“I’m sorry about that, Beatrix. Eva isn’t keeping well because of her pregnancy and I couldn’t take your call,” apologized Alexander, feeling guilty for ignoring her plea for help.
“I understand, Alexander. I know how much I’ve tormented you with my stubbornness and I’m sorry for everything I did,” said Beatrix and this time she genuinely looked ashamed of herself.
“So am I. Everything happened for a reason. We weren’t meant for one another.”
“Yes and I’ve learned my lesson the hard way,” said Beatrix with a sigh.
“It’s better to move on now. Have a good life with Fairfield. I’ll contact Mr. Fitzgerald and start hunting for the evidence Mr. Strasbourg had hidden somewhere,” said Alexander, but Beatrix stopped him.
“Wait! I have a request, Alexander.”
“Tell me!” Alexander knew what she would ask of him, but he wasn’t ready to go into that again.
“Please come back to Rotterdams, Alexander. The company needs you. Right now, Mr. McCabe is the current CEO, but I want you to look after the business like you used to.”
“Why don’t you look after your own business, Beatrix? You were picking up fine under me. Why can’t you train under Mr. McCabe and pick up the reins of the company? I can always guide you, but I don’t think I would want to work for someone else. Maybe I’ll chase my own dreams now. I hope you understand,” said Alexander apologetically.
“I can’t do justice to something as huge as Rotterdams. Let’s have a fifty percent partnership then? Rotterdams is yours, Alexander. Just give me a fifty percent profit share. That’s all!” said Beatrix.
“No, that’s not fair. It was uncle Desmond’s dream company and it should remain yours, Beatrix. One day you’ll thank me when you pass the business down to your children as a legacy. So gear up and learn to handle the business yourself. You will falter, but you will learn and one day you will succeed.”
“I guess you’re right, Alexander. I never thought of it that way. Yes, I’ll start looking after Rotterdams myself. Thank you for instilling confidence in me.”
Alexander left after some time, going straight to Mr. Fitzgerald’s office. He updated his lawyer about his conversation with Beatrix.
“I knew she would open up more to you. Mr. Strasbourg’s son is here for the funeral. I’ll ask him to help us in our search for the evidence.”
Later, Alexander picked Eva up from her hospital and drove home to get ready for dinner.
“What will I wear, Alexander? Are your parents too particular about dinner dress codes?” she asked sorting through her useless collection.
“I’m not sure. Why don’t you call Lisa and find out?” said Alexander, looking clueless. He wore whatever he wanted but didn’t know about women.
Eva called Lisa, and she guided her properly. She chose a peach-colored semi-formal A-line dress with a simple round neckline and a cinched waist. It brought out the rosy glow on her cheeks, making her look warm and beautiful. Alexander sat and watched her, spellbound by the transformation in her.
“When did you buy this dress? Did Maxwell buy it for you?” he asked, sitting upright as if to fight her. Eva’s jaws dropped at his sudden question.
“No, why would he? Aunt Claudia bought it for me.” He relaxed and flashed an apologetic grin that softened her.
“Aren’t you getting ready?” she asked him. Alexander chuckled and got up, wearing a pair of worn-out jeans and a shirt.
“No, I always go this way. Why should I dress up?” Eva grimaced at the clothes he’d been wearing the whole day.
“Why not? You can dress up for me? We’re going out to make memories with your parents. I’ll take some photographs too and maybe frame them later.”
“Oh, why didn’t you say that before? I’ll be ready in a jiffy!” Alexander stripped off and rushed to take a quick shower, making her chuckle. He was ready in ten minutes, looking freshly showered and handsome in a pair of light-colored chinos and a black silk shirt.
“I’ve never dressed up so much when going home,” he admitted as they locked up their apartment.
“It will be worth it, Alexander!” she urged him. They drove over to his parents’ house and this time Alexander noticed how relaxed and beautiful Eva looked. He was relieved that finally, his wish had come true. As he parked his car, he smiled at seeing Nicholas’s car too in the garage.
“Alyssa’s also here. It should be a family gathering!” said Alexander’s making Eva’s face brighten up even more.
“Oh, my gosh. We just brought a bouquet and champagne. We should have got something better,” said Eva nervously.
“Relax, Alyssa surely didn’t get even that. I’m sure mom will be super excited to receive your gifts.” They walked over to the front door and Alexander pressed the doorbell. Eva’s smile disappeared and her heart thumped loudly in her chest as she developed cold feet at the last moment.
“Smile, Eva. Stop worrying so much,” whispered Alexander, but just then the door opened and Alyssa squealed with delight.
“Eva, finally you made it here. I’ve been waiting for an hour to meet you. Oh, what are these? Are they for me?” she asked, and Alexander rolled his eyes at her.
“No silly. Bribe for mom,” he said in a low whisper, making them giggle.
“I heard you, Alexander! With your booming voice, even a whisper echoes all around. Didn’t you know that?” said his mom, coming forward. Alexander groaned, and they chuckled.
“Come inside, Eva. What did you bring for me?” Eva handed her the gifts and she gasped at seeing the bouquet. They were her favorite tulips.
“Lovely. Thank you so much, Eva. These four never get me anything,” she said, embracing her warmly for the first time, taking Eva by surprise. They all grinned and Eva returned the embrace, feeling overwhelmed. She had wanted them to accept her, and they did. She could feel the warmth this time! It was heartfelt.
“Four? Who? Me as well?” asked Alexander’s dad with his jaws dropped to the floor. They howled with laughter and even Eva couldn’t stop the giggle from escaping her lips.
“Definitely, Daniel. No gifts, no outings! When was the last time we went out? I think California was our last trip.”
“Chill, mom, dad! Next time we can have a family trip somewhere. Maybe we all can go to California to see granny and grandpa,” said Alyssa.
“Yes, that’s a good idea. I didn’t get to meet them,” said Nicholas, coming forward.
“Your wedding was hurried. They couldn’t come down at such short notice,” said Alexander’s mom.
“So, Eva, where’s my gift?” asked his dad with a chuckle while Eva looked tense.
“I brought the champagne for you, Mr. Van Every. Next time, I’ll surely get something better for you,” she mumbled, feeling guilty.
“Daniel, please stop terrorizing the poor girl. Here you can have your champagne,” said Alexander’s mom.
They sat down in the living room and his dad took the bottle of champagne from his wife’s hands and smiled at Eva. “Thank you, Eva. Shall we celebrate your homecoming with champagne?”
“We can, but Eva can’t have it. It causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in the unborn baby,” said Alexander, and they all looked baffled.
“That’s amazing bro. How do you know so much about pregnancies?” asked a clueless Nicholas.
“He researches whenever he’s free,” said Eva.
“Wow! You’re such a wonderful dad already, bro! Nicholas, learn something,” said Alyssa. Alexander’s dad opened the bottle, and they cheered to celebrate Eva’s homecoming. There was excitement in the air and later they led her towards the table to enjoy a delightful dinner. Alexander’s dad looked at his little family and couldn’t believe that it was finally happening. He should have reconciled with Eva long ago. His family now looked perfect!
“Children, I’m honored to have you all here to enjoy the evening with us. I want to have many more such get-togethers, at least once every month. Don’t you agree?” he asked hopefully.
“Yes, dad. We’ll definitely come over whenever you want us to,” said Alexander.
“You can come over to our place too, Mr. Van Every, Mrs. Van Every,” said Eva while Alyssa groaned.
“We will if you call us anything else. Maybe uncle and aunt or anything you’re comfortable with. I would prefer you call us mom and dad as Alexander does. I know we didn’t particularly behave well with you, but we want to make amends, Eva. We want to be your mom and dad. Can you forget the past and forgive us? Can you give us a chance to be your parents?” said his mom with a solemn look on her face.
“Yes, mom and dad! I have forgotten the past!” she said softly.
“Thank you, Eva. It means a lot to us,” said his dad. Alexander sought her hand under the table and clasped it to thank her for reconciling all differences finally.
“So when are you visiting us?” asked Alexander.
“Maybe when you move into the penthouse. I can’t park my car in Bronx nor can we stay over at your place now even if we want to,” said his dad.
“The penthouse would be good for your baby too, Eva. It will get lots of space to grow and we can stay over and help you look after the little one,” coaxed Alexander’s mom.
“The neighborhood is better, and it has all the luxuries of life, but mostly it would make us happy if you move in there,” said his dad.
Eva smiled at their reasoning. Of course, she didn’t mind moving into the penthouse. It was Alexander’s home, and she had stayed there many times.
“We’ll move into the penthouse soon,” she said, and Alexander smiled with relief.
“That would be great. We too can come for stayovers,” said Alyssa.
They made plans for a trip to California after Alexander’s trial and Eva smiled, feeling that her prayers have finally been heard. She found her family and parents at last!