AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So, you didn’t buy the property?” Ava asked shouting from the kitchen. Their apartment was cozy and filled with love, yet it was also quite small, so it was almost as if they were in the same room.
“Of course, I did… but for half the price.”
Ava laughed. “If you keep going at that pace, we will be rich again in no time,” she joked.
“You almost sound disappointed.”
“I have to admit… I do like the sweat of real work on your forehead.”
Benjamin wanted to counter with something funny, but the doorbell rang through the apartment.
"I’ve got it, sweets," he said and stood up from the couch holding little baby Josephine close to his heart. The baby cooed in his arms as he looked around for his slippers, muttering something about always misplacing them, before heading for the door on the second ring.
As soon as he opened the door, he let out a grunt of surprise. He'd been expecting a package delivery, so it was nothing short of astonishing to him when he saw his mother standing there.
She looked up at him and tried to speak when he tightened his grip on the door, ready to shut it again.
"What are you doing here?" He would have shouted if he wasn’t holding the baby. His mother's eyes went straight to Josephine. Her eyes widened as her shaking lips wrestled for words. She reached out to touch her grandchild, but he responded with a scowl, moving her out of reach.
"Benjamin... please," she started when he cut her short.
"Just go back to wherever you came from. We don’t want your poison in this home."
Uncle Barney emerged from beside her. “Hey kiddo. "
"Did you bring her here?" Benjamin’s tone was accusatory.
“I'm sorry, kid. But she's your mother."
Benjamin made to respond to that when Ava came up behind him.
"Who's that, darl—" She stopped short when she saw Lucy whose eyes started filling with tears. Ben was still blocking the way when Ava gently squeezed his arm.
"Let them in."
Without saying another word, he turned around, moving back to the couch.
"Benjamin," his mother said as he looked away impatiently. He wanted to leave the room, but Ava’s sweet smile made him stay and holding his baby seemed to placate him, so he listened.
"I know you probably hate me," she almost whispered.
"I don't hate you, Mother," he cut in. “Not completely anyway.”
"Ben…" Ava frowned at him.
“No, no, he's right," Lucy said in a sad tone. "I have been a terrible person. I'm so sorry, both of you," she pleaded, looking at the two. "After Ben’s father died, I lost myself as much as I lost him. I was angry for so long. It blinded me. When the whole thing with the will happened, I thought I was losing my son, and I got scared that I'd die alone. Money was always a quick gratification. I thought it was important, that it would make me happy." Her words shook and broke as she sobbed. “But it means nothing to me without my family.”
Ava patted Benjamin's arm once more and then went over to Lucy. "It's alright, really."
"No, it's not." She held a hand over her mouth, crying gently. "I was foolish, please forgive me. Please."
Benjamin tried to look away, but he couldn't. Seeing his mom like this, so scared and vulnerable, it broke his heart. He went to her as well.
"Mom, it's alright."
“Please Ben,” she begged. “I miss you so much,” she cried out loud as her voice echoed through the room. Her gaze found the baby once more and she smiled, her lips quivering. Out of nowhere, Ben let out a loud sigh and handed her the baby.
“This is your granddaughter, Josephine.”
