"When my father didn't have my hand, he had my back."

***********

Katherine's POV

Blatant shock rocked Ashton's expression as Chase muttered those few hurtful words and stormed up to his room.

I couldn't talk or even stop him, that same shock tumbled within my being. I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that he said such things, or that he felt this way, even remotely.

I thought that he tells me everything, but apparently he has been keeping hell a lot to himself lately and that hurt my heart.

I could feel Ashton's anger radiating off him in waves, yet it was covered with something else that resembled guilt so much. He went and dropped on the couch, a loud breath pushed out of his mouth as his hand nervously raked through his hair.

I sat by his side, my hand rested over his arm, grabbing his attention to me. I couldn't be angry at him not when I, myself couldn't notice the things Chase just said, or what he was going through alone and on his own.

"He didn't mean that," I said, referring to the last sentence, "He is just angry, and he is just like you, when he's angry he doesn't think before talking."

Ashton's eyes dropped on mine, "But he is right about everything else, isn't he?" The muscle of his jaw worked, "Zack is always getting himself in trouble and Zoe keeps worrying about him, I just...I didn't notice how because of that I unconsciously gave him more of my attention." He shook his head and his eyebrows pulled together, "How could I not notice that?"

"Apparently, I didn't either." I said as the shame rolled deep down and pressed against my chest, "Chase never got himself in trouble, he always seemed all-together and able to do everything on his own...we just got used to it I guess."

Ashton rubbed his hand over his jaw before he looked at me, his forehead creasing, "Was I hard on him?" He asked, "In general I mean."

"No," I shot out and my eyebrow raised, "Ashton look, I know that you look all tough on the outside but inside you're just a little teddy bear."

He shot me a glare, "Katherine."

"Come on, you just played bad cop when I played good cop, that's all, that's why our boy turned out to be so perfect," A small smile pulled at my lips, "You were never hard on him, we just...we both kind of messed it up in this subject in exact," The doubt in his eyes pushed me to assure him more, "Do you remember when he had his first asthma attack," My head tilted, "I wasn't home, you were with him, do you remember that?" I rubbed at his arm soothingly, "You didn't sleep even, you stayed up in his room, watching him all night, making sure he's breathing."

There is no one in this world that could come even close to what Chase means to Ashton. Not Zack, not anyone. But, as Chase grew up, I think they both kind of lost touch of that connection. I need to fix that.

"Look, to fix this, all we have to do is just talk to him, hear him out," I said and he nodded, agreeing with me, "So now, you go sleep, and when both of you have totally calmed down, promise me that you'll talk to him about this."

He nodded, "Of course I will."

I smiled as I inched closer and left a kiss over his cheek. I got to my feet after and turned around, ready to walk away, "Where are you going?" He asked.

"I am gonna go talk with my boy now," I said. He needs me, I know it.

I walked to his room and knocked on the door. When he didn't say a thing, I twisted the knob and opened it. He was laying on his bed, his back facing me, "Hey," I said as I stepped inside.

"I am sleeping." He said, without even turning around.

I rolled my eyes, "No, you're not." I said as I closed the door and walked closer to the bed, "And we need to talk."

An annoyed breath left him, "I am really tired, can't we talk tomorrow?"

I sat down by the bed's edge and he turned his head to face me.

"No, I can't sleep knowing you're mad at me."

He shook his head, "Mom, I am not mad at you."

"So, you're just mad at your father?" I quirked my eyebrow at him, "I deserve part of that blame too."

He shook his head, "I am not blaming anyone, I am just-"

He didn't continue, "You're just angry," I said on his behalf, "You've been keeping this to yourself for how long now," I understood him, "And that's why you said what you said to him."

A sigh pushed out of his chest and his eyelids glided down. My hand rested over his hair, gently pushing it away from his forehead, "Because I know that my son would never say that to his father, because you know how much he cares about you, how much he loves you...but you only wanted to hurt him back, right?"

The muscles of his jaw tightened and he kept silent. I ran my fingers through his hair and carried on, "You're just like him, you know." I said, "You both are not very good with words." He opened his eyes and looked up at me and my eyes playfully narrowed at him, "And you both got this temper that will surely drive me crazy one day."

A small smile came to my lips, "But you both have a good and a very soft heart."

He shot me a glare at that and my smile widened, just like his father's look earlier.

"He worries about you Chase," I added, "Drinking and driving, that's not you."

He scoffed and mumbled lowly, "Yeah, because I am supposed to be perfect all the time."

I shook my head, "No, but you wanted his attention, so you went for the oldest trick in the book." I said and his silence kept proving that I have him all figured out, "Now, tell me, why did you fight with Zack?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay," I didn't want to push any further, "Let's talk about something more important then," I removed my hand from over his hair and carried on, "Why didn't you tell us, tell me at least about not wanting to work in the company," That alone broke my heart, "Chase, he would've never forced it on you if you didn't want it."

"I know that," He said and a low sigh parted his lips as he pulled himself up and sat down, "I just, I don't know why I didn't." He added, "I was first waiting to apply for it and then tell you if I got the acceptance, then after I actually got it, something still stopped from telling him."

"That something is that you no longer feel close to him?" I asked.

"Maybe."

My chest tightened, "Okay, I get it." I said, my voice getting lower and my eyebrows pulled together, "Now, will you tell me what is it that you applied for?"

"Pilot school," He answered, his eyes carefully assessing mine as he muttered the next word, "In Washington."

I always knew such day would come, the day he'll turn eighteen and leave the house, I prepared myself for it, yet as it's getting closer, it's kind of hard to accept it.

"Mom," He said, noticing the few tears forming in my eyes.

"What, I am not crying," I sniffled and wiped at my eyes. When I looked back at him and realized how much he has grown up and how fast, I couldn't stop myself from inching closer and wrapping my arms around him. I buried my face into his shoulder and mumbled, "I am just so proud of you for going after what you want."

His arms wrapped around me as well and when I backed away, his eyebrow raised as he asked, "Is that why you're crying?"

I shrugged, "I am gonna miss you a lot, that's all."

His head titled to the side and the small smile that curved his lips had my heart aching even more.

"Just promise me that you will talk with your dad," I asked, my eyes pleading him, "You have to take back that last thing you said, because Chase, you may never understand it, but you're his everything, you came into his life when he had lost all of his hope and you fixed it," A sad smile made it to my lips as my hand rested over his cheek, "You made our life better, you made him better and he would never intentionally hurt you in anyway."

**********

Chase's POV

I stood by the door of his office for a straight five minutes, contemplating on the possibility of just running away and not having to face this or even talk with him for the time being.

Air pushed out of my lungs and I decided to just go for it. With my curled fist, I knocked on the door and heard him mutter, "Come in."

I twisted the knob and as I stepped inside, his eyes flickered from the laptop ahead of him to me, "Are you busy?" I asked.

He shook his head as he immediately shut down the laptop's screen and got to his feet, "No, no, get inside, come."

I closed the door behind me and tried not to smile at the anxiety his tone. He is just as nervous as I am.

I sat down on the chair in front of his desk and he circled his way around and sat on the one right ahead of me, "I didn't see you in the morning," He commented and I nodded, "Yeah, I had to leave early, we had practice before classes."

His eyebrows pulled together, "You sure you're okay with this practice, I mean the doctor said to take it down a little for your health and-"

"I am fine," I said, involuntarily interrupting him. I am not here to discuss my health and I really do feel better these days. I just hope it goes this way till the exam date.

"I just came here to-" I started to say but a knock on the door interrupted me. My jaw tightened as the door opened and dad's assistant walked inside.

Her gaze flickered to me then to dad, "Mr. Ryder, they're waiting for you in the meeting room to-"

Of course...

"Cancel it." Dad said before she could carry on and my eyes grew a bit wide.

"But," She stuttered as she fixed her glasses, "They came all the way from-"

"I said cancel it." He stressed again, the impatience in his tone had her shutting up and mumbling, "Okay," before she went out of the office and closed the door, leaving us alone.

"This sounds important," I said as I started to get up, "Just have your meeting, we can talk when you get home."

His hand shot to my arm, "Sit," He said, more like ordered, "This is more important." He added and me being shocked is a total understatement, "Work can wait."

Oh, that's new.

"But work didn't wait before." I couldn't help but throw my comment at him, "It was more important than anything."

The shock at my direct attack had him swallow hard, "Chase, that's not-"

"No, look, I came here so we can talk, honestly." I stressed out, "Something that we haven't done in ages. So, let me start with this," Frustration and blame seethed within my words, "You're rarely home anymore dad, even on weekends you're busy with whatever this is," I said the last part as I looked around, "When you start a new project, you get absorbed into it in ways I can't understand. I never see you, we never see you," It felt like I wanted to let it all out, "I know that this is bothering mom as well, but she doesn't say a thing for your sake."

"I can see it in her eyes every time I ask about you and she answers me that you're at work." My eyebrows pulled together, "Do you really not notice it?"

His lips parted to give me an answer but no words came out. He rubbed a hand over his jaw and guiltily shook his head, "No, I...I didn't."

Figured as much.

"Do you know why I didn't reject it when this summer you asked me to practice here," I said, "Because I saw it as an opportunity to finally spend some time with you," I added, "And it actually worked you know, it felt like we were close again." I shrugged, "I liked that."

"Everyone keeps asking me, if I hated working here so much, why didn't I just tell you," I was appreciating the fact that he's letting me talk without interrupting, it felt like there is a lot I've been keeping to myself, "I didn't, because for once it felt like there is something common between us, something we can bond over, and talk about." The anger and the blame in my voice subdued a little, "And I saw how proud you were of me, and I didn't want to lose that because it felt like I tried so hard to earn it."

His eyebrows pulled together, "Tried to earn it?" He asked like he couldn't believe it, "Chase, you never needed to try for it, I was already-"

Before he could finish that sentence I interrupted him again, "Yesterday I might came about it in the wrong way, but I meant what I said." At my words, I noticed the hurt flash in his eyes. I immediately shook my head, "No, no, not that, I definitely didn't mean to say that I wish I didn't have you as my father, that was me being drunk and angry, I am sorry for saying that."

"Dad, the problem isn't that I don't want you in my life, the whole thing is that I want you to be in it." I explained, "But I meant what I said about Zack. He is my cousin and I love him, I care about him but it always felt like a competition with him and I am really fed up with it."

"It should've not been," He said shaking his head, "I am not trying to justify my actions but Zack, he gets himself in trouble always, which is maybe part of why I gave him my attention more, I didn't do it on purpose, I never intended it. It always seemed that you have it all figured out, it always felt like you didn't need me."

"But, I do."

He nodded, "I get that now."

"Do you have any idea how scared I was when you were born," He started, "I was terrified that somehow I will mess this up, that I will end up hurting you in some way, then I saw how perfect you turned out to be and I thought...I thought that's it." He shook his head, "Turns out, I really messed it up, without even noticing I made you feel that Zack, who is only my nephew is more important to me than you, which makes no sense because there is no one in this world that could measure up to what you mean to me."

"You're my son, Chase, my only son."

"This," he looked around the office, "I've been so wrapped up in this because it felt like the only thing that I'll be leaving for you." He explained, "Believe me getting old is no fun, it keeps me thinking that if something were to happen to me or to...or to your mother, you'd be alone,"

My chest tightened at the thought only, "Dad, don't say that."

"I am just trying to make sure that in case anything happens, you'd be okay. You'll have something." He shook his head, "I am not working hard on this because it's my legacy, no, it's because you are. You are my legacy." His words somehow managed to clear down all the anger I was carrying with me since yesterday, "I worry about you, a lot," He added, "You don't have siblings, so I keep pushing you and Zack together because I think that he could be the brother you didn't have. You're almost the same age, you grew up by each other's side. I keep thinking that he could be there for you when I can't."

"But in the process of trying to make sure that you will be okay in the future, I've lost sense with the fact that you're not okay now." The amount of guilt in his eyes almost made me want to take everything I've said back. I didn't want him to blame himself, I just wanted him to realize that I needed him. All I wanted was to tell him that I might be leaving soon, and as much as that new chapter in my life excites me, it still scares me a little.

"I never thought about it in this way," I said. I never thought that everything that was bothering me, was his way of protecting me.

He shook my head, "It doesn't matter, because I am the one to blame here, I can't believe that you've been feeling this way for all this time and I never even noticed it." He said, "I can't understand how I kept forcing this on you, when you didn't want it." His forehead creased, "I can't believe that I didn't know what is it that you actually want."

I swallowed hard, "I only wanted to live up to you and believe me, it's so hard," I admitted, "I mean, look at all of this," I looked around, "You started this from nothing, you built it all by yourself, without anyone's help," I shook my head, "But me, I was born with it, I had everything given to me, I wanted...I just wanted for once to do something on my own, by myself, without help."

I said the truth out loud, "Dad, I just wanted to be like you."

"And I wanted you to be better," he smiled, "You are better, better than me when I was your age, even better than me now."

"You have no idea how proud I am of you, of the young man you turned into," He added, "You never had to work hard for it, because you've earned it a long time ago."

A smile came to my face, "So, are we okay?" I asked. I wanted us to be okay.

"I am the one who should be asking you that."

I nodded, "I am just glad that you're okay with me not wanting to work here."

"Of course I am," He said and leaned back into his seat, a hopeful smile came to his face, "Now, will you tell me what is it that you actually want to do?"

And I told him, about it all, from the beginning when I first applied to the pilot school up till now and my doubts about the medical exam that I'll have in a couple of days. Maybe a full a hour passed, with me just explaining everything and he listened to every word I said.

"Okay, I took a lot of your time," I said as I got to my feet and grabbed my bag, "Just finish your work and I'll see you back at home."

He got to his feet as well and reached for his phone, he looked at something, "Actually, I don't have that much to do," He said as he typed something over it, "I will throw it on Alex, he can take care of it, and we can leave together."

His eyes lifted from his phone to me, a small smile played over his face, "When you were younger, we would always go play golf after work, we haven't done that in forever," He said, "Would you want to pass by there before we go home?"

I smiled and nodded, "That would be cool."

"Okay, I will take care of this fast and we'll head out."

I started to head for the door, "I will go see Alex till you're done."

"Chase," He said, making me pause in my steps.

"Yeah," I answered as I turned around.

He was holding something in his hand, "I think this belongs to you," He said with a wink as he threw the car keys toward me. I caught them immediately and couldn't help but smile, "Thanks."

"Just be careful, okay?" He stressed out, worry forming lines over his forehead.

I gave him a knowing look, "Dad, I am gonna be flying a plane in the near future," I confidently pointed out, "I am always careful."

*********

Lilly's POV

"Hey!" I said cheerfully as I barged into dad's office without knocking.

His eyes drifted from the file in his hands and fell on me, an immediate smile came to his lips at my sight, "Lilly, what are you doing here?"

I walked further inside and placed my school bag aside before I dropped the box of donuts over his desk, "Well, since mom left yesterday, you are kind of depressed," I pointed out as I circled my way around his desk and stood beside his chair, "So, I brought you something to cheer you up," I pointed at myself, "Me, of course," Then, I pointed at the donuts and shrugged, "And the donuts are a bonus."

"And just for your information, I might've eaten a two or three on the way here." I added, guiltily.

He chuckled as I wrapped my arms around his neck from the behind and left a kiss over his cheek. He looked up at me, "Aren't you the best daughter in this world or what?"

I shrugged, "I think I am."

I grabbed one of the chair and pulled it closer to his side and sat there, I took one of the donuts and took the first bite, "Do you have a lot of work today?" I asked as I took the file he was going through and flipped through the pages.

He sighed, "Not that much, actually." He snatched the file back and took the doughnut from my hand and took a bite.

My eyes widened, talk about father's love, gosh.

"Well, I was thinking since mom is not here, we can go home and order some pizza. We can eat it in the living room, because she is not here to tell us not to do that, and we can watch a movie, whatcha ya think?"

He smiled and nodded, "I think I like that," He said, "I can just throw these on Ashton, that bimbo can take of it."

I nodded, "Cool," I said, "Also, the pizza is a good option because Max keeps complaining to mom how you're leaving him to starve."

He shook his head with a smile, "Did you talk with your mother today?" He asked.

"Actually, I didn't," I pulled my phone out, "Let's call her, see what she is doing."

Dad nodded excitedly, "Yeah, call her from your phone because she said if I call her one more time from mine, she will block me."

I chuckled as I video dialed her, "Dad, you're so clingy, you know that."

He shot me a glare and mumbled, "No, I just don't like it when she leaves me."

"Hey sweetie," Mom said with a smile as her face came into the screen.

"Hey mom," I said back, dad on my side sneaking a few looks without her catching him.

"What you're doing?" She asked.

"I passed by the company after school to see dad."

Her eyes narrowed at me, "Is he beside you?"

Dad came into view, "Hey cupcakes," He said.

She tried to look annoyed but the smile breaking through her features gave her away, "Alex," She said, tilting her head.

"I missed you," He mumbled sadly, "Come back already."

"Just two more days," She said, "It's nothing, I will be back before you know it."

His lips curled in annoyance, "Can I come there, then?" He asked, his eyes begging her to say yes, "I'll even bring the kids."

"No, I have exams these two days," I interjected and that earned me a very hard glare from dad.

"God, I will always regret using that broken condom that made you," He mumbled, more to himself but I heard him.

"Alex!" Mom scolded him.

"Weren't you telling me I am the best daughter just a minute ago?"

He shot me another glare, "Well, I changed my mind."

I shook my head and looked at the phone, "Mom, he is so grumpy when you are not here, please come back."

She chuckled, "See what I had to go through all these years."

"Hey, I can still hear you!" He said, in annoyance.

She nodded, "I know that," She gave him a wink, "Alex, I love you," He smiled at that and she carried on, "But please don't torture the kids when I am not there."

"I can't promise." He said, ever so casually.

We bid our goodbyes after and I hung up the phone before I turned to dad. My eyes narrowed at him as I pulled the box of donuts to my side, "Since you don't want me, I am taking this back."

He smiled and threw his arm over my shoulder, pulling me closer, "I am kidding," He said and kissed my hair, "You're the second best thing that happened to me."

"Second best?"

He shrugged, "Your mother comes first, I am sorry, without her you would've not been made."

"I will accept this for now," I said as I moved away from his embrace and stood up, "Now finish your things so we can leave together."

He nodded and I added, "I will just go say hi to uncle Ashton until you're done." And here comes the main reason I actually came here.

I closed the door behind me before I headed for his office, mentally preparing myself for what I am going to say and how exactly I am going to say it. I stood by his door and took into a deep breath. I was about to knock when the door suddenly got opened.

My eyes widened when they fell on Chase. He moved forward and I went backward, his eyebrows pulled together, "What are you doing here?"

I recovered from my shock almost immediately, "Well, it's my dad's company." I said as a matter of fact, "What are you doing here?"

His eyebrow raised, "Well, it's my dad's company as well."

I tried to sneak a look inside, "Is he here?"

He nodded, "Yes, what do you want from him?"

I shrugged casually, "I just want to say hi."

He cleared my way, giving me space to enter before he walked away, without muttering another word. I stared at his retreating back till it disappeared down the hallway. We still didn't talk after he and Zack got into a fight, he is apparently still mad at me, and likewise, I am too.

But still, I will deal with him later. Now, this is more important.

I knocked lightly on the opened door before I stepped inside. Uncle Ashton was standing behind his desk, looking at something over his laptop. At the sound of my footsteps, his gaze flickered to me. At my sight, he smiled, "Lilly, hey, come in," He said.

"Hey, can I take a minute of your time?" I asked.

He nodded, "Yeah sure, what's up?" He asked.

I closed the door behind me, making sure no one will hear this conversation. I walked closer and halted to a stop by his desk, "First, what I am going to tell you, please promise me that you won't tell a thing about it to Chase."

His eyebrows creased, "Now, you're getting me worried."

I gulped down, my fingers tightened over the hem of my shirt, "You know how since the game Chase has been having his asthma attacks more than usual."

Worry cut lines over his forehead, "Yeah, he...he scared me a lot," A low sigh parted his lips, "Even the doctor couldn't figure out why."

I nodded, "I know why."

He stared back at me in pure confusion, "What?"

"It's all Zack's fault."

********************************

Hey, sorry for the late update. I am fighting a battle against writer's block at the moment smh.

I will be updating "Unraveling him" next, if not tonight, then tomorrow for sure.

It kind of warms my heart that even though ashton and Alex couldn't have the perfect relationship with their fathers, they try their best to amend for it with their kids!

Also, what do you think Ashton's reaction will be to Zack's actions?

Thanks you for being patient with me and love ya all!