My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

And then-

"Daddy!"

Maurice bolted toward him, his little feet barely touching the ground.

After a few steps, Maximus crouched down to scoop up his youngest son, who looked noticeably bigger than the last time he had seen him.

"My boy, how are you, my love?"

"Daddy! Daddy! We're back!"

"Yes, my boy, I can see that. And we'll never be apart again you hear me?"

"Yup!"

"Dad," Paul said as he approached, wrapping his arms around his father.

Maximus could feel his son's silent tears soaking into his shirt, and it squeezed his heart.

"My children... we're together again. And we'll never be apart."

***

"Did you see Magnus's huge dog? He's enormous!" Maurice pointed at the massive animal playing with Chester.

"Yeah, I've seen him before. So, tell me-how have you been? Did you enjoy the trip?"

"Yesss... Well, no. Not when those men took us from the house," Maurice admitted, remembering what had happened with Frank's men.

"Shhh, my boys. You're home now, and we'll never be separated again. Well, until you get married and decide to live somewhere else, which, I hope, won't be for many years."

Paul stiffened at those words, immediately thinking about the girl he had left behind without a proper goodbye. It hurt, but he knew it was necessary for everyone's safety. Still, deep down, he swore that the moment he turned eighteen, he would go back to the Maldives, find her, propose, and start a family-just like Alden, or like the one his father was now rebuilding.

"What's wrong, son?" Maximus asked, noticing Paul's distant expression.

"Nothing, Dad. It's just... I haven't seen you in so long. You even look younger.' "Wow! At least you didn't say I look older!"

"Dad! I didn't call you old..." Paul stammered, caught between surprise and embarrassment.

"I'm just messing with you, son," Maximus chuckled, pulling his teenage son into a tight embrace.

"Alright, my boys, now I want to go see my princess... and the little one who's about to steal my heart."

"Dad!" Laura called out, her voice thick with emotion, tears welling in her eyes.

Maximus hugged Laura tightly, pressing a kiss to her forehead before turning his attention to the tiny baby in her arms.

“Alright, let me hold the real princess of this house!"

"Her name is Adele, Dad."

"Why Adele? It's a beautiful name, but why that one?"

"Well... I wanted to name her after Mom, but I know that name carries a lot of baggage. Alexa felt too similar, so I found something that reminded me of her instead."noveldrama

"Oh, Laura... You are an angel. Your mother was far from perfect, but you still honor her memory."

"She was my mom. She wasn't very affectionate, but deep down, I think she did love us in her own way."

Maximus felt a sharp pang in his chest. His children were slowly coming to terms with their mother's absence, which was why he had never considered telling them the truth. Besides, he had no idea what had really happened to Alexia after the trial.

If Alexia still haunted his thoughts, it wasn't because of the woman herself-it was because of their son, Lucius.

He couldn't even imagine what had become of him.

But if Lucius ever decided to come home, Maximus would welcome him with open arms. He would love him just as much as all his other children.

[Present Day]

"Maximus, is everything alright?" Matthew asked, standing beside the car, waiting for him to get out.

"It's Peter... It's killing me that he doesn't remember me," Maximus muttered, resting his head on Matthew's shoulder.

Matthew had recovered a lot since the brutal beating Leonardo had ordered on him. The fractures and wounds had healed, and while he wasn't running marathons anytime soon, he could walk with a cane and move around more freely.

"Everything with be fine, Maximus. The important thing is that he didn't die. That's what matters. His memories? Maybe they'll come back. And if they don't... then you'll make new ones with him, with his family, and with yours.

"I never thought I'd live to see all of you together again. And look-we're almost there. You and Peter? Give it time. Soon, you'll be sitting together, drinking whiskey, making plans for the future. Don't lose faith.

"You, Matthew, are talking to me about faith?"

"What? I have to start believing in something. Didn't you see how close I was to kicking the bucket? That reminded me I'm not a young man anymore. I should probably start reserving my spot in heaven."