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An Interlude: Avelyn Shelley Part 15
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"Mom, wait," Ava said while fishing her phone inside her bag.
"What's wrong?" Maya asked.
"I got a call," Ava looked at her phone screen. "It's Denise. Hi, Dee! What's up? I'm shopping with mom, do you want–"
Denise interrupted - her voice was panicking. "Ave, hospital now! Alex and Julia..."
"What?! Hospital? What happened? Is everything alright?" Ava exclaimed.
"Molly– she called and told me that her husband's cousin found Alex and Julia in the woods, and now they're at the hospital. She told me that Alex broke his leg, but she didn't say anything about Julia. I talked a bit with Alex, but my battery is running out, so I had to hang up before my phone died because I need to call you – we need to be there! I'm already on my way." Denise stammered.
"Okay, I'll be there." Ava ended the call. "Mom, something happened with the kids, and I need to go to the hospital now. You stay here and call dad to pick you up." Ava instructe
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Ava and her whole family were gathering in Denise's living room. Alex was talking animatedly about how cool Gale was and how brave Julia was. Ava half-listened to everything. She was deep in thought.Of all the people in Golden, Gale was the one that found her daughter and her nephew inside the woods. He didn't even live in Golden.Was this fate?Did God send him back to her through this unfortunate event that befalls Alex?She was so confused, but she was scared more about this. What if this encounter leads to another heartbreak? She didn't think she'd survive it if he only came back in her life to break her heart again.She felt her phone vibrating inside her pocket, and it broke her train of thoughts. She looked at her phone screen and saw Josh texted her: "?".When she looked up to see him, he was already looking at her and raised one of his eyebrows questioningly. He must've sensed something or already guessed.She
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The guests already arrived. Gale already arrived – she could hear his voice from the living room, talking amicably with Alex.Ava breathing slowly as she tries to calm her nerves. Her hands and legs moved fast through and from the kitchen and dining room. She had insisted on making a mince pie - something that she knew was one of Gale's favourites. She didn't even know what she was trying to accomplish here – cooked his favourite food, made sure everything was perfect and put on a set of clothes with colours that he said she was pretty in all those years ago when they were still together. She shook her head – disgusted with herself for thinking that she could get his attention. He probably came here because he doesn't want to be rude towards Denise and Josh. He couldn't possibly be here to see her.She almost changes her attire, but there's no time, and her family must've noticed the changes and will question her later. She doesn't want to at
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When dinner was over and everyone moved back to the living room. Ava offers Molly to put Dani to bed in her room, and she accepts. They talked casually about their daughters, but somehow the way Molly looked at her was like she knew something. Ava was anxiously guessing whether Molly really knew something. When Ava went back into the living room, she found Julia already sitting on Gale's lap. She felt a lump in her throat but held herself together. To make things harder, Julia wants her to sit next to her – that means she needs to sit next to Gale as well. She didn't have any energy to make an excuse and wordlessly took a seat next to him. They were not touching, but the familiar feeling of him was emerging from deep within her heart. The feelings that were once buried and forgotten entirely. The yearning to be as close as possible. Ava wondered whether he felt the same way as he did in the past whenever he was near her – the urge to reach o
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After Gale and his family left, Josh ran upstairs and found Ava sat in front of her closed bedroom door. He walked towards her and immediately enveloped her in his arms. Her body was shaking uncontrollably, and she was sobbing like that night he found out about Gale."I'm so sorry, Ave," Josh said in despair."I left him– the girl– he said the girl is me. J-Josh, I did a t-terrible thing to him. I left!" She wailed in his chest.Josh held her tight against his chest. He rubbed her back and was at a loss for words. A moment later, Denise came, and her face was startled. She approached and crouched in front of them. Didn't know what happened and what to say. She looked at Josh's eyes looking for an answer, but he just shook his head."Ave, what happened, honey?" Denise asked as she put her hand on Ava's head. She was truly concerned about her little sister."I messed up!" Ava stuttered with a sob."Let's talk about it downstairs, A
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Finding Ava Shelley was like watching a sunrise. That beautiful feeling of happiness and contentment of a new day, a new start full of opportunities – a promise of a bright day waiting ahead. But then the storm came – bringing chaos to everything that it touches, clouding the world with its greyness. That storm was the moment when Gale answered her last question. When he saw the bead of tears as she was crying like she was in immense pain. Gale was scared. He got trapped in a storm, and it seems like he will forever live in it.Ben and Molly didn't try to interrogate him for details. He appreciates their understanding and heads to his room as soon as he was out of the car. Gale was too spent to change his clothes. He was only able to slip off from his shoes and crawled underneath the cover of his bed. He lay and stared at the ceiling - wondering about events that probably occurred in the past. He was so scared that he had hurt her. Why else she was crying then? An
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Gale woke with a start and was heaving for air. He looked around and realized he wasn't in the back of a car with Ava. He was in his room – alone.He noticed sunshine already shone into the room and was even more startled. This was the first time he ever dreamed of Ava like that – the first time he woke up so late because of a dream.He wasn't sure it was just a dream - it was too vivid.Gale was trying to calm his erratic breath and heartbeats, but then he felt something was off with his jeans. He looked down and groaned loudly before jumping out of his bed and ran towards the bathroom.Fifteen minutes later, he stepped out of the bathroom and shoved his ruined jeans into his laundry basket. He'll have to do his laundry today without Ben and Molly noticing or go to the laundromat and risk some strangers seeing his mess instead. Gale chose the latter. He couldn't bear it if Ben and Molly found out that he ejaculated in his sleep because
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The first few minutes of the walk were spent in silence. Gale was trying hard not to glance at Ava every few seconds. She was so beautiful under the sunshine. Brilliantly vibrant compared to the rest of the world. And Ava, well, she didn't dare to take her eyes off the pavement under her feet. Her heart was somersaulting. Spending time only with Gale brought back many memories of their past. She was blushing, and she tried not to. "How's Julia?" Gale began, breaking the silence. Ava flinched a little but then smiled to herself. "She's fine - a little upset that she wasn't allowed to come with me. She's home with Alex now." "Does she know that you're meeting me?" "No," Ava shook her head. "If she knows, Alex would know too. And if they know, I'll have to take them with me. They're crazy about you." "Where did you tell her where you are going then?" "I told her I'm going to the Kicking Horse bridge before I take my mo
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Gale was walking slowly – not minding where he was going, trailing beside Ava and letting her lead the way.Ava's story of their past was thorough and detailed, but Gale felt like something was missing. She hadn't told him about how they came to a decision to end things between them. He was sure she also didn't mention arguments or disagreements between them that could lead to a break-up. So why did they end it?Ava thought the best way to tell Gale about their separation was by doing it in public. Well – she was a coward after all. She was scared that he would get so angry at her. At least, if she does it in public with many ears around them, he wouldn't be able to yell at her face. Gale wasn't the type of guy that yells at people – but surely, if someone gets disappointed, they'll lose their restraint. Like her, if she does, she'll burst into tears. And if he yells at her, she'll definitely cry – and she was tired of crying. She did a lot of i
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"Ava, where should I put these?" Gale asked from the back porch while lifting small chairs. He was busy helping decorate the backyard for Julia's and Alex's birthday party."Near Julia's tree. Set them so they are facing the house. Thank you, Gale," Ava exclaimed from the kitchen window. She was making a cake with Maya."Got it. You don't have to say thank you every time I do something, though," Gale shook his head while smiling."I feel bad asking you to help us. You could spend your time on other things instead, but here you are…""I'd rather be here and help prepare the party than be anywhere else at this moment. This is going to be my first time celebrating Julia's birthday – I wouldn't miss a thing, even the preparation." Gale grinned at Ava before he walked away with the chairs towards Julia's tree. He then met Alex in the middle of the backyard – walking slowly with a crutch. "Don't push yourself too much today, alright? Save you
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It's been two hours since Gale ended his call, and now he was still looking at every tweet of Hayley's regarding his relationship with Ava that Lisa had captured and sent him. Lisa – Finn's cousin was one of Hayley's closest friends. She was one of a few people Hayley trusted to follow her private account where she ranted about all kinds of stuff. Turns out, his little sister liked to talk a lot about his relationship with Ava. There were even pictures – lots of them. Mostly, Hayley ranted about how frustrating it was knowing about his secret relationship and couldn't speak about it freely. She adored Ava so much. Hayley's friends were so loyal to her. Even after she died, they never revealed what she said on Twitter to anyone. Except for today, Lisa broke her promise today because she believes that was for a good cause. She had lunch with Finn today and accidentally saw him scrolling on i*******m – searching for Ava Shell
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Molly took Julia to wash her hands before bringing her to Dani in the dining room.Once everyone was seated at the table, Ava started retelling what happened five years ago to Molly and Ben. She spoke so quietly so Julia couldn't catch what the adults were saying.Gale was busy with his laptop. But every once in a while, he would look up and see the confused faces of Ben and Molly."Oh, Avelyn… that was you?" Ben said sadly."Yeah, that was me," Ava sighed."Damn the girl that stood me up on Thanksgiving!" Ben said."Ben, language!" Gale chastised as he made a head gesture and signaled with his eyes towards where Julia was."Oops, sorry," Ben said. "But my point still stands. I really hate that girl. I was desperate to have a girlfriend that year. This girl gave me hope and all, but then she stood me up on our first official date! Not only did she break my heart and pride and waste my time, but she was also the cause that
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"Gale, stay for dinner," Maya suggested."I'd love to, Maya. But I really need to return to Ben's place. I received a phone call from the hospital and need to check something on my laptop," Gale expressed his regret. "However, I'd come again tomorrow." He added when he noticed Julia pouting on the sofa.Julia perked up when she heard that. "Promise?""I promise. I'll spend time with you every day, but I have to leave early tonight. We can play again tomorrow, okay? " Gale gave Julia a soft smile."Let me drive you, Gale," Ava offered. "What do you think, Jules? Let's take your dad to Uncle Ben's house. Perhaps Dani is still awake, and you can say hello before we get back home."Julia squealed and jumped. "Yes, yes, yes, yes!"Her enthusiasm was met with laughter from everyone in the room. Ava then excuses herself from the room to get Julia's jacket."Gale, don't hesitate to come every day. You've become a member of our family no
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When Ava opened the back door to the backyard, the afternoon summer breeze hit Gale in the face. He looked in awe at the entire setting of the yard.A small flower garden adorns the right side of the yard - stretching all the way from the porch to the fences that separate the yard from the small road.On the left side of the yard, there was a long picnic table that was perfectly placed under the shade.What had him amazed was the amur maple tree that grew right in the middle of the yard. The height was between two to three meters, give or take. The samaras on the tree are bright red and green. Gale has a strange attraction to every maple tree. He was familiar with almost all of them and can tell one from the other.Gale now understands what Alex told him in the woods – why they played in the backyard when they got bored watching cartoons. The backyard was very beautiful and a perfect place for children to play. What he couldn't figure out was
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Martin let Ava and Gale into his house by opening the door.Maya stepped out of the other room and stared at the man standing in her foyer with wide eyes.There were no words to describe how Maya felt right now, and the next thing she knew, she was crying while smiling. She took her time making her way to the foyer.Gale had already noticed her and smiled as best he could. His chest was churning with emotions."Gale..." said Maya. Her voice was slightly shaky."Hello, Maya," Gale replied warmly.Maya cupped Gale's cheek with her hand. Her other hand was on his shoulder. With a teary smile, she looked at Gale."I thought I was crazy for thinking that I saw Julia's face in yours when we first met," Maya began."You're not alone. I saw myself in Julia's face the moment I was able to focus on her on the way to the hospital," Gale responded. Tears began to form in his eyes."Is it alright? Are you okay with this new informati
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The drive to Shelley's house began in silence.Ava's body reverberated with a mix of anxiety and excitement. She has been wondering how she would inform Julia of this. What should she say so that Julia understands right away? Julia was still a four-year-old little girl, no matter how smart she was for her age, Ava wasn't sure her daughter would understand the gravity of the situation she was about to face.Gale abruptly spoke as if reading into her whirlwind of thoughts. "Julia is so smart,"Ava cast a sidelong glance at Gale before returning her attention to the road. He had his gaze fixed on the window."She is," Ava said, smiling."She was fearless when I met her in the woods. I'm sure she knew that a rock and a stick wouldn't protect her from a bad person, but she stood her ground and won't let me pass through her. And she was so considerate. She was capable of reading the situation and did everything she could to make it easier for
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"Dad?" Ava called Martin who was speaking with one of his employees. Martin paused and turned around to see Ava smiling at him, but then his gaze was drawn to the person standing behind her. Martin's eyes widened in surprise. "Good afternoon, Martin," Gale said. He was just as worried as the old man. "Ave, Gale… hello. Err–" Martin looked at his daughter with trepidation - asking for help with what to say. He couldn't think of anything to say. "We talked, dad. Everything is good now. Gale will meet Julia today," Ava gave a bright smile. Martin unexpectedly burst into tears. Ava quickly cupped her father's cheeks with concern. "What's the matter, Dad?" "I'm sorry," Martin apologized. His voice shatters. "I'm happy– these are happy tears, Ave," he said. Ava's eyes glistened as she looked at Martin. She was sure she'd cry again with her father if she hadn't already. She smiled as she wiped her father's tears. Some
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What an irony.Gale wished all sorts of bad things for Julia's father last night. Feeling jealousy crept up in him as the thought of someone having Julia as their daughter – he was willing to do anything to be in that place. Julia was a brilliant little star, just like her mother.Not to mention the resemblance they shared. Gale wasn't blind. He had felt like he was looking at his reflection when he saw Julia's face. Even with softer features and edges, different colouring, and different lip shapes – Julia looks more like him than she was with Ava. And the way Josh, Denise, and Maya looked at him in astonishment was more proof that there was an uncanny resemblance between him and Julia.Gale wasn't aware that he was still holding Ava's hand. Their hands clasped so fit together that it felt so right, it's almost unnoticeable. The slight squeeze and soft thud of Ava's heartbeat against his wrist was the reason that reminds him of their joined han
