What Becomes Of Us (An Anthology)

Rare Star - 4

The day before the operation, Allen took leave from work for three days. He wanted to be sure he was there for Ethan and Mae. He saw how tired Mae had been during the time they stayed in the hospital.

Aside from being Ethan's primary caregiver, she also juggled her work for her online boutique, calling and emailing suppliers, arranging her deliveries and following up on her client's payments. She used drop-shipping for the orders so the supplier directly delivers the products to her customers. She said she didn't have the room to keep all the items so that was the most convenient way to deliver.

["Beautiful and smart. Boy, are you in trouble, Reacher. Can you keep just being friends with this amazing woman?"]

He knocked twice before opening the door to Ethan's room.

"Uncle!" The little boy squealed and delightedly threw his arms in the air when he saw Allen.

Allen smiled brightly and set the bag of their clothes that he brought on the chair near the door. He set the take-out he got for breakfast on the table then walked to Ethan's bedside.

"Good morning." He beamed as Ethan hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Si Mama walang kiss?" Allen pouted.

Mae giggled and rolled her eyes at him in response. "Good morning. Ang aga mo ah and you don't look so doctor-y today. Nakakapanibago to see you in a plain white shirt, casual shorts and sneakers."

"Off ko. Actually, leave. I want to stay with you and Ethan until after the procedure."

She suddenly fell silent and said, "You don't have to, Allen."

Allen seemed unfazed. "We've been through this, Mae, and I thought for the last five days that I spent here with you and Ethan, okay na tayo. I don't have to but I want to. Okay?"

"This is different, Allen. Apektado na ang trabaho mo. You don't have to take a leave from work for us."

"Yes, I do. I won't be able to concentrate on my work anyway. I'll just keep thinking about you and my little buddy over here." He grinned and ruffled Ethan's hair who laughed. "This is for everyone's benefit, especially my patients."

"I won't win this argument with you, would I?"

"Nope."

"Fine then. Do what you want, Reacher." Mae sighed. "But seriously, thank you for everything."

"If I get a peso every time you say thank you, I will be a millionaire in no time." Allen laughed. "You're welcome. Always welcome."

"Uncle..." Ethan tugged on Allen's arm. The little boy placed a forefinger on his own nose while Allen laid a thumb on his own forehead and they both laughed.

Mae chuckled and shook her head. "And there they go again with their secret codes. Why don't you teach me that, darling?" She asked Ethan.

The little boy giggled. "No, Mama. Uncle only."

"Ang daya. Okay. You boys can have that. I will find out someday." She laughed as she walked to the table where Allen left the food he brought. "Are you hungry? I'll open this na. Is that my bag?" Mae asked as she caught sight of the bag Allen left on the chair.

"Yes. I got you some clothes. I figured ubos na ang dinala ni Colleen for you."

"You mean pumunta ka sa apartment?! Oh, god." She gasped.

"Yes. Colleen left your keys and address with me para nga kung may kailangan kayo ni Ethan. Why?"

"Oh my god. Nakakahiya. So nakita mo yung bahay naming dinaanan ng bagyo." Mae blushed.

Allen laughed.

["Dinaanan ng bagyo is an understatement, my OC heart was broken to a million pieces when I opened the door but I didn't mind cleaning up for you."]

"Okay lang. I cleaned up the place for you."

"You did? Gosh! This is so embarrassing."

"Don't be embarrassed, Mae. It's my thing to clean up and arrange things. Besides, the clutter in your home told me a lot of different stories about you and how great you are as a Mom."

"You're kidding, right?"

"Not at all. The toys scattered on the floor told me how you let Ethan play freely and just enjoy being a child. The pile of paper and manuals on your desk showed me how you strive to continue your studies despite being a Mom to Ethan and managing your business. The mountain of clothes on the couch told me that you still insisted on doing your own laundry even if you did not have time to fold and put them away. The mess in the kitchen showed me how you struggled to still cook for Ethan even if you barely have enough time to do so. The unkempt bed told me that you let your little boy sleep in and that when he wakes up, you give him your full attention, leaving the mess behind."

"That sounds like a consolatory statement." She laughed.

"No. It sounds amazing. You are amazing, Mae." He stared at her with a glimmer in his eyes.

She smiled and silently held his gaze for a few seconds before she looked down and bit her lip. "Breakfast. Yes. My Ethan is hungry, right?"

"Bekfast!" Ethan cheered as she prepared the food for them to eat.

***

After their meal, Mae picked a movie for Ethan to watch on his iPad. She sat on the couch with Allen.

"You look tired. Get some sleep, Mae. I can take care of Ethan so you can get as much sleep as you can today."

She placed her hand on his hand and looked him in the eyes. "Thank you, Allen. I know you're going to tease me about thanking you again but I'm really grateful to have you in our life. You are the superhero that saved a lonely pair of mother and son. That is why... That is why I feel like I finally have to tell you the story about... how we ended up in need of rescuing."

Allen turned his palm up and held her hand. "You don't have to. I am glad you ended up here. You gave meaning and color to my otherwise boring and monochromatic life that depended on plans and guidelines that I set for myself."

"I want to tell you. So we can finally address the elephant in the room. You have always been so open and trusting and I feel that I owe you that story before..." Mae paused and took a deep breath before she continued. "Before we go any further with this friendship... After hearing my story, you can walk out if you want to. No hard feelings."

He held her hand tighter, raised it to his lips and kissed it gently. "I highly doubt I will walk out but go ahead and tell me the story. I'm listening."

"I met Luke, Ethan's dad, during my first year in college. He was sweet and thoughtful. He was attentive to my every need. He's not quite as good looking as you though..."

She grinned and tried to lighten things up when she felt Allen tighten his grip on her hand with the mention of Luke's name.

"But he WAS a great guy. That's why I fell in love with him. We were happy together although my Dad never really liked him. He said Luke did not really love me and that he was just using me. I didn't believe him."

"My Dad... My Dad was very protective of me. I was his only child. We lost my Mom when I was young so it was just me and him. He raised me alone as he developed his construction company. He provided a highly comfortable life for us and invested in dozens of properties for my future. He planned my future and expected a lot from me. I was the star in his life. His perfect little daughter until… I… I messed things up." She paused and drew a deep breath as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

Allen placed his arm over her shoulder and gently pulled her towards him.

"A year into my relationship with Luke, I was eighteen, when I found out I was pregnant. I was terrified. I didn't know what to do but Luke reassured me. He said he will take care of me and the baby but..."

Allen held his breath and bit his lip trying to hold back his emotions.

["I can't believe how much the mere mention of his name affects me. That bastard!"]

"But when I told my Dad about it, he got furious. He disowned me, cut me off my allowance and accounts, closed my trust fund and crossed me out of his Will. My Dad hated me and I couldn't blame him. I ruined all his plans for me. He threw me out of the house with only the clothes on my back. He never talked to me again after that."

Mae started sobbing but bit her lip to stop them so Ethan won't hear. Allen felt like his heart was being squeezed out of his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, hoping to have the power to make it all go away.

She hugged him back and snuggled on his chest allowing herself to let his warmth melt away the regret and the hurt she has for the situation with her father.

After a few seconds, she drew a deep breath and let go of Allen. He kept one arm over her shoulder as she continued.

"I was hurt and scared, of course I turned to Luke. I went to his house and talked to his parents but when Luke learned that my Dad kicked me out and I wasn't his rich girlfriend anymore, he denied me and the baby. He never talked to me again after I left his house. Last thing I heard, he got another girl pregnant and that girl's parents hired some goons to beat him up and forced him to marry their daughter. Serves him right." She said behind gritted teeth.

["JERK! IF I EVER SEE THAT MORON, I AM GOING TO POUND HIM TO MUSH."]

Allen clenched his fist. His blood boiled with anger at the man who did that to her.

"My Dad was right all along, that disgusting lowlife never loved me. He was only interested in my family's money but it was too late when I knew about it the hard way. So there I was, alone, penniless and knocked up. I was hopeless."

"Colleen, my best friend since grade school, was the only one who helped me. She and her parents, who were my Dad's business partners, took me in and helped me. Auntie Mary showed me how to start my online business and loaned me my initial capital. She said although they love me and I am welcome to stay with them for as long as I want, I should also learn to take care of myself and the baby on my own. I stayed with them until I had enough to get a place of my own but I still talk to them everyday."

"Your Dad?"

She sighed. "My Dad... He still wouldn't talk to me. I tried to visit him at home after I had Ethan so he could meet his grandson... but..."

Mae paused as another wave of tears started falling from her eyes. "But he didn't even spare us a glance, he just passed in front of us in his car without looking back."

She bit her lip again and her shoulders started to rock in silent sobs. Allen hugged her tight and kissed her temple.

"It's going to be okay. Look at you now. You're such a strong beautiful woman who raised the cutest and bravest little boy. Your Dad will be proud to see that and I'm sure you will be able to talk to him soon." He said, gently running his hand up and down her back.

Mae pulled away and looked Allen directly in the eyes. "There, you have my stupid story. You see how I tend to mess things up? How my stupidity messed things up with my Dad? You don't have to be a part of this. You're free to walk away now before it's too late."

Allen smiled at her. He reached out his hand and caressed her cheek. "I don't see any of this as your fault. You sincerely fell in love with a jerk. It's his fault, not yours. Like I said, I am not going anywhere. I will stay here with you and Ethan for as long as you would have me. You do want me to stay, right?"

She slowly nodded her head. "Yes. I want you to stay."

"Thank God." He sighed. "Coz I'm not planning to go anywhere but here. I'm exactly where I should be."

They stared into each other's eyes, letting them speak of unspoken emotions and settling endless debates of whether what they have was right or not until they came to an understanding. Slowly, like a dream, Allen's face inched closer to Mae's.

"Mama... Chayj movie pwease." Ethan called from the bed and they were snapped back to reality.

Allen pursed his lips and chuckled as Mae blushed and giggled.

"Okay, hon." She stood and took a step towards Ethan up but he quickly grabbed her hand.

"Ako na. I'll take care of Ethan today. You should get some sleep."

"But..."

"No buts. Remember, it's not just you and Ethan anymore. I am here." Allen smiled. “As a friend.”

[“For now.”]

Mae nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Ethan. You're an angel."

"With the thoughts running in my head right now, I am hardly an angel. But, you're welcome, Mae. Always."

Allen then walked to Ethan's bed and sat beside the little boy.

"Is it okay if Uncle picks the movie, little buddy? Let's let Mama sleep for now. She's really tired." He glanced at Mae who feigned a yawn.

"Yes. Yes." Ethan eagerly agreed. "Mama, sleep now. Close your eyes."

She laughed and said, "Okay, sweetie, I love you."

"I love you, Mama."

["I love you, Mae."]

Mae smiled at Allen and mouthed another "Thank you" before lying on her side on the couch.

("You are something else, Allen Reacher. A rare star that shines brightly on our darkest night.")

He smiled back and watched her lie down and close her eyes.

He continued choosing the movie for Ethan. After he picked one, Allen settled down beside the little boy and had Ethan rest his head on his shoulder as they watched The Incredibles together.

When it came to one scene of Mister Incredible and Baby Jack-Jack, Ethan looked up at Allen, back to the screen and back to Allen again as if trying to analyze the relationship of the characters on the screen and the relationship between him and the man who warmly sat beside him. 

After a while, the little boy seemed to figure it out and called, "Daddy..." 

Allen's heart skipped a beat when heard him. He quickly turned and looked down at Ethan. "Buddy?"

Ethan gave him a beaming smile and said, "Daddy."

Allen's heart trembled as he felt a tear fall from his eyes. He happily hugged Ethan who hugged him back.

"I love you, little buddy." 

"I wuv you, Daddy."

["Yes, Ethan. I can be Daddy. Nothing would make me happier."]