Stay by my side, Mi Confidant

The Home I longed For

The trip to the Ashtons' mansion from Kentidale took a whole three hours. By the time they arrived at the mansion, it was almost dusk. Butler Donald accompanied Carrie and Ashley in the kitchen who were surprised to see all of them again. Liam was overjoyed, his smile told it all.

"Oh! my goodness, you're back Creighton. We were so worried about you." Carrie happily said and hastily washed her hands and approached them.

"What took you so long, Creighton," Ashley said with teary eyes while holding the spatula.

Creighton felt the warm welcome from them while he carried Liam with him, babbling.

"I just want to apologize for leaving without saying goodbye. I was lost for a moment that it took me a while to realize things. Butler Donald came to see me and brought me back here."

"You don't have to apologize, Creighton. We know that you needed time to think." Carrie softly said.

"Where's Lady Agatha right now?"

"She's at the sanctuary. She stays there until sunset." Ashley said.

"Why not wait for her at the office, she will be back soon." Carrie suggested, "Welcome Back, Creighton" she added and smiled.

Creighton agreed to her and brought Liam with him to the office. While he waited for Lady Agatha to come, a flutter of anxiety ran through him, and he looked down at Liam, who was contentedly playing with his teddy bear on the floor. He managed to compose himself, knowing that this was it, the last time he left Lady Agatha alone. Even if Lord Douglas Ashton threatens him again, he will never leave Lady Agatha; he is not the kind to be cowed.

**

After a brief ride on Stacey's saddle, Lady Agatha jumped off and returned with her to the stable. Her face was pale and her expression gloomy. No longer did she conceal her identity behind a mask. She learned, for instance, to accept her imperfections and flaws. Her facial scar is a visible reminder of the hardships she has suffered throughout the years and now was the time to live a normal life. She hoped that Creighton and Liam will return. She had a mountain of emotions; anger, sorrow, regret ... but she was disappointed in herself that she didn't try enough to stop Creighton from leaving.

In her all-black Equestrian attire, she hurried to her office. Upon opening the door, she was astounded to see Liam coming her way.

"Mam-ma!" Liam called out and chuckled in excitement. Creighton, surprised, stood up and saw that she was no longer wearing her mask.

When the wind rustled the drapes behind her desk, they both glanced at each other for a moment.

"Mam-ma, Mam-ma" Liam reached her and clutched her left leg tightly as he was happy to see her.

"Liam-" Lady Agatha looked at him, as he smiled at her so warmly. She took and carried Liam into her arms.

Creighton approached her and stood in front of her. Her eyes were tearing as she held Liam so tightly.

"I missed you, Liam" She turned her eyes to Creighton, crying and clearly overwhelmed.

Lady Agatha looked at Creighton for a very brief moment but at that moment, time stopped for her. She surely was angry, she wanted to yell at him, she wanted to tell him how she felt, how she was hurt, but in that moment, she saw him like a dying man sees his last hope, the very last hope – All the anger vanished away, and Lady Agatha was filled with only one feeling – Love!

"And I missed you too, Creighton." The only sentence she could put together.

The pain in his heart was so intense that it brought tears to Creighton's eyes. A rush of emotion caused him to rush over and embrace them both.

"I am so sorry, I'm sorry that I left you. I promise I will never ever leave you and hurt you again, Lady Agatha - because - I have fallen in love with you."

After hearing his words, Lady Agatha was stunned as she burst into tears. After a while, Creighton loosened the grip of his embrace. They shared passionate glances while Liam gazed on from the comfort of Lady Agatha's arm.

Lady Agatha finally got the courage to respond and confess her love, "I as well, have fallen in love with you Creighton because you and Liam complete me."

Creighton reached Lady Agatha's cheek with his left hand and caressed her tenderly. Lady Agatha leaned forward and tilted her head to feel Creighton's loving touch. The hurt feelings between them have been healed.

**

It had been a hard day for everyone, so they ate supper together in the dining room once again. With Ashley's inquisitive nature and Liam's dirty face, they had the whole room in fits of laughter. Who would have believed that Creighton and Lady Agatha's misunderstandings would have been resolved when they looked at one other without trying to hide their emotions? Their friends and family, especially Butler Donald and Carrie, were pleased to see them together, as they could feel the love that had blossomed between them.

Creighton and Lady Agatha, holding a wide-awake Liam in her arms. Lady Agatha, dressed in a silky, long-sleeved, laced-up nightgown, set Liam down on the bed in the guest room, despite Liam's reluctance to let go. As Creighton went to take a shower, Lady Agatha sat on the bed to keep an eye on him.

They looked at each other like mother and son. Liam warmly smiled at her and slowly put down his head on Lady Agatha that he does not want to let her go. Creighton came out of the bathroom in his linen cloth pants without a shirt, while drying out his wet hair. Lady Agatha looked away as he approached.

"You can go now, Lady Agatha, I'll put Liam to sleep. You need to rest as well." Creighton said as he sat on the other side.

"Come on Liam, time for bed." He took Liam away from Lady Agatha. His eyes widened when he saw Lady Agatha get out of bed.

"Mam-ma" he called with teary eyes.

"I will see you tomorrow, Liam" Lady Agatha gave him a kiss on the forehead.

Liam shook his head because he did not want her to go and started crying when Lady Agatha was about to leave the room.

"Lady Agatha." Creighton suddenly called her while he cuddles with Liam to stop him from crying. She turned sideways and looked.

"Do you want to sleep together, with Liam?" he brazened. A new kind of throbbing hit Lady Agatha in the chest, as seen by her blush, it was really intimate one. She softly smiles because there is nothing more to hide. Just as they adore Liam, they love each other.

She slid onto the right side of the bed, and Creighton moved Liam to the middle. The two of them lay there, happily, and contentedly. Liam clapped his hands and smiled broadly as he glanced at each of them in turn. Both Creighton and Lady Agatha turned to stare at each other. She sang a lullaby and softly tapped Liam's stomach. Creighton then took Lady Agatha's hand and held it tenderly in his own, caressing it softly. They exchanged loving glances, blushing, and looking deeply into one other's eyes.

The night was calm and for Creighton and Liam, it was a home that they longed for. Love and Compassion.