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Chapter 35
35 Welcome Home
(Jayden)
The blood test is done and I'm going to see Ashlyn. Mother can wait. Hopefully I can be the one to help out Abby. My mind is even more confused than ever.
Remembering is not all it's cracked up to be.
I've gone from never wanting kids to being a father twice over in the space of twenty-four hours. As memories filter back through, I know what I'm walking away from. But if I truly love Winona and my daughter Abby, I will choose to let them have a happy, content and peaceful life.
But they said she has my eyes and I'd love to see that. I did think it would be better if I never officially met 'her, but I think if I can just see her once, that will be enough. Then I can get on with my life. Without Winona.
The powerful CEO inside me wants to strike out and take what I want most in the world. But I can't. I've made my decision. I will honor what Ashlyn and I had. I will honor Winona's wishes. I will honor my children the best I can under the circumstances.
From the last time we had sex, before I wanted a break after the crap that went down at the welcome dinner, would mean she might be around 8 weeks pregnant if not more. Still early stages. Sadness creeps back over me as Winona's miscarriage comes to my mind. No. I can't live in the past. We'll get Ashlyn to the best doctor and make sure we have the best chance of a full term, healthy baby. I can't compare the two.
I use my key to get inside the home I've shared with Ashlyn since my divorce from Winona. The smell of fresh baked bread hits my nostrils. Mmmm, my favorite. "Ashlyn?" I call out to let her know I'm here. "Jayden!" She comes running up the hallway, smiles a mile wide, but stops short of hugging me. "You should've said you'd be here. I look a mess." She pats down her hair. Flour marks her cheek.
I could do a lot worse than making this woman happy. I sigh, "you look great. Can we talk?"
"Sure. Just let me get the bread out of the oven." She shrugs, "no clue why I'm baking your favorites when we aren't even together. Guess I just live in hope... and bashing the dough felt good." "Well, you're in luck. Here I am to help you eat it."
"Yeah, then it will be a two-hour gym session to wear off all those carbs and butter." Her eyes twinkle at me and I know she's referring to the physical activity we used to do to burn carbs. In the bedroom. "Ashlyn, we really need to talk." I don't want to lead her on. She may not agree to what I think will work for
1. US.
"Of course. Lounge or kitchen?"
"Kitchen table, I think."
She walks off and I follow her. We sit down and she pours us some juice. "I know our pregnancy is a shock. We were always so careful. But I guess nothing is one hundred percent foolproof." "I'm only going to ask this once. Is the baby mine?"
35 Welcome Home
"Yes," she says in a clear voice with direct eye contact
"Okay. I have a lot more to tell you."
"Go ahead." I see worry flash through her eyes.
"You cannot mention this to my mother. Not yet." I'll see if I can trust Ashlyn to stay away from her. "I told you; I'm done being her puppet. You and our baby are my priorities. My lips are sealed." "This may be hard to hear but I need you to be understanding and mature."
She grips her hands together. "You're going back to Winona, aren't you?"
I shake my head. "No. But I am the father of Winona's daughter. She has a serious medical condition and 'needs special blood, so Winona had to tell me so I could get tested. Which I did today.
"Oh god. Poor Winona, I can't imagine how having a sick child would feel." Ashlyn puts her hands on her abdomen as if to protect what's growing in there.
This baby really changes everything.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
"The doctor doesn't know what the outcome will be. Abby needs many operations and worst-case scenario, a heart transplant." My heart almost stops thinking I could lose a child I've never had the chance to meet. "Jayden, I'm so sorry."
"My mother may also have the genetic marker but we're waiting until we've exhausted all other avenues before Winona wants to ask her. She doesn't believe she will give that blood without some sort of deal." rake my hand through my hair. "What does all this mean, for us?"
"I've been an idiot. I had memories of when Winona lost our first baby, before we went to Vegas and got married, I know now how much I'd decided I wanted to be a father, and a good one. I want my children to know loving happy homes without drama and toxicity. Without cruelty and manipulation.".
Ashlyn is looking at me with questioning eyes.
"So, Winona, Phillip and I have agreed to let them raise Abby and I won't interfere. I have offered Winona a job that will make sure Abby never wants for anything in lieu of child support or a part of Brennan Industries."
"I see."
"Yes, so Winona will still be around. I think she deserved to have that and regain some dignity and also prove she can hold her own in the billionaire corporate world."
"And us?"
"While I'd like to go meet Abby in person just once, I'm asking if you still want to be married and be a family with me. I promise I will stand by you, but you have to trust me, Ashlyn. I can't have jealousy and hate involved. I want a peaceful life where we can co-exist with Winona and Phillip as needed. Later on, Abby may ask questions."
35 Welcome Home
Her eyes are wide now. "Of course! Of course, I still want to marry you."
"You don't need to decide right now."
"I never canceled any of the wedding plans."
"You must trust in my loyalty to you, trust in us."
"I will, I do. I know you'll honor our little family." Ashlyn jumps up and throws her arms around my neck. "I love you so much, Jayden."
"I'm not sure when I can say that back. So much has happened. Just be patient with me. Also, I'd like to scale down the wedding a little and be married in three months."
""Done deal."
"And Ashlyn...Ignore my mother unless I'm there. I'll deal with her. Plus the board performance review is in two weeks and I need to show I can do this job, I need you to promise me that you will help show I'm mentally and emotionally capable." "I promise. Will you move back in?"
Inod. "Yes, but I'll sleep in the guest room for now."
"Whatever it takes. Welcome home, Jayden!"