TWENTY NINE

The expensive look of the house continued to amaze Ashley who did more of nodding to Dave's explanation than talking. The corridors did not only have a great touch of exquisiteness , there was this homely feel that emanated from the child-like framed drawings and writings and that warmed Ashley's heart.

It kind of reminded her of home too.

"Earth to Ashley," Dave waved in her face. "What on earth are you thinking of?" he asked amusedly.

Replying him with a little smile, she said, "I like how comfy and homely this place feels despite being so big."

Dave gave a light huff, grabbed her hand and with his face straight ahead, he said quietly, "When I lived here, it was just a house, nothing more."
Recalling the moment at the hospital where he had shared a huge part of his past, Ashley knew saying some soothing words wouldn't be the best option at that moment. So, she just gave his bigger hand a tiny squeeze to remind him that she was there for him. And she would continue to be.

Ashley could not help but tease herself with a quiet chuckle. She was starting to sound very cheesy.

"You can go in now," Maria said before she quietly walked away.

Ashley watched silently as Dave raised his hand to push open a side of the twin door. But he stopped before his hand could make contact with the polished winged door.

"Dave?"

The manner with which he let out a very shaky breath got her immediately worried.
"I need a minute," he said, his head ducked to the side, his hand clenched.

Carefully, Ashley reached for his fist and dissolved it with few pats. As she laced her fingers with his, she reached for the side of his face with her other hand and brought it to face her. Her voice whispering like that of a dying lover, Ashley said, "You don't have to see him today if it so hard for you."

It really bothered her to see him that way. *Serious and hurt.*
"No, I am fine. I have to see him today, I have wasted too much time hating him," Dave said.

Nodding, Ashley told him to take his time and open the door whenever he was ready.

Few minutes passed before Dave finally had the strength to push open the door. The hugeness of the room they walked in surprised Ashley even more. With the features of a VIP hospital ward and a regular bedroom within that hugeness, Ashley amused herself with a quick calculation of how much space was left for that room to be the exact span of her company.

It was that huge.

As they walked further, her eyes scanned the room for the sight of a slightly aged man, Ashley wondered again why he needed a hospital bed when he already had a regular one.

"Mr. Davies, is that you?" a strong male voice asked from behind them. Ashley felt Dave freeze and with a gentle move, she detached her hand from his. As Dave turned to face his father, so did Ashley.

The silver haired man had his elbow slipping off the arm of the mechanical wheelchair on the sight of his son. As he regained composure, his perplexed eyes refused to leave the tall, unexpected visitor in front of him.

Ashley who was expecting a word from Dave turned to face him. He too looked dumbfounded and the two men stayed that way in silence.

Realizing that it would be better to leave the room, Ashley made for the door. But she was stopped by a tug on her hand and a familiar low voice telling her, "Stop."

Stepping into the spot she had just left, Ashley noticed Dave's father watching her with even more confusion. But that didn't last as he went back to studying his son. Just that, this time, he talked.

"Dave," he could as well start crying, with the way his voice trembled. "Look at you, you are so grown..."

Dave added to his steps until he was a few inches away from him.

"You are really here..." His father was starting to sound delighted. The sides of his eyes folded as his lips began to form a smile. Reaching out for his son's hand - Dave was already crouched in front of him- Dave's father began to give a hearty chuckle.

He patted Dave's hand as he said, "I thought I would never see you again. Oh, I am so glad. I am so happy."

Ashley who was unknowingly wearing a smile darted her head towards Dave who was being very quiet. She wondered if he would be able to say anything.

And... as though he read her mind, Dave's father said with soberness within his voice, "It must have not been easy to get yourself to come here. I know how much you blame me for your mother's death."
He ducked his head to the side and lowered it as though ashamed. "I never really got the chance to apologize to you for doing things that snatched your mother from you. From us."

The atmosphere was becoming ladened with more and more emotions, Dave was still yet to talk. His father was wearing a sad look that reminded Ashley of the time she had met her mother.

"Father..." The old man's face lit up in surprise, then happiness on hearing Dave's voice.
"I need you to know that I don't blame you anymore for anything. True, I used to. But I have grown over the past years and I have come to realize how dangerous it is to nurse anger against you."

"Oh my sweet boy."

"I need you to know that I am looking forward to rebuilding our lost bond." Dave was speaking so formally, it showed clearly that it was not easy for him at all.

His father patted his hand again."I am so glad to hear this. I am really happy. But..."
He questioned Dave's slung arm with his eyes. "What happened to you?"

Dave's eyes flickered to his arm then back to his father and said, "Oh, it was just a little accident. It is nothing serious."

Even though it looked like he wanted to comment further, the old man just nodded his head understandably and gave a huge grin. "I am really happy to see you."
His green coloured orbs darted in Ashley's way.
"Is that your wife? Is she Jas...?"

"She is not my wife. Ashley is the woman in my life."

"Oh, I see," he raked her with his eyes. "She is pretty. You have good eyes son."
Ashley returned his smile with a wider one.

Next thing she knew, Dave was up on his feet and walking towards her. Grabbing her hand, he faced his face and said, "I am afraid we have to leave now."

His father immediately wore a small frown. "You should stay for dinner."

"Not today father, we really have to get going."

"Okay son," his father sounded so dejected.

"See you some other time." Dave did not even spare him another look.

When they made it to the reception, Ashley got tired of his silence and angry stride. She snatched her hand from his hold and stared at the back of his head.
Motioning to the exit as he turned, Dave asked, "Why did you stop?"

"Are you really going to leave so abruptly?"

Dave sighed. "I am not comfortable here Ashley. There are a lot of memories here."
He did not need to explain further. Ashley just walked to him, grabbed his hand and led them out.

They had parked the car outside the gate, so they had to walk a bit.

After a nice, quiet, head clearing short walk, they made it to the car.
As Ashley made to pull open the car door, she exclaimed suddenly, "Oh my God! Dave!" He ran towards her.
Her body shaking a bit, she blurted, "That woman, that woman Dave! She looks almost like me. What if she is my real mother?"

The desperation in her voice revealed how bothered she was about knowing her real parents.

Dave's line of sight followed hers to across the street where a middle aged woman stood all dressed in a classy way. Sighing, he faced Ashley who was studying the woman who had no idea she was being scrutinized as she received a call.
"Ashley... she is your mother."

"What?"

Gripping her by the shoulders to keep her stable, he confessed, "I know it wasn't my place to, but I wanted to help you find your biological parents. When the result of the findings came yesterday, I realized it wouldn't be reasonable to have you know such information suddenly. The file is not with me, but I am sure that woman over there is your mother."

Ashley gulped, her knees fell weak. "She is..."

"Yes, she is your biological mother."