Meeting Caden
Axel layed against the complex waiting for Bethany. James sat in his normal spot in the bistro looking through the window as he had seen this same guy outside the complex yet he didn't know him at all.
Norma-Jean hugged the man and invited him inside the complex. James straightened up feeling like he was replaced. At this point he felt like the world was against him. Bethany came strolling around the corner as James thought I could snatch her and no one will know.
I could ransom her. I could torture her for all the pain she caused him. His mother was on her way out barely hanging on. He almost had her worn down to give him the complex that was more of a burden than an inheritance.
James wanted to hurt Bethany. She was the one who twisted his mother's mind. He should have never answered that phone. He should have told her she was wrong there were no vacancies. But now he saw things in front of him was too little too late.
Bethany was greeted by Norma-Jean and the tall man he has never seen before. He held that brat in his hands. She was one of the reasons he got caught. She snapped the picture of him stealing from his mother. He drank his tea bitterly now.
Axel smiled watching Bethany come to the complex door. It had been six months since their first kiss. Since he told her she was special to him. His talk with Avery opened a few thoughts he once feared. One time he never wanted to be married to spare himself what he witnessed watching his parents.
" Bethany." Axel smiled as she came into view .
" Axel . Is everything alright?" She asked as she watched him pacing and not in his normal mood. She couldn't read the situation. She didn't like no being able to read the room.
" I want to take you and Sunny to meet my nephew. He is about Sunny's age and well we have plenty of adult dates, but I think it's time for a play date." He said nervous not knowing how to invite her into his family.
" Oh . Well did you ask Sunny? If she wants to meet a new friend?" Bethany asked.
" It was my idea , mommy." Mused Sunny.
" I see . I have been overruled in my own household." She shot Axel a look .
" So what do you say . You want to have a playdate with my nephew . I feel bad Sunny gets left a lot ." He smiled at her . A smile she couldn't deny.
" Wait . You have other siblings other than Avery ?" Bethany said confused.
" Avery has a son that is eight years old. She had them right after we graduated. It's why she was missing the last semester . She took off for maternity to study the rest of the semester. " He explained.
" I was wondering where she went." She said then threw her hands up in surrender.
" Ok none of my business let's go. It's a date ." Said Bethany now picking up Sunny and spinning around with her as the little girl giggled. Bethany looked at Norma-Jean sadly .
" Go on I'll be fine. I need to check on the new tenant in that apartment we fixed . Seeing how she is settling in." Smiled Norma-jean.
Bethany and Sunny climbed into Axels car as her and Axel held hands over the middle console. He was gentle like that. He like holding hands. Sunny smiled looking at her mom and her new friend in amusement.
The drive was a long drive. The tournament has been concluded and he had a month to go home to rest before the next training sessions. Bethany remembered the Jing house. It was very hobbit like . Large round arch doorways and very much a simple living with minimum furniture of only white with oak floors . It was like you were on a private island away from the world. The garden was full of cherry blossoms . Mango trees and varies berry bushes. There was grapes growing along the walls of the garden wall.
Bethany remembered it felt magical. It had a small pond with coy fish inside as large as your arm. Then there was the renewing waterfall that acted as a decorative piece as a water sculpture.
She was excited to see the Jing home. It had been so long since they all went there during intermission when housing was shut down at the end of the year to collect next year's tuition.
Axel pulled up and Bethany smiled it was exactly how she remembered it. Sunny jumped as she was let out of the car. Axel opened the door as she went down memory lane. See remembered her and Axel tossing pepperoni slices at each other during movie nights . Avery didn't like pepperoni so she pulled it off and gave it to Axel . Axel would try to ring Bethany's mouth as she move to catch it in her mouth.
Then watching tear jerkers with Avery as they shared a tub of ice cream between them two as Axel made rude comments the entire movie .
" Oh he is so cute. I want to kiss him. I'm going to marry him one day." Teased Axel every male character entered the scene.
" What is she doing here?" Asked Avery now coming into view as she saw Axel and Bethany.
" Well hello to you too , Avery . " Bethany said now feeling like an intruder .
" Bethany take Sunny out to the garden . " He instructed her to give the twins time to talk .
When Bethany was in the clear Axel turned to look at his sister. He huffed in aggravation.
" You didn't have to be so rude to her." He scolded her .
" Axel . You know how I am about Caden . You can't just spring up and move a entire family in without warning." She snipped.
" Relax they are visiting . Not moving in. I thought Caden would like some company . He stuck her all days with Tudors and nanny's . A child his age may do him some good." He advised .
" He is my son not yours . You don't get to introduce him to people."she wined.
" Avery it's Bethany. You know her. She brought her daughter nas well. Sunshine is a sweet girl." He explained.
" Sunshine really that's what she named her daughter. I imagined her and Gregory would have named her something stuck up like Samantha or Tiffany."; she smirked.
" That is mighty judgemental of you ,sister. Bethany raised her on her own. She has never introduced Sunny to her father. " He warned his sister.
" Oh how rude of me. I'm just always on guard with Caden ." She snippy at her brother's scolding of her attitude in her own home.
" The best way to fix this is to show her she isn't a random stranger. One day her and Sunshine will be part of this family." He said clearly as he bore his eyes into hers.
" Does Bethany know your grand plans for her?" Asked Avery .
" I did tell her I was going to kidnap her." He chuckled.
Avery rolled her eyes. Then picked up Caden as she went to meet Bethany in the garden.
Sunny had been admiring the coy when Avery set a shy little boy down. Upon seeing the other child her immediately ran behind his mother. Sunny looked up at her mother with a scowl on her face.
Bethany shook her head telling Sunny to behave.
Sunny shook off her wet hands and marched over to the hiding boy. She stuck her hand out and introduced herself " hello there I am Sunshine Valentine. I'm pleaded to meet you." She said as she did when she met her friends at school.
The boy peaked around clinging to his mom's legs tighter . The girl before his was so out there. He hadn't been around other kids with him being home schooled . Most of his days we're studying or playing alone. Sunny held her hand out looking back at her mother what to do next.
" He is just shy . Give him a minute to warm up." Bethany suggested.
" Well what do I do? Do I just stand here waiting for his name or can I put my hand down now?" She said not confused on what to do.
" It is okay . You did your part. Thank you for using your manners." She soothed Sunny as she dropped her hand and returned to her mother.
Meanwhile at the complex James saw his opportunity to see his mother now she was alone. The annoying woman left with the guy in a car. He knew he wouldn't be able to talk any sense into his mother if Bethany was there to stop him.He stood up and threw away his trash . He had another hour to get to his second job that evening. He crossed the road into the complex. He didn't care his mother had a restraining order on him it was his mother . He wanted to see his mother.
James stood at the foot of the stairs as Norma-Jean exited the third floor apartment. The lady there was settling in fine. When Norma -jean spotted James it was too late. He ran upstairs and wrapped her in a big hug picking her up off the ground. Norma-Jean stiffened in fear.
" James what are you doing here?" Hissed Norma-Jean.
" Mom. I missed you. I can't wait to come home. Please can I come home?" He pleaded to her.
Norma -jean stiffened as James had a crazy look in his eyes. She hadn't seen him since he was taken away in the cruiser. The treatment center wouldn't allow visitors and with the restraining order she wasn't able to see him . It would violate the order she placed on him to protect Bethany and Sunny from him.
Now James was here as he held her life in his hands and she was scared and he was there . She had to handle this gently if she was going to talk James into going away.
James looked at his mother . Her fragile body he could snap like a twig. He knew Bethany would be back later. He had limited time to convince his mother to allow him back home .
"Mother , please let me come home." He pleaded to her.
Norma-jean tried to step back but her back hit his embracing arms. She looked around to see what moves she had to get out of his grip. James was unpredictable. He was dangerous.
" James you know you can't be here. There is an order in place." She said soft as she could. His eyes flashed in sadness. Then he released her moving to her side his arm still around her shoulders.
" Mother I know you did not want that. That was not your idea. It was hers. Can't you see mother she is coming between us. We were fine before she came." He tried to persuade.
" Were we fine before Bethany? Bethany was not here the last time you went crazy and almost hurt your father your last episode." She reminded him .
" That was a different time. We are talking about now. Bethany has made us have distance. You are my mother ,please." He said as he looked at her . The look in his eyes were contradictory.
" James. It was Jessica fault last time you raided the apartment now it's Bethany's fault. Do you see a pattern here? It's always someone else's fault for your actions. But you know whose fault it never is? Yours my son." She said figuratively holding a mirror to his face.
" Mother this is my complex by birthright. She has no place here. She isn't even family." He said angrier now.
" She is family to me. This is no longer your birthright. Did you honestly think I would allow you to inherit this place knowing you have bad intentions in the end. James you are just getting the help you need. But your not quite there yet . Four months does not change a man's ways. It takes work and consistency. Thinks I yet to see in you." She said mindful of James arm still on her shoulder.
" So you just gave her what is mine. Just like that . Replaced me with that scheming thieving woman . How could you do that to me. You treat me like I'm not your own flesh and blood. She has taken everything from me including you!" Screamed James and he pushed his mother down the stairs. He watched his mother fall and crumple at the end of the stairs. He casually took the steps by two as he passed his mother's lifeless crumpled body and walked out of the complex door. He looked at his watch and went to the bus stop to his evening job.
Meanwhile Bethany sat in the garden watching Avery trying to relax Caden . She stared worried that the kids got off on the wrong foot. Maybe it was too soon to meet him. Axel stood up and began to do his routine warm-ups. Axel did this since he was Caden's age with his father.
Axel moved with grace and poise as he bended and dipped and swooped and his movement looked like a coordinated dance. The little boy cut his eyes to his uncle and ran to him. The boy began to mimic his uncles moves.
Bethany smiled as she watched how well the boy mimicked the dance. This was how him and his nephew communicated. She smiled . She saw a present with Axel . She want a future with Axel. He made her feel safe and wanted. Even when they were in school he never made her feel bad for failing an exam just told her she would get the next one.
Sunny tugged on her mother's dress to get her attention.
" Mommy, what are they doing? " She asked scrutinizing what she saw before her.
" They are well bonding . " Explained Bethany as Sunny now looked bewildered.
" Bonding.?" Sunny asked.
" Loving each other ." Bethany said as she knew for the first time she was falling in love with Axel. She stared at him with glassy eyes .
Axel leaned over and whispered to Caden something in his ear. Caden nodded and ran over to Sunny and held out his hand ." Hi I'm Caden . Do you want to play with me?" Sunny shook her head rapidly and the two ran off to play.
Axel came over there to offer his hand to Bethany. She looked at him." What did you say to him?" She was curious now.
" Well I told him that everyone needs friends. It's okay to be scared but it's not okay to make someone else scared you don't want to be friends. " He said pulling Bethany to him . Their heads leaning into each other.
" Marry me, Bethany." He whispered suddenly.
Bethany pulled back to stare him in the eyes. Searching for the truth in his question. Just when she was ready to answer her phone rang. Bethany looked down and saw and unknown number.
" Hello." She said casually.
" I'm trying to reach a Bethany." Said the voice.
" This is she?" She replied.
" This is Valley front hospital. Your listed as Norma- jean's Barry next of kin ." Said the voice Bethany's eyes widened.
" Is everything okay. Is she alright?" Bethany said panicked now.
Axel looked at her seeing Bethany in distress. He mouthed what is the matter ? Bethany concluded the call tears in her eyes.
" It's Norma-Jean. She is in the hospital. She is not responding. They say some police are there. " She held her hand up to her face and sniffled .
Axel went to go find Sunny and told Avery what was going on.
" Axel. Go. Sunshine can stay here and play with Caden. " Said Avery not wanting to disturb the two now.
" Come on let's go." Axel said grabbing Bethany's hand.
" What about Sunny. " She cried softly .
" Avery has her. " He said as he put Bethany in the car and drove her to the hospital. Bethany stepped out and ran to the check in counter.
" Norma-Jean Barry what room." She almost yelled in panic .
" Whoa miss who are you to her?" She halted Bethany.
" I'm her daughter Bethany. I was contacted." She cried .
" Ok wait here. There are some officers and the doctor that needs to speak with you." Said the person at the counter as she left to look for the doctor.
Bethany paced the lobby as Axel watched her not knowing what to do. She turned and ran into him . His solid chest was hard like a wall. The hugged her as she cried on his shoulder. Two police officers and a doctor came up .
" I'm doctor Frayon. Your mother's condition is critical. When the EMT found her she was unresponsive. We did a evaluation and she has some broke ribs and a broken arm and hip from the fall. She hit her head pretty hard too. Right now she hasn't woken up." The doctor explained as she sobbed more .
" Is there anything you can do for her." Asked Axel.
" Right now we reset the broken leg and arm the ribs will be harder. She will be in a lot of pain medication for the pain, but it isn't looking good. She might not pull through or wake up. If we have to will you make a choice to recesitate or not." The doctor explained.
" I see. Can I think about it.?" Bethany answered.
" Of course I was two officers wants to ask a few questions if you don't mind." Concluded the doctor. Bethany nodded her head as the officers approached.
Officer Winchester looked down at her and gave a small comforting smile . He opened his note pad as he gave Bethany a moment to relax .
" Hello Bethany do you remember me. I was there last time .I'm sorry for what happened to your mother. Do you happen to know who would do this to her?" He asked Bethany as the question registered to her.
" Someone did this to her ?" She said now angry .
" Yes ma'am the tenants said they heard arguing and saw a man run away from the complex ." Explained officer Winchester.
Bethany narrowed her eyes and looked at Axel .
" James . He just got let out on probation." The officer picked up his radio as soon as he knew who she was talking about.
" I need a ETA on a James Barry . Six foot five inches . Brown hair green eyes. Caucasian male about two hundred and twenty pounds. Be aware he is dangerous. Proceed with caution." Officer Winchester put out the description over the radio.