I dedicate this chapter to delicate_Bts2013

The cold night winds carried away the dark smoke that was coming from his cigarette, he lifted up his eyes and he watched it as it ascended with peace and so much vibrance into the darkness. He was stood outside a night club leaning against the wall with his legs crossed, after everything that had happened during the day, he realised how much his life was messed up for the hundredth time. Ladies passed by and they sent winks in his direction, others clearly showed it that it was really okay with them to play a one night stand because to those ladies he was a true definition of perfection. His dark eyes and sharp jaws always attracted ladies, to the outside world he was a successful lawyer with a famous firm, who won all his cases with the exception of the few, he was the best auctioneer to top it all he was wealthy and powerful . Many thought he had a happy life but no one knew the reality, because it sucked.

No one knew that at times he didn't sleep because he kept on getting nightmares, no one knew that at times he cried himself to sleep, no one knew that a part of his heart ached so much that he felt his insides tearing apart.

"Hayden ..come on bro you have been smoking and drinking for so long its already 1:00 in the morning, come I get you home" His driver James said.

James had been Hayden's driver for so many years and they got a strong bond together, he knew him in and out.

"James can I ask you a question" he absent mindedly asked, he had moved away from the wall and he was stood on his legs with his hands shoved in his pockets.

"Umm....sure" James said as he rubbed at the back of his neck. He was not sure whether he had a right answer for his question, but he knew whatever he wanted to ask , came from his heart.

"Have you ever been so broken in life that you feel useless , you feel like you don't belong here but there is that thing which is holding you firmly"

" Well Hayden to be frank I have never been in that situation but at least I know how you feel, you are hurting you are fighting to exist but keep it in mind that Alison needs you, she will be your source of joy, just don't allow your past to catch up with you as you are running your race to the future"

"Okay, James take me home" Hayden said with so much confidence after some silence.

James was perplexed, he didn't know whether his words had changed his perception towards his life or they have done more harm than good.
He shrugged his shoulders and he followed Hayden, he opened the door for him and he also ran to the driver's seat, he started the engine to life and the car sped off to Hayden's place.

The car parked in front of his house and Hayden got out "James thank you for today, come for me at eight in the morning , go meet your family"

"Good night Hayden" He nodded in response and he remained in the same spot as the car drove out of the drive way.
He turned and he lazily climbed the stairs, opened the door and he entered in the house.

"Hayden you are late again " A female angry voice snapped at him as soon as he closed the door behind him.

"Ohhh Betty am sorry , I swear it won't happen again " He rubbed his hands in his face.

"Hayden you are going to look for someone else to look after Alison, you acting so strange nowadays, what is really happening in your life huh? She looked at him with raised eye brows " I am sure whatever it is we all know that she wouldn't be happy for you to keep on blaming your self for her death, Hayden come on you were not like that before, Alison needs you, you are hurting I know but please don't shut her out" She gently touched his shoulders and she looked at him like she could figure him out.
After that she slowly moved backwards and she got her bag from the sofa and she headed to the door.

"Betty, please listen_" Hayden caught her hand.

She cut him off "Hayden whatever we are to talk about can wait, its already late get some rest plus you look like shit you need a shower to get rid off that stinking smell of alcohol coming from you " she said calmly. She opened the door and she left.

"Shit, shit , shit" Hayden cursed angrily as he passed hands in his hair roughly. He sat down and he loosened his tie. Betty's words echoed through his ears.

"Veronica why did you die all of a sudden, why didn't you tell me you had a problem?? Why but why " he whispered to himself as tears threatened to come out of his eyes. He remained there in silence for how long God knows and after sometime he switched off the lights and he went upstairs.
He stopped at a certain room and he slowly opened it, he made small strides and he knelt in front of a large bed. A little girl was tugged in the covers and she was making soft snores, her dark shining hair was all over her face. She was peacefully sleeping with no worries in life.

Hayden looked at her and his eyes glistened with tears, he carefully stroked her hair and he said to himself " Alison I know I have not been the best dad ever since you came in this world but from today I am going to be part of your life, I want to do whatever it takes to make you happy my little Alison"

"You and your mum Veronica have so much resemblance and every time I look at you, I remember her I miss her terribly " Big drops of tears came out of his eyes and they rolled down his cheeks.

He looked at her as memories of Veronica rushed through his head "Hayden you are going to be a father " He remembered the day Veronica had broke the news to her, he was so happy that he carried her bridal style and he kissed her senseless, the woman she loved so much was going to give her a family. He rejoiced not knowing the catastrophe that awaited him. Death bells rang but he didn't hear them.

"Veronica why , why " he asked.

He gently planted a kiss on Alison's fore head and he stood up, slowly he made it to the door but before he opened it , he turned and he peeped one last glance at Alison "I am to try my best " he said as he removed warm tears from his cheeks with his palms.
He closed the door and he went to his room.
He took a cold shower and he put on fresh pants, switched off the lights and he dived under the covers to get some sleep. He hoped that everything turns out to the best. He also wanted to be the dad her daughter would be proud of.