Chapter 221

Steering towards the river, Jon coaxed the old man to open up.

“What’s eating you oldtimer? Aren’t you suppose to be happy for us?”

Pain flashed in his eyes. Jon didn’t understand.

“My heart is so full right now but I need to set something straight. Something I should have done years ago. I need to get this off my chest and right the wrong between you and Megan...” his voice faltered as emotions took over. His elderly frame hunched just a tad more...

“Whatcha talkin bout? Megan and I are great...she’s a little pissed at me right now...but..we’re ok..more than ok actually.” He chuckled.

“There are things standing between you two that needs to be cleared and I’m the man to do just that. You see Jon, its my fault you never knew about Jaden.” He paused to see Jon’s reaction.

Confusion swirled in Jon’s eyes .                                  

“Yes..its was me. Never Megan. You see,  I was a selfish old bastard. I tried to convince everyone around me what I was doing was in good faith...but I was lying to everyone..to myself.  My feelings for Megan changed that night I caught you two. She wasn’t my little girl anymore. She was someone’s lover..a woman. I couldn’t cope with that and when she fell pregnant I was crushed. What would the people say and think? That Patrick Lyons was a bad father to let this happen?  She wanted to tell you about the pregnancy but I forced her hand. I dumped her like an unwanted pet at my sister-in-law’s ....”

Jon raised a shaky hand.

“I don’t think I want to hear anymore.” His eyes shimmered with pain and unshed tears.

“No Jon!  I want you to see what a bastard I was. I need to beg your forgiveness and I need to set my daughter free from years of pain and hurt.”

Jon stared at the flowing waters, mimicking the restless feeling in the pit of his stomach. Why? All these years? He kept his son from him, denied him Megan’s love..and for what?! For fucking pride?!

Jon turned hard eyes towards him.

“You know I felt like a fucking dog that night when I took Megan’s virginity. I fought against my feelings for her for so long. I knew she was innocent and so sweet. What happened between us that night was special...so intimate. I would have given my life for her and my baby.”

Tears streamed down Patrick’s face.

“You see I didn’t know that. Deep down I thought you were young. You were just starting your band. There was no place for a teenager with a baby in your life. What if you deserted her, how would she have coped with that? “

Jon roared.

“Who the fuck gave you the right to decide my life for me? Why didn’t you give me a chance? I thought you loved me like a son?! We could have made things work! Damn this all to hell! How did you manage to keep Megan from telling me?”

“I told her if she wanted to keep the baby she shouldn’t make contact with you...so..”

“She chose her baby.  Any mother would do that.....” Jon’s shoulders slumped. He was living a nightmare. So this was what Megan was protecting? Her selfish father? God in heaven!

“How could someone be so cruel...so fucking heartless? You denied me so many years of my son..I’ll never get it back. ” Jon’s voice was barely audible.

“I know...and I’m sorry. I know it wont change anything but my daughter needs this ..I owe her this. If you never want to see me again, I’ll understand.”

Silence stretched between them for what seemed like hours.

“I’m better than that Patrick. I will never deny my wife  the love of her parents.  I’m just so sorry Megan had to pay for loving me, she is still paying the damn price. She is the saint in this all ..and  we the dirt from the earth suffocating her. She deserved a better life and as God is my witness I’ll make it my mission to give her the life she deserves. ”

Jon turned and dismissed the old man. He had a maelstrom of hate, hurt and sadness rushing through him, threatening to choke the life out of him.

“If you are here it means you are either feeling sorry for yourself, or you’re contemplating a new record. Sooooo...which is which?”

Richie felt his heart fell as Jon turned aching blue eyes his way. Standing there silently, he waited for Jon to speak his mind. Jon just stood there, staring right through him. His voice was broken when it eventually spilled from him.

“Patrick forced Megan to stay away from me all those years back. He threatened her with adoption if she dared tell me about Jaden! ADOPTOIN RICH! How fucking insane is that? Thank God she chose our child...he denied me so many years...so many.”

A defeated Jon was hunching before him.  What could he say? What was there to say?

“Bro’ what he did was fucking heartless but he came to you for forgiveness man. Give him that. I know you are the better man. Megan had suffered enough, all she needs and wants is you Jon. You and her two beautiful kids. You must pick yourself up and look to the future. You have such a bright future, more than any man could expect or even ask for.”

The stormy blue eyes cleared.

“I’m the luckiest bastard you now that? I have the love and devotion from the woman I love more than life itself. She gave life to my children and through all this she protected her father and me. She even accepted an illegitimate child into our marriage....FUCKING HELL! This woman is incredible! I don’t deserve her, but there is no way ine hell I’ll EVER let her go again. She is my lifemate. ”

Pulling his brother into a tight embrace he chuckled.

“Well there you go asshole! Much better! Now before she divorces you ass, we better get back to the house. You’ve pissed her off enough today.”

Jon laughed.

“Hey by the way. I’m really innocent there. That’s the truth. I think my phone slipped out of my jacket and I left it in the car. When we got back in the car, I saw it but when I wanted to check for messages I saw it was off. I assumed it was flat but I realised it was fully charged later today...maybe as it slipped out it accidently hit the button and it turned off. Fuck I dunno!”

Richie frowned

“Didnt you get my message from the nurses’ station? I left them an urgent message?”

“No...not at all. The incompetent bitch!! If she remembered I would be here earlier.”

“Yeah...yeah you would have...” Richie’s mind took another direction.