Chapter Ninety-nine Evan Sterling’s POV (Present Time)

I doubt anyone was as happy as I to know Cole Foster was doing fine. Now I can breathe easy. Being without Estera and my boys these past few days has not been easy for me. I was constantly checking my phone and seemed impatient in my dealings.
Edward's funeral was a private one. I had figured only my mother and I would be present with the minister, of course, and a few chosen staff, but then Estera's aunt had shown up. An act which got my mother pretty emotional.
I never did pay much attention to the relationship between the two women in the past. I knew now they were closer than just an employer and employee and I was glad someone was there for my mother other than me. I figured Mary Antoinette would like to be present for her mother's funeral and had Antony buried immediately. I heard no one showed not even his employees. That showed the kind of man the fucker was. Aside from handling all the burial arrangements, I was also keeping taps on Gaius’ case. Estera’s parents’ lawyers insisted for him to be brought over to Castle Ridge precinct, the precinct originally in charge of Estera’s parents' death. And the female lawyer I understood represented Estera’s mom did everything to make it happen the woman was a force to reckon with. I later found out the new chief was the woman’s husband and with how well known and loved the Roberts were in that town, I imagined the kind of hell Gaius must be going through over there. I also hired two lawyers to partner with the Roberts' lawyers to represent Estera’s interest. And according to the latest report I got, the team was seeking maximum punishment for Gaius. And I have no doubt they will get it.
As for my case with the feds, one could say I got off easy because of my cooperation, but I was asked to pay some money to the state of Texas and do some community work which was far better than what I had expected. Part of my deal with them was for them to seal the case files, and ensure the happenings were not leaked to the press. I paid a great deal of money for that. But it was worth it. Now the company was fully mine. I had Brian assign some part of the shares to my wife, and boys, and pay the money for the transferred shares into Mary Antoinette’s personal account; the same one we usually send her quarterly dividend. And now with a clean slate, I was ready to tackle my future.
I let out a sigh, checking the gold wristwatch around my wrist for the umpteenth time.
"Do you have pictures of the boys, Evan, may I please see them?" my mother asked, drawing me out of my musings. I took a side glance at her on the other side of the aircraft cabin. Aunt Sophia gave me a warm smile. She had pleaded with me to allow my mother to meet the boys and that she would help to apologize to Estera on her behalf. But still, I hesitated at her request. I don't know if I would ever stop being on the defensive when it comes to her and my immediate family, but the wound was still raw, and I didn't really want the ugliness of my past dragged to my new family. Aunt Sophia gave me a pleading look. I swallowed gently, nodded and brought out my phone. Opening the photo gallery, I stretched out my hand to offer the phone to her. Her face lit up with a bright smile as soon as she saw them. She gasped, using one hand to cover her mouth.
"My God! They look exactly like Evan at that age!" she said in awe.
"That was what I thought too. I can't wait to meet them. Estera said Ro is quite a character. And that Adrian already loves calculations. Can you believe that?!"
I smiled, darting my eyes from my mother to Aunt Sophia. Pride filled my chest as they continued to speak fondly of my boys. ‘Man, I literally can’t wait to see them again,’ I thought, tapping my right leg impatiently.
"It is quite easy to see that Ro is mischievous even in the pictures. His eyes ... my God!" my mother gushed. Then the smile wiped off of her face as she trailed her fingers over the screen of my phone
"I can only hope Estera will forgive me and allow me to be part of their lives…"
"I will speak with her, don't worry, Mrs. Sterling--"
"Please, Sophia, call me Charlotte. We are way beyond being formal now. We are family."
"Trust … " I said and my mother reverted her eyes in my direction. I held her gaze and added, "You have to earn both of our trust. Mine especially, before I can trust you with my family, mom."
"Evan, son--"
"Listen to me, please, I left Estera in that house, knowing how unstable Edward was because you were there. I left her in your care. Trusting that as my mother, you will protect my heart. You connived with your husband to tear my chest open and pluck my heart out. Not caring for a second how that would hurt me. I am not upset with what you did, mother. I am hurt that you were part of it. Because I have always believed you are the only person in the entire universe that I can rely on. To build that kind of trust to its original version would not be easy mom … "
"I will, son. I will. You are all that I have. I thought I was protecting you, protecting us. But now I know better. I have apologized to Estera and will do it again and again and work on our relationship. I promise you. I will never put you and your family in danger ever again. I am so sorry, Evan. I missed us. The closeness we used to share and I will do anything to have that again," she said with tears streaming down her face. Aunt Sophia reached for her hand, holding it tight. My eyes settled on the clasped hands and wondered if Estera told her aunt everything Edward and my mom did in detail. I sincerely doubt the other woman would be as amiable if she knew the entire story of what was done to her beloved niece or what was intended; judging by how protective she was of Estera. I nodded and looked away.
It was already dark by the time we got to New York. I opened the back seat of the Jeep that came to get us for the women and took the front seat. Thankfully the traffic was light and we got to Estera's house in under thirty minutes.
I have missed her and the boys. I found myself wishing I was alone and I could just rush inside, gather her into my arms and not let go. But I wasn't and so I played it cool.
My heart slammed hard on the wall of my chest when she pulled the door open. The sight of her made my heart skip a beat. Rolland and Adrian were right in front of her and they squealed when they saw me. My eyes smarted with tears. I rushed up the front porch, went on my knees and wrapped the two in a bear hug, holding them to my chest.
"Daddy!" they chorused. My heart tightened in an almost painful grip. I let out a shaky breath. Estera bent to press a kiss to my forehead and she ran her fingers through my hair. I raised my face to meet her gaze and she smiled lovingly into my eyes.
"Welcome home, my love," she said and her voice caught as she framed my face and her fingers gently stroked my jawline. Whatever she saw in my eyes, made her quickly press her lips to mine.
'Jesus!' the word exploded in my head as a result of the sheer intensity of my feelings. I thought my heart was going to bust open with the strike of emotions that assaulted me inside. My boys were holding on to me and my woman was kissing me as if we were the only ones in the entire world. I let out a contented sigh.
I was home.