Austin's POV
I owe Braelyn, Layla and Ryan an apology. So, I started with Braelyn first. Slowly, I asked Braelyn to come over and she did. Layla said, "Austin, Braelyn looked for you at the party, but you had left. She thought you left her."
"Braelyn sweetheart, I am so sorry for having you think I left you. It was stupid of me. I could never leave you. I love you so much, munchkin. You mean the world to me. I was on my way back to get you, but something happened. I promise you that I will never, ever leave you."
"You promise, daddy?"
"I promise, baby girl."
"Austin, your parents are here too. I'm not sure when they will come by."
"Thanks Layla."
"Layla and Ryan, I owe you both an apology. I just hope one day you can forgive me."
"Austin, there will be time for that later. The main thing is for you to get better."
We heard a knock on the door. When the door opened, it was my parents.
"Grandma! Daddy opened his eyes!"
After Braelyn said that, my mother shot a glance my way. I could see two emotions in her eyes - happiness and disappointment. My father had the same facial expressions. After the nurse left, I needed to explain my actions. Layla wants me to wait but I can't.
"Ryan and I are going to the waiting room so Rachel and Dylan can spend some time with you."
With every breath I had at the moment, "Layla and Ryan, please stay. I really need to do this now."
"Austin, you don't have to do this now. You can do it later."
"No, Layla. I mean it when I say I need to do this now. I left the reception because of jealousy. I was jealous of your relationship with Ryan. I was jealous of the fact that Ryan was the one you were walking down the aisle to. I wasn't going to even come at all. But, Braelyn deserved to be there. So, I brought her down. At the reception after you all danced, I saw the three of you together. I stupidly, and emphasis on stupidly, thought Braelyn would forget about me. Because of my jealousy, I left. I went to a bar near the beach for a drink. After the drink, I realized how stupid of me it was to think that about my own child, my flesh and blood. So, I started walking back to pick Braelyn up. Out of nowhere, a group of guys attacked me. I thought I was going to die. All I thought about was coming back and apologizing to you all, especially Braelyn because we just met each other for the first time this year." I paused because I needed to catch my breath. Layla started first.
"Austin, why would you think that and assume that of Braelyn? Of course she loves Ryan. But you are her dad. You share a special bond with her that Ryan does not have with Braelyn. She loves you, Austin."
"Austin, why would you think I was replacing you? We are best friends man. You are Braelyn's father. When I asked you if you were okay with Layla and I dating, you said yes and told me you were happy for us. When you wasn't there, Braelyn looked for you. You, because you are her father. And when you didn't come back, she cried for you. She cried all the way back to our suite because she missed you."
"I know. And I am really sorry for my actions and thoughts."
"Austin, you are just going to have to accept that Layla and I are married. You and I have been friends forever. And, we will stay best friends."
"Braelyn, stay here and spend some time with daddy, Rachel and Dylan. We will come back for you. Call me, okay?"
"Okay, mommy. Look at the teddy bear I got for you daddy. Aunt Kam and uncle Cris let me pick it for you."
YOU ARE READING
The Merger (BWWM - Book #1 / Complete)
ChickLitLayla and Nolan are two young business moguls who can't stand each other due to their encounter at a night club. One loves the power, the other is humble. A proposed merger is placed before them. They don't realize that the proposed merger is betwee...
