Chapter 196 - Romantic Night

Ashton's POV

It felt surreal to be with Megan and Axel together with my siblings, and we were swimming like teenagers all over again. In contrast, I could feel the happiness in my heart every time I looked at Axel and realized I was no longer a teenager and I am a father now.

"Wow, you've got an adorable boy, Ashton, and you couldn't deny he is your son; and later when we go back to grandpa's house, let us show Axel our pictures when we were still kids, and I am sure he will be amazed that he looked exactly like you, and I am sure my nephew will break many girls' hearts when he grows up," Lennon said as he watched my son playing with Cole and Isabelle.

"Are you telling me I am a heartbreaker?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"I will not tell you yes because I haven't seen you play with girls before. You turned them down immediately, or you will never give them false hope, and I salute you for being a hopeless romantic, Ashton, and I could see it was all worth the wait." He responded, and I laughed.

"I wasn't a hopeless romantic, Lennon, I love her so much, and I also have my fair share with

women, and right now, I am so worried about Claire," I replied, and I could see the surprised looked on his handsome face, and he cocked his head at me.

"You ended things with her in a nice way, and you told us she took the news without a protest, she accepted your decision wholeheartedly, and I even admired Claire's disposition in life for being so strong, and I thought she wanted you to be happy, how come you worry about your ex-fiancee?" My brother asked, and I released a heavy sigh.

"After the news spread out regarding the love triangle that involved Gael, Megan, and me, she called me in my office and told me to stay away from Megan. I found it hilarious, and I understand she hated me for canceling our wedding," I responded.

"But when Claire saw the latest news when I proudly informed the reporters that Megan is the only woman I loved Claire attacked me in my office, and I know I hurt Claire with that statement, she was my fiancee once, and I didn't even mention it once that I love her in front of the camera." I declared.

"Claire's ego was wounded, and I knew I hurt her badly, and she came to my office and warned me that she will do everything she can to destroy my beautiful relationship with Megan, and you know Claire," I replied, and my brother looked at me with sympathy.

"Wow, I could smell trouble, Ashton; you better take precautions," Lennon responded.

"I know, but how can I do that, Lennon? And you know that we are already dealing with our problem regarding the reporters, I don't want them to dig up Megan's life because I know it will affect her, and our relationship will suffer." I said.

"You asked us to come here to have fun, and I think you need to do the same, Ashton. Stop worrying about Claire and the reporters, and this gathering is all about your son and Megan." Lennon declared.

"Besides, Megan is no longer a teenager; I bet her principles in life have changed, and I am sure her understanding became broader." My brother added.

"Thank you, bro, for your time listening to me and joining me as I celebrate this special day," I said, and he beamed at me.

"Of course, you can count on us always, you know ever since you started courting Megan, you have our full support, and now, many people wanted to destroy your relationship, including our father, but don't worry, I am sure he will change his mind, Ashton," Lennon said, and I shook my head.

"Are you kidding me? He is Gregory Pritzgold, and I am sure he will never change, Len." I responded.

"Who knows, the moment he sees your son, he will have a change of heart." He said, and I laughed.

"I don't want to hope anymore, Lennon, and I couldn't take it if dad hurts Axel emotionally. You know how often I wished he would support me with my football career, but it was all pointless because he only felt sorry when he got sick and almost died, but now that dad recovered, he became his old self again. And let us face it that our father's decision will always be final and irrevocable." I added.

"I know, but let us enjoy our weekend with our siblings and grandparents with your son and Megan." He said, smiling at me.

"And thank you for telling me how you feel, Ashton; I thought you would never trust me again after what happened between us." He added, and I could still see the guilt on his face.

"Come on, you know I am not like that besides, I know you were devastated that time when you found your fiancee with me, and you are too angry to listen to your brother, but I just wanted you to know, I will never betray you, Lennon," I responded.

"Of course, I know that by now, Ashton, but I couldn't stop hating myself that I accused of doing something horrible." He replied, and I tapped him on the shoulder.

"I already told you for how many times to let it go, Lennon, and I wished you would find the right girl for you," I stated, and he laughed hard.

"I think I will be having the same problem with you, Ashton," he replied, and his answer made me raise my eyebrow.

"What do you mean, by that, Lennon?" I asked, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling so curious, knowing there was something beneath his words.

"I think I am falling in love with my secretary," he mumbled, and I couldn't stop myself from grinning as I realized how dad could accept his girlfriend when he didn't even recognize Megan's achievement. She is now the CEO of her growing perfume company, and she made her own name, yet it wasn't enough for our dad.

"Wow! That is unexpected coming from you, knowing among all of us, you always love dating girls from the elite circle, and now I realized you follow my footsteps." I said, laughing, and he laughed with me, and it made our siblings look at us, and I know they were wondering what we were laughing about, and I looked around and smiled when I saw Megan on the bank drying our son's hair, and I could tell he got tired from playing with his uncle and aunt.

"I don't know how dad will react the moment he will learn I am also falling for someone who doesn't belong in our society. But I think he can handle it; what makes me feel so worried if he finds out our brother is gay, and he has a boyfriend now." Lennon declared, and I felt sad for our younger brother, but I could tell it would never faze Cole because he is willing to lose his inheritance just to be with the man he loves.

"I think that would be the time our father will change his Last Will once again, and I will no longer be shocked if he will donate our supposed inheritance to the charity and his foundations." My brother said, and I took a deep breath and nodded.

"Well, I think we will survive," I said.

"Of course, as long as we have each other, and I am sure we will not end up living on the streets, especially you, and I could tell your earnings are more than enough because you are one of the highest-paid models in the country, and I guess having a pretty face, and hot body is not bad after all." He said with a wide grin on his face, and I laughed, and I excused myself and got up from the water, and I joined Megan and our son.

"You don't want to swim anymore, Axel?" I asked, and he nodded his head, and I could tell he felt so cold since he was shivering. Megan dressed him up, and we all returned to my grandpa's place because it was almost time for dinner.

And the moment we arrived at my grandpa's place, we realized we were having a barbecue party since I could see him standing in front of the griller. My smile broadened as I remembered my childhood memories, and I always loved it every time we had a barbecue party; we all helped, which is what I love the most; he will never ask his household staff for help. It will always be my siblings and me who will prepare the table and the drinks, and it will always be my sister's specialty.

Axel came to grandpa immediately, and they were talking. I smiled while I peeled and sliced the ingredients for our vegetable salad together with Megan while Cole prepared the fresh fruits and Lenon set up the tables and chairs. I felt so glad that my son experienced this kind of fun, and he looked so excited as he helped his grandpa flip the burgers, chicken wings, and hotdogs.

The dinner was fun, and I smiled when I looked at the sky filled with stars; and what made me more delighted was the moon shining brightly above us. And I could tell Megan seemed so happy. We played card and board games, and when it was time for us to go to sleep, I asked Megan to come with me after making sure Axel was already sleeping in grandpa Henry's room.

"Oh, the lake looked so beautiful and peaceful, and I remember that night, Ashton," Megan said the moment we arrived back at the lake and I knew what night she was referring to, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"Yes, Meg, I always remembered that night with a happy face. Can you see the reflection of the moon on the lake? It was like this when I first claimed you, and I could still feel the same feeling," I said as I pulled her to come with me on the rock near the bank, and the moon is giving us enough glow to light the surroundings, and it feels so romantic. Megan was sitting on top of the rock while I was standing in front of her, and I took her hand.

"And that is why I wanted to spend the night with you on the treehouse and remind you that my feelings never change, and it is getting deeper, and I don't want this night to end without asking you the question I had been dying to ask you for so long now," I said as I looked at her lovely face as I get down on one knee.

"I love you ever since the day my eyes first laid on you, and having Axel in our lives makes me fall in love with you more, and I wanted to grow old with you and be with you until the day I will take my last breath, please make me the happiest man on earth.. Megan Corteza, will you marry me?" I asked, and I could see the tears of happiness on Megan's face as she threw her arms around my neck while shouting yes, and I could feel my tears trickling on my face as I captured her sweet lips, and I felt so happy to make her my fiancee and then my wife.