Chapter 41: chapter 41

Chapter 41Third Person's POV'Oh my! that necklace is amazingly beautiful honey! ' Eve gushed in happiness, rushing to her daughter to embrace her. She squeezed her petite body into her arms, smiling widely.'And you look even more dashing with the jewel around your neck! ' Renata jumped right in the conversation, hugging Ava too.'You're crowding her personal space women. ' Reynard chuckled, calling the two women back to the dining table. He was calm as always, leaning back on his chair with a visible smile.'Congratulations Ava, my sons know how to choose. ' Reynard added, throwing a nod to Ava and a thumbs up to the men that had caught his niece's eyes.'Na ah..correction Mr Reynard, your former sons. ' Ray spoke to his father, waving his index finger in the air.'Only on paper Ray, you are still my children. All of you. ' Reynard smiled at his son, darting his eyes between the both of them. They moved to stand on either side of Ava, their heads a feet taller than her body.'Mums and dad. ' Ava called out hesitantly.'This here(she placed her right hand on top of the necklace), is a promise necklace. ' She whispered, her eyes gleaming with visible happiness.'I'm so happy my child. ' There was so much enthusiasm in Renata's words, almost jumping up and down.' It should have been an engagement ring though!' Eve pouted, crossing her arms over her upper abdomen.'Stop pouting Ren, they will exchange vows in good time. ' Reynard was always bringing everyone into line with his ability to remain patient.'Please excuse us, our day has been a long one. ' Bryson finally let his voice filter through the dining room, wrapping his muscular arm on Ava's shoulder. She tilted her head to look at him, licking her lips.'Oh son, was beginning to think that you had become mute. ' Renata teased her son, smiling at him lovingly.Every single face in that room lit up in joy. The beaming and broad smiles exuded a lighthearted feeling. Their faces glowed, the eyes sparkling with visible happiness.Everyone was finally happy and sated with the way things were unfolding. Nothing could go wrong at that time.'Actually Bryson, you have to stay for a few minutes. ' Reynard words stopped the three lovebirds from retreating to their room.'Uum what do you mean we can't go rest now? ' Ray was quite confused, his eyebrows raised quizically and his forehead creasing slightly.'Oh come on, we all know you'll not be resting till wee hours, you'll be going at it like bunnies in...''Oh my God mum stop it! ' Ava cut her mum off the statement, stopping her from using the unfiltered words any longer. She shouted in shame, covering her face.'Eve! that was quite...' Reynard scratched his head in mortification.'Don't shy off big man, anyway Ava, your grand parents are on their way as we speak. ' Renata broke the news to Ava.'What! ' Ava exclaimed.'Yes what? ' Both boyfriends followed.'Listen, they've been wanting to meet you for the last two years. Would you at least let them say whatever they want to...Please honey? ' The young woman's mum begged.'I know you they are the last people you want to lay your sight on, but avoiding it will just prolong the inevitable. They hurt me too by hurting you, but even I realised that until I forgave them, I'd stay questioning everything. ' Ava's mother stepped forward, clasping her daughter's hands in hers.'Mother...' Ava closed her eyes briefly, letting out a loud sigh that lifted her shoulders before making them sag as it filtered out.A very uncomfortable silence followed, every pair of eyes looking at Ava, waiting for her to give out her answer. Just as she was about to open her mouth, the door bell rang.'That must be them, I'll get it. ' Eve excused herself, leaving Ava in a dilemma of some sort.'Princess, you don't have to see them if you don't want to. You owe them nothing beautiful. ' Ray kissed the side of her head assuringly.'Yes Ava, we don't want them raising issues again when we are doing alright. ' Bry was totally against them even coming closer to their woman.'Look at you, all grown and now they want to snatch that from you? The happiness, the tranquility that has engulfed you over the years? ' Bry shook his head.'Hell no. ' Reynard watched as his sons attempted to change Ava's mind. But the determined look on her face was clear as day. She was going to do it, whether they allowed it or not.'No Ray, I want to do this. The sooner the better. ' Ava's gaze remained fixed on the living room.She then walked towards the living room, her steps urgent. There, her eyes cast a glance upon her grandparents.Her steps faltered and she haltered in an instant, her face blank, giving away no emotion. Her eyes swept up and down their figures, giving away nothing of some sort. Her grandparents on the other hand stood in shock. As they raked their eyes on their estranged grand daughter, different emotions shown through them. Surprise, happiness and shame.They couldn't believe how beautiful their granddaughter had become. In a distant, Ava's boyfriends, her mother, Eve and Reynard watched as the two parties stood unmoving.'I'm so sorry my grand child. ' Her grandmother struggled to bottle up her tears, finding it difficult to keep her emotions in check.'Why? ' Ava muttered, shifting her gaze between both of her grand parents.'We...we didn't. ' Her grandfather Mark stuttered, his voice so shaky with raw emotion.'Why do you hate me so much? ' Ava questioned calmly, taking slow steps towards them.'I grew up asking myself what I ever did to you? I asked myself time and time again why you were so hostile to me. I wondered how and why people said that grand parents were supposed to be caring, when you were so hateful towards me.I only wanted a relationship with you. I wanted to knit with you grandma, enjoy your home cooked meals and dessert.Grandpa, I wanted you to take me fishing like the rest of my cousins. I wanted you to be there for me when I was left all alone.I wanted to feel loved, to share both the good and bad moments. ' She paused, swallowing her saliva.'But it didn't matter what I wanted because, none of it came true. None of it mattered to you. I was a home wrecker in your eyes. How could you blame a child for nothing she knew of? An innocent child, yearning for the love of her papa and nana. They were all wishes, wishes that never manifested in real life. ' Her tone lowered, her gaze shifting to the floor in sadness.'You never gave a damn about how I was doing or where I was. What if you saw news about me having been found dead somewhere? Would you have cared? 'Her men watched with steam easing off their bodies. They hated to see her broken, questioning about love that was supposed to have been given year ago.Her grandparents walked closer to her and pulled her to a very heart moving hug. She stood there unresponsive, almost as if she didn't believe it was finally happening.'We have no excuse to what we did Ava. We have nothing to say to you that is believable. We hurt you for selfish reasons. ' Mark spoke after a while, his arms tightening around her.'We should have never blamed you for things you had no control of. We..''It's okay. ' Ava cut her grand mothers' statement mid sentence.'What matters is that you're here now, trying to make things right. I know I wanted an explanation, but not anymore. I can see how much regret you have in your hearts and is enough for me to say that. ' She smiled at them.'I forgive you. ''Just..Just like that? ' Her grand father asked.'Yes grand dad, I forgive you. ''Oh my child, you have a very nice soul. ' Her grand ma gushed, hugging Ava once more.'Ray, Bryson. ' Ava beckoned to her boyfriends.'Grand ma, papa. This are my boyfriends. ' Ava introduced the two parties.'Both of them? ' Her grand dad shockingly asked.'Do you have a problem with it? ' Eve jumped right into the conversation.She was ready to put her parents in their place. She wasn't about to let them hurt Ava again.'No, we just didn't see it coming. But we are very much okay with it. Right honey? ' Eve's mother spoke.'Of course, as long as you are happy my child. ' Mark added.'It's nice to finally meet you. ' Ray spoke to the two, shaking their hands in the process.'It's nice seeing you. ' Bryson added, giving them a nod.'Renata, we know we never agreed to what you did. We saw you as our replacement to our daughter. We are very sorry for treating you that way. ''It's okay Mark, everything happens for a reason. ' Renata assured him.'Now cause everything is settled, can we get a family selfie? ' Reynard stepped in front of everyone, lifting his smart phone and taking a selfie.The family stood happy, chatting amongst one another as they bonded together.Ava had everything she ever wished for in life, the only thing she wanted now was to make every second worth living.In the end, everything turned out just fine.'THE END. '