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They stared at each other , it looked as if they were conveying some secret silent information with each other.

He gave his dad one last lingering look the made his way out with Hazel, but not before casting me a last reassuring look

The door shut close and a tight feeling of nervousness took over me , I felt exposed and alone without him by my side .

My attention snapped when I realized he was speaking to me.

"She's really adorable.....reminds me deeply of old happy times " he stated , his voice sounded dazed like he was lost in some distant memories.

I had no doubt as to what he was thinking about, although he didn't appear accusing , I still couldn't help the feeling of unease that over took me.

"I'm sorry " I mumbled so low and was surprised that he actually heard me.He blinked, seeming surprised by my statement.

"Why are you sorry?It wasn't your fault, besides it's already been such a long time ago, It's high time we left the past behind us" he spoke quietly, his gaze deep with meaning .

I stared at him suddenly at loss for words, his gaze mirrored his quietly spoken words, I didn't know why I was so shocked, perhaps because I didn't expect him to be so accepting.

We stayed quiet for a while, I was just beginning to wonder if it was my cue to leave when he broke the silence, his sharp gaze fixed on mine .

"Why are you with my son?"

I wasn't expecting his direct question, it took just about a moment when I began to form up with a response.

"Well I..."

"After everything I didn't think you'll end up back with him, Do you think you can change him..or handle him?Have you forgotten everything all those years when he made your life a living hel.."

"You don't know anything about us!" I spoke aloud, my voice defensive surprising even me, was I trying to defend Hayden against his own father?

"I think I know well enough "

"You don't have a right to judge him, if you are so concerned about me why didn't you try to stop him all those years.You may be right, but what we share is a lot more than hurt, it may be broken but it's still ours " I spoke with as much firm as I could muster.

We weren't perfect, and we'll never be, everything may be messed up but it still belongs to us, we've already delved into the sea of finding ourselves, we can only get deeper, never to return even if we wanted to.

I saw something passed through his gaze, the he blinked, and it was gone.

"We thought you weren't good for him, that it would make him lose focus, which isn't going to be a good thing....But it's not necessarily a bad thing either "

I stared at him confused for a moment, but just now...

"Welcome to the family Graciela Evans"

"I haven't agreed to anything yet "

"Well it's only a question of time isn't it ,It's time for my prescriptions " He spoke dismissively, pressing two fingers against his temples

I took it as a cue to leave, I was only halfway towards the door when he spoke out.

"I'll like it if you all can stay for a few more days, I'll like to spend some more time with my little granddaughter if it's okay with you"

*

*

HAYDEN

I couldn't stay here for a bit more longer, it felt as if the walls were closing up on me, I knew it wasn't going to be easy but each time I remember the horror in her gaze when we first arrived it felt like a twist in my guts....