Megan's POV
"Hey, are you excited to meet your Aunt Ava and Uncle Dexter?" I asked my son as I drove, going to the airport to pick up my siblings. I got out of the office early and asked Alice to take care of everything, and I went back to Megalopre to fetch Axel because I wanted him to come with me to the airport. I don't care if I have to drive back and forth.
I enjoy my son's company because I love listening to his stories, especially his activities in school. And I know he is growing so fast, and before I know it, he will become a teenager. That is why I am making every moment I spend with him as special it can be.
"Yes, mom. Uncle Dexter told me he will bring me something special for my birthday, so I am looking forward to his gifts, but I know gifts are not important compared to his presence." He said, and I grinned. I told him about that the last time I video called Dexter through his messenger. After talking with my brother Axel asked me if his uncle would bring gifts for his birthday, and I told my son Dexter's presence is more important than any gifts he would ever receive, and I can't believe he will remember it.
"Are you hungry?" I asked him, and he shook his head.
"I have eaten a lot during my lunch." He said.
"Did your nanny Clara bring you much food again?" I asked him, and he shook his head.
"No, but I finished everything." He responded, and I smiled as I watched him in the rearview mirror, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling so happy. And I was hoping Axel would never ask me again about his father because I am not ready yet to tell him all about Ashton. After all, I know my heart is not yet prepared. I know the moment I introduce Axel to his father, I need to face Ashton again, and we need to communicate because I am sure his family will want to know about my son, especially Isabelle and their mom.
Am I ready to face him? The answer would always be a no, and I can always find a way to contact Ashton. I knew where he lives in Astikoz and even his address here in Majuscule because he told me everything about their properties and including their residential addresses, and I wondered where he is staying right now in Majuscule. They have properties at the city center while they also have another mansion near the outskirts of the city before the town of Megalopre.
When I was still studying in one of the universities in Majuscule, I avoided going into the malls. After I graduated and started my business, I never attended social events with Gael, no matter how many times he invited me because I didn't want to cross paths with Ashton. After all, they are both celebrities. They attended many events together, especially during Gala's, concerts with a cause, and sometimes during public events where most of the celebrities in the country will go.
Ashton was a favorite endorser of many brands during his football career, and I hate to see his face on the billboards, but I learned to live by it even if I can't deny I was hurting inside every time I saw his handsome face.
We were in the waiting area, and I smiled when I saw Axel looking around the airport; and I wish to bring him to Astikoz one of these days, and when I will not be so busy with my work. And looking at him right now made me feel the emptiness again, and I hate that there are moments I looked at my son, and I can't stop feeling so lonely as I remember his twin sister.
For how many years I dreamed about my daughter almost every night that I ended sobbing on my bed, calling Abigail's name. I remember her angelic face as I held my baby in my arms, and I blame myself that she died; maybe if I had been stronger during my pregnancy, she didn't die. And when I couldn't take it anymore, I went to see a doctor because I wanted the depression of losing my child to be gone, but in the end, I realized no one could help myself but me.
I felt glad that I can talk about Abigail now with Alice without crying. And I think about her as our angel, and every time I feel worried about something, I will always ask my daughter to help me pray that everything will be alright. And I hope one of these days I will no longer cry every time I think about Abigail.
I felt excited when I heard the plane's arrival from Astikoz, and I took Axel's hand as we waited for my siblings to get out from the arrival area, and I couldn't wait to see them both. I know I am lucky to have them in my life, and I felt guilty that I ran away from them, but having Ashton beside me is enough to remind me I made the right choice. I am proud to be a single mom to my son, and it doesn't faze me if I don't get married. I know I am willing to devote my entire time to raising and loving my son.
And I hope Abigail survived so I have them both in my life, but I know I need to let Abigail go so that she can rest in peace, and knowing she is now in heaven makes me smile. I raised my head, and my eyes filled with tears when I saw my brother and sister walking in our direction with the suitcase in their hands, and I couldn't stop myself from running to them with Axel running beside me.
I hugged my brother and sister, and I could tell I was not the only one crying. Eight years was long enough not to see each other, but hugging them now made me feel so happy that I couldn't stop my tears of joy from falling on my face, and when I felt my son tug the hem of my blazer, I let them go. And before I could introduce my son, Dexter picked him up and raised him on the air while I heard my son's laughter.
"Hello, little buddy, I am your uncle Dexter, and she is your aunt Ava," Dexter said after he put Axel's feet back on the ground.
"I am Dexter, and her name is Megan, and she is my beautiful mom." He answered, and my siblings erupted into laughter. It seems like my son thought I hadn't met them in person too. I helped my sister with her luggage while Axel was holding my brother's arm, and I am sure my little boy would be spending his time with my brother, and I could see the excitement on his face as we made our way to my car.
"Wow! Nice ride!" My sister said the moment she looked at my brand new SUV.
"Thanks, I said, and she sat beside me on the front seat while my brother sat beside my son and Axel was talking nonstop as I drove away from the airport parking lot, and he was asking Dexter so many questions that I couldn't stop myself from smiling ear to ear.
"He is adorable, Meg, and I can't wait to hug him later," Ava said after she turned her head to look at Axel and Dexter on the backseat, and I looked at her sideways and it felt surreal that I was sitting beside my little sister. She still looked beautiful, but I could say she turned into a beautiful woman. She has her curves in all the right places, and I could tell my sister could be a heartbreaker.
"You look stunning now, Ava, and it is such a waste that you don't have a boyfriend," I said.
"Said the successful businesswoman in Majuscule. You are more stable than me, but I could tell men will get intimidated by you, Meg." She said, and I laughed at her words while I could hear my son giggling on the back when his uncle tried to tickle his sides.
"I am happy with my life now, and I don't need a man because I have Axel, and I don't have time for love; besides, I felt so afraid to enter another relationship and got hurt in the end," I replied, and my sister sighed.
"Not all men don't have balls, Megan." She said, and I shook my head, and my sister fell silent as she looked at the view of Majuscule city, and as we neared Megalopre, I realized my son fell silent, and it only means he fell asleep.
"Megan, you have an adorable child!" My brother exclaimed.
"I know, right," I replied.
"No offense, but I can tell he got his physical appearance from his dad." My brother declared while Ava seconded.
"Yeah, I know, Dex," I said, and we all fell silent for the rest of the ride.
"Wow! Is this your house?" My sister asked when I pulled over my car in front of my house.
"Yes!" I said, and I couldn't stop myself from laughing at my sister's reaction.
"Why didn't you tell us you are living in a mansion?" Ava asked, and I beamed at her.
"I want you to come and visit me, not because of my house, Ava," I said, and she smiled at me.
"Of course, but you didn't tell me you have a swimming pool. I could have brought my swimsuits." She replied while pouting her lips, one of my sister's old habits I can't forget.
"I can buy you brand new swimsuits, Ava," I replied, and she beamed at me. One of the household staff met us and helped Ava with her things, and she rolled her eyes at me when she realized I had helpers in the house. I wanted to tell her I couldn't maintain this house alone, and I needed staff to keep the entire estate, especially the gardens and cleaning of the whole house. I am busy with my work, and after work, I don't want to miss my bonding time with my son. I work hard for Axel to have a bright future. And I wanted to ensure he would never experience what I have been through, and I wanted Axel to have the freedom in choosing the girl he would fall in love with and spend the rest of his life with her.
"Your place is lovely, Megan. I am sure mom and dad would be so proud of you." Dex muttered, and I looked at my brother in the eyes.
"Do you think they will come tomorrow?" I asked, but my brother looked at me in the eyes.
"I am sorry, Megan, but I don't have the answer to your question." My brother declared, and I can't deny I felt hurt because I was expecting my parents to be here with us as we celebrate my son's birthday.. I am hoping they will come because I know they are still my parents, and my son deserves to know who his grandparents are, and when the right time comes, I will bring him to his grandparents' house on his father's side.