CHAPTER 44: BEECHWORTH, VICTORIA

Michelle still hasn’t talked to me the following day. After the previous night that had occurred between us, she had been suddenly quiet and rarely spoke up even if I was the first to initiate a conversation with her. It was as if she totally dismantled me from her line of sight and didn’t even bother to steal a glance at me.


Her abrupt distancing from me made me regret even more what I had done to her the night before. Guilty conscience was eating me alive, which sickened me to the bones. I regret everything that I had manifested towards her, all the words I said and all the anger I showed her, I wholeheartedly regretted every bit of it.


“I’m heading to your GrandMa’s, Michelle, you want to come with me? Your GrandMa misses you” I enthusiastically conveyed while we were dining together for lunch. She simply glanced at me, not uttering a word before continuing her meal, which made me sigh.


I did almost everything to alleviate her feelings. I talked to her countless times from the time she woke up and even bribed her with the things I knew she loves to take the edge off her tantrums, but none of it worked. She still treated me with silent hostility that made me give up on her for the time being.


Maybe a few more days and she will be alright. Most children are like that. They are having tantrums today and the next day they are fine. So perhaps I should simply let her be for the time being with hopes that she would gradually open up on her own after a while.


I left her in Carol’s care after saying goodbye to her. I would be helping Pamela in packing her stuff, since we already agreed that she will move in today. Placing the heavy thoughts about my untimely feud with Michelle at the back of my head, I drove my way to Pamela’s residence with excitement.


I had been dreaming about this for a lifetime. This has been my longtime wish ever since we got engaged. If not for what had happened back then, this plan must have been accomplished a long time ago.


I couldn’t contain the overjoyed feeling and the bubbling anticipation inside my heart. Finally, after six long years, I would be fulfilling one of my lifetime dreams to live with the only woman I wished to be with. I couldn’t help but reminisce about our past, during the time Pamela and I were planning for our future together as I drive. Those unforgettable and memorable scenes of us being in each other's arms while dreaming about our eternity together. The smile on my face was priceless.


Although I am having difficulty with Michelle now, I fully believe that the right time will come when everything will end accordingly. Pamela was right, she always was. My daughter only needs ample space and time to cope up with these changes in our lives. She got accustomed to having her mother around the household for six years, so it’s but natural for her to act this way now. But I know she will eventually be alright as days pass by.


***


The much awaited time has finally arrived. We are now heading to the airfield where a plane was waiting for us according to my father. He brought along with us, Mr. McConnery and Nicole, who he would be needing for reasons I am not aware of. Together with Attorney Sparks and Lewis, we headed in silence to our destination. I am aware that we would be joined by a few people that my father wanted to come with us back in Victoria, but I didn’t expect to see a squad of not less than ten highly uniformed men the minute I set foot on the tarmac.


I was taken aback at the sight of them. We are simply going to my hometown in Beechworth and not to some kind of war restricted area, so why does my father need such an amount of soldiers with him? I was literally clueless as all of us headed towards the dignified men, who were immaculately in line and standing next to a passenger plane.


“Welcome back to Margarette Tarmac, Mr. Hunt,” An imposing man in a pilot uniform addressed my father with utmost respect.


“Everything ready, Brandon?”


“Eagle is ready, Sir, just the way you advised. The Australian Embassy was waiting for your arrival, Sir.”


“Good. This is my daughter, Penelope.”


“Pleasant meeting you, Mam.”


I only nodded in response as we walked further ahead to the distinguished men in black and gray camouflage. Greetings were made by one I presumed was their commander in charge, who was also introduced to me as Timothy Milton, a Lieutenant of the special elite task force that also works with my father. After much ado, we all headed inside the passenger plane, which was more likely to be a presidential plane by the size of it. I sat beside my father with Attorney Sparks and Lewis in front of us. Nicole and Mr.McConnery sat at the opposite side together with the Lieutenant.


I was deeply overwhelmed by the figures I was aboard with and I couldn’t contain the words coming out of my mouth as the plane started to take off.


“Why do you need you to bring along soldiers, Dad? It’s not as if we’re going to a battle that requires men of their status. And the Australian Embassy? We are not dealing with some kind of a national controversy here to even include the State Embassy.”


“Your father always wanted a grand entrance, Miss Hunt. This was always the case every time we went abroad.”


It was Attorney Sparks who answered my queries, which made me glanced back at my father with utmost disbelief. He was simply smiling as if he was amused by my sentiments.


“Don’t tell me that the President or Vice-President of Australia would be there to welcome us?” I uttered in half sarcasm and half amusement.


“They couldn’t as they were engaged with other matters abroad, Miss Hunt, but the Secretary of State would be there at the airport to welcome us on their behalf.”


Her statement made me shake my head as my mind couldn’t grapple with the extent of my father’s connection and power. With everything that I heard and witnessed so far, it made me extremely wonder how influential and supreme my father is.


“Stop worrying about things that you shouldn’t, princess. All are properly in accordance with what I planned, so you just need to sit back and relax.”


“I couldn’t, Dad. My mind was miles ahead of me and terribly worried about Michelle's condition.”


He gently patted my hand before complying. “Be rest assured that all will work well in our favor, Penelope. You’ll see, we’ll have my grandchild in no time. I don’t intend on returning back to New York without her with me.”


“I hope so, Dad, I really hope so.”


“Rest, princess. We will be a busy body once we arrive at Victoria. You need all the strength you could possibly acquire, so I highly suggest you take a good sleep and rest your mind. There’s a private room at the back where you could lie comfortably.”


Taking heed of his advice and also wanting to be on my own for a while, I headed towards the back with the assistance of a flight stewardess. Once inside a spacious room, my body heavily slumped on the soft mattress and immediately shut my eyes close. I am not feeling sleepy with the turmoil my mind was experiencing, but seeing nothing even for a bit somehow gives me the peace I crave to perceive.


My body slightly jolted from the consecutive knocks outside the door. I wasn’t aware that I had fallen asleep nor for how long, but the minute the stewardess announced that we were almost about to land, that’s the only time I confirmed that I had slept soundly and quite long. After freshening myself, I headed back to the passenger seat where my father was preparing himself.


“Are we almost there?”


“Just about, princess. Are you excited? I am” He said merrily while his entire face was evident of how excited he was. “I couldn’t wait to personally see my little munchkin and pinch her chubby little cheeks.” His excitement was contagious and I felt extremely adamant, but in a nice and positive way.


As Attorney Sparks had mentioned, the Secretary of State was indeed at Melbourne Airport and welcomed us with open arms as my father and him shook hands as if they were comrades. He ushered us, together with his security outside, where two limousines awaited us and a military tactical truck. After a short exchange of words and pleasantries, the Secretary bid us his farewell and ordered the drivers to take us wherever we wish to head.


It would be a three hour drive from Melbourne to Beechworth, Victoria. In three hours I could finally be reunited with my precious daughter, who doesn’t have a single clue that I’d be coming home for her. The excitement and exhilaration was killing me. I couldn’t barely sit still and anxiously looked at my watch and counted the passing time.


‘Just a few more hours, Michelle, then I could finally wrap you in my loving arms and kiss you countless times just the way you always wanted to. I couldn’t wait to see you again, Baby. Mommy’s so sublimed with anticipation and elation that I wish this vehicle could simply fly my way there to you. Just a little longer, Michelle, Mommy will come and get you.’