Gabby halts on her step as they walk out of the airport towards the car waiting on them to find her father-in-law waiting, she glances at her husband who stops along side her without making any movement before she watches her mother-in-law making her way towards her husband.
She feels the tension radiating from both of them but a smile forms in her face when her father-in-law opens his arms for Alana. But the smile wipes off her face and Alana kicks Richie making him fall on the ground as Alana gets in the car and closes the door.
"You can call for a cab as you are going to be rich after our divorce is finalized" she announces and Gabby's head snaps back at her husband who just stands unmoving.
"Umm" Gabby gasps not knowing what to say.
"Come on" Ricardo speaks holding her hand as he walks to where his father was before helping the man up.
"She has never kneed me, ever" Richie winces before he smiles at Gabby, embarrassed.
"It's okay, I knee men all the time. I have done that to Rare" she pats on Richie's shoulder.
"We need to talk" Richie sighs as he stares at the way his wife drove.
"Shall we call for a cab?" Gabby asks as she stares from Richie to Ricardo.
"Not now, Precious" Ricardo sighs as he walks towards the parking lot where his car was.
*******
Ricardo stops the car in front of their house before he steps out and opens the back door where she was sitting, she smiles as Richie gets out of the front seat and she tries to read both father-son's emotions but none of them gives away anything.
Ricardo pulls out the bags from the car asking Gabby to unlock their house door while he takes the bags inside, she clears her throat once all of them settle in the house, yet no one speaks a word.
"Coffee, anyone?" Gabby offers watching the men standing quietly in the room.
"We will need something stronger than that" Richie speaks as he sits down on the sofa and Gabby shuffles a bit not knowing what she should do.
"Why don't you go take a rest or freshen up?" Ricardo suggests and she bites her lower lip.
"But then I will be more curious and eavesdrop on you both" she confesses with a pout.
Ricardo walks to her and holds her arms as he stares at her eyes before he drops a kiss on the top of her head before he sighs.
"Please"
"You know I want to sleep all the times but when I need it the most it never comes, so I will just pretend to go unpack the bags and play on my phone" she smiles before she walks away from the room leaving the men alone.
"Is she always this honest with you?" Richie asks with a smile.
"I don't think my wife is the topic we should be discussing" Ricardo points out as he walks towards the kitchen before, he walks back to where his father was with a glass and a bottle of brandy.
"What is it that you wanted to talk?" Ricardo asks as he pours a glass for his father.
"I have done many mistakes in my life" Richie starts as he holds the glass but does not drink it.
"And one of that many was to not look into Lena's life after she left"
"Don't tell me you regret her death or something?" Ricardo asks watching his father.
"I don't know what I feel anymore. I thought I could handle it all but how wrong of me and now look at us...
If it was not for your mom, I don't know how all four of you would end up but it's all her, she curved you all into who you are today, and I was...
Well, I should have done something more, but I did not and because of that, Richard has to go through all this confusions and pain"
"Why did you never interfere?" Ricardo questions.
"I don't know, I just did not know how to make things right. I love our mother, I respect and love her more than anything, but I did not know how to make her happy or just stop hurting her...
I know I have failed her as her husband and there are things, I did that I am not proud of but what's done is done but even if it's late I want to make it right...
Right for her no matter how late we are"
"Please don't tell me you are agreeing on divorcing her because we both know she loves you" Ricardo states making Richie chuckle.
"Lord, know why that woman stayed or why she keeps up with me, but I am thankful everyday about it"
"Then what right are you talking about?" Ricardo asks as he intertwines his finger and stares at him.
"Richard is biologically our son" he rubs his face.
"Yeah. I know, you do not have to remind us how he was..."
"Biologically, my and Alana's not Lena" Richie interrupts Ricardo whose eyes narrows a bit.
"This is crazy. I have been searching for Lena's whereabouts and trying to figure her out, but it was always a dead end...
For years before I gave up not until I came up with a news, it was an article about this whole freezing egg of women, and you know how they can implant it on...something like that...
That is when I saw this familiar name and then I tried to track this man down and that is when I found something that just...
I still cannot believe it" Richie sighs tirelessly and Ricardo feels sad watching his father look so stressed and tired.
He watches his father open and close his mouth few times as if finding it hard to even speak the words.
"It's okay, dad, whatever it is. We are here" Ricardo assures watching his father fight whatever emotions her was going through.
"Bloody hell" Richie curses shaking his head before he stares Ricardo in the eyes.
"I never cheated on your mother" Richie speaks.
"Dad, sometimes..."
"No, hear me out. It was all an act, set up by some people who does not deserved to be named...I...it was all a set up to destroy whatever I and your mother had between us...
I never slept with Lena, I never cheated on Alana, they used Alana's eggs and my sperms...they used it to create Richard....
Lena was his mother but a surrogate, not biological mother, Alana has always been his mother and I cannot express the happiness I felt when I found the truth...
The fact that I even...I love your mother, and no one can come in comparison to her and all these years..." Richie stops as emotions clogs his voice making it difficult for him to speak while Ricardo sits stunned and shocked at the information.
"The grief of hurting Alana in that way, the reality of what I did...all these years, I just. I could not even look in to any of your eyes and tell you or face anyone of you...
Because I did so wrong to your mother and I kept doing it" he confesses as he puts his head on his hand and shakes his head.
"Does Richard know?" Ricardo asks as he was too shocked to even move and comfort his father.
"No. No one does, you are the only one I told"
"Why?" he asks surprised.
"Because I want you to forgive me for hurting your mother for being the kind of man in your eyes who cheated on her"
"Dad" Ricardo gulps.
"You are the only connection between us, the only purest of form that represents us, and I was ashamed of what I did...
But, now knowing it was all a lie I just want to tell you that, I would have never done that to her if things were in my control...
So, I am sorry, for everything Rick, for every tears that you both shed because of my mistakes" he pleads.
"Dad, you don't have to" Ricardo whispers as he gets up and goes to where his father was before he hugs him.
"You have always been the one I looked up to and thank you for everything you have done. I know even if it was out of hand you tried, you tried to keep this family as one, so thanks" he smiles as he hugs his father tightly.
"I love you all" Richie smiles patting on his arm.
"We love you as much" Ricardo nods as they stay quiet and take in the information.
*******
Gabby looks up from her phone as Ricardo walks in the room, she smiles before frowning as she sees his naked expression.
"Is everything okay?" she worries putting her phone away before she finds him engulfing her in a hug.
Gabby stays still as he buries his head in her neck and takes deep breath before he lets go of her, she smiles as she touches his face wondering what happened.
"I love you" he smiles as he caresses her cheek.
"Everyone does"
"You are the best thing ever happened to me"
"That's why we are married" she frowns wondering why he was saying all of it, not that she minds.
"I just love you so much" he smiles pinching her cheek as he drops a light kiss on her lips.
"Not that I doubt but are you okay?" she touches his forehead making him chuckle.
"Let's make babies, tons and tons of babies" he grins, and she pushes him away from her.
"I knew it. All you want is one thing and one thing only" she gasps covering her chest with both her arms.
"What?"
"I am not having kids so soon"
"Why not?"
"We just got together, I have yet to have you for all myself" she pouts before clutching the front of his shirt.
"I have so many things I need to do with you, just us" she pouts making him smile.
"Of course, not right now but"
"Promise me, you will not trick and make me pregnant" she asks making him laugh.
"Hey now"
"Just promise"
"But accidents happen"
"Then no sex" she frowns.
"I promise" Ricardo grins as he pecks on her lips.
"I love you too" Gabby grins as she hugs him.
"By the way, what did you talk with your father?" she asks as she stares at his face.
*******
Ricardo goes through the files his father left for him and puts it down once he is done, texting his brother he asks Richard to meet him at his house. He turns around as he hears Gabby's laughter and smiles following her voice.
"Oh my god, we should totally do that. A Netflix night, yes" Gabby groans as she talks in her phone.
"And please as if you did not know...shut up" she gasps before giggling.
"Must be magic" she laughs at something the person on the other side of the phone says.
"Nah...I will be back soon, do treat my parents good" she grins before saying her goodbye and turning to find Ricardo standing on the doorway with a smile.
"If I did not know better, I would be jealous of the person making you laugh and so much happy" he comments making her laugh again.
"It was Bo, we were just making plans to meet"
"Do you miss your family?" he asks.
"It's strange but nope. Maybe because I just see them when I feel like and" she shrugs her shoulders.
"You can meet them anytime you like" he states as he walks towards her.
"I am thinking of going to see them in few days, will you be joining?" she asks, and he smiles as he puts his hands on her arm.
"I am afraid if I send you back alone, you may not come back home to me" he speaks making her scoff.
"The chances are me not going back to my family is more than not coming back to you" she states before pulling his tie to kiss on his jaw.
"I have called Richard, we will be in my office, so" he informs, and she pouts.
"It's like you are either staying away from me to trying to be in me" she teases.
"Why don't you go see the dogs?" he chuckles, and she frowns.
"We have dogs, still?" she groans.
"Yes we do, we talked about it"
"I am not cleaning after them"
"You don't have to"
"Wait, there are people to clean after them?" she asks surprised.
"Of course,"
"Oh creepy" she shudders.
"Why?"
"Because I thought it was just you and me in this house and now knowing there are more than just two of us...
I will never not feel weird about it"
"Relax, they won't come in the house or do anything to harm you. They are here to take care of the dogs, anyways just go out maybe you will like it" he suggests making her sigh.
"If they bark my way..."
"It's their way of showing they like you"
"Well not when they show their sharp teeth and growl...rawww" she makes the voices making him laugh.
"I think I will want to hear you do that in front of the dogs, see how they react" he winks as he hears Richard's voice calling him.
"Be right back" he smiles as he walks out of the room and Gabby sighs.
*******
Ricardo walks out of the room before meeting Richard at the living room, he asks Richard to follow him before they walk towards the living room and settle down.
"What was the emergency?" Richard asks as he watches Ricardo who picks up the file and stares at it before walking towards him and handing him the file.
"What is it?" Richard asks as he takes the file.
"The truth"
"What?" Richard frowns as he opens the file only to stay still.
Richard stays shocked at the documents Ricardo hands him over with, not believing his eyes he re-reads the things on it again and again.
"So, all these years" Richard stutters as he stares at Ricardo in shock.
"I wish we had found about it before Rich, but things were not as easy as it seems. When Lena came back, we had to do something...
We know the mission she had years ago to tear us apart would have complete if it was not for us sticking together and if..."
"I have not killed her" Richard finishes for him and Ricardo squeezes his brother's shoulder.
"What you did, I cannot say I understand but just know you are my brother and no matter what we will love you"
"But these..." he shakes the file in his hands.
"This proves what we all have wanted, you may have given birth from Lena's womb, but you were made by our parents...
Our mother has waited on for you for years, hoping, wishing and praying you will come to her as her son and now seeing all this, is it not enough to break whatever hold that had to stopped?" Ricardo asks as heh grabs the back of Richard's neck and shakes him.
"I have said so many horrible things...."
"And she will forgive you for each one"
"I don't know, how to..."
"Yes, you do, deep inside you know how to fix this, only you can Richard. Now go" Ricardo smiles as he lets go of his brother who stares at the files once again before determination sets on his eyes.
*******
Alana laughs when Rustic walks out of his room to show her his clothes before glaring at his mother's choice.
"Oh my"
"Don't" the boy grumbles as it was a very ill-fitted suit.
"But the color suits you" Ryman teases his brother before dodging as Rustic throws the coat at his way.
"Hey, that's Versace" Ryman laughs aloud.
"Did you gain weight?" Alana asks as she picks up the clothes that Rustic starts to throw around.
"Perhaps he has finally gotten pregnant, mom" Ryman wiggles his brow before he jumps off the couch as Rustic shouts at him.
"Boys" Alana shouts at her sons as they run around the room as if they are still five.
With a smile on her face she starts to dust off the shirt Rustic was wearing and stops when her eyes lands on Richard standing at the doorway.
"Your brothers were just trying their clothes, I know you said you did not want but just in case, I had ordered a tailored-suit for you as well...
It's somewhere....wait," she hurries to check through the bags to pull his out.
"Thanks...mom" Richard smiles as he walks towards her.
"Oh, it's okay, it's your big brother's wedding after all and..." Alana stops as she realizes what he just said, the bag in her hand drops as tear fills in her eyes.
"What?" she whispers slowly turning around before Richard kneels in front of her.
"I am sorry" he begs.
"Oh Rich" Alana gasps covering her mouth as tears does not stop falling down her eyes.
"I am sorry mom, please forgive me" he pleads, and she touches his head with shaky hands not believing her ears and eyes.
"Rich...my...my angel" she shudders when he wraps his arms around her before crying.
"You are an..." Rustic stops at the sight in front of him, with both his mother and brother crying in their arms.
"Fuck" Ryman whispers as he grabs onto Rustic's shoulder not believing his eyes.
*******
Alana smiles as she drops a kiss on Richard's forehead while caressing his cheek, she takes a deep breath as he hugs her tightly and she feels at peace.
"Stay for dinner, let us all have dinner together as a family" Alana requests and Richard says nothing but nods his head.
"Well it will be such a relief to not cook for once, next time take me with you mom and leave someone else to look after dad" Rustic sighs as he sits beside his mother and wraps his arms around her.
"No way" Ryman grins as he sits in front of Alana and puts his head on her lap.
"There won't be next time" Alana smiles as she runs her hand through Ryman's hair.
"See, mom loves me the most" Ryman grins winking at Rustic who pouts and holds Alana's hand.
"No, it's me she loves right mom, that is why she trusted me to care dad" he fights.
"I am leaving your father so there won't be a next time" Alana states and Rustic grins.
"See, she loves me so much that she is leaving dad because he was...wait what?" Rustic gasps as his head turns towards her.
"Please don't" Richard's voice makes her look at him.
"I have finally found you both so please don't leave. I had dad with me, but I pushed you away but now that I have you too please" he pleads making Alana frown.
"Your father has always done..."
"Just hear him" Richard asks, and Alana cannot say no to him, so she silently nods her head.
"Can we talk?" Richie asks as he walks out of the room to find her surrounded with the boys.
"I will call Rick, so he can join for dinner" Ryman gets up from the floor pulling out his phone.
"We will you two to sort it out" Rustic smiles as he kisses his mother's cheek and walks away.
"I love you" Richard whispers as he holds Alana's hand and kisses the back of it.
Alana stares at Richie for a long time before she nods her head and he walk towards her kneeling in front of her. He holds her hands in his and takes a breath in relief.
"Alana, about Richard..." he starts.