Loving Madeline

Madeline's POV

The incident with my grandfather wanted me to run away from his castle. Before I wonder why my father left this gigantic house, knowing someday, he will become Hector Grant's successor. And now, I could tell maybe it was because of my grandfather's domineering attitude and lack of fatherly love.

I walked out towards my room in a hurry, and I never slowed down until I reached my room because I could still feel the shaking of my limbs. I got inside my room, and I couldn't stop myself from slamming the door. I am now on the balcony thinking about my family in Archois, especially my husband. As I thought about Hunter and his love for me, I calmed down a bit, and I couldn't stop myself from dialing his number even if I knew he was still sleeping over there.

"Hello, Madeline, are you okay?" I heard his groggy voice enough to make me cry hard because I realized how much I missed him.

"Hey, my love, why are you crying? Are you okay?" He asked again, and I tried to laugh in between my sobs.

"Yes, I am sorry if I was calling you at this hour. I can't stop myself from missing you." I said, and he released a sigh of relief.

"You scared me, Madeline, and I am so glad you are fine. I miss you too, my love. If I could only be there with you right now, I already did it in a heartbeat." He replied.

"I know I am calling you in the middle of your sleep. I want to know if you are going to come here and get me," I said as I touched my stomach; and I could now feel a bump, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"Of course, Madeline, to tell you the truth, I couldn't sleep at all because I was thinking about you the entire night and all the things I am going to do with you. I want to be there to touch, kiss, hug, laugh, and talk with you, then I will whisper sweet nothings in your ear and make love with you." He said, and I felt so thrilled, and I could feel the knots on my stomach.

"I will be there the soonest possible time, actually I wanted to be with you right away, but there is something I wanted to tell you, Madeline." He added, and I suddenly felt nervous because I could tell my husband's voice suddenly changed.

"What is it, Hunter? You are scaring me," I said.

"There is nothing to be nervous about, Maddie. It is about my dad. He is in the hospital right now, and after what happened to you, I haven't visited him in the hospital, and I felt guilty. I know I blamed him for what happened to you, and I felt guilty when I realized it wasn't him. I thought he was the one behind your kidnapping incident. I found out he wasn't involved when I learned he had a heart attack on the day you went to Zambo; he was already in the ICU." Hunter declared.

"I wanted to visit him first and assist his situation, and I needed to speak with his doctors. I know mom is hiding her true emotions, and I couldn't even believe that she is still able to work on my behalf after everything that happened, and I know she was only trying to cover up her worries about my dad's condition." Hunter added.

"Hunter, I understand. And you don't have to worry about me. I am fine. Help your mom first, and maybe Cal can help her in running the company; for the time being, I know you have trained him." I said.

"No, my love, it was the opposite. Cal was the one who trained and taught me a lot of things, not only with work-related concerns but even my personal life, especially my love life." Hunter said, and I couldn't stop myself from blushing because I knew what he meant, and I couldn't deny Cal was one of the reasons why we are still together. He helped us in so many ways, such as how to be patient with each other. He kept on reminding us that our love for each other will withstand the test of time, and it will make us stronger.

I can tell my husband was sorry and sad about what happened with his dad. I have known that Hunter still had respect for his father, even if for how many times Clark Divenson tried to hurt me and for how many times he shattered Hunter's heart.

"Stay with your Dad, Hunter. I know you care about him so much, even if he tried to hurt us so many times. I will be here waiting for you." I said, and even if I wanted to tell him about my grandfather, I didn't want him to worry about me.

"Your father has nothing to do with what happened to Lily and me, I thought he was the mastermind, but when I was onboard in The Wildflower, I knew it wasn't him at all. It was Kaye who tried to hurt me, and my grandfather's butler confirmed it with me that it wasn't your father, but it was Kaye." I declared, and there was a pause on the other line, and I could tell right away my husband was punching our bed.

"I am going to kill her, Maddie, I swear!" He said, and I laughed.

"I know you can't do that, Hunter. You are too good and too handsome to do that." I said, and he laughed.

"Let us not go down to her level, my love," I added.

"Of course, I know. I only said those words because of my anger towards Kaye. I almost lost you because of her greedy intention. How can Kaye be so selfish?" Hunter asked, and he released a heavy sigh.

"You are such an angel, Madeline, and I wish Kaye would realize the reason I can't fall in love with her. She thought she had everything life could offer, but she was wrong. She lacks compassion and doesn't know the real meaning of love, and she is incapable of loving. And I felt so lucky to have you in my life, my sweet Madeline." He added, and I smiled as I imagined my husband's handsome face.

"Thank you for your love, Madeline." He continued, and I smiled.

"Loving you is my favorite, in all the things that I wanted to do in this world, Hunter," I said.

"Your words alone could make me so alive, Madeline, and I just want you to know, you are my life and my everything." My husband said.

"I know, my love," I said, and we said goodbye to each other, and I could say I felt better after talking with my husband.

I was looking at the garden where I could see the gardeners busy tending with the flowers, and I couldn't help but smile as I appreciated the view before me. I wonder if my grandfather would admire the colorful blooming flowers all over the garden, I could see roses and daisies and many more, and I know it was such a waste to have such a lovely garden, and you don't have time to appreciate them.

I was so engrossed gazing at the garden without knowing I'd got company. And I felt guilty as I watched my aunt with a sad and worried expression on her lovely face. I left the dining room without having a second look.

"I am sorry, mom; I know what I did was horrible. I know I made a big mistake." I declared, and I saw she shook her head.

"Don't be silly, Maddie. We all know it wasn't your fault. I should apologize for my father's behavior, and thanks to your walkout episode, he was shocked at first, and then he did the most unexpected thing, he was laughing hysterically. He couldn't believe you were a feisty one. And he cried after laughing so hard because you remind him so much about mom." Aunt Francine said, and I am so curious to know about my grandma.

"Dad said, even if you don't look like mom because for dad you've inherited his looks, and you got your attitude from mom. You are a strong independent woman, Madeline. And I hope you will give your grandpa a chance to know you." She added as she looked at me in the eyes, and I became speechless for a long while.

"I know how much you miss your husband, and I could tell you will leave this place the moment Hunter will take you home after what dad did to you. But I am asking you to give him another chance, Madeline. You have to believe me that my father is not what he seemed. He was a loving father behind his cocky attitude." My aunt added.

"I am sorry, mom, I know I should hold my anger, but I never expected him to greet me in that way. I am his long-lost granddaughter, he must be happy to see me, but the way he welcomed me was the opposite. I was so excited to meet him, but I was disappointed by the way he treated me." I replied

"I grew up without my dad and didn't have the chance to know or even see him before he died, and I was hoping I could find fatherly love in grandpa, but I was wrong. He hated me before he got the chance to know me." I added, and I could see the anxiousness on my aunt's face.

"Madeline, I know it would be too much to ask, but I know you are an understanding and kind-hearted woman, and I am sure you will give father another chance." She declared.

"Please, have your breakfast now, Maddie. I brought your food here; I know you don't have the appetite to eat, but you need to eat for the sake of your child." She added, and I was shocked that she had brought me my food.

"Thank you, mom. You don't have to do this, and besides, I can manage." I said, and she looked at my face and smiled.

"Let me do this to you, my dear; for once I wanted how to feel to be a mother, you are the daughter that I couldn't have." She said, and my heart swelled with happiness.

"I would love that, my mom died when I was barely a teenager, and I also forgot how to have a mom, and I felt so grateful for this opportunity that I was able to know you, aunt Francine, and I love the feeling of calling you mom," I said. She smiled at me as she held my hand, and together we walked back inside my room, and I couldn't stop my mouth from drooling the moment I saw the food on the tray.

I can't deny I like the way my aunt gave me her full attention, and I love the feeling of having her as a mom, even for a while.. I can't deny I still wanted to know my grandfather even after what happened in the dining room this morning since I still believe everyone deserves to have a second chance.