Bonds

Chapter 104; Bonds.
Lily’s POV
I rolled to the corner of the bed, stretching my legs as I put my hand under my pillow to retrieve my phone. I turned it on and squinted my eyes to check the time as the brightness of the phone hit my eyes harshly.
It was five AM in the morning, I was already up as usual, just waiting for my children to be my alarm to get up. They were already two months old and they had grown so much. Raising them has been nothing but a joyful experience for me.
I was so glad that I could finally be at peace, knowing that my children and I were safe and all potential threats were neutralized. It felt so surreal as I watched the judge rule in our favour. Chase was to serve life imprisonment and no parole for all his crimes while my father, I mean Mr. O’Sullivan was to serve twenty five years in prison with no parole and I could also get a restraining order when he’s out.
I guess I deserved some peace after all, however the journey was not as blissful as I hoped. The numerous court proceedings that followed was draining and heart wrenching. Chase had the audacity to plead not guilty on the charge of rape. He claimed that I consented to the act as most times I did not struggle or tell him expressly to stop. I just laid quietly.
Thankfully, I got to know that it was already established in law that consent gotten through threat of harm or intimidation or when a victim gives up struggling it is not seen as consent. A person also too young to understand the nature of the act can not also give consent. A person of weaker intellect can not also give consent.
The prosecutor was able to squash his claim by arguing that he had unlawful carnal knowledge of me without my consent. It was a strenuous period of time for me and my children because I had to leave them home. I refused to let Chase and Mr. O’Sullivan set their eyes on my precious children.
On the charge of murder and the other charges laid against Chase and Mr. O’Sullivan, they also both not guilty but at the end the law won and they were both convicted.
They had also tried to bring in Alex’s case during the court proceedings. How petty and foolish of the defense counsel to even listen to Chase and bring up that argument in open court. Of course it was dismissed. It wasn’t relevant to the case at hand. If we wanted to try the case, we would have to bring up a new case that includes Alex.
I was relieved that it all went well at the end and they were brought to justice but the issue with Alex was still hanging above my head. I knew I could not set the law in motion against him. My heart would not let me.
I still was yet to hear his side of the story. His father had given my location to Alex and he had been coming by almost everyday for weeks now. Obviously I refused to give him a listening ear. The best I could do was to allow him spend a little time with his children whenever he came around.
I would always place the children in his arms and walk away to my room, leaving a maid to him, in case the children need something. That was the drill until whenever he decides to leave.
I could see the pain in his eyes whenever I would turn him away but maybe he deserved to suffer a little pain, because the pain I felt every time I thought of my mother was unbearable. If it were any out her person, it could have been easy for me to just hate the person and punish him so I could move on but with him it was different.
I couldn’t just do that and it made me hate myself the more. It felt like I had to choose between the love of my life and my dear mother.
My mother who had always loved me, up until she died and she never failed to show me how much she adored me but for Alex on the other hand, it was I who loved him endlessly and zealously. He never loved me or showed me love unless it was just convenient for him. So why could I not just choose the love of my mother, then die for a convenient love.
I sighed and got off the bed as Rose began fussing in her crib and soon her cry pierced through my ears. I picked her up and cradled her and soon her brother was up.
It was another day with my beautiful children…
With the help of a maid, they were feed and their bath was ready. We did all the necessary things and I too got ready for the day while the maids held them.
We were all in the living room playful and laughing when we heard a soft knock at the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll get it.” I said to the maid who was about to get the door.
She nodded in response and held unto the children while I rolled off the couch. “Daniel!.” I said in excitement. “Please come in.” I moved to the side, allowing him to pass through.
“How are you doing today?”. He asked with a soft smile.
“I’m fine, thank you.” I responded. “I don’t need to ask about you, I can see you’re looking good.” I said eyeing him in his three piece navy blue suit. At his age, he still looked so fit and so handsome. If not for the circumstances surrounding our relationship, he is definitely someone I would go for.
Ps: I do not have daddy issues…
He’s just so handsome.
“I know right!”. He laughed as he moved towards the children. “And my grandchildren look even more charming today”. He said cooeing at them with a grin. “They get their looks from their grandfather.” He said with a wink.
I blushed and looked away. “You only ever come over to check on your grand children.” I teased with a fake frown etched on my face.
He flashed me a guilty look. “No, it’s really not like that.” He explained.
“Yeah right!”. I scoffed. “You walked right in and carried your children immediately.” I pointed out.
“You know that’s not true.” He said glancing at me shortly before turning to the children again, making silly faces at him.
“Right!”. I laughed and he joined in.
“Look what I got for both of you!.” He said beaming at them as he pulled out numerous toys from a bag he was holding.
“Thank you Daniel. You spoil them too much.” I said with raised brows, taking a seat on the opposite couch.
“Ahh, it’s nothing. These are my favorite grandchildren!.” He exclaimed as he waved some toys in front of the children.
“Are they not your only grandchildren?”. I asked with raised brows with a wide smile on my face.
“Doesn’t mean that they’re not my favorite.” He said, titling his head at me before turning back to the children.
I laughed as I watched him play with the children. They watched him with curious eyes as he made silly faces and showed them how to play with their toys.
I could tell that the children were so happy to see him. They loved having him around I’m sure. They had grown to love him.
How couldn’t they?…, He had been coming over to see them almost every day since they were born. They were so fond of him and they knew he loved them too.
I was glad to have him in their life as well as mine. He was the only person I could turn to as this time and I was truly grateful for him.
I watched them play for a while before I decided to go up to my room to rest a bit. “I’m going in for a while.” I said to Daniel.
“Good, you need it.” He said with a nod. “While I play some more with my babies.” He smiled and turned back to the children.
I chuckled and got up from the couch. I was about to leave when there was a soft knock on the door. “Are you expecting someone?.” Daniel asked, gesturing to the door.
“Uhm, No. I’m not sure.” I gulped and looked around wide eyed.
“Let me get it.” Daniel said as he got up from the couch.
“No, it’s alright. I’ll get it.” I stopped him.
“Are you sure?”. He asked with raised brows.
“Yes”. I said with a smile. I straightened myself and walked slowly to the door. We heard a soft knock again before I exhaled and pulled the door open.
“Alex!”. I spluttered out as I stared at him in surprise. He was standing there in all his glory with his gray eyes piercing into my soul.
My heart skipped a beat as I set my eyes on him. He looked so good as usual. The dark green hoodie and the light green loose pants made him ten times hotter.
“Can I come in?”. He said softly with raised brows.
“Yeah, sure.” I said moving aside for him. It wasn’t uncommon for Alex to be here, I was just surprised that he was here the same time as his father. It had never happened before. I figured since they lived together, each would know when the other was visiting.
“Father”. He said with a curt nod.
“Alex”. Daniel responded with a nod too.
“You can see your children.” I said quickly, rushing into my room to avoid any conversation with Alex.
“No, wait!.” Alex’s deep voice resonated in the room, halting me in my steps.
“I came here to see them and also for another reason.” He said in a firm tone.
“What reason?”. I said turning around.
“I have to speak to you.” He said in a firm tone.
“Well I said no, you can’t speak to me.” I hissed and turned around to leave.
Abruptly, he pulled me back into his chest. “This will end now.” He spat out. “I’m done letting you walk away from me. I had respected your decision and stayed away from you and our children despite how much it killed me but I’m done with that now.”
“You have to listen to me… please”. He begged.
I pulled myself away from him and eyed him. He had his usual cold and expressionless facade on but I could see through him. His eyes on the other hand, held so much emotion. He stared at me with pleading eyes. He looked so broken, like he had so much to say and I had to let him so he would be relieved.
I walked slowly to the couch and picked up my children from Daniel. Alex followed slowly behind me and also took a seat at the opposite direction.
I stared at him for a while as i cradled my children. I guess it was time for me to hear him out. It was time to get answers to the numerous questions that had been eating me out, no matter how much I dreaded the truth.
It was time for me to know how she did and why. This truth would also lead to so many changes in all our lives.
Whether I would forgive Alex and let him back in my live, depends on what he has to say. I guess I was ready. Here goes nothing… “I’m listening.” I whispered.
“Thank you.” He said with a tight smile.
“I guess I should give you some privacy.” Daniel coughed and was about to leave when Alex stopped him.
“No.!” Alex barked out. “Sit down!”. He ordered, glaring at Daniel. “It’s very important for you to be here.” Alex said with a sneer.
Daniel just looked around wide eyed before glaring at Alex and sat quietly. I looked at both of them in surprise. What the hell was that about. How was Daniel involved in all of these.
Did Daniel cause the death of my mother?, oh no not him. Please…
I had come to love him and the children also. Was it possible for me to ever find peace?.