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Chapter 19

Author: TheLa
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

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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    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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    "The poutine here is the best. You once told me that this was your favourite throughout Canada." Ava said casually as she shoved her fork into her plate and put a mouthful of potatoes into her mouth, then sighed at the delicious taste.If this was possible, Gale was in love at the sight of Ava munching her food. It made him so oddly happy to see her not shying away and pretend to eat slowly and elegantly in front of him like most of the women he knew did. He hates pretentiousness. Meryl wasn't like that. But she was too polite when eating in public and always used table manners even when eating burgers, forcing him to do the same because she was afraid that strangers might find it uncomfortable to see them eating with their hands.Ava wasn't like that at all. Instead of hiding with table manners – she just turned her head slightly to her side and used her hand to cover her mouth from people.She then looked at him. "I need to wash my hands,"S

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    No one says another word – no one wants to. But the elephant in the room was too big to be ignored."You haven't answered one of the questions, you know..." Gale chimed after a long pause.Ava flinched a bit. Her eyes started to get watery. She couldn't do this - the hardest part; admitting her sin to him. She realized now that she couldn't lose him again. Even if their relationship could never be mended like it used to be, she still wants him back in her life. At least as Julia's father.Ava gasped. The room seems to lack oxygen. "I'm so so sorry, Gale," her eyes brimmed with tears. "I don't think I can tell you that last part. I–" she shook her head frantically. "No! I have to– just... Can you... I need a minute to breathe,""Ava, hey, remember that I don't force you to tell me everything. Just tell me the things that you are comfortable sharing–""No– Gale... You don't understand! I need to tell you everything

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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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    "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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    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

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