Chapter 62 The Blake Family's Heirs
It had been two days since Xander had taken Adrian and Autumn. Ariadne hadn't seen them in person. She was a little bit busy these days, and couldn't go to school to meet them. She could meet them at the mansion, but she didn't want to go there. That mansion was her worst nightmare. She communicated with them through video calls. She was wary of Crystal's next move and had warned Mary about Cathy. That woman was a backstabber. Mary informed her that she hadn't tried anything until now. However, Ariadne was aware that it was only a matter of time before they acted. Tiara still hadn't returned from Purple City, so Ariadne spent the nights in the hospital. Xander had arranged for another nurse to stay with Alex. However, at night, Ariadne dismissed them.
Xander, on the other hand, was dealing with the accident on the construction site. He didn't go to meet the kids. These days, he remained silent and met nobody. Crystal had tried to meet him, but he had told her that he wouldn't speak with anyone right now. She didn't push any further, allowing him to process the situation. Everyone was silent, thinking about the present situation and planning for the future. It seemed like the calm before a storm.
Xander was on his way to the hospital. He made time to visit because Alex's walking therapy was scheduled for that day. As his car entered the hospital, he noticed guards everywhere. William had already reached the hospital. He didn't talk to him after their last call. He felt betrayed by everyone. He climbed out of the car and headed inside the building. His expression was grim. Toby trailed behind.
He came to a halt as he entered Alex's room. Everyone was in the room. He frowned as he noticed Ariadne sitting beside Alex on the bed. On the couch, Mary sat with the other two kids. He instructed Jose to bring Mary and the kids to the hospital earlier. William was in a wheelchair next to the bed, while Jose stood behind him. Everyone's attention was drawn to them as they walked in.
"Oh.. you came. I thought you had forgotten." William said.
Xander shook his head, annoyed that William thought of him as a irresponsible man.
"What's she doing here?" he asked Toby in a low voice.
"She's their mother, dude. Don't act like a jerk."
Xander glared at him.
"You must control your anger. Don't let it affect your kids." Toby whispered in his ear.
"What would you have done if you suddenly discovered that you're a father of three children?" he said, clenching his jaw. "They were in front of me the entire time, and I had no idea."
Toby sighed and kept silent.
Xander hadn't fully overcome the revelation.
"Hello, Toby uncle." Alex waved at Toby.
Toby waved back at him. Alex smiled at Xander before turning to his mother.
"Mommy, that man looks so much like me. Is he our relative?" he asked her.
Ariadne fell silent. She was nervous as she had to tell them about Xander.
"I've something to tell you." she said after a while.
She looked at Xander and gestured him to come closer. Xander looked at her dumbfounded. Toby pushed him towards the bed. Ariadne glanced at William, who gave her a nod.
"Alex, Autumn,.... he's your father." she said looking at the two kids.
"What?"
"Really?"
Alex and Autumn spoke at the same time.
"Yes." Ariadne nodded at them.
They both looked at Xander.
"Wow.. so this's why you look like Alex." Autumn exclaimed after a while.
"I've a father... wow... we all have a father." Alex exclaimed excitedly, looking at his siblings.
Xander felt more nervous than everyone else. He didn't know what to say, so he just smiled at them. Adrian, on the other hand, remained silent.
"Where have you been all these years? Why didn't you meet with us?" Alex asked.
Xander glared at Ariadne before turning to Alex.
"I was unable to meet with you three because I was in this city and you were in Purple City. Now that you are all here, we will meet every day.." he paused and looked at Ariadne.
"We will also live together." he added.
She glared at him. Doctors arrived and interrupted their conversation.
"It's time." one of the doctors said.
...
All of them were led to an empty hall room. Alex was seated in a special chair. They removed the pluster from his legs.
"Hold the handles in your hands for support and try to stand slowly. Don't force it. If you feel too much pain, sit down. Okay?" the doctor instructed Alex.
"Okay." Alex replied with determination.
Ariadne stood nervously to the side, alongside the others, while Xander stood on the other side with Jose and Toby.
"Three, two, one..go."
Everyone was silent. Alex gripped the handles and got ready. He looked at his mother.
"You can do it, baby." Ariadne assured him.
"Best of luck, Alex." the kids said, giving him a thumbs up.
Alex smiled and looked at the floor in front of him, determined. He took a deep breath and tried to get up. His grip on the handle tightened and his face turned pale from pain. He was still seated and unable to get up.
"Alex." Ariadne grew concerned as she watched him struggle.
"Bear it. Don't give up." Xander shouted.
After a few seconds, he still couldn't stand up.
"Don't force it..." Ariadne said, looking at his pale face.
"No, you can do it. You're almost there." Xander cut her off.
Ariadne glared at him. However, before she could say anything, Alex stood up abruptly. Ariadne gasped while the kids cheered. Xander smiled proudly.
"Excellent, Alex." the doctor said. "Now, hold it for as long as you can and slowly sit down."
Alex nodded and remained standing for a few seconds before sitting down.
"We will rest for a while. Few were able to stand up on their first try. Congratulations." the doctor added.
Ariadne's eyes filled with tears. They approached and hugged Alex.
"We're proud of you." Ariadne kissed his forehead.
"Congratulations, Alex," the kids and Mary said together.
William cried as well and gave the little boy a hug. Everyone was happy. Xander stood at a distance, looking at them with an unfamiliar emotion. He approached them after a while and congratulated Alex. The therapy resumed soon and Alex did well again.
...
They all returned to Alex's room as the therapy session came to an end. While everyone was talking, Xander noticed Adrian standing alone. He approached him.
"Did you already know that I'm your father?" he asked.
He recalled that Ariadne had only introduced him to Alex and Autumn.
"Yes." he said, looking at the door with no excitement.
Xander felt a pang of hurt. Adrian walked to his mother, ignoring him. Xander sighed and left the room. He wanted to smoke but couldn't as it was a hospital. He stood in front of a wall painting outside the room and stared at it silently, deep in thought.
After a while, Ariadne came out of the room. She gave him a quick glance before walking past him.
"Wait." Xander said from behind, causing her to halt in her tracks.
"How did you get pregnant?" he asked "And why did you hide the pregnancy and the kids..."
"Don't you think it's too late to ask me this? You should have ask me before creating the scene at my office." she cut him off as she turned around.
"What did you expect after keeping this hidden from me? That I'll appreciate you the moment I learn about it?" he moved closer to her.
"You did what you wanted. Why are you asking me questions now?" she shot back.
Xander ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated. "Okay. Don't tell me. Maybe I already knew."
Ariadne walked away. After spending some time, Xander left the hospital.
.....
"She must have tampered with the results. Those three bastards can't be Xander's." Margaret stated, clenching her jaw.
"Apparently, they aren't bastards. Xander is their father." Aaron said.
Everyone was shocked to hear the news. Crystal was devastated when Cathy called and informed her everything. She couldn't believe the news. She called Xander immediately to confirm. However, Xander hadn't answered anyone's call. Jose told her that the news was correct, and Xander wanted some alone time to process the situation. It was something she hadn't anticipated. Moreover, Xander took the kids away from Ariadne, which wasn't good for her. They have gathered at the Miller residence to talk with Xander about this. He had finally agreed to meet with them. Margaret had also arrived.
"You have begun to talk too much." Emma glared at him.
"I'm stating the fact." he replied calmly.
He didn't say it, but he was proud of Ariadne after learning that Xander was the father of her kids. It defined her pure character as the kids were not bastards.
Xander arrived after a while.
"Why did you bring the children to the mansion? Whatever the test results show, I don't believe they're your kids. It's a trap set by her now that you're engaged to Crystal. She doesn't want you to marry the woman you love." Margaret began as soon as she saw him entering the living room.
Xander went to the empty couch and sat down silently.
"I personally oversee the test, which is held at Grace Children's Hospital. It's impossible for her to tamper with the result. They're my kids." he replied calmly.
Everyone went silent.
"Okay fine. They're your kids. But why did you have to bring them from that woman? Let them stay with her..."
"Because they will stay with me from now on." Xander cut Margaret off.
"What?" Emma blurted out while the others were also socked.
"What about Crystal? You two will marry soon and have your own kids. What will happen to them? Don't tell me you're going to make these kids your heirs." she added.
"Of course, they're my firstborn children, and I'll never take their birth right from them." Xander replied.
"How can you make her children the Blake family's heirs? If Ariadne hadn't killed Crystal's child, her child could've become the heir."
"Crystal's child would have been considered as a bastard, whereas these three are my legitimate children."
Everyone gasped at Xander's words.
"What nonsense! Return them to Ariadne. We don't want her kids. Crystal will give birth to the Blake family's heir. I've heard that one of them is crippled as well." Margaret said.
"You will not call him a cripple." Xander yelled, making her flinch.
"Whether you like it or not, they're my children and will become the Blake family's heirs." he stated firmly.
"Mom, Mama Margaret... Xander is right. It's their birth right." Crystal commented, noticing how serious Xander was about the kids.
"Don't mind their words, Xander. The news stunned everyone. Rest assured, they will be well-treated in the family," she added.
Xander nodded at her.