Chapter 50: Reconciliation!

Dylan begins to believe that Bella doesn't love him and feels angry about it, but at the same time he thinks he's selfish and decides to give his beloved space.

“Hey Bruntte, I can't deny that I was angry with you for everything that happened and that's why I didn't tell you I was alive, I was hurt and I thought you had broken our promise first, I really tried to forget you by bringing Deanne as my girlfriend and I wanted to hurt you because I was hurt, it wasn't easy for me to find out that you don't love me, but I think it's really over for us. You showed me that if we got back together now we would only continue to hurt and hurt each other.”

“Thank you, Dylan. But know that I loved you until the day I shot you, it was one of the things that hurt me the most and I love you even now while we recognize that we are each other's weakness.”

“Bella, you are the only woman I have ever loved and I hope that when we meet again we can be each other’s strength and finally live our love to the fullest.” Bella approaches and hugs Dylan.

“Look, I’m not that man generous. You hugging me like that and on top of that, all naked, is just mean.”

Bella smiled and out away and at that moment they heard a weak voice calling out… “Mom!”

“Is it Theo!?” Dylan and Bella looked at each other.

Bella just wrapped herself in the towel again and ran to see her son together with Dylan. When the boy saw his mother, he gave a beautiful smile, but when he saw his father, he became serious again.

“Keep that crazy girlfriend of yours away from me. She was the one who made me fall down the stairs.”

“Don’t worry about her anymore. Your mother already found a way and I guarantee it  Deanne will never do anything bad or manipulate anyone again.”

“Seriously, mom? You dumped her, how?” Theo gets excited.

“This isn’t a subject for a boy, when you get a little older I’ll tell you.” Bella blinks at her son who still complains, but soon stops when he realizes that his mother is just wrapped in a towel and that Dylan is very close to her.

“What were you doing?”

“I was taking a shower.”

“And I was watching.”

“Did you guys make up?” Theo frowns

“Yes. But we decided that we won’t be together. When you get discharged, we’ll both go back to New York and you know who’ll be waiting for us? Susan.”

“I want to go right away. Summon the doctor to release me, Mom.”

“I already did. He should be here soon.”

“But that doesn’t mean you’ll be discharged. You had a slight head injury and the doctor said you need care.”

When the doctor arrives, he examines Theo and asks some questions, such as: Was he feeling pain? He answers yes, and especially a burning sensation on his scalp where the stitches were. The doctor says that this is normal, but that he would give him some medicine to relieve what Theo was feeling and that the next day, pediatricians will do more tests and if everything is okay, he can be discharged. Bella thanks him, but the doctor notices that Bella was only wearing a towel. He approaches, takes off his lab coat and puts it over Bella's shoulders.

“It’s cold and even though you’re in a cozy room like this, you should remember that you’re in a hospital.” The doctor leaves the room.

“I’m going to finish my shower, keep an eye on him.” Bella goes back into the bathroom, leaving Théo and Dylan alone.

“I want to apologize for everything you suffered in my house because of Deanne or rather, because of me. I’m usually very good at reading people, but with her I let it go and it was on purpose.”

“It’s not just me that you have to apologize to, but to my mother too. Do you know how many times I saw her cry quietly in the almost two months we stayed at your house? I lost count, but it was bad for me to hear and not be able to do anything. I’m just a child, but my anger towards you only increased.”

“I understand, son. But I talked to your mother and, in our own way, we understood each other.”

“And what do you want from me? For me to forgive you for almost 11 years of absence? If you tell me something I really like, I might even start thinking about forgiving you.”

“Your mother”

“But that’s obvious”

“And… Playing video games, cookie dough ice cream with chocolate chips and blackcurrant, like me you’re allergic to peanuts and derivatives. I know you do Jiu-Jitsu and you’ve even been to a championship and won a silver medal, and…”

“Okay! I get it. You and my mother talked.”

“It wasn’t just that, Théo. When I found out your mother had a son seven months after getting married, I knew it was my son and not Johnny’s, and from then on I started following you guys even from afar, I saw you grow up in a way, but I couldn’t get too close. Leaving your mother was the biggest sadness of my life.”

“Maybe I believe you. But still our families are enemies and I don’t think that will ever change.”

“Théo. Even if the Kicher and Hahn families never get along, nothing will change the fact that you are my son and that I love you.” Theo feels Dylan’s sincerity and lets himself be hugged by his father.

While father and son try to get along, Dr. Chase, who is taking care of Alexander, enters the room with a not-so-good expression.

“Mr. Dylan, can we talk?”

“Of course!” They moved a little away from where Theo was, but it was still possible to hear the conversation, especially Theo, who has excellent hearing.

“Your father’s condition is not good, the medicines are not having the desired effect.”

“Are you telling me that I have to prepare for the worst?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Oh, damn! Why did he hide this illness from me and why didn’t he take care of his health?” Dylan tries to hold back his tears, but it is almost impossible.

Bella also heard the difficult conversation that Dylan has with the doctor, “You should stay with your father, everything is fine here, isn’t it, Theo?”

The boy was thoughtful for a few seconds and then looked at his mother, “Can we go see him?”

“OK! But let’s go carefully. We don’t even know if he’ll want to see us.”

In Alexander’s room, Dylan entered first. His father was awake watching television with Rebecca by his side.

“Dad, I brought visitors.” The gray-haired man looks toward the door, watching Théo and Bella enter his room. He smiles when he sees the boy and motions for him to come closer. He holds his hand and says:

“I’m glad you’re okay, my grandson.”

Dylan, Bella, and Rebecca look at each other in surprise and continue listening: “I wanted to play another game of soccer with you, but I don’t think I’ll be able to. Théo, you’re the only one who can end this fight between the Kicher and Hahn families, because you have the blood of both. Be wise and use it for good. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” The boy pretends to be tough.

“Ahh! But it was very nice and rewarding to meet you. I’m sorry for being rude. Will you forgive me?” Alexander is as kind as he’s ever been to anyone.

“Only if you also forgive me for my rudeness.”

“What? Were you rude? When? I don’t even remember.” Alexander makes Theo smile.

“Can I give you a hug?” Theo asked.

“Of course, my grandson.” Alexander opened his arms, so the boy can fit in.

“Thank you, Grandpa!”

Alexander cries and hugs his grandson tighter, making everyone get emotional, each in their own way. When Theo walked away, it was Bella’s turn to come closer:

“Thank you for welcoming us into your home even though we are enemies.”

“We forgot our differences for a few months and that made me realize that you are a great woman and are raising a great son. I enjoyed meeting you, Bella Hahn, and if one day you and Dylan resolve your differences, I will be happy to welcome you into my family. Wherever I am.”

“I appreciate it, Mr. Kicher. But I will keep my promise to identify the infiltrators and Johnny and then I will go on my way.”

“I understand!”

After talking with Bella and Théo, Alexander asks everyone to leave and only Dylan stays. He talks a little with his son to sort things out between them. Dylan notices that your father breathing was getting slower and slower. Finally, at 2:50 am, Alexander takes his last breath.