Chapter 73

Avery

I told him everything they told me. “I thought she abandoned me, that’s what the sister said”. He said, I shook my head. “She didn’t. She has a lot of regret, she feels like she failed as a mother because she couldn’t protect you, that she couldn’t find you. Just give her a chance to get to know you. I’m sure you’ll remember her” I said.

I left him in his office and headed out. He needed some time to process everything. 

Jake

I couldn’t understand why the sister lied to me. I stayed in my office all day. She checked in on me and I assured her I was okay. Around seven, she came to get me. 

“Babe, they’re almost here. If you don’t want them to know, that’s okay. I invited them over as friends, okay”, she said. I pulled her into me and kissed her. “You are absolutely amazing do you know that”, 

“Of course I am, that’s why you married me”, she said, smiling. We were sitting in the living room when Teo brought them in. 

“Mr. Woods, Mrs. Woods. Thank you for inviting us over for dinner”, Suzanne said, handing the wine to Avery. 

“I told you it’s Avery. Julia, how are you feeling”? She asked the woman. I looked at her carefully. 

“I am okay dear. Thank you for inviting us. You have a lovely home”, she said. I remember her voice. She looked at me, she walked over to me. 

“You are a very handsome young man. If my Nathan was around, he would have looked exactly like you”, she said, smiling, and I saw that sadness in her eyes. As she walked away, I smelled it. It was like a trigger. 

“Apple and cinnamon, you always smelled like apple and cinnamon, and you still smell like that”, I said, looking at her. She turned and looked at me. I could see the hesitancy in her eyes. “How… how do you know that”? She asked.

“I remember you would let me play with your hair”, 

“Nathan? Oh! God, please”, she started crying. I just hugged her, and she cried. I remember her taking me on walks and singing to me. She pulled away and looked at me. 

“Oh, God, I searched for you. He took you away from me. I cried so much... my baby is alive”, she said, holding onto me. 

“I am mom. He left me at an orphanage. When I was ten, they sent me abroad and changed my name. I thought you didn’t want me. That’s what they told me”, I said.

“No never. When Suzy turned ten, I told her, and we looked for you. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you. I’m sorry we didn’t find you sooner. I’m so sorry”, she said, still crying.

“Where is he”? I asked 

“He died a few years ago. Even on his deathbed he refused to say what he had done to you”, Suzanne said. I walked over to her and hugged her. 

Avery

He remembered her. Thank God, he remembered her. I heard the baby monitor. 
“I’ll be back. I need to take care of Amelia. Why don’t the three of you catch up”, I said, standing up.

“Where are you going, sweetheart? Now that I have found my son, I have all the time in the world to catch up. I have a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter. I need to spend time with my entire family”, Julia said. 

“Okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes with her. I went upstairs and got Amelia. As I was heading back, I heard my name and I stopped. 

“Avery is kind and considerate. I worked with her for a few weeks, and she has always been kind. I am happy she is your wife”, I heard Suzanne say.

“I am happy that you became someone and didn’t allow life to knock you down. That young girl is smart in ways some older women aren’t. You have a family of your own. You protect them with your life son. Women like her are hard to find when they love. They love with everything in them, and they are devoted. Don’t ever hurt her”, I heard Julia say, and I was surprised. 

I walked around the corner and smiled at them. “Oh god lord she is beautiful. I never thought I would be a grandmother, this one isn’t interested in relationships”, Julia said, looking at Suzanne.

“Would you like to hold her mom”? I asked, looking at her, and she started to tear up. 
“Thank you, sweetheart, thank you so much”, she said through tears. I handed Amelia to her, and she just held her, looking at her and rocking her in her arms. Jake pulled me to him. “ I love you princess”,

“I love you too, Jake”. 
I saw James walking in. “Sorry for disturbing. Snugs Where are they”? He asked me. And I threw a cushion at him. 

“Handle your wife”, he said, moving away from me. 

“That’s your problem. How many times do you need to get hit before you stop calling her that? This is my Mother Julia and my sister Suzanne. This is Officer James, a friend of ours”, Jake said, looking at them.

“In the basement over at my house” I said. 

“Okay great. I’ll get them. See you later Snugs”, he said, walking out.

“I can’t wait for him to get married”, I said, looking at his retreating figure. I explained to Suzanne and Julia who he was.

Jake 

It’s been two months now since everything has settled down. I asked my mother and sister to stay with us, but they refused to, so I sent my wife to them. They caved and accepted. They were staying over at her place. When I gave Suzanne the car, she refused. Avery had to force it on her. They didn’t want me to spend money on them, so Avery handles them. Garret and my mother were getting along. I overheard their conversation once. They were talking about all the mistakes they’ve made in their lives.

My mother and sister treated my wife so well, and I was happy with that. They treated everyone well. We introduced Andrea and Cassy to them. My sister was taken in by Cassy. She would let Cassy braid her hair and paint her nails. They treated Irene, Landon and everyone else the way we treat them like family. 

Morisson was reported missing. A month ago, a hiker found his decomposed body. We were in the living room watching tv when it happened. I found all three of them looking at me. I raised my hand up in defense. “I left him alive I swear “, I said. As the days went by, I spoke to my mother and sister more and found out more about their lives. Suzanne wanted to become a photographer, but she couldn’t because she was focused on working and saving money to hire private investigators to find me. 

When Landon returned to work, he and Avery continued their training. Suzanne saw them and wanted to join in too. I guess Landon has double trouble now. 

Avery

Today was my birthday. I was nineteen years old. Jesus I was nineteen years old, married and a mother. It wasn’t hard because I had people around me that loved and cared for me. We were having a party. I had Irene, Esther, Sherry, Landon, Teo and the others join us. I asked Jake to let all our permanent staff relax for the evening and hire security from a company. He just smiled and said okay.

Resa and Cassy got along really well. I guess people really can change. We were in the backyard drinking, eating and relaxing. When I heard their conversation,

Cassy: Re, what work you do

She couldn't say their full names. She calls Resa, Re and Suzanne, Su.

Resa: I work at a company, pretty girl

Cassy: Like handsome man?

Resa: yes, but not quite as big. What do you want to do when you grow up?

Cassy: Make cookies

Jake: Princess Cassy the lemon cookies are mine alone

He said, looking at her, and she laughed. 

Resa: Well it seems like you need to register your cookies, pretty girl.

Cassy looked as if she was thinking about it.

Cassy: Handsome man, Will you buy my cookies?

Jake: of course. We can be partners Fifty-fifty.

She seemed to be counting

Cassy: No Cassy have eighty, handsome man thirty. Or no more cookies.

Jake: Okay deal 

Cassy ran off laughing. “Wait, did I just get bamboozled into accepting a minor percent all for cookies”, he asked, looking at me. 

We sat and talked and relaxed. This was what I always wanted and this was what he needed. Later that night, when the house was quiet. We were lying in bed sad he just held me. 

“I love you Avery”. 

I love you too, Jake. I have something to tell you”. I said quietly. “What is it baby”?, he asked, caressing my face,“ I’m pregnant”. He smiled and kissed me. 

“Okay. I’ll be right here love”, he said, holding on to me as we drifted off to sleep. Our life was happy, and we were loved. That was all we ever wanted.
His Obsession ( Loving Avery)
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