The Best Mistake

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Mason's POV
Some time ago, I would've described my life as being monotonous. Going through the same endless patterns, dealing with the same prerogative people and being docile towards my remorseless father. I'm proud to say that was no longer the case, euphoric actually. Ava, Lily and Peppa brought me the sun in the middle of my endless darkness. I wasn't even aware of how empty I was until they filled me up. Becoming a father was one of my greatest decisions, so I can't see how my father can be so stony, so callous and unmerciful. Where was his heart all these years? I don't think even he knew the answer. The last few days, I was reminded just how tedious being a Reynolds is. I threw myself into work, mentally kicking myself for being so easily side tracked. One thought of my girls and I couldn't help the grin that came over my face. I shoved my inner Charles away immediately because although I hate being behind on work, it was more than worth it to spend time with my children. My relationship with my father has been spiraling since the DNA test, even more after the charity ball. The old Mason would be itching to get back in his good graces but as it stands, I don't give a shit. My father realizes this, and it only angered him more. I love my father, I really do but I won't ever put him over my children. I wished he thought the same way years ago. Although I was swamped with work, it didn't stop me from calling the girls for ten to twenty minutes daily just to listen to them babble on about their day. I loved it. It wasn't long until I was able to catch up with all my work and meetings, and I was even able to complete several projects ahead of schedule. By Thursday, I was able to set my beach plans into motion. After I was done with work, I headed to my parents’ house, at my mother's persistence, to play a little golf.
 
"I want to plan a beach day on Saturday." I said. It was Jason's turn and he was extremely focused. He was always determined to beat me but never actually succeeded.
 
"Sounds like fun." Mom said.
 
"I can use a dash of normalcy after this week." I nodded with her agreeing.
 
"Tell me about it. I have to fly to Chicago tomorrow, but I'll be back by Saturday morning."
 
"Good, I'll be making arrangements for food, drinks and a few other things. We'll be there around noon." Jason groaned as he missed, and I smiled cheekily.
 
"What are we talking about?" He asked confused.
 
Regina shook her head, "Do you see why I don't waste my time talking to you sometimes." She said jokingly.
 
"Because you know that most of the time, I'm not paying attention to your mindless chatter."
 
"Oh, it's mindless now? You usually like my chatter, especially last night." She grinned.
 
I gagged, "Please stop."
 
"Please do." Mom added. "How are the girls? I haven't had the time to call them since Tuesday."
 
"They're great actually, it still surprises me how advanced they are."
 
"I'm not surprised. It's in their blood. You and Caleb were a force of nature, completely unstoppable." She smiled. Suddenly a remorseful look came over her face and I didn't have to ask why.
 
"He'll come around eventually mom."
 
"Not with daddy's attitude." Regina sighed.
 
"Your father is rather complex, but he loves all of you."
 
"Could've fooled me." I mumbled.
 
"Speak of the devil." Jason mumbled stepping aside allowing us to see dad walking towards us.
 
"There you all are. Mason, a word?" He said.
 
I mentally sighed before moving over to his side. "Yea?"
 
"We need to attend a meeting on Saturday."
 
"Again? What meeting?"
 
Dad gave me an unimpressed look at my interruption before continuing. "Mr. Darrell has finally come to a decision concerning C&D's law firm. He's coming down for a final meeting on Saturday and the contract will be officially signed on Monday.",
 
"Well you know I would be there..."
 
"You better not say but."
 
I folded my arms, "But, I have plans on Saturday."
 
"Plans? What plans?" His eyes narrowed.
 
"Plans that I won't reschedule. I worked hard this week. Saturday is my day off."
 
"Since when? Mason, do you realize how hard we worked to close this deal? This is your future father in law."
 
My eyebrows shot up at his words. "Father in law?"
 
"Yes." He growled.
 
"It doesn't matter dad, you don't need me there, you worked towards this deal all on your own."
 
"You know you will be the face for that deal Mason cut the crap and cancel your plans."
 
"I already gave my word."
 
"Who you could've possibly given your word to and it better not be that God forsaken woman." I sucked in a breath and stepped closer to him.
 
"Mason." My mother warned cautiously behind me, but I ignored her, eyes never leaving my father's.
 
"Don't you dare talk about her. She is the mother of my children, YOUR grandchildren."
 
"She has done nothing but distract you from what is important."
 
"My children ARE important, and they will always come first." I stated.
 
"Mason, I have dealt with your attitude long enough and I have had it with your nonsense. You're being selfish, unprofessional and completely irrational. You are about to throw away years of hard work over some fling?! I will not dawdle anymore. You WILL be there on Saturday."
 
One time ago, his malicious words would've sent me running with my tail between my legs so to speak. I'd agree to his demands in fear of upsetting him and be on my way, but I can't. This is no longer about the beach day. This is about the constant disrespect that is thrown at Ava with or without her presence. I have allowed my father to rob me of my dignity and self-respect for the last time.
 
"No."
 
His eyes widened. "What did you say?" He looked absolutely flabbergasted and I would've laughed in another setting, but now wasn't the time.
 
"I said no. I refuse to be treated like your butler. I am your son and your business partner and if you can't respect me or the mother of my children, I have nothing more to say to you." He stared at me for a moment and I could see the little vein in his head pulsing rapidly. His eyes were narrowed, and his nostrils flared repeatedly. "As I said before, I will not be accompanying you on Saturday. My children come first."
 
I turned away quickly and collected my putter. There was a small smirk on Regina's face that I ignored. "I will see you all on Saturday." I said making it clear that my father should not be anywhere near there. I walked away quickly leaving my shell shocked father still standing there. I soon heard quickened footsteps behind me and turned to see Jason approaching me.
 
"I must say, your hand bells just turned into church bells back there." He chuckled.
 
"I'm not in the mood."
 
"I can tell, but I just wanted you to know that I support what you did."
 
"Really? I thought you liked my father."
 
"I like his strong work ethics and what he stands for. He's my father in law, that doesn't mean I agree with every choice he makes."
 
"Good. I won't allow him to disrespect my family."
 
"Your family huh? Well to be fair he's your family too."
 
I stopped. "Whose side are you on again?" He held up his hands in surrender before I continued walking. "Yes, he is my family also unfortunately, but my children will always come first, understand? This was the family I was born into but they're the family I created."
 
"I couldn't agree more." He nodded.
 
The next day was spent making the arrangements for the beach day. I haven't heard a single word from my father, and I knew he was truly upset. Usually he would call me over the most trivial things, but this time my phone remained silent. Guilt was the furthest thing from my mind as I made my way to the beach. Necessary arrangements had been made so that we'd be able to enjoy the beach in private. Jason, Jarvis and I were the first ones there and we watched our workers set up for the day. They set up the private beach with lounge chairs, private tents, towels, umbrellas and a large tent for the food and drinks.
 
"You sure are thorough." Jason commented.
 
"I want everything to be perfect." I said.
 
Jarvis was building a sandcastle not too far from us. "When will Regina be here?"
 
"She's already in the air so another hour or so."
 
As soon as the beach was set up, Caleb and Catherine arrived. Catherine hopped out of the car first eagerly and particularly skipped towards Jason and I.
 
"I like this one." Jason mumbled softly.
 
"That's because she's another version of your wife." I chuckled.
 
"Hi guys." She beamed. "Wow, out here looks great." She moved her shades to sit at the top of her head before looking around.
 
"That was my goal."
 
"Assholes." Caleb said joining us.
 
"Don't be so hard on yourself." I teased ruffling his hair.
 
He gave me a playful shove. "We're early?"
 
"About time." Jason said.
 
"Hey, I'm always early." Caleb stated.
 
"In what universe exactly?" I asked.
 
Catherine giggled at our antics and moved to carry her bag over to a lounge chair. "So, who's all coming to this shindig?" Caleb asked.
 
"Ava and girls along with Royce, Ava's mother, her fiancée Joey and Julia. Of course, Regina and hopefully mother also."
 
"No Chasity?"
 
"She's at her daddy's side of course."
 
"Wow, so you and Royce will be in one place? Should I keep the bodyguards close?"
 
"I should ask the same about you and mom." I pointed out.
 
"Says the guy that gave Charles Reynolds an earful."
 
"Well he won't be here." I shrugged and Caleb rolled his eyes. "I mean it. I'll be on my best behavior so I expect the same from you." I warned. Caleb shrugged.
 
The beach day was in full swing as everyone started to arrive. Julia brought her boyfriend who happens to be close friends to Royce, Amy and Joey arrived, my mother came and soon the girls were here with Ava and Royce. Ava was getting things from the back of the truck and Royce held the girls in his arms. The moment they spotted me though they wiggled until he placed them down.
 
"Daddy!" They squealed.
 
My heart swelled as they catapult themselves into my arms. "My princesses, I missed you so much." I gushed while kissing their cheeks.
 
"I miss you daddy." Peppa sighed.
 
"I missed you too." Lily added.
 
I lifted them in my arms and approached Ava and Royce cautiously. Royce gave me a half smile and head nod and I returned the gesture half-heartedly. Ava was searching through her bag for something and she finally looked towards me. Her blue eyes lit up and she smiled instantly causing a slight flutter in the pit of my stomach. I will never grow tired of seeing that smile.
 
"Hey hey, you guys found the place easily?"
 
Royce rolled his eyes, "This close to calling you to come meet us." He pinched his fingers together causing me to chuckle.
 
"We're here now so shush." Ava said.
 
"Well everyone else is here, we were only waiting on you guys." I lead them down the beach with all the setup. Lily wiggled free at the site of the toys that Jarvis was playing with but Peppa was more than content in my arms like always.
 
"Lily I have to put on your sunscreen." Ava called out. "Hey guys!" She yelled out. Everyone greeted her happily.
 
"There are my grandbabies." My mother cooed reaching for Peppa. I handed her over and grabbed Lily so we can put on their sunscreen.
 
Throughout the day, I watched the girls play and even joined in on their sand castle fun. They babbled happily about how they wanted their castle to look while I constructed it the best way I could.
 
"Wow, perks of having an architect for a father." Ava clapped. I looked up noting that she was wearing a deep blue bikini top and white shorts. I diverted my eyes quickly.
 
"Why thank you." I laughed. It was too easy to get lost in the girls.
 
"Mommy see our castle." Lily said.
 
"I see baby, it's beautiful. Are you girls helping daddy?"
 
"Yes!" They bounced causing me to smile.
 
"Do you want some juice or a snack?"
 
"Juice please?" Peppa said.
 
"Mommy I want hotdog." Lily said.
 
"Alrighty juice and a hotdog." She said leaving us to finish our task.
 
I glanced around the beach quickly at everyone. Caleb and Catherine were in the water together, Joey was rubbing Amy's back with sunscreen as she laid across the soft lounge chairs. Royce was talking with his friend Steven and they were standing next to a sleeping Julia. She was laying under one of the large umbrellas comfortably. Jason and Jarvis were playing with water guns while my mom and Regina chatted. So far it was a perfect day.
Later, the girls were taking a nap in one of the little tents, so Ava and I were both able to relax a bit. I sat between Jason and Caleb as we watched our surroundings comfortably.
 
"I must say, today was very much needed." Jason commented.
 
"We should plan another one soon." Caleb added.
 
"With winter around the corner? Not likely." Catherine said from her spot next to Caleb. I nodded silently agreeing with all the statements, but my eyes were glued to one thing, or rather two. Ava and Royce played happily near the shore. They splashed each other back and forth, their laughs were exuberant. I felt a twinge in my chest when he picked her up to give her a little spin. She tossed her head back in laughter, her blonde hair looked much like a halo in that moment.
 
"Hurts doesn't it." Caleb said breaking my concentration. I looked at him confused until he glanced down at my hand that was unconsciously rubbing against my chest. I dropped my hand quickly and shrugged. I noticed that Catherine had left his side for the moment. "Man, when are you going to admit that you still have feelings for her?"
 
"I'm wondering the same thing." Jason added.
 
"Still?" I asked.
 
"Mase, you've had feelings for Ava from the moment you saw her at that party. I mean why else would you have gone to such great lengths to find her?"
 
"It's not like that with us. She has a boyfriend and I have Chasity."
 
"I think you're both cheating yourselves out of something great if you asked me." Jason said.
 
"It's a good thing I didn't ask."
 
"You're only with Chasity because of dad and Ava only is with Royce because he's a safety net. She knows he'll never leave her." Caleb shrugged.
 
"Just quit it." I groaned. Why won't they let this go?
 
"Mason look at that." Caleb gestured towards Ava and Royce who was now kissing, and I instantly looked away forcing my breathing to calm down. "You can't convince me that you don't feel anything when you see that."
 
"What is your point Caleb? Are you trying to upset me?"
 
"No, I want you to quit lying to yourself. I am not just your brother, I am your twin and I know you better than anyone. I see it in your eyes every time you look at her and it's not lust, it's love."
 
"Please just drop it."
 
"Man, you're usually the one facing everything and every one head on. I'm not used to you showing fear and denial." Jason teased.
 
"Who's in fear and denial?" Ava asked suddenly. I nearly jumped out of my skin. I was forcing myself not to look at her and Royce, I hadn't even realized that she left his side.
 
"No one." I said quickly. Jason and Caleb snorted causing her eyes to squint in suspicion.
 
"Well I'm going to check on my wife." Jason said getting up from my side. She watched him walk away for a moment before turning to face us.
 
"Um, I wanted to talk to you guys."
 
"About?" Caleb asked.
 
"It's important." She said nervously.
 
I frowned, "Well have a seat."
 
She looked behind her nervously before twisting her hair between her fingers. "I'd prefer if we took a walk."
 
Caleb and I glanced at each other confused for a moment before standing from the ground and dusting off our trunks "Is everything okay?"
 
She nodded, "Yes it's just private. My mom will listen out for the girls."
 
"Lead the way." Caleb said.
 
She hesitated for a moment before coming between us and looping her arm around each of our own. I ignored the sparks shooting up my arm as she pulled us along. At first, I thought she was going to pull us away from listening ears but as she continued to tug us completely out of sight, I grew worried.
 
"Okay now I'm worried." Caleb said, taking the words out of my mind.
 
"I just wanted to be away from everyone."
 
"Ava, what's going on?" I asked.
 
"Loren came to visit me on Monday." She rushed out.
 
"Loren?" Caleb and I said simultaneously.
 
"Loren Williams?" He asked. Ava nodded cautiously. Caleb scoffed, "This ought to be good."
 
"Wait, who's Loren Williams?"
 
"The person who leaked the photo of you and girls." Caleb clarified.
 
"Who you fired?" He nodded. "Okay, so what did she want?"
 
"To tell me why she leaked that photo."
 
Ava handed me her cell phone and I looked at it noticing it was messages. "What is this?"
 
"Text messages between Loren and your father's assistant."
 
"What?" I scrolled through the chat slowly and Caleb looked also, curious.
 
"Your father promised Loren that he would pay her debt if she leaked that photo."
 
"Wait, what?" Caleb and I said. He took the phone out of my hands quickly and began scanning the chat.
 
"Are you serious?"
 
She nodded, "She sent me the messages as proof. I was trying to do my own investigation."
 
"How do you know she wasn't lying?"
 
"That's the burner phone she was messaging from so I couldn’t track it, but I managed to get in touch with an old acquaintance to confirm it. Loren had no reason to lie to me. She is a single mother of two, in debt and all she wanted was a little help. Your father promised her a better paying job and to rid her of her debt, but because the photo of us at the store got leaked the same time she leaked the photo, he deemed her useless."
 
I had to move away for a moment to control my breathing. There is no way my father would do this to me. Is there? "Are you serious right now?" Caleb asked incredulously.
 
"Yes I am. He probably wanted to leak it because he thought Mason would come running to him for advice, but Mason did the opposite and embraced it."
 
"That bastard." Caleb said. I however was still trying to control the vibrations that were running through me. "How could he do that?"
 
"That isn't all." Ava continued.
 
"There's more?" Caleb asked.
 
Ava nodded, "The source who confirmed it was Libby."
 
"Libby?! My old assistant?"
 
Ava nodded. "Your father was the one who paid her to leak intel about R.P."
 
"You've got to be kidding me!" Caleb yelled out shocked. He walked away for a moment in anger and I couldn't blame him, I was still trying to come to grips with everything.
 
"This is why I didn't want an audience." She mumbled.
 
"Ava, tell us everything." I said.
 
"Caleb please, I need you to hear this." She said. Caleb reluctantly walked over to us once again. He was particularly shaking beside me.
 
"Loren said she didn't know what your father had on Libby to make her do what she did, but I was able to get it out of her. Libby was pregnant."
 
"What?" Caleb gasped out.
 
"Your father found out because he was keeping watch on you and her. Apparently, Libby wasn't ready to be a mother, so it wasn't hard to convince her to have an abortion."
 
At that, I placed my hand on Caleb's shoulder forcing him to stay in place as she continued. "Your father paid for the abortion but still blackmailed her to do what he wanted. So, she leaked any important intel in hopes that you wouldn't find out what she did."
 
"She told me that she did that on her own free will!"
 
"She lied because she knew that your father would've revealed everything about the abortion. So, she pretended to get caught to relieve herself of that guilt without jeopardizing what your father had promised her. So, when she left, he got her the job like he promised and left her alone. She was the one who went to him concerning Loren. She figured that he'd help Loren with money if she did something in return."
 
"Son of a bitch!" Caleb shouted, yanking his shoulder out of my grasp.
 
"Caleb.."
 
"No Mason! I'm so done with his bullshit! He has been manipulating us our whole lives!"
 
"Why would he even go to such lengths?" I asked, disgusted.
 
Ava shrugged, "I think he was upset that Caleb dismissed him and you went against his wishes with the girls. He wanted a reason to bring you guys back to his side. It would've been sweet if it wasn't so fucked up."
 
"Sweet?! The man wants to control us Ava. For years I followed him like a lap dog, granting his every wish and bowing to every demand. Screw that and screw him because I'm done!" I said walking away. Ava instantly grabbed my arm and my steps flattered at her touch.
 
"Please you guys, I didn't mean to spring it on you like this, but you can't go back to the party this way." She begged. Caleb and I worked to control our anger but he was having a harder time reigning it in and I understood why.
 
"We have to deal with this Mason."
 
"And we will, tonight."
 
"Just please, please leave Loren and Libby out of it." Ava pleaded.
 
"I can leave Loren out of it, but I won't make any promises for Libby. She aborted my child."
 
"And she felt guilty about it."
 
"Yea but that didn't stop her from recruiting Loren to work against us." I said.
 
"She is no saint."
 
Ava sighed and nodded. "I don't want them to suffer any more than they already have." Caleb nodded before walking away. "Caleb?" She called out worried.
 
"I just need a minute. I'll meet you guys back at the party." He said.
 
"Let him go." I told her as we slowly made our way back.
 
"Are you okay?" She asked.
 
"I will be."
 
She sighed before pulling me to stop and facing me. "I'm sorry."
 
I frowned. "What for?"
 
"For causing all of this, bringing all of this up. I just felt that telling you would be the right thing."
 
I took her hands gently into my own. "And it is. You didn't do anything but shed light on the real person responsible for all of this."
 
"Your father is a powerful man. I don't want you to get hurt." She whispered.
 
"What's a leader without his followers? I'll be fine." I promised.
 
"It's amazing that you can be so much like him yet not like him at all." She smiled.
 
"I try not to be and now, I'll make sure of it."
 
"I know you will." She smiled.
 
We stared at each other in silence for a moment, unmoving, trapped. I used my thumbs to rub light circles on the back of her hand unconsciously as I stared into her eyes. Ava's blue eyes were deep as the ocean and filled with countless secrets. Secrets I wanted to unravel and discover one at a time. The silence quickly became a tight ball of charged energy and I greedily embraced it as our breathing sped up. Against my better judgment I found myself moving closer to her, pressing her body gently against my own. I released one of her hands and brought my hand up to rest gently on her neck before using my thumb to tilt her chin upward to look at me. With a stuttered breath, her eyes began to flutter gently. Swiping my tongue across my bottom lip I leaned in closer until my forehead rested gently against hers. I inhaled her luscious scent eagerly, particularly salivating from the heat emanating from my lips. Using my thumb, I caressed the outline of her jaw, relishing at the feeling of her silky skin. She shivered gently against me and I knew then what I knew the night that we shared together. Her body called to me.
 
There were loud giggles in the distance, and it sounded close, almost too close. Just like that the spell was broken. Ava breathed suddenly and stumbled backward out of my arms quickly. My arms instantly felt empty.
 
"Um..." She mumbled incoherently. Even I was having trouble controlling my breathing. "We should um, probably head back." She mumbled before hurrying off.
 
I followed at a slower pace as the party came into view once again. The girls were awake and playing with Jarvis. I watched them closely for a moment before my eyes found Ava. Royce wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a deep kiss, and in that moment everything changed. From the outside I probably looked at ease, but on the inside, I finally released the mountain I forced myself to climb. I was falling. No longer did I fight to stay away from Ava, fight to keep my feelings at bay. I wanted to be the one to hold her, kiss her, support her through everything and be her partner. I wanted to be her best friend, travel the world with her, learn everything about her straight down to the number of hairs on her head. I wanted to know her hopes, her dreams and even her fears. To make love to her every night and whisper words of adoration in her ears as she sleeps. I love her and one day I will have her.