The picture is saying it all *wink*

So happy reading.
And this time i really mean it , HAPPY reading.

[NOT EDITED AT ALL, IT IS LIKE 3 AM over here and i was writing with one eye opened and the other closed😂]

******

Ashton's POV

My hand is shaking over the door's knob.

I am standing here for like more than ten minutes.

Paralyzed. Not moving.

Why?

I am scared.

What i am scared of ? I don't know.

Probably still shocked. Still trying to digest everything.

I closed my eyes for a brief second, i took in a deep breath. Calm down. Calm down.

When i opened my eyes again, i opened the door.

Okay , now you should enter.

Yeah, i think i should.

It took all the power in me to be able to drag myself inside.

I entered. I walked .I stopped.

I thought my heart stopped beating before. Then why now it is beating so fast.

Faster than ever.

A smile made its way to my lips , i brought my hand up and pressed my palm against my chest feeling my heart beating there. So fast, too hard.

**
"Your heart is beating so fast." She said softly pressing her hand against my chest.

"It beats like this just when i am with you."
**

My smile grew wider. It is true.

Just when i am with her. Just when she is around.

Just when my eyes look at her. This wild organ in my chest no longer becomes mine.

She controls it. It is hers, not mine.

And i want it to stay hers forever.

Yes. Forever.

**TWO HOURS AGO***

"Her heart stopped beating."

No. No.

He is lying. No.

But.. but that sound coming form the heart monitor machine, that straight line showing on the screen..

He is not lying. No. I wish he is.

That beeping sound is.. is.. I just.. I can't hear it.

It's ripping my inside.

Stop. Stop.

I placed my hands over my ears and pressed hard. I clenched my jaw , i closed my eyes shut.

Stop. I screamed from the inside. I can't find my voice.

Someone's shoulder brushed with mine ,i opened my eyes to see a doctor rushing inside.

I tried to make sense of what they're saying but I can't. I am just hearing words. Letters. Sentences that aren't making any sense in my mind.

I forget how to hear. How to think. How to act.

Some words i was able to register ,"Cardiac arrest." , i heard , "Defibrillator."

I took another look, i saw something in the doctors hand, he said words like , "Charging... hundred joules.."

"Clear." And with that he placed the paddles or that pad or whatever is in his hands over Katherine's chest. As a result her body raised up a bit.

I looked at the screen. But the line was still the same. Straight.

This pain. I can't handle it. I can't breath.

Pleas stop. Stop.

I closed my eyes.

The past seven months flashed behind my closed eyelids.

From our wedding till the day i discovered the truth,the hurtful truth that now i am enduring its painful bitter taste.

My mind took me back to the letter she wrote me. She knew it , she knew she won't make it.

What she doesn't know , is that she is killing me. She was slowly killing me from day one.

I can't breath. I can feel myself having an asthma attack.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. I tried to gasp for a breath.

Actually.

I don't want to breath.

I kept my eyes closed.But this time i prayed.

I was never a religious person. But I always believed that there is a power there stronger than all of us.

I believed there is someone controlling the death and life. Someone controlling this whole big world.

Someone capable of taking her away from me and in the same time of saving her.

I asked him. I begged him.

Don't make me lose her. Take everything from me and just leave her. I just want her, i just want them.

And I don't care about anything else.

Give me my wife and my son and take everything else. Please.

I begged. With every ounce of belief i had inside me , i begged him. To keep them. To take me instead. I don't care.

Without her, i am dead anyway.

Maybe I don't deserve to live but Katherine do. She deserves a happy life, she deserves to hold her son in her arms, she deserves to see him grow up, she deserves that chance.

Maybe I don't. But she does.

Don't punish her for my mistakes. Give her that chance.

Please god. Give it to her.

"Give me three hundred joules." The doctor said again, his voice pulled me back to reality. I opened my eyes still unable to steady my breath.

"Clear."

They stepped a bit away as he placed the defibrillator against her chest again.

You're strong Katherine. You can do it.

Fight. Fight for your son. Fight for me. Fight for us.

Fight for your life.

Please.

Her body rose up a bit and then dropped back on the bed. And within seconds the sound that the heart monitor machine was making ... went back to normal.

Wait..

This..

The machine.. it is..

I don't understand.. but..

My mind totally blocked out after , i am not able to think straight. To even form normal words.

My heart skipped a beat, or maybe two , my eyes widened as i saw the straight line is no longer a line anymore.

I didn't know that my tears were actually falling till i was pulled out of my shock. Till i heard the next words the doctor said.

More tears fell.

Relieved tears maybe ?

Happy tears ?

I don't know. I don't care. I never felt this rush of emotions all at once. I never felt dead and alive at the same time. I never felt suffocated and in the same time breathing.

I never felt more thankful. More grateful.

I brought my hand up and covered my mouth, these emotions, these feelings are choking my inside.

"She is okay." One of them said, "Her heart is beating again."

Her heart is beating again.

It

Is

Beating.

I am breathing normally again.

How ? I don't know ?

I know one thing.

My heart is beating again too.

**PRESENT**

I walked toward the bed. I stopped beside it, my eyes not leaving her. I can't get myself to look away.

I don't know what to feel. What to say. How to act.

I just know that i never felt happier in my life. Never felt that there is still good to hold into, there is still hope.

I directly sat beside her, my legs failed me after this long night. I placed my shaking hand over her cheek , my fingers lightly lingered over her skin. I wanted to touch her, to feel her , to make sure she is still here.

To make sure this in not a dream.

My thumb gently stroked her cheek. Her eyes were still closed , her light brown hair falling around her face.

God , she is so beautiful.

I don't understand how she is mine.

It feels so surreal.

I held her hand in mine, i brought it to my lips, i closed my eyes, i kissed it.

"Come on , baby wake up." I said , my voice came low , "Open those beautiful eyes. Come on."

I need to look at them, i need to hear her soft voice.

Come on Katherine.

Come on ,i need you.

With my hand still holding hers , i felt her fingers move , my heart knock it up a notch as i saw her eyes slightly opening.

She directly closed them and blinked , when she opened them again , she kept looking at the ceiling for a few seconds as if trying to remember what happened.

My heart raced in my chest as she slowly turned her head and then her eyes met mine.

Those eyes.

Those damn eyes f*cked me. They stole all my words away.

I felt i am finally home. I think i found my home again.

"I love you." I directly said , I thought I won't have the chance to say that sentence again, "I love you Katherine, So f*cking much."

I couldn't help the tear the escaped my eye and scrolled down my cheek.

Katherine looked dazed , shocked , like she doesn't understand, tears pricked her eyes, "I..I.."

"You made it." I said , i smiled , "You made it Katherine."

Tears escaped the corner of her eyes, i can see fear forming there ,"W-wha.."

"He is okay." I directly said.I knew she would directly ask about him , "He is perfectly okay."

As a result more tears fell from her eyes , she brought her hand and covered her mouth. "Really ?" She mumbled, her voice muffled.

I nodded then leaned closer and pressed my lips over her forehead, "Don't you dare do this to me again." I whispered, my jaw tightened , "I thought i lost you Katherine."

She silently sobbed, i cupped her face in my hand , both of our tears mixing together.

"It was so hard." I added as i looked into her eyes,i shook my head, "I don't want to feel like this again."

"I am sorry." She whispered , i directly shook my head , "No, no,  Don't apologize."

"You're here now, that's all it matters." I added as i removed the hair that fell over her face away, "I am never letting you go..ever again."

She sniffled, more tears fell from her eyes, my heart constricted in my chest , I hate seeing those tears. "Shush , stop crying." I said as i tried to wipe them away , "I don't want to see those eyes cry anymore."

She smiled through her tears , and i never saw a more beautiful smile than this.

"You're telling me this when your own tears are still falling." She said as her hand went to my cheek , I smiled and shook my head , "What did you do to me ?" I asked but i wasn't waiting for an answer.

I have my answer.

She made me feel. It hurts a lot to feel everything sometimes, it hurts to endure every ounce of pain, but at least she made me a human again.

Because also at the same time , she made me feel happiness too. She made me happy.

I hate the fact that at one stage of my life i actually regretted loving her. I was just in too much pain to process everything. I hated the fact that she even came into my life and made me get attached to her and then she simply just went away.

I hated love. Because it is true, love is painful , love hurts. But like everything else, love is not perfect.

Love is not what you expect or a what you can predict. Love may come in the wrong time yet still feels right. Or it may come in the right time and still feels wrong.

But whatever it is , whatever pain it would make you feel , whatever sourness it would bring to your soul. It would still.. beautiful.

It would still  be one of the best feelings you may ever experience, a thing that makes you a whole again.

Maybe that's why they call it falling. Because you have to fall first , but what you don't know is that in the same time you are flying too. 

Katherine's hold over my hand tightened a bit pulling me back to reality , "Did you see him ?" She asked. I swallowed hard and shook my head.

Her eyebrows furrowed , "Why ?"

"I couldn't." Was all i said. I couldn't without her.

"I want to see him." She said , I smiled and nodded. I want that too.

"The nurse will bring him now." I said as a weird feeling rose at the pit of my stomach, my chest tightened. I don't know why.

As if reading our thoughts , a low knock on the door was heard before it was opened and the nurse entered pushing a small crib along. She gave us a smile and entered the room. I felt Katherine shift beside me, she was trying to sit down.

I directly helped her and fixed the pillow behind her back. Her eyes were just looking at the small crib all the time, a beautiful twinkle in them, while i was just looking at her. "Go get him." She directly said, her eyes still there.

I stayed in my place, my heart beating fast. Why i am afraid. What i am afraid of. My eyes traveled to the small crib, my chest tightened more.

"Ashton." Katherine said again poking my hand. I looked at her , she nodded , her eyes telling it's okay.

Hesitantly, i stood up and walked toward the nurse, she took him out of the crib and held him in her arms ready to give him to me.

I couldn't interpret my heart beats at the moment. I didn't understand my feelings.

Suddenly the room felt small. I felt like just getting out and go anywhere else.

Why ? I don't know.

I took in a deep breath when i was so close. The nurse immediately handed him to me.

I didn't look at his face yet.

When he was in my arms, my heart raced more in my chest , I directly held him out, panic crawled under my skin , "I d-don't know how to-" I stuttered. I don't even know how to hold him. What if i hurt him or something.

The nurse chuckled , she shook her head and muttered something like ,"All fathers says the same."

She inched closer and showed me how to hold him correctly. When he was securely in my arms , when i really looked at his face this time, when i saw his small lips and little nose, his really short brown hair, his cheek pressed against my chest , against my wildly racing heart,when i heard his steady breathing , I figured out , i knew , i knew what was missing all along.

I knew i was f*cked. Because if i ever try to hurt this small little precious one , i would kill myself. If anyone would hurt him, i would kill them too without hesitation.

I was f*cked because i knew that there is two important people in my life now, two people without I can't live. Two people without i am not complete.

Two people if i lost them. I would lose myself.

I didn't blink. I couldn't. My throat closed up and time stopped.

He felt so small in my arms. So fragile , so vulnerable. I would do anything to protect him , i would do my best to give him a life he deserves. I would die for him.

I felt my hold became more possessive around his frail body.

I will give him what I couldn't have. What i always wanted to have.

A father, a family. People who cares about him to death.

He will never have to wonder his worth because he is worth way more than he can imagine. We all gonna shower him with love and care. Katherine and i will always put him first.

If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be here today. If it wasn't for him , Katherine and i won't be together by now. My father and i wouldn't be on good terms.

This small little one fixed everything without even trying.

My heart started healing, I didn't feel the stung in it anymore. My inside started mending, I don't feel broken anymore.

All the struggle we went through for the past seven months was worth it. All the bad parts faded , all the pain went away. Nothing feels wrong anymore.

Maybe nothing in our lives was normal, nothing was simple but if that was the only way to bring us here , then I don't mind, I don't regret anything.

I don't regret meeting her.

I don't regret loving her.

I lifted my eyes from him and met Katherine's eyes , she was already looking at me with tears falling down her cheek, an unexplainable look in them.

She wants to see him badly but she gave me my chance first. She let me enjoy this heart melting moment.

I walked toward her , her eyes lightened up, she blinked her tears away.

I looked at my son again.

Yeah , my son.

I am a father now.

A smile crawled to my face , i leaned closer , i closed my eyes and pressed my lips over his forehead. I took in his scent. I savored this moment.

The moment when i first held him in my arms.

I carefully placed him in Katherine's arms, I felt her body tense a bit. She is feeling it too.

She choked on her tears and directly pulled him toward her chest. "I thought I won't have the chance to see you." She said, barely even able to let the words out.

I directly wrapped my arm around her , pulling the both of them closer to me.

I buried my face in her hair and breathed in her scent. My heart never felt more alive. Life never felt more perfect.

That i am afraid i would suddenly wake up and find that it's all just a dream.

I tightened my hold over her, she lifted her teary eyes and looked at me , "I don't believe this." She said as she shook her head ," I still can't.. i mean , i thou.. i -" She couldn't manage to even utter a normal sentence.

I smiled, with my other hand , I brought her face closer to mine and locked my lips with hers.

I kissed her with all i have with love inside my veins, my kiss telling her how much she means to me.

She kissed me back , with the same intensity or maybe more. My hand went to the back of her head , fisting her hair in my hand i pulled her face closer deepening the kiss.

This is a moment that I won't forget. This is a moment that is perfect enough to erase all the bad parts of this night.

Enough to remove the image of her when she closed her eyes and passed out in my arms.

I want this love. With all its imperfections, all its flaws, with all the bad parts, i want it all.

When we pulled away, i pressed my forehead over hers, i opened my eyes and looked at her as i tried to calm my breath.

I brought my hand to her face again, my fingers lingered over her lips. She opened her eyes and looked back at me and all i can think about is,

Oh sh*t.

Those damn eyes.

Her lips lifted up into the most beautiful amazing smile.

I couldn't help myself and pressed my lips again over hers. I can't get enough.

A low pitched cry made us pull away ,i smiled , "Already a c*ckblocker." I said , Katherine chuckled , all of her attention went back to little Chase in her arms.

He pursed his lips and let out another low cry, his small legs kicked out. Katherine stroked his hair gently , "Are you hungry baby boy ?" She said.

"Shush, don't cry." She softly said as she shifted him in her arms , placing him in one of her arms, her other hand went and unlaced her hospital gown from above.

"Are you trying to seduce me ? I don't think this is the right time." I said arching an eyebrow. She looked at me and shot me one of her glares, "A little help over here." She said as she struggled in unlacing it.

I chuckled and helped her. She directly brought him toward her chest."Shush, mommy is here." His cries died as he started feeding.

My heart warmed up , yes she is here. Your mommy is here baby boy.

Katherine gritted her teeth and winced a bit.

I let out a sigh , "Lucky one." I said.

She chuckled and lightly elbowed me in my stomach so I would shut up.

A sudden silence welcomed us. None of us muttered a word, but it was comfortable. Katherine looking at Chase in her arms while i am looking at both of them.

"I want to see his eyes." She suddenly said as her finger gently stroked his soft cheek.

"You will." I said placing my hand over hers , "He is just playing hard to get now."

She lifted her head and looked at me, she smiled. My hold tightened over them as i recalled my words from before.

"You both mean the world to me." I said , i promised her i would tell her how much she means to me when i hold the both of them in my arms. I thought i lost that chance."You're my everything."

"I love the both of you more than anything." I added, the look in her eyes telling me the same words , "I love you Katherine, way too much."

"Promise me one thing." I said , she directly nodded , "Promise you won't leave me again."

"I promise." She said and snuggled deeper toward my chest , "You're stuck with me for the rest of your life." She added.

I felt more relieved upon hearing those words coming out of her mouth.

"Thank you." She said , she looked again at me , "For not giving up on me."

"Even when i did." She added. I smiled.

"I would never give up on you."

This feels so good. One the best feeling in this world is to watch things finally fall into place , after watching them fall apart for so long.

****

Katherine's POV

I still can't believe this.

I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that i am here , i am alive, i am holding my son in my arms with my husbands arms around me.

It feels so surreal.

I laid my head on his chest , my eyes not leaving my little boy.

He is so precious.

He is so perfect. So beautiful.

I loved him the moment i knew i was pregnant, but when i actually laid my eyes on him, i fell more deeply.

How can someone take over your whole heart just in a span of seconds.

"I can't take my eyes off him." I said  as i kissed his hair , "He is so beautiful."

"He is." Ashton said. From the moment he held him in his arms ,his eyes are holding this rare look in them.

I can't explain it. What i am feeling right now , I don't have the proper words to describe it.

I got another chance.

A chance to see my baby boy grow up in front of my eyes, to sing him to sleep, to hear his first words, hear him calling me mom, seeing him taking his first steps. And most importantly seeing the man i love happy.

After everything happened in the last month, seeing him slowly break down , seeing him sad and lost. Seeing how much losing me would affect him. It pained me a lot.

But now, we have a chance to fix it all, we have a chance to share our lives together. To be a family.

Little Chase's arms flailed a little and he slightly started opening his eyes. My heart raced in my chest as our gazes met.

A weird feeling blossomed in my stomach , happy tears pricked my eyes as i looked at my baby boy.

"He has your eyes." I slowly let out the words. I was no longer in charge of my heart.

You never really realize what love means till you hold your baby in your arms, till you look into his eyes. You know you would die for him , you would give up on everything just to not see him getting hurt.

I couldn't look away.

This little one's baby blue eyes held mine captive.

I fell in love again.

***

My baby boy slept again, Ashton placed him in the crib and asked me to sleep as well.

But i am not tired. I don't want to sleep.

What if he woke up and he wants to eat.

"If he woke up i will wake you." Ashton said still trying to get me to sleep , he sat beside me ,"Just rest now."

"I am not tired." I said frowning , "You're the one who should rest , you look tired." I said as i traced my fingers under his eyes.

This was a long night and he probably got so tired.

He shook his head , "I am not tire-".

Our conversation was interrupted with a knock on the door.

The door opened after and Cara and Alex stepped inside. One moment Cara was standing by the door , the other she was squeezing me to hell.

"I hate you , i hate you, i hate you." She said as she tightened her hold around me. I smiled, i brought my hands up and hugged her back , "I love you too." I said.

She sniffled and pulled away, tears in her eyes , she looked at me from up to down as if to make sure i am okay , then she pulled me again toward her and hugged me one more time.

I really love this girl. She was always there for me.

When she pulled away this time , my eyes met Alex , I directly smiled. I do love this guy too.

He smiled in return. I thought he would throw a stupid comment like always but he surprised me when he suddenly leaned closer , his hand went to the back of my head and he pressed his lips over my forehead giving me a sweet gentle kiss ,"I am glad your okay." He said , his voice came low and not playful as usual. "You scared us."

My smile grew wider, my happiness grew more upon seeing them too.

"Where is my little boy ?" Cara directly said blinking her tears away, "How does he look like ?"

"He is in there sleeping." I said pointing to the crib, she directly scurried from my side and went toward him.

Alex looked at her with a smile , then he looked back at me , "Well if he looks like Ashton , then i am afraid to say he will be ugly." He said with a shrug. I frowned at his words.

I directly slapped his arm , "My baby boy is not ugly." I said pursing my lips in an annoyed manner. No one says that about my boy. "And Ashton is not ugly too."

Alex chuckled, "But if he looks like my sweetheart, then he is one hot piece of meat."

Ashton let out a sigh while i shook my head and looked at Cara again , who was standing by the crib, silently looking at him, She sniffled and brought her hand to cover her mouth , "He is so beautiful." Her voice came so low.

"Okay now are we supposed to bring you presents and sh*t ?" Alex asked looking bothered by the thought.

"Oh god he always embarrasses me." Cara said shaking her head.

"Oh wait." Alex said, his smile widened , "I have the perfect present." He placed his hand in his jacket pocket and took something out.

My eyes widened as he handed it to Ashton.

"This is a condom." He said ever so serious, "You use it during sex." He added as if it is a new information, "You know so you won't knock up the poor girl again and we have to go through this sh*t again."

Oh god.

Ashton glared at him and pushed his hand away.

"I don't want to even know why you carry a condom in your pocket." Cara said and shook her head. This guy will drive her crazy , i am sure.

"Oh you definitely want to know." Alex said with a wink , he wiggled his eyebrows, "You gonna like it too."

"Patience god , patience !" Cara muttered with an irritated tone.

Cara looked back at the crib , her eyes lightened up , "Oh he woke up !"

"Awww he is the cutest thing ever !" She squealed as she held his small fisted hand and kissed it.

"Okay let's see what's so special about this little lad." Alex muttered as he walked toward Cara. "I mean he was just born , he probably looks lik-"

He stopped talking once his eyes met little Chase. I saw his eyes soften and he stood frozen for a couple of seconds just staring at him. He felt it too.

He lifted his head up and his eyes met mine , he smiled, "Who knew that Ashton can give birth to this cutie."

I looked at Ashton beside me, he looked back at me, the beautiful smile not leaving his face, "He is ours." I said, my voice low , just for him to hear , "We are a family now."

He nodded, "I won't ask for anything more." He said and leaned closer pecking my lips.

"Why he is so small?" Alex's voice snapped us back to reality.

What the..

"Katherine he is so small." He said with a serious tone , and he looked worried , " I don't think that's normal."

"What ? no , it is." I directly said , "He is not that small." My heart started beating fast. I looked back at Ashton , "Right ?"

He nodded then looked back at Alex, "Alex just shut up." He said, " All babies are like this."

"No he is so small. He is not normal." Alex said as he eyed Chase ,Cara shot him a glare and lightly slapped his arm, "Maybe because he was born just two hours ago." She said in a matter of a fact tone.

I scowled , i want to kick Alex out. My baby is normal. Tell him to stop saying that.

"Seriously i can hold him using only one finger." He said , "Oh really ! Then show us." Cara said mockingly , her eyes widened as she saw him inching closer , "NO DON'T !"

Oh god !

Alex knitted his eyebrows and rubbed his chin as if trying to analyze it , "No , I mean how can a brain fit in that small head." He added , still not giving up.

"Yours would fit then." Cara shot back. I couldn't help but laugh. My girl , my girl.

Alex's eye widened , "Well that hurts." He said glaring at her. She smiled and shrugged then looked back at me.

"Can i hold him ?" She asked, her eyes begging me to say yes. I smiled and nodded my head.

She carefully took him out of the crib and held him securely in her arms. It warmed my heart to see her holding him , to see this look in her eyes. I can't wait to see her holding her child as well.

Her eyebrows furrowed as Chase started crying. "Oh no no , don't cry."

"See you can't do anything right." Alex said and stepped closer, "He wants his uncle Alex , give me."

Ashton directly shot up from beside me and rushed toward him , "No ! You're not holding him." He directly said to Alex.

"What ?" Alex asked , his mouth hang open , "Why everyone treat me like i am a kid ?"

"Because you are." Ashton said as he took a crying Chase in his arms and walked back toward me.

Alex scowled, without saying any word, he walked toward the couch in the furthest corner and sat down.

I looked at him and smiled , but he just shot me a glare and looked away.

He can be such a baby sometimes.

Chase's cries died as Ashton held him in his arms. He kissed him then placed him in my arms , "I have to see the doctor and do some hospital documents." He said , i nodded , he inched closer pecking my lips , "I'll be back."

When he left, Cara came to my side and sat down beside me. She inched closer and gave me a side hug. "I still can't believe you're here." She whispered.

I still can't believe that too.

Her hand stroked Chase's head, "He is so perfect."

He is. He was my only wish.

And that wish came true.

I looked at Alex , who weirdly enough is silent. He shot me another glare and crossed his arms over his chest.

I held Chase's arm and waved it to Alex , "Come uncle Alex." I said mimicking a little boys voice.

I saw him trying to hide his smile. He looked away.

"Do you want to hold me ?" I said with a low pitched voice still trying to sound like a kid.

He directly looked back at me , "I can ?" He asked , his eyes widened a bit.

His smile reached his ears and he directly rushed toward us. He sat on the other side of the bed as i carefully handed Chase to him , "Be careful."

"Put your hand over here." I said as i placed it under his back.

He pressed him closer toward his chest, his eyes not leaving Chase in his arms. He brought his other hand up and gently stroked his cheek.

Chase's eyes were opened looking at nothing in specific. I kept staring at his eyes unable to look away.

"Oh my god look." Alex said looking at how Chase wrapped his small hand around Alex's finger.

"He loves me." He added with a confident tone as he brought his small hand to his lips and kissed it.

I looked at Cara to see her staring at Alex with an unexplainable look in her eyes. If i know no better i would say she is going to burst into tears.

She bit her lip, her eyes dropped down. My heart ached and I directly squeezed her hand. She looked back at me, i smiled , my eyes telling her it's okay.

She will have this chance again.

She lost it once but that's okay. The same happened to me. I lost my child the first time.

But look now. I have my own baby in front of my eyes. Alive and healthy.

"Oh my god , i want a one." Alex said , he looked from Chase to Cara , "Let's go make one."

"I still have the condom with me." He added.

I couldn't help but laugh at how stupid his thoughts are. He looked at me as if i grew another head. I stopped laughing , "How exactly you gonna make a one using a condom ?" I asked.

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion and he seems to be thinking it through. I face-palmed, he can be so stupid sometimes.

When realization downed on him, his eyes widened a bit , "Ohhh !"

"Okay no condoms from now on." He added seriously.

Our conversation get interrupted by an knocking voice , my gaze traveled to the door to see Ashton's father entering the room.

When he spotted me , he smiled , one of his rare genuine smiled as he inched closer toward the bed.

Cara and Alex stood up and went and sat on the couch.

"How are you feeling ?" He asked , my gaze traveled to my baby boy in Alex's arm, i looked back at Mark , "Great." I said with a smile , "Never been better."

He inched even closer and he surprised when he kissed my forehead. I bit my lip , my heart melted at his action.

"You almost gave me another heart attack , you know ." He said, I directly shook my head , "No , not anytime soon." I shook my head , "Stay with us. We need you." I said.

At my words, his eyes softened , he turned his head and looked at where Chase is. Cara and Alex fighting at whom is going to hold him.

"He needs his grandpa." I added , he looked back at me. It was as if my words touched something inside him.

"Ashton needs his father." I added. My heart aches for Mark, he also deserves to have some happiness in his life , "See , we all need you Mr. Ry-"

"No don't call me Mr. Ryder." He directly said interrupting me , "It's just I don't feel comfortable calling you Mark." I said , smiling shyly.

"Then don't." He said , i furrowed my eyebrows, "Call me dad."

My heartbeats accelerated. "You know you're like a daughter to me now."

I bit my lip to hide my smile , his words made something move inside me , "We are all a family now." He added.

It's true. We are a family now.

I belong to a family again.

Happy tears pricked my eyes and i suddenly inched closer and threw myself in his embrace. He wrapped his arms around me, his hand stroked my hair from the back.

"Thank you." He said , "Thank you for entering our lives."

"For entering his life." He added , and I couldn't find words to reply back , "You gave him what i always failed to give."

"Thank you for making him happy."

He doesn't have to thank me. I did nothing.

When we pulled away, I directly wiped the traitor tears that escaped my eyes. I lifted my head to see Ashton entering the room as well.

He gave me a smile and when his gaze traveled to Alex , his smiled dropped , "I said you're not allowed to hold him !" He exclaimed and rushed toward Alex and directly took Chase from him.

Oh god.

My poor boy. He is probably tired with all of them holding him like this.

I shook my head. I can see them spoiling him from now.

I looked at Mark to see him looking at Ashton with a smile over his lips.

"Yo-" i was about to tell him to go there and see Chase as well but before i could continue my sentence , the door opened and suddenly the room was full.

Zoe , Ashton's grandma, his mother , they all came.

I can just hear voices and noises. And people kissing me and hugging me.

Oh god.

This is gonna be a really long night.

**

An hour passed with everyone here. They made sure i am okay and took their time to play with my boy.

And i can say he is really tired, everyone made sure to hold him and they couldn't help their excitement, they kept on talking showing how happy they are that things turned well.

But there is one person who haven't held him yet. Who haven't got the chance to even see him properly.

Ashton's father.

The moment they all came , he made sure to stay at the furthest corner of the room. Probably not wanting to disturb Ashton's mother.

I looked at him. He is standing by the window looking out while everyone here is talking and laughing.

"Ashton." I called Ashton, he was talking with Zoe. He directly came closer , "Yeah baby." He said.

"Here , hold him." I said as i handed Chase to him.

He directly took him in his arms. "Now go to your father." I said.

His eyebrows knitted , "He hadn't seen him yet." I explained, "Go , come on."

He hesitantly nodded and walked toward him.

I smiled. Everything is falling into its place.

**

Ashton's POV

I tightened my hold over Chase as i walked toward my dad.

My heart started beating fast again. He was standing by the window looking oblivious to all of us.

"And here is grandpa." I said once i reached beside him.

That was enough to grab his attention. His gaze directly dropped on Chase in my arms. His lips curved a genuine smile.

"Do you want to hold him ?" I asked, he directly snapped his head up and looked at me , "I can ?" He asked, he sounded shocked.

"Of course." I said as I carefully handed Chase to him.

He held him in his arms, many emotions clouding his blue eyes as he looked at him , "It is like holding you for the first time."

I swallowed hard. He looked back at me , "It is perfect."

I nodded , "It is."

He brought his other hand up, his fingers gently stroked Chase's small hand.

"You know little boy , you have the best parents ever." He said then looked back at me.

"I am so proud of you." He said. Maybe it shouldn't but his words brought a weird feeling into my heart , " I am proud that you reached here even after everything."

"I am sure you won't screw it like i did." He added then looked back at Chase with a pained look.

"I wish I realized my mistakes earlier." His jaw tightened, " I am sorry."

I shook my head , "Don't -"

I took a deep breath , my throat closed up, "Don't apologize."

I inched a bit closer, "You're my dad and-"

Come on Ashton. Say it.

You want to.

"You're my dad and i love you no matter what." I felt relieved upon letting the words out. Words i wanted to say way before.

His eyes widened a bit. I know it shocked him to hear those words now.

"I don't care about what happened in the past." I added , i was telling the truth, "Life is too short to keep living in the past."

My gaze traveled to Katherine. She was already looking at me. She always makes me do the right thing. She made me grow up. This girl is unbelievable.

'I love you.' I mouthed

She smiled and mouthed ,'I love you too.'

**

Katherine's POV

God i am so tired.

That was a long day.

They finally left so i can rest. Ashton also had to go home to bring some clothes since i am going to stay here for almost four days due to the surgery.

I looked at the crib beside my bed to see my baby boy peacefully sleeping. I bet he is tired too, they exhausted him.

I smiled as i found myself staring at him longer than i should.

A yawn escaped my lips. I really should sleep. But instead i found myself still looking at him.

God. I think i am not going to sleep today.

A knock on the door made me frown. They gonna break this door from all this knocking.

I let out a sigh, my gaze traveled to it.

My body stiffened, my hand fisted around the blanket as i saw him standing by the door.

"Can i come in ?" He asked.

I kept silent. I didn't know what to say.

"If you don't want, i will just.." he said stuttering, "I will just leave."

I want him to leave. Right ?

Or not ?

"Come in." The words left my mouth without my permission.

He walked closer, but he made sure not to get too close. I noticed that.

"How you're feeling?" He asked, "I am fine." I answered, my tone cold.

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay." He added, i can say he is trying his best not to meet my eyes. He looks weak, his voice weak too.

"I am okay." I said.

He nodded and stood there awkwardly for few seconds. He scratched his neck , "Okay then i will just.. i will just leave."

He turned his back ready to go but it hurt me to see him like this. I think even after everything, i still have a soft spot for him.

"Thank you." I said. At my words he stopped walking and turned around.

"They told me you donated your blood for me." I added , "Thank you Caleb."

He shook his head , "It's nothing."

"I would die for you Katherine."

His words brought those days back.

"Yeah.. that's why you tried to kill my friend." I said raising an eyebrow, "That's why you hurt me ?"

I had to let the words out. I need to. We have to close this page too.

He shut his eyes and looked away. He is ashamed of his actions.

"I didn't want to, I didn't mean to." He said , "He was trying to take the gun away and.. I don't know how it even happened, Katherine i-."

"Caleb if he didn't caught you , you would've shot Ashton." I said interrupting him, my voice rose a bit.

"You thought i would forgive you, if you ever hurt someone close to me." I added. He shook his head.

"I know it's not an excuse , but i was drunk , I wasn't thinking straight." He said , "I would never forgive myself for-." He stopped and sucked in a deep breath , "For hurting you." The words came low out of his mouth. Shame and guilt rolled over them.

My hold tightened over the mattress , "I am sorry." He said , "I know it won't fix anything but i am so sorry Katherine. It's killing me from the inside whenever I remember what i did."

"I wish i died before i even though of hurting you, i wish those hands were burned before they even touched you.."

He lifted his head and looked at me , my breath caught in my throat as i saw a tear escaping past his eye.

The only times i saw him crying was when Chase died and when his mother died too.

Tears fell from my eyes too, i covered my mouth with my hand and looked down.

Why we had to reach this stage.

"No no don't cry." He said making me look at him , "Please don't cry, I don't deserve those tears." He added as he inched closer , "I don't f*cking deserve your tears."

He sat beside me , but he made sure to keep his distance , "Please Katherine." His hand went toward my cheek but before it would touch my face, he directly backed away, as if he came back to his senses.

He is even afraid to touch me now.

I sniffled and wiped my tears away,i looked at him ,i looked at how vulnerable he looks.

I can't do this to him. I can't.

I remembered how he used to always be there for me. How he was there whenever i broke down, whenever i have a bad dream , he would be there to pull me back from that darkness, he would hug me and gently stroke my hair till i drift back to sleep.

He did his best to make me feel safe and he was a big part in helping me move on.

I can't forget that. I can't.

Even then he loved me but he didn't do or say anything because he knew i needed a friend. So he shut his feelings and helped me.

I surprised the both of us as i inched closer and wrapped my arms around him. His body stiffened, i can feel how hard his heart is beating.

Please Caleb move on. You have to move on.

"Caleb, hug me back." I said. I can feel him shaking his head , "No , I can't."

"I cant." He added, his arms still by his side not moving.

I pulled away and took hold of his arms and tried to wrap them around me. He shook his head as he removed them away , "Those hands hurt you." He said and shook his head again, "I can't."

My heart ached, "I forgive you Caleb." His eyes widened at my words , "I don't deserve your forgiveness."

I nodded, "Yes you do." I said, "Every one deserves a second chance."

Maybe the near death experience showed what life really is. Proved to me how short it can be.

You can't waste it, by hating , by drowning in your past, you have to forgive and move on.

You have to close all the past chapters , so you'd be able to read the next ones.

"I love you Caleb." I said , "Not the way you want me to." I shook my head , "But i love you as a friend , a brother. You've always been there for me and I wasn't. You're a better friend that i am, and I don't want to lose you."

"I've lost enough already." I added.

"I don't want you to love me, i just want you to be happy." He said , "And he makes you happy."

"You deserve it." He added , "After everything you deserve to be happy, and I won't be the reason that destroys this happiness anymore."

His shaking hand went toward my face and tucked the loosing strand of my hair behind my ear , " I can't alway be here , but if you needed me , i will be always be ready."

I smiled- a weak smile- through my tears.

I wasn't able to say anything , because my baby boy- the attention seeker he is- started crying.

Caleb's eyes snapped toward the crib. I looked at it too. I don't think i can get him.

"Can you please get him." I asked hesitantly. Caleb's eyes widened , "M-me ?" He stuttered.

I nodded, "Yeah please , I can't stand up because of the surgery."

I saw him tense a bit before he nodded his head. He hesitantly stood up and walked toward the crib. He stood beside it looking at little Chase.

"I don't think i can hold him." He said looking afraid.

What's wrong with men ?

They act all strong but when it come to a baby they forget how to even walk.

"Yes you can , just place your hand under his back and his neck and be careful." I said , he nodded , and carefully tried to hold him.

Even when he held him, he still looked scared, he slowly walked toward me again as if afraid he may trip over something.

And the weird thing is that Chase's cries died as Caleb held him.

Someone is getting used to being held a lot. I let out a sigh. That's gonna be a struggle.

He inched closer and handed him to me. I took him in my arms and stroked his hair.

"He is so precious." Caleb said , i lifted my head to see a small smile over his lips as he was looking at him.

"What are you going to name him ?" He asked. My smile grew wider, "Chase." I said , his eyes widened , "His name is Chase."

He looked shocked , his eyes traveled to my baby boy again , his shocked expression turned to a genuine smile.

He suddenly leaned closer and kissed his forehead , "Hey Chase." He whispered, "I am Caleb."

He stood up straight again, his eyes lightened up a bit.

"Take care of yourself." He said ,"Take care of him."

"Of course." I said.

"I will leave you to have some rest." He said and when he was about to turn around , the door opened and Alex entered ," I just forget the con-"

He stopped talking when his eyes met Caleb, he clenched his jaw , "What the f*ck are you doing here ?" He snapped , his hand curled in a fist.

"Alex it's okay." I directly said, he looked ready to kill. "He was just leaving."

Caleb walked past Alex and i got relieved that nothing happened , but that didn't last long.

"Caleb , wait." Alex suddenly said, ever so calmly. Caleb stopped walking  and turned around. Suddenly Alex stepped closer toward him and brought his fist up and collided it with Caleb's jaw. Caleb's face turned to the other side as an impact.

A gasp escaped my lips , "Alex !"

"I always wanted to do that." Alex said as he clenched and unclenched his fist.

Caleb's jaw tightened , his hand went and wiped the blood over the corner of his lips away, "I think i deserved it." He said.

"You definitely did." Alex muttered as he walked toward me.

Caleb's eye met mine one last time , he rubbed the corner of his mouth, he gave me a small smile , "Goodbye." He said.

"Bye." I whispered.

I looked at Alex and shot him a glare, he raised his hands , "Don't look at me like that !"

He rubbed his fist and gritted his teeth , "Gosh he have a damn strong jaw."

I let out a sigh and looked at the door again.

I hope he moves on. He has to.

***

Ashton's POV

I took the bag from beside me and went out of the car.

I locked the car and i was about to walk away , but stopped when i saw Caleb entering the car beside mine.

His eyes met mine. We stood there for few seconds without uttering a word. He then offered me a small smile and nodded his head.

I forced myself and gave him a small smile in return before i walked away.

He helped after all. As much as i despise him, but he helped in saving Katherine.

I let out a sigh and walked inside the hospital again.

Even though i was away for less than an hour yet i feel that i miss him.

That little bundle of joy. I can't imagine my life without him now.

Please god , don't make me lose them.

Protect them. The both them. They are my family.

I was too engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't notice myself crashing into someone.

"Sorry." I directly apologized, and when i looked at whom i bumped into i recognized him as one of the men i used to work with.

"Ashton ! " he said surprised, "Hey man."

"Hey Jackson , how are you ?" I asked ,my eyebrows furrowed ,"What are you doing here ?"

"Oh my wife just gave birth." He answered with a big grin over his lips.

"Same." I said.

"Oh congrats! " he added tapping my shoulder , "So where have you been man ? How are you ? How is your life ?"

My life.

My gaze traveled to the door beside me, it was opened , I clearly saw Katherine sitting on the bed with our baby boy in her arms, Alex beside her playing with him.

She slapped Alex's hand away and pressed Chase closer toward her , she kissed his cheek and smiled.

"She is fine." I said, my lips curved a smile , my eyes still looking at her, sudden warmth engulfed my inside.

She is my life.

My eyes traveled to Jackson again, "Never been better."

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

OKAY I KNOW I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO LAUGH , BUT OH GOD I CANT 😂

YOUR REACTION FOR THE LAST CHAPTER GUYS WAS PRICELESS.

ANW NO ONE GUSSED WHAT THE REST OF THE SENTENCE IS, SO :

( I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HAPPY ENDINGS...
BUT THIS IS JUST THE END OF MY BOOK , NOT THE END OF THEIR STORY.)

This how the story was planned from the very begging.

God this chapter is like 8.9K words. Woah ! I felt i can go on and on with this chapter , i liked writing about them being happy *sigh* my babies , I can't believe there is just an epilogue left *sniffs* . Those are not tears falling from my eyes no , just something entered my eyes , it is just - *breaks into tears.*

Anw leave your opinion , tell me if you liked this story or not. I would be happy to hear your thoughts.

Till next time.

Love ya all❤️