Chapter 236

Dorothea stood flabbergasted, her eyes wide not sure what Jon was there for.

“Please come in.” Robert gestured towards the sitting room.

Still staring open mouthed at Jon, she stammered.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“Something cold would be nice, beer perhaps?”

She disappeared for a few moments.

His eyes focused on the little boy.

How he’d grown!  He felt a twang deep inside but pushed it aside.

“He’s big.” Jesse only stared at the stranger while chewing on his fingers.

Dorothea smiled, only the way a proud mother could.

Taking a slow sip form the bottle he straightened his thoughts.

“Dorothea, I’m here to put all that’s happened behind me. I can’t move forward until I’ve sorted my past. I owe that to my wife and kids and hell even to myself. I’ve put the people closest to me through hell and they don’t deserve it.”

Her eyes shot full of tears.

“I’m so sorry for what I have done. I wish there was a way to make this all go away, but there isn’t.  Megan was the best friend I’ve ever had and I hurt her with my conniving ways. Will you please beg her forgiveness for me? I need her to forgive me. I know we’ll never have the same relationship back, but I just need to know she forgives me.”

Jon nodded.

“Megan has the heart of a saint. She doesn’t know Im here today, but I’ll tell her what you said.  I came to say my goodbyes to this little guy over here. I needed the closure. He isn’t at fault here, so I at least owe him that.”

Swigging the last of the liquid, he stood up. Better go before he starts sniffing like a schoolgirl.

He touched the little chubby hand, fighting back the choking tears .

“Hey buddy. I know you probably don’t remember me, my name is Jon. I saw you come into the world. Yes, I did!”

He got a smile for his effort.

He suddenly leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

“Would you like to hold him?”

He didn’t dare pick him up, he might not give him back.

 “No…no it’s ok.  He is with his father now, where he belongs. Be happy little man.”

The men shook hands. He nodded at Dorothea and found his way towards the door. There was nothing more that needed to be said.

Slipping beside the steering wheel he stared into nothingness. Why does his shoulders feel lighter but he still felt as if something had ripped his guts out? Praying for the strength to work through it, the engine roared to life.

“One down, one to go.”

~~

Staring at his parent’s house he felt a warmth creep into his soul.

Ringing the bell he waited. The tv was playing and dad was probably watching the evening news.

The door opened and Jon felt his heart drop. His mother was only a shadow of herself! Skinny..too skinny and she had grown old overnight!

“Jon? Oh my BOY!”

She flung herself into his arms and he flinched at the sharp jab of ribs into his flesh.

“Hello mama.”

“Welcome home son.” John nodded appreciatively.

“Dad.”

“Please come in! Where is Megan…the kids? Don’t tell me you came alone! “

“Yeah I’m alone. What I need to say she doesn’t have to hear.”

Fear shadowed her face and she took him by the hand.

“I’m glad you here. We need to talk and I owe you an apology, not that it could ever change anything.”

She hung her head in shame.

“You can keep your apology. I’ve hear it before. I’m  here to set things right but before we can put this behind us, there is something I need to know.”

She saw her own stubborn streak in her son.

“What do you need to know Jon?”

“I need to know if you will ever accept my wife into this family. She is my life now, she and my kids. Without her there just wont be a life for me. I know you are my mother but if you refuse to accept her, I would be forced to make a choice and I think you know what the choice will be.”

Stroking his hand for a few moments she said.

“Son, I want you to know. I have accepted Megan into this family a while ago. I wouldn’t want it any other way. A man needs a life mate and she is yours. I respect that and I even rejoice in it. She makes you happy. I can see it whenever you are near each other. The love…It only comes once in your life and luckily you’ve found it first time round. She is a wonderful woman, courageous and a fighter. She fought so hard for your love and she deserves it. Every bit you can spare.”

Light shone in Jon’s eyes for the first time as he smiled at his mother.

“It took you long enough to see. But that is exactly how I feel. She completes me. She is all I want.”

Mother and son hugged.

“I see that now. Its all good son..its all good.”

“So promise me you’ll butt out of my life and let me handle it from now on?!” he nudged her playfully.

“That I’ll promise but…”

“Ah ah. No buts….yes or no. That’s the choice.”

“Well ok then, if you need to be so technical! Have you forgiven your idiot of a mother?”

“Yes..yes I did. So tell me, Christmas at my place then?”

“Let’s make it your place this year.”  She sniffed through the thankful tears and only hugged him tighter to her.