"Decline the call. We will use my laptop for facetime." Colton said.
While Caleb did as his elder brother instructed, Colton went over to his desk for his MacBook and he dialed his Mom immediately, going back to the couch to join his brother. He placed the lappy on a table right in front of the couch.
Victoria's worried face came through and beside her was her husband, Derik, who looked worried too.
"God, Colt, we've been trying to reach you the moment your father started receiving calls. Why didn't you tell us about the evil thing Natasha did to you. Christ, I can't believe I thought so well of her and wanted you to get married to her. I would have made the biggest mistake of my life." Colt could see that his Mother's eyes were glossy.
"Son, are you okay?" Derik asked. Anyone who knew Derik knew that he was very particular about mental health issues.
"I'm fine. And sorry about that, Mom, I didn't mean to keep anything away from you. Everything just happened so fast. Mia and I just came back from Italy yesterday. We went on a short vacay to clear our heads, only to come back to another chaos."
"We watched the press conference. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of this, baby." Vicky said. One could tell from her voice that she was really unhappy about everything that occurred. She hated it when bad things happened to her children.
"It's fine, Mom. I'm okay. The whole point is that Natasha will not get away with what she has done. She literally just dug her own grave."
"This must have cost you your friendship with the McGregors. I'm so sorry about that." Colton said to his parents. "Have they reached out to you already?" He couldn't help but ask. Despite the evil that Natasha had done, he felt a little pity for her parents because her parents were really good people. Perhaps Natty turned out that way because they over-pampered her. Her Dad was indeed very close to Colton's Dad. They were like brothers.
"Aiden was the one who called to apologize on behalf of the whole family. He said Troy and Mary are too ashamed of what Natty did. They don't even have the courage to apologize themselves because they feel they aren't worthy of our forgiveness. He said they have no choice but to bear the consequences for the shame their daughter had brought upon them." Derik said. (Aiden was Natasha's adopted elder brother)
"For sure their reputation is at stake and no one would want to associate themselves with their company. It's really a shame that a lot of innocent people have to suffer from what Natty did. If the company is to shut down at the end of the day, the staff will have to look for jobs elsewhere." Derik added.
"Well, I don't think that should be any of our concern." Caleb chipped in. "Natasha literally told lies that could destroy us. What if she had succeeded? Thank God she was stupid about it and thank goodness for the evidence we have."
"Aunt Mary and Uncle Troy have always been good to me and because of that, I won't be demanding monetary damages. Besides, there's nothing we need their money for. It's true their company will be somehow affected by this scandal, especially since it's just starting to rise to its feet again but that's their cross and they will need to bear the consequences of their daughters' actions. Natasha is definitely going to spend a very long time behind bars."
"I understand you, son," Derik said. "It's true your mother and I have a close relationship with Natasha's parents but we will always choose our children over friendship. Especially when our children are in the right. We just want you all to be healthy and happy. Forget about our relationship with Troy and Mary. With regards to that, time will tell."
Colton nodded. "I also have something to tell you all. I had specially requested Caleb to be here. I'll probably get across to Ashley later in the day too."
"What is it, Son?" Victoria asked.
Colton sighed. "Please you all shouldn't interrupt me until I'm done."
"Sure!" Caleb said while both parents nodded their heads.
"I was shocked when you broke the news to me that I was to get married to Natasha. I didn't want anything to do with her so I lied about Mia. At that point in my life, Mia was the one that occupied my mind. She still does. But the only difference is that, then, I was reluctant to accept that I have feelings for her."
"I'm sorry I lied to you all at first but I don't regret what I did. I've always known that Natty is not a good person and I'm thankful that you all can see that too."
"It all started with a lie but I'm grateful for how everything turned out to be. Mia and I cannot imagine our lives without each other in it. God knows I've never loved someone so much like the way I love Mia."
"The whole 'pregnancy' thing too was just a means to avoid being attached to Natasha. I would love to have a child someday and so is Mia. I believe we will be blessed with Babies at the right time."
"I'm sorry for raising you all's hopes up about being grandparents, I'm so sorry for not being truthful about everything from the start but I just want you all to know that I will tell such a lie over and over again just to have Mia Edwards to myself," Colton said.
Everyone was silent for a couple of seconds before Victoria finally spoke. "Poor Mia. No wonder why she looked so confused the day I went to confront her about you and the baby. I definitely owe her an apology and plenty of hugs."
Caleb chuckled. "I was shocked too when you mentioned Mia and the baby but I'm glad for you bro. You and your Girl are happy and so in love and that's what matters to me." Caleb smiled, giving Colt a light squeeze on his shoulder.
"It might interest you to know your Mom almost shed a tear when she heard you profess your love on TV for Mia," Derik said.
"See, the whole world knows you're smitten by her!" Caleb smiled, nudging his elder brother on the shoulder.
Colton blushed.
"I was proud of the way you handled the conference and then the way you talked possessively about Mia got the most of me. I saw that my baby had grown and finally found true love. You never even talked about Tina that way!" Vicky said.
"I agree with your mom on that, Son. It's a little disappointing to know we aren't grandparents but it's all good. As I said before, your happiness is our priority. I'm grateful you have Mia in your life."
"Thank you." Colton smiled. He was glad to have cleared the air and to have his family support.
"Did you all by any chance get a call from Grandpa and Grandma?" Colton asked his parents.
"Yes, Your Grandmother is aware but she was so sure that there was a misunderstanding. She believed so much in you being a noble man. She told us straight up that Natasha was evil and a liar"
Caleb and Colton laughed. "I love Grandma Jane so much. She never fails to attack anyone who messes with any member of our family." Caleb said.
Vicky nodded. "She said they've managed to keep the news away from your Grandfather so you have nothing to worry about."
Colton sighed in relief.
"Mia spoke to them over the phone in Sicily. They love her already. We will definitely find time to go see them in Greece but that's after I've proposed to her."
"When do you plan to propose?" Vicky smiled.
Colton playfully scratched the back of his neck. "I honestly have no idea. I'm pretty nervous about it but I'm waiting for the right time."
"Love really changes an individual. Colt, I can't believe you're being shy and nervous right now." Caleb chuckled, earning a glare from Colt.
"Take your time, Son. You have our blessings and our support." Derik said
"Yeah, take your time but hurry up." Vicky smiled. "You should bring her to the mansion for dinner."
"I will, Mom. Thank you. Has anyone heard from Ashley?" Colton asked.
She called when she heard about the situation but your mother and I were able to calm her. She's in the UK for some project. She said she would be coming home once she's done."
"She knows she doesn't have to, right? Everything is under control." Colton said.
"You know how Ashley is? She gets homesick whenever she hears about scandals." Vicky said.
Colton nodded. "True," I'll give her a call later to....."
"Looks like someone's got a visitor" Caleb smiled, looking at his elder brother.
Colton arched a brow at Caleb. Caleb tilted his head towards the glass-walled door and Colton turned his attention there. He swallowed painfully upon seeing Mia and Chad walking towards his office.