As they stared at each other, different thoughts crossed their minds. Adrian knows that he wants Aurora as his woman again, but does she want him too?
He doesn't want to embarrass himself again by trying to make things work out between them. Anyways,he sighed softly and looked away.
Aurora was waiting, eager for him to take a step towards her. He should take just that first step and she would take the remaining ninety nine steps to him.
“How're you doing Aurora?” Richard chimed. Happy to see her but especially his son. He missed Adrian and seeing him with Aurora and their daughter, he was pleased.
“I'm fine. How're you doing too, father?” Aurora replied, smiling. Except Anna Lester that is no more, they appear to be completed and she could say Elsie was taking her place already.
“I'm fine my dear” Richard replied. He kissed Elsie and gave her his blessings before turning to glance at Adrian. The later mumbled words that sounded like he was greeting his dad and then turned away.
“How're you son?” Richard asked but Adrian didn't respond. He didn't put it to heart but went further to ask him how he was coping, being alone. If things have gone in the proper way, they shouldn't have to stay away from each other for a while after Anna's death.
“I'm fine,” Adrian grumbled. He just wants to live his life on his own terms. Being anywhere around his dad seemed to remind him of the past.
“How's your health grandfather?” Aurora asked. Adrian had told her that grandfather was not feeling well and he had come to New Jersey just to check on him.
“I haven't been fine lately. I feel as if I will see your grandmother soon. Every single day, I'm getting closer to the inevitable end” Grandfather Lester explained.
It wasn't long, Adrian announced that he was leaving to his place and asked if Elsie would come with him or stay with her mother.
“Aren't we going to your place together?” Aurora asked, surprised at why he asked that and Adrian replied “No, you're not coming with me. You can stay with grandfather or go to your mom's place. And if you prefer, you could lodge in the hotel”
Aurora's eyes welled up with tears. How can she accompany him and he wouldn't care about what she desires. Why is this happening to her?
“I want you both to spend the night here. It's incredible to have you here and you can't just leave us again” Richard requested, his gaze on Adrian.
More than saying yes, Aurora would readily agree to it. The only challenging one is Adrian. He wouldn't want to and it's difficult to make him change his mind.
“Aurora and Elsie might choose to stay here, but I'll not” Adrian declared and stood up, “I'll join you for breakfast tomorrow” he added as he took the first step but his father's words made him pause.
“I am your father, Adrian. I know you before you ever pronounce your first word. With these hands I carried you, when you were so little, swaddled up and I remember countless times that I carried you facing you against my chest.
Besides that, I raised you. Over the years, have I been less of what is expected of a father to you, Adrian? Whatever you become today, you should know that your origin is me!” Richard scowled.
And Patrick didn't experience any of that from him. He'd spent the major part of his life with Adrian and his mother, while Patrick got none of such good childhood memories.
“And you ruin those memories in just one day because of your illegitimate son and his mother? You suddenly realised I was your greatest mistake. And I'm holding on to that” Adrian declared.
“I'm sorry son. This father here misses you and I wished I didn't say that in a state of anger” Richard apologised.
That night, they were happy. Adrian put up in his bedroom, he'd always had his room waiting for him. Aurora was with Alice all evening after the dinner.
There was a lot for the two friends to catch up on. The older woman was excited to see Elsie. She'd spent virtually more than two decades working for Lester.
And now, seeing Aurora and her daughter, she wants to remain with the Lester family. Retirement was no longer intriguing to her at the moment.
The laughter of women resounded in the mansion. Elsie was getting a nanny the next morning,but before getting her nanny, Alice announced that she was ready to read her bedtime stories and look after her.
Adrian sat by the bedside as Alice sang some poems for Elsie and soon, the little girl dozed off. Adrian smiled. It's a fortune to eventually have his daughter sleep in his home.
He kissed her temple gently and covered her properly with a quilt. As he turned,he caught Alice smiling broadly at him, her gaze alternating between him and Elsie.
“Do you think I can be a proper father to my daughter?” Adrian blurted. Staring at his beautiful daughter,he realized how much he'd missed, being away from her life these years.
Does dad feel the same way whenever he glances at Patrick? So much love and affection, flowing from him to her. He wished he could do more,love her more and spend more time with her.
“You'll be an amazing father, Adrian. That look is in you, like it is in your father” Alice chimed. The only thing that is constant in life is change. But she doesn't ever want Adrian to change from his present self to what he used to be.
“Thank you Ms Alice” he appreciated.
“Adrian, can I talk to you?” Alice asked, her face stern with seriousness. Adrian nodded, of course she can talk to him about anything and everything.
“I think you need a woman in your life to be whole again. Your ex-wife is that woman that can fit in, exactly as Elsie fits into your life…” Alice coaxed. How she longs to see them both together again.
Adrian massaged the bridge between his eyes and said “I love her but she doesn't want me. But I'll figure things out about getting married again”
“She thinks the same way about you. You both think the other doesn't want you while still being in love secretly with each other. She would come running into your arms, Adrian.
Go to her. She's waiting for you, tell her you love her and watch how things simply unfold before your eyes. Just go,now” Alice advised.
Adrian’s eyes lit up with excitement. He nodded and stepped out, just as Aurora was coming over in her night dress to check on Elsie.
He almost bumped into her, a scene from the past played in their heads; it was the morning after their love making but this time,he stood and asked, “Can you come with me, we need to talk”
Aurora nodded and saw Adrian held her by the wrist, taking her to his study. He let her hands go when he shut the door. The both stared at each other for a few seconds and Aurora was beginning to be confused.
“Can we begin again, you and I on a clean slate. I can't keep lying to myself, my life is just incomplete without you. I love you, Aurora…” Adrian was saying when Aurora sniffled and hugged him.
“Yes, yes, I've been waiting for you to come back”Aurora chimed, her eyes moist and her smile spread broadly across her face.
Adrian chuckled softly and lifted her chin,gazed into her eyes and gently placed his lips over hers.