Bully stepbrother

Epilogue. One

It had been two weeks since I got discharged from the hospital.

Through those days, I got the chance to taste forgiveness and the denouement. It felt like being reborn.

Well, that's after learning Avery won't be showing her face anywhere around California. Since Paxton had visited her, Keith said she had transferred schools and left town for good.

My dad and Martha stayed for those weeks, though. Through those days, they had been nothing but supportive.

Dad kept his words, as said in the hospital. The man would wake up early in the morning to catch up on the run, that now I'm afraid it has become part of him.

In those limited days, he encouraged me to overcome some of my guilts. I found myself realizing I was just a kid when Cara died, and there was nothing I could've done to change what happened that day.

We communicated every chance we got; he told me more about his parents, helped me with my homework even when it's not necessary.

"Hey? I know it's illegal, but since you're married, I was wondering if you could get into the business," he had suggested.

"I won't change my major," I directly made it clear.

Although Dad and Martha were in town, Mad and I attended our classes, and that was one of my highlights every day.

Just sitting next to her, listening to ridiculously dressed professors talking about human behavior. Most of the time, I would steal a kiss or bring her hand to my chest, now that everyone around school knows about us.

Around me, the rumors were consigned to the grave, since no one wished to experience perdition. But for Mad, it was hard. The students kept getting under her skin, no matter how much I told her it would be okay, every morning when we stepped out of the car.

Until today after we both drove Martha and Dad to the airport.

You could tell they've finally worked on their relationship.

Martha wasn't so happy about spending Valentine's Day on the plane, but knowing my dad was the kind of person who always wanted to please his woman, I know she wouldn't regret it.

At the airport, he had offered me something.

He had said: "I am not asking you to change your major or do anything that you're not comfortable with. I am only offering you a way of sufficient income, so you can focus on your study."

"You mean that?" I gaped.

Wondering for the first time, he wasn't criticizing my decision.

"Aren't you married?" He quipped. "When my grandson arrives, you will want the same." He pats my shoulder and squeezes, firmly.

"Don't get your hopes up." I rolled my eyes, practically peeping at Mad from where she was hugging her mom.

"But it is up. Should the day occur, I am confident you will do better than me." He quietly assured. Honesty in his eyes.

Suddenly feeling the weight on my shoulders, I blurted: "I don't know. What if it operates through the genes? And I end up failing too?"

Yes, what if the circle continues?

"Then I will throw you a bucket of ice to remind you how guilty it will feel when you wake up to realize you've missed eighteen years denying your son." He taps my cheek and smiles, hopefully. "But you're not me or my father. You're able to fight for what you love." He glances at Mad.

She was now laughing, while Martha has her fingers in her hair, smiling at her daughter, with legit love.

It was... Admiring.