Chapter 20 - Dad

"So when is your engagement?" Emily asked.

Today is Saturday so me and the girls were at the garden having some tea.

"He gave me the ring but he said just hold on to it. He didn't want to force me." I said simply.

"But I'm happy for the both of you. Did you talk to his father?" Alora asked.

"Not yet. I haven't had a chance to chat with him."

I was thinking about it but Dr.Richards is always at his lab so I haven't seen him.

"Maybe now is the time. He's there." Nina said while pointing at Jayden's dad. He was watering the flowers.

"I'll talk to him." I stood up and walked towards him.

"Dr.Richards, ahm can we talk?" I asked.

He was startled. "Oh hi Peg. Sure! What is it?"

"About me and Jayden. I know you're worried about him but we're actually serious with our relationship."

He looked at me surprised, then sighed.

"He told you about his mother right?" He asked.

"Yes. And his other personality."

"When his mom died, he became my world. He was so broken because of what happened to his mother. We moved from different places because I was scared her mother's family will take him away or worst, hire someone to kill us. Jayden went through therapy and counselling for years before he became of what he is now. I'm really thankful Luke and Alora let us stay here. I'm not against your relationship. As long as he's happy then I will support him. I just don't want him to get hurt." He answered.

I know what it means. He don't want to see his son getting hurt because I was born from a rich family like his mother. He's afraid same thing might happen to us like him and his wife.

"I understand. I promise I will do everything to protect him. I won't let anyone hurt him even my family." I said in a firm voice.

He smiled. "Thank you Peggy. For loving him. He's rude and conceited but his heart is pure. He was a play boy, I know that but I can see that he's head over heels in love with you. I've never seen him so happy."

I blushed, my heart fluttered. "H-He actually gave me this." I said while showing him the ring on my neck. I made it as a pendant for now.

"It was her mother's. She gave that to Jayden before she died. She said Jayden will also find his true love and he will loved her unconditionally. And when that time comes, he can give the ring to her." He said.

"Thank you Dr.Richards. For taking care of Jayden alone. I promise I will take care of your wife's ring and your son " I said while crying.

"Call me Dad " He said in a gentle voice.

I don't know but I cried louder when he said that. 'Dad', the word I have never spoken in my life. It was also the word I wanted to shout for a long time.

"Dad! Dad! Dad!" I said it multiple times. I was shouting the word while crying into the arms of Jayden's father. It's warm, gentle and loving. I finally felt that I have found my family.

"Peg? What's going on?" It was Jayden.

He rushed towards me and his father.

"Come here brat!" His father called.

Then he also pulled Jayden into his arms, hugging us both.

"I will be here to support both of you. If you need me, just say it. Don't ever rush into making decisions. Always consider the others feelings. You're a couple, you should always help and support each other. Love each other unconditionally and trust without a doubt. Never hide anything from each other and always plan the future together." He said softly.

"Thank you dad. I promise I will be like you. Loving mom without regret. I'll take care of Peggy and our future family like you did to mom and me." Jayden answered.

It made me cry again from happiness. I cannot explain how grateful I am to have them both.

After a few more minutes of chatting with my soon to be father in law, we went back to our friends. Jayden was holding my hand while smiling.

"You look like a fool, smiling like that." Luke said.

"Sometimes you really are a jerk." Jayden responded.

Everyone laughed. I looked at them and we really are a family.

"I want to go to Flousia." I blurted.

Everyone looked at me surprised.

"Are you sure?" Alora asked.

"Yes. I also want to meet father first. I want to talk to him and at least tell him about me and Jayden. I know we're still young but I want to move forward and prepare for the future." I said while looking at Jayden.

He smiled and nodded.

"Then let's meet your father." He said.

"Luke can you help us make an appointment? You know he might reject me if I ask him to meet me. I asked Luke.

"Jayden can actually do that. He's one of the executives. Just tell his secretary that A.E Corp wants to discuss something to him." He said while drinking his tea.

"When do you plan to go to Flousia?" Nina asked.

"If we can talk to dad on Monday then maybe we can go there on Wednesday?" I said while looking at Jayden.

"That's fine with me. I needed a break as well from all the work load that guy gave me." He answered while pointing at Luke.

Luke just ignored him and stared at me and Jayden.

"Both your father and grandfather are not ordinary men. You should always be ready from what could possibly happen after talking to them. Both of you might got hurt in the end. We're here if you need help. But make sure, you will fight for what your heart wants until the end." Luke said.

"Peggy, whatever happens, whether they accept you or not, you will always be a part of this family. This is your home. Remember that." Alora said.

They're like our parents. I'm really lucky to have friends who considered me as a family. And now, there's Jayden and his Dad. I feel like I don't need anything else but them. At last, I found what I can call my family.