Chapter 0846
+25 BONUS
After leaving the hospital, Maximus drove home, the only thing on his mind being the need to have his family together again. Things with Peter hadn’t gone well, but at least this time, he had something to keep him grounded -his family and Diana.
Diana hadn’t accompanied him home; she had stayed behind at the hospital while Alden took Celeste back. Once Alden returned, she would head home as well.
Maximus barely registered the drive. By the time he snapped out of his thoughts, he was already parked in the driveway of his father’s house.
For a moment, he just sat there, gripping the steering wheel, lost in his thoughts. No matter how many times he went over it, he couldn’t predict what would happen with his brother. He leaned back against the seat, closed his eyes, and let his mind drift to a memory that never failed to calm him.
[Four Weeks Earlier]
After Peter’s surgery, the news hadn’t been as encouraging as everyone had hoped. Due to brain swelling, the doctors had been forced to induce a coma to prevent further damage and allow his body to heal.
Maximus had wanted to stay and wait for his brother to wake up, but he needed to go home–his children had just arrived. After months apart, he needed to see them, hold them, feel their presence. And, of course, he needed to meet his granddaughter.
“Alden, son, I need to go home. The kids and Laura just arrived. I have to see them, at least for a little while. I promise, I’ll come right back to cover for you,” Maximus said, clearly torn.
“Yeah, Uncle, I get it! Don’t worry. I know you need to go, and I’m sure you’re dying to meet little Adele. Plus, it’s been months since you last saw your kids. Go! I’ll be here.”
“Try to convince Celeste to go home too. She needs to rest, especially for the babies.”
“I know, I’ve tried. But she refuses to leave. She insists on waiting until my dad wakes up.”
“Alright… Just make sure she doesn’t overdo it. We’re all here to help her carry the weight.”
“I will. Now you go. Your kids must be dying to see you.”
“Thank you, Alden. Thank you for taking care of my children. You have no idea how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for them.”
After their brief exchange, Maximus left for Magnus’s house. The first to greet him at the door was his father
himself.
“Dad… How are my kids?”
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“They’re in the backyard, getting some sun. They love the house–and I think they really missed their dog. They even stole mine.”
“They adore Chester. I knew they’d love yours too. Honestly, I can’t wait to see them…”
“How’s Peter?”
“Mmm… He hasn’t woken up yet. I just came for a bit to see the kids, and then I’ll head back to the hospital.”
“Maximus, I know you’re worried about him, but you need to rest too…”
“I know, Dad… But I won’t be able to until my brother opens his eyes and I know for sure that everything is going
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 0846
to be okay,” Maximus admitted, his voice heavy with emotion.
“Alright, alright… Come on, let’s go to the backyard. For now, let go of the worry. It’s time for you to see your kids
and your granddaughter, who, by the way, is absolutely beautiful.”
Maximus walked toward the backyard, feeling an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. But this time, it wasn’t pain- it was anticipation.
He was about to see his children. And his first grandchild.
Stepping outside, he was met with a scene he had never imagined he would witness–but one he had dreamed of since childhood.
Paul and Maurice were playing with the dogs. Laura was feeling little Adele. Emma was lying on a sun lounger by the pool, completely relaxed.
Maximus felt his chest swell with pure joy.
This… this was what he had always wanted.
For once in his life, he didn’t want anything more than what he had in that exact moment.
As he stood there, taking it all in, Magnus placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
“Go on,” he said.
“I just… I wanted to take it all in first, without interrupting them,” Maximus murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “Did you know? I always dreamed of this.”
“Dreamed of what?”
“A family like this…”
“Well, son, that family is waiting for their father.”
“And their grandfather,” Maximus added with a soft chuckle. “Alright, let’s go.”
The two men started toward the backyard. The first to spot Maximus was Maurice, who froze for a second before his eyes lit up.
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