselves from his grip. His eyes opened, and he looked down at their heads, it was only then he realized he would crush their bones if he didn't let them be. He allowed them wriggle free, and Calista, his daughter, staggered backwards. Her gaze rested on his and Chase saw the fear in her eyes. She didn't know him, she didn't want him to hug her. Her brother grabbed his sister's hand and planted himself in front of her. He glared at Chase, sending him a warning; don't touch her, or us, or I'll scream. Chase could see it in his eyes. He was their father, but they didn't know him. They were…scared of him. Calista turned to look at Richard. She narrowed her eyes on the elderly man, before pointing at Chase. "Sir, why does this man look a lot like my brother?" Richard could not deny he was puzzled by the question. Even as little as she was, she was able to note the striking resemblance between them. He swallowed hard and looked up at

Chase returned to the tree he had left his father and the children, but they were nowhere to be found. Heaving a sigh, he reached for his phone and dialed his father's number. Richard picked up at the first ring, and Chase found himself relaxing his shoulders. "Where are you, father?" "We had to get some ice cream, son. Where are you? You know we have to head to the hospital to prepare for the surgery." A small smile formed on Chase's face, it had to. He slid his phone back into his pocket and started to make his way to the ice cream truck, searching for his father. He was happy to see that his father who felt as though the world was going to crumble into shards light up with happiness all of a sudden. Chase tilted his neck to watch three children run around a ferrous wheel. He could feel the happiness that followed having kids around, now that he knew he had kids of his own. He could tell his father was feeling it too. His father was now willing to have the surgery, and would