The Best Mistake

Chapter Thirty-Four

We went shopping in L.A Sunday morning. Mason's announcement sent paparazzi wild like gasoline on fire. He reassured me that it was only temporary and eventually they will find another muse to latch onto. Although it was hectic, Regina still insisted that we shopped. By the time as we made it back to Seattle, I had triple the amount of luggage than when we left. We had our few ups and downs, but the trip overall was fabulous. The girls and I got home late Sunday night after Mason had dropped us off explaining that he'd be at Caleb's for a while. Royce was not home when we arrived and I was slightly disappointed, but not exactly surprised. Spot greeted me to the door eagerly and I smiled at his familiar face. The girls were dead on their feet so I quickly got them into something more comfortable before putting them to bed. After such an eventful week, I was happy to have them in the comfort of our home. I flipped on the light in my bedroom and noticed a note placed on my pillow. Royce explained that he would be back home tomorrow afternoon and that he wanted to talk. I sighed, tossing the note aside sullenly before getting ready for bed and slowly finding my way underneath the covers. Spot joined me at my feet.
 
The next morning, I struggled to get the girls and I ready to start our day. Caleb made it clear that we both had our work cut out for us. I don't see how they can live such an extraordinary life and still have to work full time. I was surprised to see Maxo's car parked out front and quickly opened the door. He stood casually near the front door as he stared straight ahead.
 
'Maxo."
 
"Good morning Ms. Shawn." He nodded turning around.
 
"Hi, um when did you get in?"
 
Maxo looked at me confused for a moment. "I was here last night Ms. Shawn. Mr Reynolds informed me of your arrival."
 
"Oh, well did you enjoy your vacation?"
 
"Yes, I did."
 
"Do you want some coffee? I made a big batch."
 
"Oh no thank you ma'am." He smiled politely.
 
"Well let me know." I said closing the door. I don't think he ever would. No matter what I offer our bodyguards they refuse. Maybe it was some kind of rule for them. After going through the tedious morning routine with the girls, I was almost ready for work when there was a knock at the door. Assuming it was Maxo, I yanked the door open quickly but was thrown off seeing Mason's relaxed grin.
 
"Rough night?" His smile widened exposing his annoyingly perfect teeth and I rolled my eyes. "Come on, don't be like that." I stepped aside to let him enter the house. "Is Royce around?"
 
I shook my head, "Duty calls."
 
"Not much of a surprise." He mumbled.
 
"Meaning what?"
 
"Nothing."
 
"Hi daddy." The girls gushed as they hurried down the stairs. "You play with us?" Lily asked excitedly.
 
Mason crouched to their level and hugged them close. "That's part of the reason why I'm here."
 
"You want to play with them? I can't ditch work I have a lot to do, we are about to publish." I reminded him.
 
"I know, I know. I was wondering if I can spend some alone time with the girls. Maybe take them to the park." He looked sheepish as he straightened up.
 
I hesitated for a moment. "You want to take them out alone?"
 
"Is that bad?"
 
"Um" It doesn't matter who they are or how much you trust a person, you will always worry about your children when they are not by your side. I know that Mason was going to have to learn to take care of them without my assistance, I just didn't realize how hard it would be to share them. Mason stared at me expectantly but also wary. "Sure." I relented.
 
His shoulders relaxed, "Really?"
 
"Yea, I have a lot of work to do today and I wouldn't have to worry about racing to get them after work before my mom has to leave for her shift."
 
"Thank you, thank you so much. We'll have a great day together."
 
"Well they haven't eaten breakfast yet..."
 
"No, it's okay. I can take them out for breakfast." He said quickly.
 
I smiled and nodded before looking at the girls. "What do you say to spending a day with daddy?" 
"Yes!" They yelled.
 
"Get your shoes."
 
Mason beamed as the girls went for their shoes. I handed him their bags that were placed near the door. "Anything I should know?"
 
"No, you pretty much know everything when it comes to the girls. They don't have any known allergies and they're pretty straight forward, just please pay close attention to them."
 
"Of course, you know I will. I'll take them for breakfast, carry them to the park and probably hang out at Caleb's place."
 
"Sounds good."
 
"By the way, I have to leave for New York in the morning."
 
"Oh, for how long?"
 
"About a week?" He shrugged. "There are a few things I promised my father I'd help him out with, and we have a meeting with Chasity's father."
 
"The big shot lawyer with his wildly popular law firm?"
 
"The very one." Mason chuckled.
 
"What would happen if he decided that he doesn't want to join up with your dad?"
 
"Cardiac arrest no doubt." He rolled his eyes and I grinned. The girls came padding down the stairs happily. Peppa only had one shoe on while Lily's shoes were on the wrong foot and I laughed before helping them.
 
"I need you to be good girls for daddy, okay? Listen to him, stay by his side at all times and absolutely no fighting." I warned.
 
"Okay mommy." They nodded. I hugged them close and gave them kisses. "If there are any problems or bad behavior, it helps if you give them time outs or simply talk to them. They understand more than you think."
 
"No problem, I'll keep you posted throughout the day."
 
"Alright, see you guys later." I smiled.
 
After they were out the door, I was able to get fully dressed and feed Spot on my way out. Maxo got me to work early since we didn't have to carry the girls to my mother. Once I stepped into the office, everyone looked in my direction for a moment. Some went right back to work while others continued to stare and whisper. It was safe to say that the cat's out of the bag and the entire office knew about my encounters with the Reynolds family. At least I wasn't fraternizing with the boss. I cleared my throat and tried my best to ignore the looks as I made my way to the elevator, thankful I'd be away from the scrutiny once I was in the comfort of my little private lobby. I glimpsed Julia before I reached the elevator and decided to go to her. I smiled as our eyes made contact and she shook her head before moving from her cubicle. Confused, I followed her quickly.
 
"Jules." I called out, but she kept walking. What is her problem? I caught up to her and tugged her arm. "Julia what is it?"
 
She yanked her arm out of my grasp. "What do you want Ava?"
 
"Uh, a hello? How are you, maybe an explanation?"
 
"Don't pretend that you care."
 
"I do care."
 
"Really? Are you sure?" She scoffed.
 
"What's wrong with you?" I asked, baffled by her attitude. She turned away swiftly and headed into the restroom, of course I followed her. "Julia talk to me."
 
"Oh, now you want me to talk to you."
 
"What do you mean?"
 
"Did you even check your phone at all last week Ava?"
 
"Barely, I was going through something and I was distracted."
 
"Yea by your million dollar baby daddy and extravagant events."
 
"I'm sorry I didn't realize you would be upset..."
 
"I texted you Ava, I called you and you didn't even care to respond."
 
I vaguely remembered receiving a few miscalls from her but Regina distracted me, and I forgot. "Julia I barely talked to my own mother last week, too much was going on."
 
"God, all I asked for was a bit of human decency and consideration. At least tell me that you're busy or that you don't want to talk, don't ignore me."
 
"Okay! What is this, high school? You're mad that I didn't return your calls? We are both adults, Julia. We don't have to talk everyday, we both have our own lives. I was distracted, okay? It's not that serious, next time I promise to return your calls."
 
"Fuck the calls Ava! I needed you, I needed you and you were too wrapped up in your own little fairy tale to care!"
 
"Julia you were all for me taking chances and making the best choices for the girls and now you're giving me shit over it? How the hell is that fair?"
 
"I almost lost my baby!" She yelled.
 
"What?" Instinctively I glanced down to make sure she still had her little baby bump. "What do you mean?"
 
"Are you deaf?! I said I almost lost my baby. I sat in that hospital for three fucking days not knowing if me or my baby would make it. Steven was trapped in another fucking country and I was completely alone!"
 
"Julia..." I was lost for words.
 
"I needed you. Even if it was only a phone call to reassure me. You told me that I'd never be alone in this, that if I needed you just call. I stood by you hand and foot when you were pregnant and the one time I really needed you, you weren't there! You were too busy drinking your fancy wines, dressing in your fancy clothes and boarding your private plane." She seethed. "But we're not in high school, right? Fuck you Ava."
 
Before I could respond she marched out of the bathroom without another word. I pressed the heel of my hand to my forehead and groaned. I hated to admit it, but she was right. Julia and Cat were both by my side throughout my pregnancy and waited on me hand and foot. The least I could do was the same thing. I was so caught up in my own little bubble that I didn't even consider that something was truly wrong with her. I pulled myself together as much as I could and headed to the top floor. Caleb was making coffee when I arrived.
 
"Early." He smiled.
 
"Um yea, Mason took the girls out for today." I mumbled absentmindedly.
 
Caleb lifted his brows, "Wow really? That's a pretty big deal."
 
"Yea it is."
 
"Is that why you look so out of it? You know he'd never let anything happen to them."
 
"Yea, I know. That's not it."
 
"Well what is it then?"
 
"Did you know that Julia was in a hospital last week?" I asked.
 
"Oh, yea Turner informed me that she sent in a sick slip. She had a few complications."
 
"You didn't mention it."
 
"I thought you knew. You two are so close."
 
"Well I didn't know about it until now." I mumbled.
 
"Why?"
 
"She was trying to reach me for a few days, and I was so distracted I didn't return her calls. She's so pissed, and I was so selfish." I admitted.
 
Caleb stared at me for a long moment almost as if he was reading my face. "Ava, wanting to escape reality for a little while isn't a crime. It's the reason most readers love to read, to escape even if it's only for a moment."
 
"What's the point of escaping if you end up hurting people in the process?"
 
He placed his hand on my shoulder comfortingly. "You won't be able to be there for everyone. Give her some time, she'll come around." I nodded and he receded to his office.
 
My phone chimed when I sat behind my desk and I noticed it was a selfie that Mason sent me with him and the girls eating breakfast, and for a moment, things were okay. The rest of the morning I was to my elbows in paperwork. I was so accustomed to being here daily and completing tasks the minute they arrived, but my mini vacation allowed plenty to pile up. Caleb barely called for me or left his office and I knew he had his share of work to do also. Beverly and I were finally done with editing her book last week while I was at Mason's house and of course I emailed it to Caleb. I had no clue if he loved it or even read it yet and it made me a tad bit angsty. It was way past lunchtime before I finally took a breather from my workload.
 
"Ava come here a moment." Caleb called.
 
I got up from my desk and entered his office. "Yes?"
 
He was staring at his laptop for a moment with a blank expression. His hands were clasped firmly under his chin before a thoughtful look touched his features. "I was reading the newest edition to Beverly's novel that you sent me."
 
My breathing stopped, "And?"
 
"And I don't like it."
 
My heart hammered in my chest. "What's wrong with it?"
 
"I love it."
 
"I thought it was pretty good, I don't understand what you don't like, maybe we have time to fix it, I can try loo..."
 
"Avaaaa." Caleb laughed.
 
"What?" I asked confused.
 
"I said that I love it."
 
I gasped, "Oh my God really?"
 
"Yes, yes of course this was wonderful."
 
"Oh my God you swear it?"
 
"Yes. I dare say we are ready to print, I already called Beverly to come in tomorrow."
 
I squealed happily. "Oh, thank you thank you." I chanted as I hopped in one spot.
 
Caleb chuckled, "I knew you had it in you. You ladies took a short story offline and turned it into an amazing novel."
 
"Thank you so much for trusting me with this."
 
"Anything to see you bounce like a four year old." He grinned. "Maybe you're adopting more of your kids mannerism than you think."
 
"Shush, I'm excited." I laughed.
 
Suddenly Caleb's phone began to ring, and he held up a hand for me to hold on. "Hello? Hey what's up bro?" My interest peaked. "Whoa, slow down, what is it? She's right here."
 
My stomach plummeted, "What is it?" I pleaded as I moved closer to his desk. He handed me his phone and I nearly yanked it from his fingers in my haste. "Hello? Mason what's wrong?"
 
"I called your phone."
 
"It's on my desk. I didn't hear it. What happened?"
 
"Ava, please I don't want you to panic, okay?"
 
"Cut the shit Mason what's wrong are the girls okay?" I could hear crying in the background, and it made my stomach turn. I ran to my desk quickly grabbing my things.
 
"We are headed to the hospital." He admitted. I hung up right then and grabbed my bag.
 
"What's going on?" Caleb asked.
 
"I don't know. Mason is going to the hospital with the girls." I stuttered out. "I have to...I have..."
 
"It's okay Ava. Let's go, I'm right behind you." Caleb nodded quickly.
 
I called my mom and messaged Royce as Caleb and I headed for the hospital. Every muscle in my body was balled so tight I thought for sure I would collapse. We busted through the pediatric section quickly and my breaths were becoming shallow as I felt like my biggest fear was coming to life. I was frantic in my search for Mason and finally caught a glimpse of his hair in a private room. I rushed through the door noting that Peppa sat on the white bed in the office with tear stained cheeks. Mason's head snapped up at my entrance and saw a hint of relief in his eyes.
 
"Momma." Peppa whimpered.
 
"What happened, what's going on?" I gasped out.
 
"Ava relax it's okay she's okay."
 
Lily was in his right arm and held Peppa's hand in his next hand. I went to her side quickly looking for any injury. It was then that I noticed the doctor writing on a clipboard.
 
"I'm assuming you are the mother?" He asked.
 
"Yes, yes I am. What's going on?" I pleaded.
 
"Mrs. Reynolds, I'm Dr. Stuart you can relax it's just a sprain. She'll be okay." He gestured to Peppa's wrist that was bandaged.
 
I was too distracted to correct him and simply pulled Peppa close. "What happened?"
 
"They were playing on the slides and this kid just started jumping off the little steps for fun, of course they were willing to try it." He shook his head.
 
"A kid was jumping from the stairs in the back of the slide and they followed behind him?!"
 
"The kid was probably five or six so it was nothing for him, but as for the girls..." He shook his head. "I managed to catch Peppa before too much damage could be done but she still knocked her wrist." He said sadly.
 
For the first time in nearly an hour I was about to catch my breath. "Lily, Peppa you both know not to copy everything other kids do. You could've been seriously hurt." I chastised.
 
"Swooy momma." They mumbled. I pulled Peppa close and kissed her cheeks and her bandaged wrist softly. "You're okay baby, my brave girl." I whispered.
 
"I'm brave." Her voice cracked.
 
"Yes, baby you're so brave, mommy's here now." I kissed her again.
 
"I'm so sorry Ava. My first day alone with them and this happened." He groaned.
 
I patted his arm gently. "It's okay, they're fine. You did the right thing bringing her here." I reassured him. "You okay baby?" I asked Lily. She nodded quietly as she watched Peppa. Although they tend to have their differences and fight a lot, it was clear she loves her sister.
 
"I gave her some Tylenol for the pain, and I suggest you do the same no more than three times daily as needed. I'll get a nurse to make a follow up appointment so we can see her in two weeks. She should be as good as new."
 
I nodded, "Thank you." The doctor smiled lightly before leaving the room.
 
"I expected Lily to be the daredevil, not you Peppa." Caleb chuckled. I laughed agreeing with him as Mason set her on the bed next to Peppa.
 
"Did you message Cat?" I asked.
 
"Yea I did, she was stuck in an interview I told her everything is okay."
 
"Good."
 
Just then, Royce and my mother frantically entered the room looking around. I had no doubt that I probably looked the same way ten minutes ago. Royce was still wearing his uniform and he stared at me for a moment before his eyes landed on Peppa. He rushed to her side quickly.
 
"What happened?" He asked.
 
"Roy!" They shouted in glee.
 
"Is she okay?" My mom asked.
 
I nodded quickly, "They were at the park. It's just a sprained wrist the doctor said, she'll be fine." I explained.
 
"Oh, thank The lord." She placed her hand over her chest lightly trying to catch her breath.
 
"I'm sorry for making you rush down here, I panicked."
 
She shook her head, "As you should sweetheart. It's okay once the girls are fine." She pulled me into a hug.
 
"Mason, Caleb nice to see you gentlemen again. Hope you enjoyed your trip."
 
"Yes, we did." Caleb said. Mason didn't respond and I looked to see that he was watching Royce interact with the girls. Royce whispered soothing words to Peppa, and she nodded happily while Lily played with the pins on his jacket. I'm pretty sure my mother and Caleb still chatted but I was to focus on Mason's face. He looked jealous.
 
"It's just a sprain, she's fine Royce." He said.
 
"I don't see how you weren't paying attention in the first place." Royce responded. His eyes never left Peppa's wrist.
 
"I was watching her. I didn't take my eyes off her, that's why I was able to catch her." Mason got defensive.
 
"Guys." I warned gently.
 
"If you were you wouldn't have had to catch her."
 
"I didn't realize that they were paying attention to that little boy let alone would've mimicked his actions."
 
"I took those girls to the park multiple times and nothing like this ever happened." Royce said, finally looking at Mason.
 
"Well aren't you the father of the year." Mason glared.
 
"I probably am, I've been here this entire time, where were you? Living it up in the spotlight."
 
"That wasn't by choice! Had you not forced Ava to stop looking for me we wouldn't be having this conversation, now would we?"
 
"Guys, stop it." I said.
 
"I was there when they were born, I watched the first time they rolled over, clapped, first steps. I wiped every single tear away. They didn't need you." Royce said ignoring me. Mason's eyes darkened and my heart spiked as the conversation progressed. 
 
"Please." I tried again.
 
"Really? Are you sure you've been there this entire time? Always walking out the door, always flying from country to country probably having your own endeavours on the way?" Mason approached him until they were mere inches apart. "Let me tell you something, you might have been there from the beginning, but I will be here until the very end, don't you forget that." He hissed.
 
"The hell you are!" Royce stepped even closer.
 
"Hey hey!" Caleb and I both rushed forward to put distance between the two men. "Stop it please! This is not the place or the time, not now not ever."
 
"Take it easy man, relax. Think of your girls." Caleb said to Mason soothingly. The girls whimpered shocked by the exchange and I moved to their side quickly.
 
A nurse opened the door. "Is everything okay in here?"
 
"Yes, I'm sorry everything is fine." I reassured her. She handed me a few papers and I thanked her. "We'll be out your way shortly." She hesitated by the door taking in the tense scene before nodding and leaving. The room was silent for a moment.
 
Mason pushed past Caleb, approached the girls slowly and leaned in to kiss them. He whispered something to them, and they nodded. "Okay daddy." They responded. Royce bristled instantly at the word and I half expected steam to come out of his ears.
 
"My apologies." Mason said before dipping out of the room.
 
"Watch them for a minute." I said to no one in particular as I dashed out behind him.
 
"Mason, Hey!" I called out as he reached the empty elevator. I slipped inside right behind him before the door closed. "What the hell was that?"
 
"I apologized." He replied.
 
"You told me not to goad Chasity, so I'd appreciate if you didn't do the same to Royce."
 
"You've got to be kidding me. Did not hear what he was saying to me or were you playing deaf."
 
"I heard what he said but not everything needs a response."
 
Mason stared at me incredulously. "Do not talk to me like I'm one of our kids Ava. You're over here defending a man who is trying to take my place!"
 
"He is not!"
 
"I was there when they were born, wiped every tear." He said mockingly. "What the hell did you think that was, a figure of speech?!" I sighed turning away from him. "He was there at the beginning. I get that okay, but I am here now and I'm not going anywhere. You and him did not create those girls you and I did. I'd appreciate it if you'd defend me just like you did him, I am their father."
 
I spun around. "I know that! Don't you think I do? I will talk to him. I just don't want you two fighting, especially in front of the girls. This isn't a competition." I pleaded. I looked away from him again and tried to calm my breathing as the elevator continued to descend.
 
Mason grabbed my wrist to pull me to face him before grasping my chin gently, forcing me to look into his eyes. "I'm sorry okay? I don't want a fight either but if I feel someone is trying to take my place, I will defend myself. I will fight. I won't allow another man to stand between me and my kids Ava." He released my chin just as the elevator opened. "I leave for New York tomorrow. I'll call you." I sighed gently as he left, and the doors closed once again.
 
By the time as we all left the hospital it was 6pm and I was glad to be mostly done with work. My mom, Caleb and I said our goodbyes before going our separate ways. Royce took my mother home while Maxo took the girls and I home. I was feeding them dinner by the time Royce got in. We didn't say a word as we ate and went through the familiar routine of putting the girls to bed. Peppa took a little longer to get settled in as expected and soon, it was just us. I stared at him across the room as he cleaned his shoes, no doubt trying to distract himself. I won't have it though, we needed to talk.
 
"You do realize you were out of line today." I started. Royce sighed and his shoulders dropped slightly. "Especially under the circumstances, you know the progress he's been making with them."
 
"Yes, I know." He mumbled. "I just lost it seeing her sit on that bed after being in his care."
 
"It was a freaking accident Royce and he still did the right thing. It could've happened to any of us."  
 
"Well it didn't."
 
"Stop it." I warned.
 
Royce nodded, "So daddy huh?"
 
"Are you surprised? He is their father Royce and you have been cringing over the word since they were born."
 
"Well now he is here to save the day, right?"
 
"Don't act like I'm the bad guy here. Stop pretending that you care."
 
"I do care!"
 
"Really? After you refused to even call the girls since we left on Monday? They haven't seen your ass since last week and you don't even care."
 
"That's not true I do care, you know I do. I was just upset."
 
"That's not what you do Royce. No matter how angry you are at me you're still supposed to love them and be there, like you always say."
 
"Just after the fight that night, you left. You took them the next day and went to HIM and went to L.A with your new rich family. You didn't give a rat's ass about me."
 
"Are you serious? What? Are you the only one allowed to get mad and run away? You walk out that door every time things get too hard and I stay! For once, I wanted to escape!"
 
"But I came back! I always come back, and I try to work through it with you. I was upset!"
 
I stood from the bed instantly. "You're not the victim here anymore! I made one mistake, ONE and you took that and went wild! You had an entire relationship and you didn't even tell me!"
 
"Are we on that again?"
 
"Are you kidding me?!"
 
"I was wrong okay?! I was wrong, I was stupid and a hypocrite okay! I should've told you but after I realized I wanted to work us out I was afraid that telling you would've sent us spiraling."
 
"That doesn't make it okay Royce! We are spiraling now so you might as well have told me anyways." I cried.
 
"It was the past Ava. She meant nothing and all I wanted was you." His voice cracked.
 
"Like my past?" I reminded him.
 
"Mason still is here."
 
"And so is Isabell." Royce hung his head sadly for a moment and we stood in silence. Worlds a part. "So, what now?"
 
"What do you mean?"
 
"What do you want?" I clarified.
 
He walked around the bed swiftly and took my face in his hands firmly before placing his forehead against my own. "I want you. Don't you know that I always wanted you? I don't want to lose this, to lose us Ava. Do you?" He pleaded.
 
My lips trembled slightly, "No I don't.”
 
"Then let's leave the past in the past, a clean slate. I don't want Isabell, you're it for me." He whispered.
 
Before I could respond his lips clashed into mine and the familiarity of him took its course. I sighed gently as we tongued and pulled him closer. He removed my top, exposing my breasts to the cold air. With one arm he circled my waist and lifted me off my feet, my legs circled his waist instantly as our lips and tongues war continued. I buried my fingers into his hair and desperately tried to catch my breath against his lips. He lowered us onto the bed and I swam into the bliss that was Royce.