(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

Sometimes we decide to live with the wound and get used to the pain. Sometimes we search for cure to get rid off the pain. Other times, the universe moulds life in such way that healing seems, the only way out.

(12th May, 2019. Friday. Rome, Italy)

Ashton household was beaming with happiness. Their daughter in law and her new born baby were coming home, to their mansion for the first time. And well, according to her it was a simple family dinner. Little did she know.

David dressed up in his best shirt because his sister was an important and the way she smiled after seeing him after a year, he would trade the world to see that smile again.

Coming out of his room, he saw the mansion decorated like a bride on an alter with a huge 'Welcome Erica and Eve!' written on the railing to the first floor.

He saw James and Jess standing near the entrance giving instructions to the helpers, while Embrey was arranging some stuff near the couch.

He went towards the room across his and saw one beautiful woman smiling warmly at him. She was seated in her wheelchair ready to go downstairs.

"Shall we go Nonna? You are my plus one tonight!", He pointed out going behind her wheelchair.

Nonna scoffed, "I deserve better."

He chuckled, "Yeah. According to your age, you do!"

She turned and smacked his arm, leaving him amused.

When Eric left his parent's place to come and live with Nonna during the hardest years of his childhood, David followed because he wanted to be by Eric's side. At that time, Nonna was all a mother, a father, a friend to both of them.

He and Nonna both were dirty minded, or as they said had a 'sexy imagination' which made them click together more. And after seeing her again, he regrets leaving altogether. Not that he would admit it to himself or anyone else.

*

Downstairs all lights were off. Eric opened the main door rolling his eyes.

"Listen everybody! No balloons bursting here! My son is afraid of balloons! And no one will yell because my daughter is sleeping!"

The lights switched on and everyone groaned in displeasure, "You are the only one yelling Eric!", James pointed.

Erica came slowly inside, her hand holding her daughter and another Oliver's as be walked with small steps.

"Wow!", She whispered as she saw the decorations. 'Welcome Erica and Eve' was written in huge letters and their was beautiful pink and red themed decorations.

She then looked at the people. Everyone significant stood there smiling widely at her and Nonna too was waiting impatiently to see her great grand daughter.

Taking Oli with her, she went straight to where Nonna sat. Like it is his throne chair, Oli took a place on Nonna's lap, as she bent her head to kiss his innocent face.

"Nonna! Baby!", He said intrigued pointing at Eve in Erica's lap.

Erica gently placed Eve on Nonna's lap making enough room for both kids.

Seeing the blue green eyes and curly brown hairs, Nonna was overwhelmed as she looked at the replica of his beloved children. She knew she would die happily now. She was assured her Eric is no more suffering.

Leaving the kids to Nonna as everyone surrounded the three, Oliver chatting non-stop, her eyes searched for one person. Her brother.

She wondered where he was. He didn't come to hospital yesterday and she was worried he'd leave again.

She went inside and saw Hope setting the cake.

"Oh! You are here!", Hope smiled and went to hug her, "But why are you walking? Sit somewhere!"

Erica shook her head, "Where is David? Did you see him?"

"David! Uhm..he must be in his room.."

"David is here!", Said David himself as he entered the kitchen with a empty bowl and kept it in the sink. Hope had prepared a soup again, and he had to drink it without protesting.

Erica went forward and hugged him, "Where were you? I was so worried."

He chuckled, "Don't worry little one! I am fine."

"I would have kicked you if you weren't."

She retreated back..

"Shouldn't you be in bed or something?", He asked.

"I am tired of bed!", She scrunched her face distastefully.

"Come out you three! Erica! Let's cut the cake!", They heard Jessica's voice and Hope left the kitchen with the cake.

Erica walked forward to move, but stopped when she saw David standing there hesitating to leave his place.

"What happened David?"

"Uhm..Erica..I don't know if I should..I mean.."

She knew what he's hesitating for, "The best way to deal with life is by facing it David."

David looked at his sister and hesitantly nodded. To make it easy, she held his hand and pulled him outside.

As they entered the premises, they saw the complete family laughing at something Oliver said. Oliver was in Eric's arms, whose back was to them.

"C'mon let's cut the cake.", She said and Eric looked at her and then at him.

She stood between the two. And instantly felt the tension between them. She knew something was off. Because when she asked all she received was vague answers. And she knew she is not getting anything without assuming her devil avatar.

But for once, she didn't want to come between them. They were friends from way before she entered their lives. They were more than brothers to each other. She didn't want to be the mediator and distort the self healing feature of their relationship.

"Give me Eve!", David demanded making Eric scowl. Jessica came forward and smilingly handed the now awake baby to David, who looked pretty intrigued seeing her uncle.

"Everybody smile!", Hope said as she adjusted the camera. David and Erica did.

"Eric stop frowning at the camera! I don't want the cameraman to die of heart attack!", James complained making everyone laugh, including David who had a small smile playing on his lips.

And that was the perfect moment for the picture.

*

Oliver dozed off as soon as Erica fed him his baby formula. It was good he sleeps early so he can wake up in the night.

She settled him in his crib before joining everyone in the dining room for the dinner. Eve was wide awake looking everywhere with her curious eyes. It looks like if she knew vocabulary, she'd point her question straight.

Eric settled her on his lap, "Now since you refuse to sleep, you'd watch Papa eating as your punishment."

Jessica rolled her eyes, "She doesn't even know what you are eating. Her mother's feeding is her most tasty meal."

They all began to eat. David tried to eat only the liquid things and he was glad Hope was the one to arrange the dinner and thus included everything suitably.

He wouldn't want to puke his guts again. That is horrible.

"James?", She called.

"Yes mom!", He said curiously.

"Now that everyone is here, I want to give you some responsibility. I know we have worldwide businesses. Both Ashton and Wellington. And I am pretty glad for your successes. But I don't think living at ten corners of the world would do anyone any good. If we are a family, we must stay together. And so you have to make sure everyone present here has a permanent resident in Italy! Precisely here in Rome."

Eric smirked sarcastically, "Everyone is here nonna except some people who are too stuck up in their head!"

He glanced at David.

Nonna frowned, "Are you talking about yourself Eric! Because if it was not for Erica wanting to stay in Italy, you would have never left States."

He looked at Nonna baffled. While David chuckled loud enough for him to hear recieving a glare from Eric.

"You know what Mom! You are right. I'd make sure everyone lives in the vicinity of Ashton's mansions. And if they don't, I will strip them off their CEO posts."

Eric glanced at his father, "Oh C'mon dad! You are no more the owner of the business."

James chuckled, "Too bad son! Because I handle mine, Embrey's, Erica's, and Oliver's share in both your businesses, which is more than fifty percent. And the board members would rather hear my sixty years old experience than your young tasteless blood."

"What are you James? A vampire?", Commented David.

James only shrugged his shoulders, "You never know."

*

Everyone was talking happily, and the scene made David happier. For once, he has not thought about alcohol today. And he was grateful for that. The food was doing him good. Because of the kids, any sort of alcohol was banned in the house. When you open the refrigerator, all you'd find is milk, fruit juice can, baby food, and green vegetables.

"Here!", He turned and looked at Hope forwarding him a glass of juice while sipping one of her own glass.

"I will kill you if you haven't mixed any alcohol in this.", He mumbled to her taking the glass. These fruit juices making him feel like a kid again. And well, not in a good way.

"James will kill me if I did. And I scared of the old man way more than teeny-weeny you!", Hope retorted.

David narrowed his eyes at her, "You don't know babe! I am anything but 'teeny-weeny'."

"I'd...", Her words halted as she got what he was implying and colour rose to her cheeks. This sly man!

David saw the change in her expression and he'd be lying if her embarrassment didn't give her the pleasure of his heart.

"I can't handle you!", She mumbled.

"No No Hopeless! I assure you I will be gentle!"

She muttered curses under her breath leaving to sit beside some decent people.

*

Oliver opened his eyes, and lifted his head supporting his upper body on both his small hands.

"Mumma!"

Getting no reply, he sat up to find himself in the crib. He looked over at the bed in the bedroom to see neither his mumma nor papa sleeping.

Oh! So he was only the one missing out on important fun stuff.

Holding the rim of his crib, he climbed with the help of the wooden gaps, and slowly slid down carefully. Once, he did the same and fell badly on the floor. Since then his Papa made sure there is a two layered furry carpet below his crib.

Standing up back on his feet, he looked around again, and spotted Flappy, his stuff toy, a bat precisely. He picked it up and stared at him for few seconds before throwing him towards his crib. It was Papa's gift and since Papa betrayed him by leaving him alone to sleep, his gift is going to suffer.

He walked to the open door, and came in the corridor.

Something snapped in him. Probably, his merciful side sent him some signals and so he went back to the room and this time came out tugging Flappy in his arms.

Soon enough, as he walked through the corridor, Flappy became a mop being dragged behind like a rag doll.

"Hmm Lily! Send my laptop and other stuff too. I may not be going to office but I'd see work from home. Yeah! Okay!"

Oliver heard someone's voice and turned in the direction to see someone standing with a phone stuck to their ears and a juice glass in their hand.

May be he can make complains about Papa and Mumma here.
Since Nana wasn't here to hear his complain.

He'd make sure both of them are punished.

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

Like there's no point of fire if it can't mould metal into shapes. Like there's no point of water if it can't quench our thirsts.So there's no point of life if it isn't harsh on us.

•

D A V I D    W E L L I N G T O N

I took a breath of relief after talking to Lily. I'd finally feel like a Wellington and not a kid grounded for his mischievous behaviour.

I walked towards the direction of dining room.

"Aye!!", I heard a voice and turned to look to find no one.

Don't tell me Ashton's have given place to some ghosts behind my back.

I shook my head and walked forward and the complete family came in my view.

I would have taken only two steps when I felt something soft hitting the back of my knee.

I looked down only to see a black stuff toy near my legs..

Bending down, I picked it up, only to be stopped by a small but powerful voice,
"Flap Flap!!!"

My eyes suddenly turned to the direction of the voice to see a frowning little boy coming towards me with small steps.

"Oliver!", I heard Eric's voice but my eyes were stuck to the little reflection of me staring back as if I stole his favourite toy.

Oh! I actually did.

He closed the distance between us and narrowed his eyes.

The obsidian black that I am used to seeing in the mirror everyday, the reddish brown hair, that fell on his forehead. He was wearing a onesie but was trying to intimidate me by keeping his small hands on his little waist.

His narrowed eyes soon turned to a glare.

Gosh! How is this kid showing so much expression in this small frame of his?

"Oli! Baby you woke up!", Erica spoke up coming towards us. I could hear her steps were slow and excited. She was probably sensing the tension between us, which could be cut through a knife.

He soon pointed a finger at me, "My Flap Flap!"

I looked at my hand, where this Flap Flap was. What kid plays with a scary bat that had only one eye??

Oh well! He's living with Eric! He must play with snakes ideally.

I gave him his 'Flap Flap' which he snatched from me still glaring.

His attention then drifted to the one eyed bat and he dusted it with his hand as if I made it dirty.

He again looked at me, but this time it wasn't a glare but probably trying to figure out who the unfamiliar face is.

I was stuck there. It was as if I couldn't move. It was too much to take. There was a day when I held him in my hands while his eyes were still closed.

Today it is different. I don't know what I am feeling. It is all jumbled up. I am here since three days and not for a second I was prepared for this. To face the human I birthed.

Erica's words boomed in my ears,
'The best way to deal with life is by facing it David!'.

And now when life was facing me, I didn't know what would be safer. To look away or to hold it.

"It seems like 'clash of the titans'.", Erica chuckled.

She was probably aware that I haven't met him yet.

I could say I was being observed hard. If it was not for our height difference, I would have probably squirmed under that gaze.

"Papa!!", My breath knocked in my throat for the second time as I heard him say that!

But as soon as I saw his eyes looking behind me through the  side of my leg, I realized it wasn't for me.

I gulped the lump that formed in my throat.

"Yes Olive!"

"Papa!", He pointed a finger at me, "Dickayy!"

I heard gasps behind me and I swear I did gasp too.

Wow! Absolutely wow!

*

Everyone settled on the couch silently. My eyes time and again drifting to my replica playing with his Flap Flap on the carpet beside the couches.

Erica was standing with her hands folded glaring at everybody. God! She can be scary when she wants to.

"I am not going to ask this again! Who. taught.Oliver.that.curse!?"

She glared at her husband, nonna and ofcourse me, who had the most church-friendly tongue here. Sarcasm to be noted.

James looked amused, "You see Erica! I have myself had three kids, four including you. I know how to control curses before children."

"I haven't even seen him till today. And why will I teach him to curse me?", I answered in a small voice.

Everyone knew the real culprit, who was avoiding Erica's eyes like bouncers in the cricket match.

Hope spoke up, who was the assistant jailor here, "I swear he didn't know any such words even two days prior."

Nonna shook her head, "See Erica! If the kid is a fast learner we can't really help it. And it is good he's enhancing his vocabulary. 'Dickhead' is not a curse. It's a body part!"

"Did you teach Oli that nonna?", Jess asked worried.

"Oh C'mon Jess! Do you really think I'd teach him such trivial curses? I'd rather teach him curses in five different languages like I did to both my 'sunshines' here. See how flourishing there life is!!"

Everyone rolled their eyes making nonna scowl.

"Yeah! Roll your eyes all you want. May be you all will find your brains back there!"

I laughed internally.

"Eric?", Erica finally caught the real culprit, "What do you have to say in your defense?"

He looked at her obviously baffled. He knew she'll catch it if he'd lie.

"I have better works to do!"

"Yeah! Like teaching my son how to address his father as a 'Dickhead'!", She whispered the curse word, "Tell me Eric? Who gave this name to David?"

I smirked at how he was cornered.

"Me.", He mumbled.

"Who has David's name saved in his phone as 'Dickhead'?"

"Me.", He said meekly.

I wanted to stand up and pat my sister's back, wiping my invisible tears. She grew up to be a fine woman.

"Who gifted David a coffee mug with 'Dickhead' written on it?"

"Me! Stop it Erica! That still doesn't pro...!"

"Who customized a onesie for Oli with a caption 'My daddy is a Dick'?"

He sighed, "Me!"

Now it was my turn to open and close my mouth like a fish. God damn! Some serious revenge shit here!

I looked at Eve.

  - Grow up already little shit! I can't wait to avenge this one.

"This is ridiculous Eric! And I'd make sure you pay well for it!", She glared at him and I felt like my heart is floating somewhere happily. I so want his ass to be kicked beyond repair.

Just then the clock gonged indicating it was midnight. And just like that the frown on Erica's face disappeared being replaced by a huge smile, her eyes drifting to the little monster.

"Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you... happy birthday dear Oli..!", She sang beautifully lifting him in her arms. He giggled as she kissed his forehead and just then Hope appeared with another cake.

"Here you go handsome! Happy birthday baby!", She kissed his cheeks making him sigh with happiness.

Such an attention seeker.

Soon whole family surrounded him, and everyone fetched out gifts for him.

I stayed rooted at my place not knowing what to do. He turns one today. And I missed a whole year of his life killing myself in misery. I feel like I will never be able to pick it up from where I lost. Everyone has gone ahead while I am still stuck there, the point where my life changed.

I had nothing to give to him. I have been running away from this. From this feeling of emptiness within me. From the responsibility of holding others when I can barely hold myself. Heck, I can't even hold my blood, my son.

I felt a presence beside me but I was too lost to look at them. My eyes were on my empty hands. I was a billionaire yet I had nothing.

This world snatched Venus from me. And I pushed away my best friend. My son didn't know me as his father. Who'd be a more unfortunate man on earth than me?

A droplet from my eyes fell straight on my left palm. And I stared at it, my heart paining so ruthlessly for my own pity self.

Soon enough a small hand blocked my view of my tear, as it situated itself in my huge palm, in the process wiping that tear off.

"Oli!", I heard Erica's gentle voice, "Meet him, your Dad, David."

Dad!

My eyes lifted to look at my sister, who had a small smile playing on her lips as she introduced my son to me.

"And David! Meet your son, Oliver Vincent Wellington!"

I looked at him who was focused on fitting his hand in mine.

"Oliver!", The name escaped my lips in a raspy voice. The name suited his cute innocent face, where the eyes held so much mischief in them.

It looked like the name was made for him. Or he was made for the name.

He looked up at me hearing his name, and grinned wide showing his pearly teeth.

"Da..Dadda!"

Those words instilled life in me. It was as if he read some spell and casted it on me. My will to live and fight was suddenly back. It was as if I felt that old energy back in me. Something I haven't done in the last year. This was overwhelming but in a good way.

And once more, I couldn't hold the tear that escaped my eyes. Though it was not for the loss of my Venus. But for the welcome of my Oliver.

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

#this is a short but significant chapter. Wanted to end it here because didn't want to overwhelm everybody more.

Love! Thanks for reading!