Chapter 102 Finding Heaven
Fabian followed Heaven into her room and shut the door. He was pissed.
“What was that about, Fabian?”
“You’re asking what that was about? You can’t go around kissing anyone, Vera, or even inviting them into your house late at night..”
“At this point, I don’t know what I should be doing anymore,” she cut him off before he could finish. She brushed a hand over her hair.
“I can’t chase my memories as I want because it could kill me. I can’t kiss or let anyone into my house. What should I do then, Fabian? Tell me.” Her voice sounded broken.
Fabian’s heart squeezed.
“Stop making it sound that way… I’m just looking out for you.”
“I appreciate it. I swear I do. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t remember what you’ve done for me and Liam…” Her eyes glistened.
“But you should stop seeing me as your responsibility. My accident wasn’t your fault. You’ve spent years atoning for it even when it wasn’t your fault. I don’t want to extort you anymore. You make me feel so cheap and shameless, living off you. I don’t want it, Fabian. Please.”
Her words cut Fabian deep to the core. He walked toward her.
“All I make you feel is shameless?”
Heaven turned to him, her eyes moist.
“Yes. You should let me live my life. Stop telling me what to do.”
Fabian’s fists clenched. His heart shattered into a million pieces. He turned, opened the door, and walked out.
Maverick looked visibly shocked at Liam’s question. Liam studied Maverick’s face, his little hands clasped behind his back like an old man.
“Why did you ask that?”
Maverick didn’t know how to handle the question. He couldn’t lie to his son and he couldn’t tell the truth.
Liam shrugged.
“Because you both were doing parents’ stuff. I’ve never seen my mama do that. So I thought you were my papa.” He was referring to them almost kissing earlier.
“Well… I could be your papa if you want,” Maverick breathed calmly.
“That’s her choice to make. I only like what Mama likes.”
Maverick looked at his little boy. He was far too mature for his age. He bent down to his level.
“Liam, tell me what you like, other than what your mama likes.”
Liam tilted his head, came closer, and whispered,
“You can’t tell Mama, okay? I like taekwondo, shooting rifles, and swordsmanship. Mama doesn’t like those ones she says I’m too young. I also design games in my leisure time.” He shrugged.
Maverick had never felt prouder in his life than in that moment. The Richard genes flowed in his veins even if Liam hadn’t been born with his name.
“I will take you sometime—”
The door to Heaven’s room slammed open.
Liam and Maverick turned at the same time.
Fabian walked out, visibly angry.
“Liam, to your room,” Maverick told his son.
Liam obeyed.
Maverick went into Heaven’s room. She was crying, her arms wrapped around herself when she saw him.
“You should leave.”
She didn’t want anyone around her at that point.
Maverick didn’t listen. He kept coming closer.
“Leave! Please… I need time to think through what all this is about.”
“Think about me or him?” Maverick asked, jealousy and anger boiling inside him. Was she trying to choose between them?
“Please, just go,” she pleaded.
Maverick turned and walked out, furious.
\~~~~~~~~~
“I barely see you these days, Maverick. At this rate, if I die, how will you even know? You don’t even take my calls. The other day I visited the base to see you and you weren’t even there,” Eleanor nagged her son.
Today was family bonding day. Maverick had attended, missing it would raise eyebrows, and right now he didn’t want that, especially not from Eva.
“Maverick, you should spend more time with your wife and daughter. Give yourself a break from work,” General Richard spoke calmly. He knew why his son was like this.
Maverick didn’t respond.
Havilah dropped her fork and passed a small fancy bag to him.
“For you, Daddy.”
“She got it for you during our last vacation in Sun City. She didn’t even get me anything, but she did for you I’m jealous,” Eva said, trying to sound loving.
“Daughters love their fathers too much, while it’s the other way around for sons. But in my case, I don’t even know anymore. Maverick wants to be the death of me,” Eleanor added, patting her neck.
Maverick ignored his mother. He opened the package, it was a wrist watch. He removed the one he was wearing and put the new one on.
“Thank you, Avi. Do you want anything?” He looked up at her.
Normally, Havilah would have said she didn’t want anything, but this time was different.
“I want you to attend the father’s function in my school so I can show you to my friend,” her small voice said.
“What? Avi has a friend now?” Eleanor asked, surprised, holding her wine glass. They all knew she was introverted.
“She won’t stop talking about him. He’s a new student,” Eva added, brushing her daughter’s blonde hair, which looked exactly like hers.
“I will attend the function. Text me the date,” Maverick agreed.
Havilah was shocked. She hadn’t expected him to agree but he did, and she was elated.
She stood up, walked to Maverick, and dropped a kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
He patted her hair.
Maverick might be cold, but he still had a soft spot for his child. Eva smirked slightly.
“Avi was nagging me, saying she needed a sibling.” All attention turned to her except Maverick. Avi looked surprised; she didn’t remember saying that.
“So I started looking for solutions to fix my womb. I began treatment secretly because I didn’t want to give the family false hope.” She paused.
“I visited the hospital yesterday, and I’m fit to carry a sibling for Avi.”
“Oh my God, that’s great news Maverick! I should be expecting another grandchild,” Eleanor exclaimed, the happiest of them all.
Eva blushed.
“I’m not having more children,” Maverick said, dabbing his mouth, ready to leave.
General Richard, who had been quiet the entire time, finally spoke, his fingers tapping lightly in the air.
“Boyle’s memorial is coming, and I plan on finding Heaven.”