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End of a tunnel
Chapter 76 End of a tunnel
MAUREEN’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.
Maureen hummed an old tune to herself as she danced around the house while chewing on some nuts. She wanted to make brunch since they had unintentionally missed breakfast by sleeping off. Emma stepped out of the room still looking quite tired.
“Are you alright? You look a total mess.” Maureen noted.
Emma exhaled, “I don’t know what to do, Maureen. Darby hasn’t reached out for an entire week now. Do you think it was a bad idea telling her about Anthony?”
“Give the girl a breathing space, Emma. She is only trying to wrap her head around the new information. And why would you even think it was a bad idea telling her about her father. It has been over two decades she deserves to know that there is actually a face to her sperm donor.”
“I feel like the world’s most shameful mother.”
“Does calling yourself names make you feel better?”
“It’s the truth, Maureen. I haven’t even had a proper communication with Abigail in weeks.”
“Oh, please. That girl might be my true niece but she is really nothing to right home about. She truly is her father’s daughter. No remorse whatsoever. Do you really think you need such toxicity around you? Abigail didn’t think to call or text just to know how you are doing. Such offspring doesn’t needs one’s attention. I pray she learns a huge lesson soonest and grasp a reality of life.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
She sighed heavily, “If I could turn back the hands of time, I will try my best to make things right and far better than it is right now.”
“What if that happens and Darby doesn’t get a chance to be an independent woman like she is right now? You should be proud Emma, it didn’t all go bad. Now quit with the sad mood and tell me about your deal with Anthony. I see he has been dropping you home judiciously for weeks.” Maureen wiggled her brows.
Emma blushed shyly. “Nothing goes past you right?”
“No at all. Anything that has to do with a happy moment brings joy to my heart and it’s what I live for.”
“Well, he is the one who has held his feelings in place for decades. I’m just here trying to measure up with his extreme niceness. I don’t think I have ever been treated with so much respect and care before. Anthony is a complete gentleman.”
“I have always wondered where Darby got her charm from. It’s obvious the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” She grinned. A loud knock came from the door and Emma went to get it. She was most surprised to find Darby at the door. Maureen hollered. “Talk of the angel and she appears.”
Darby pulled at her ear dramatically, “I was wondering why my ear itched so bad. Didn’t know it was you aunt.”
“Don’t play smart with me.” She retorted laughing.
“How are you doing, mom?” Darby asked Emma.
Emma nodded, “I’m quite well, thank you.”
“You look like you might need to return to bed and sleep a little more.” She mused walking towards the kitchen to sit by the dining table.
Maureen giggled. “We had a long night binge watching Netflix.”
“You two really do know how to enjoy life don’t you? I’m so jealous.” She pouted.
“Your aunt is a total bad influence.” Her mother added.
Her aunt winked shamelessly. “It’s why you both love me. I’m making brunch, Darby. I hope your belly is most empty.”
“Trust me, I came prepared.” Darby replied with an amused look on her face. “Can I talk to you for a minute, mom?”
“Sure.” Emma mused in a whisper as she looked towards Maureen for support. The latter nodded in assurance to her.
“Please sit.” She said pointing to the couch. Emma sat in. “Mom, I just want to apologize for not reaching out. I don’t know why it took me this long to come around, but I just felt I needed to be sure of what I wanted before reaching out to you. I had to think long and hard how tough those times must have been on you. I realized that you couldn’t have done anything else than probably hate me.”
“Don’t talk like that, baby.”
“It’s okay, mom. I’m totally over it. I just need you to know for sure that I have finally found clarity in this life of mine and I am grateful that you eventually found the man who birthed me. I feel you both are just as faultless as I was. So, let’s just try our best to be happy and not let our past get in the way of our happiness, we deserve better.”
Emma reached out for her hands. “How did I get so lucky with you?”
“I feel lucky too you know.” She grinned, hugging her mother.
“Thank you, Darby.”
“You are welcome, mom. I already made a call to Dr Anthony and we would be meeting as soon as I leave here.”
“Okay people, brunch is ready!” Maureen interrupted calling out to them.
Laughing hard, Darby helped her mother up as they went to tap into Maureen’s invite. Darby had a good time eating and making jokes with her mother and aunt. She was beginning to love every bit of her visit and sometimes it feels hard leaving them. After the meal she waited a bit longer just in time to meet with her father.
They had chosen a place that wouldn’t stress anyone of them to get to. Darby was a bit taken aback when she found Anthony seated at a table and tapping his legs on the floor anxiously. She had thought to find herself in such condition but it turns out it’s vice versa. She couldn’t be nervous like him and one of them has to calm down to be able to have a smooth discussion.
“Darby.” He jolted up hurriedly when she reached him.
“Oh, please, doc. Have your seat. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.” She said pulling out a chair to sit in.
“Not at all, really. I have only just arrived. What drink would you like to order?”
“Water will be just fine. I just ate to my fill with my mom and aunt.”
Anthony chuckled lightly, “I can imagine.” He said calling out to a waiter.
They both stayed quiet when their drinks arrived, each one deep in thought and uncertain of how to begin.
“Is it okay if I ask how you grew up?” Anthony was the first to break the ice as he smiled shyly.
Darby laughed, “I didn’t enjoy growing up much. I practically had to endure in an hostile environment. No one wanted a child without a father next to them. And since none for my supposed parents wanted me it was quite a hassle growing up.”
“I’m so sorry, please.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s not like you knew that I existed. There is nothing to be sorry for anyways. It all worked out for good eventually. Tell me how are your family?”
“I do have a two siblings with plenty of niece and nephews.”
“How about your wife and kids?”
“I did get married once. But let’s just say I was so hung up on your mother that I couldn’t seem to keep my heart away from her. So it was impossible to move on to someone else, I searched persistently. But I never got a chance to meet her.”
“Wow! It took you that long?”
“It sure did. It’s all worth it, I guess.” He chuckled in delight. “You don’t know how happy I am to be here with you, Darby. Thank you so much for giving me this chance to be part of your life. I can’t believe I have a grown up daughter. A celebrity stylist at that.”
“Did you check me up?”
“I couldn’t resist. I felt like an actual proud parent seeing you on FORBES front cover. You have really done well for yourself.”
“Well thank you. Need I also tell you that you have an hyperactive four year old grandson that would shake you up in less than ten minutes of meeting.” She giggled.
The look in Anthony’s eyes was pure happiness. “I have a grandson? Oh my, God. What did I do to deserve this bundle of joy?”
“You must have been good in your past life.” Darby joked feeling comfortable in his presence.
“Can I meet him? And what’s his name?”
“You will definitely meet him. He is Sinclair Robin.” There was a hint of pride in her calling of the name.
“Oh my! I was wondering why Leo hovered around you like that. You have a kid together.”
“Yes, it was back in high school though. We are co-parenting now.”
“I promise you, my entire day has been made meeting you, Darby. I thank the universe for bringing you to me.”
“How about we cheers to a new life?” She smiled genuinely.
Raising their glass they clicked it together. The happiness radiated on their faces causing them to glow brightly. Light is indeed at the end of the tunnel just as Darby as always assured herself.