Ch.19

"Chrissy, come on! We're almost their!" Abbygale said.

"Easy for you to say. I'm carrying for two, brat." Chris said. Abbygale smiled and headed up but kept herself close to Chris.

After a while before the huge wave hit. Chris thought it was best to finished Abbygale's mission to light the lighthouse. He thought it would be best. For Abbygale. Once they dried up Abbygale apologize to Chris of her behavior when they met. Her reason shocked Chris.

[A While Ago]

"I like big bro Oz. I promise myself that once I get older, I'll take care of him. But once he return from the city, he already....he already chose who he wanted to be with. Even if he didn't admit it or realized it. But I knew. And the way he looked at you....It was you. Its a small world."

"Wow. So I just got in your way, huh. Thought you were just a brat with no manners. But I get it. Austin is good looking."

"Hehe but not bright." They both laughed. "I...I also know that...the baby..." Abbygale whispered to herself. "That...its...his..."

"Huh? You said something?"

Abbygale became silent for a moment but she jumped back up and smiled. "Nothing! Come one let's go!"

[Now]

"We're here." Abbygale said.

Once Chris made it up to the top of the lighthouse, the view took his breath away. They had a balcony. An open view glass widow surrounded them. They can see the beach, temple and the port. Their were stairs leading up to the light. This place used to be a tourist attraction, but since it got too dangerous to come here, it was left abandoned. Even if it was abandoned,  it looked good.

"Workers come here once in a while to fix the light if it stops working. But they have a separate control panel at the docks. So if the light don't turn on, they have to come here to fix it." Abbygale said.

"Wait. So your saying instead of coming here, we could've just turn it on else where!" Chris said.

"It wouldn't mean anything if I did that! Thats why it's important to come here. I have to do it in person. So daddy...can find his way..." Abbygale became silent.

"Abbygale...you know that...your dad...he's-"

"I know what your going to say. But I don't care...I know he's still alive. I can feel it. Even if they say he's...I'm going to help him either way. Dead or alive, I'm going to help him find his way." Abbygale said. Chris was surprised of her determination. Even if she's a reckless little girl. She has heart. Like her dad. Kinda.

Chris and Abbygale walked their last steps to the light. Obviously it was huge. Their was a power switch on the floor. They also had protective goggles too. Come on. We're not idiots. People can go blind with that big ass light bulb lighting up in your face. Once they put on the goggles Abbygale was ready to pull the switch.

Chris can see she was scared. He comfort her. "Its ok." Abbygale smiled. She took a deep breath and pulled the switch.

[Austin's POV]

"I got patrols around the area if they see her. We'll know if they found her." The chief said.

"Thank you, Papa." Julie said.

"Its going to get dark and cold. Where could she be." Geana said.

"We're still looking. She'll turn up...wait...where's Chris?" Austin said.

A light shined through the dust. Austin noticed it and looked up. The lighthouse...its lit.

Tom stood up and his eyes began to widen. He knew. "Abbygale...that crazy girl. She's at the lighthouse!" Tom said.

"I'll call in the patrol and asked them to make a call. If she's up their, then she'll be safe." The Chief said.

The Chief called in the patrol. Austin looked up at the lighthouse. And wondered how she got up their. The door is broken....Chris....

"Wow, Tom. You have yourself a hand full. Sigh. She's ok. I mean why go up their in the first place." Geana said.

Tom gave a faint smile but still in agony. "I have a good idea why she went their...that girl...why does she keep making me worry for...she's just like...her father..."

"I don't think she's alone too." Austin said. "The door is broken and with her size. I doubt she can break it open." Austin smiled. "She's not the only reckless one up their."

"Then I'm going to lecture them both once help arrives. And their not going to escape me." Julie said with a dark aura surrounding her. Please help those poor souls.

[Chris POV]

After a while, the rescuers finally arrived and help me and Abbygale down. Before that happened, Abbygale told me stories of her father. The great fisherman she would say. She told me that everytime he comes back from his work, he'll bring her rocks. He would say that once he went fishing. He'll go collect rocks from the bottom of the sea. And other times when she told me once it was summer. She'll take her to the reef and explore the sea. He taught her how to swim. Taught her many different kinds of fish and which once to look out for.

"He even took me to an awesome trip too! We'll go see dolphins and sharks! He even taught me how to fish too!! My daddy...he's the best!" Abbygale said. The shark thing kinda is concerning.

"Daddy taught me many thinks. I even believe he might be a prince of the sea. I believe he decided to stay in land because he fell in love with papa." Abbygale said. Then she became sad. "I miss him....I miss my daddy. One time I waited for him at the docks. It took so long that I began to cry. But he always come back, and asked me why I was crying. 'The sea doesn't need more water.' He'll say."

"Your dad...sounds like a great man." Chris said.

Abbygale looked up and smiled at him. "He's the best in the whole world. Him and papa. Together. We make a great team."

[Later]

"What were you thinking!" Tom exclaimed. "Not only you ran off on your own, you also put yourself at risk!"

"But but daddy–"

"Don't 'daddy' me young lady! I'm not done talking!" Tom said. Chris felt guilty not stepping in. He was too scared getting in the way of a parent. "You selfish child! Did you ever think that your actions may cause the people around you to worry!"

"Daddy! Your the same way!! You–" Abbygale was about to finished but became startled. She was embraced by her father. Tom hold her tight. Squeezing her to make sure she doesn't disappear before his eye.

"Abbygale. I have no excuse for my own actions." Tom said softly. "I'm a hopeless father. A screw up. A coward. An emotional wreck. But..." Abbygale felt tears from her shoulder. "Your all i have left...I...I can't loss you too. My baby girl." Abbygale was trying to be strong but her tears fail her. Tom lift himself and looked at his daughter. "Don't ever worry me again. You here me. Your too precious to me. I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you about papa. I wasn't strong enough to tell you. Your father is a coward. I'm sorry." Tom continued to cry. Abbygale cried too. But she stopped and wipe her tears away.

"Daddy." Abbygale said. Wiping away his tears. "Don't cry. The sea doesn't need more water." Tom gasped. Tom recall a time when his own husband said those words to him. George.

'The sea doesn't need more water. Thats what the rain is for. So wipe away the tears. Instead, just smile. Smile like the sun. If you can't do that, then follow my light. Follow it so you can find your way to happiness. Like how the ship follows the light of the lighthouse. Bring them back home. I'll be your lighthouse. I'll show you the way out of stormy weather. I'll show you the way out of the darkness. I'll show you the way when the fog grows thick and you become lost. I'll  be your lighthouse. And you'll be my heart. Finding its way back home.'

"Foolish girl." Tom smiled and hugged his daughter. "When did you become more adult then me."

Abbygale giggled. "Thats easy! You weren't looking."

Chris felt his heartache. He could never have what they have. Chris wanted love from his father. A love he could never have. Chris felt his baby kick. Chris gently rub his belly and smiled. Chris realized that he doesn't have to suffer that way again. Seeing Tom and his daughter together helped him see. Even though he never had a father's love. He isn't going to let his own child suffer the way he has. Chris is going to be a father. A great father. Even better than his piece of shit of a father. And hopefully...

Chris smiled at Austin. Austin smiled back.

...Not alone.

[Hours later.]

Chris sat down for a bit. Walking around made him so tired. He also been feeling a little pain. Austin brought him water.

"Thanks." Chris said.

"I was expecting for you to be shocked. Now that you have enter the chiefs residence." Austin said. Tom laughed.

"I'm beyond shock! This whole land including the huge house almost gave me a heart attack! Who knew Tom came from money!" Chris said.

"Well not really. Its been in his family for a long long time. Straight back til when a feudal lord ruled. They said this family were royal guards once. Its rough history since then after the fall of the feudal lord. I can take you to the castle! They have plenty of backstory." Austin said.

"Oh~ so its a date then." Chris said flirtatiously. Austin blushed.

"What what no! I mean that does sound nice. We can hold hands and kiss. NO! I don't mean that! Forget i said anything!" Austin said freaking out.

"Aw~. And I was so hoping for it. Holding hands. Kissing. Those were the good parts. Oh well. If thats what you want." Chris said.

"...YES! THATS WHAT I WANT. LET'S GO ON A DATE! LETS HOLD HANDS AND KISS AND–" Austin said.

"Hahahahahaha! Stop stop! 🤣 Your killing me!" Chris couldn't hold his laughter. It was too much. Austin hold Chris's hand. Chris stopped laughing and stared at Austin who became serious. That made Chris blush.

"Chris." Austin said. Chris swallowed a bit. Chris became nervous. "Christopher, will you go on a date with me." Chris face turned red. He never felt this way before. Austin waited patiently for his reply.

"Yeah...I mean yes. I would like to go in a date with you." Chris said. Austin signed in relief. Their eyes locked into place. Both wanted to make a move but their was a bit of fear. 'Is it the right time?' 'Are we going too fast?' 'Will he back away?' Those fears rushed towards their minds. Their afraid. But they want to express this urge.

Waiting...how long will they wait? How long will this feeling last? They want eachother.

'I suppose we don't have to wait.' Both of then said in their thoughts. They both lean towards eachother and press their lips to one another. They were alone in their own world. A world where they have eachother.

No more waiting. No more feeling awkward. No more beating the bush. 'Let's just be.'

Chris and Austin passionately made out. They simple ignore the people in the house around them. Tom and Julie saw them from the hallway and gave them space. Tom looked at Julie and gave her the 'told you so' face. They felt them alone.

[Tom POV]

Tom walked Julie to the front door. Geana was waiting for her.

"I'll go get my father and see how Tom is doing. He did went under water for a while. He seems fine but it still worries me." Julie said.

"We'll be back in no time so don't you worry." Geana said. "How is Abby?"

"She fell asleep in my old room. She'll  be fine." Tom said. Julie looked troubled.

"Are you...going to give your respects?" Julie said. Tom became said. Then gave Julie a smile.

"I haven't given my respects to them for a long time. It's time I do. If I'm going to go through this pain...I have to get through that." Tom said.

"But you don't have too right away. I mean. You can wait for a while and–"

"Its ok, Geana." Tom assured her. "I have to get through it. It the only thing in my way. So I can be their for my daughter. Please...you too Julie...let me..." Julie tears came out unknowingly. She quickly wipe them away. Tom smiled.

After Julie and Geana left to go get the doctor, Tom finally walked into the family shrine. He looked around the outdoor place. The sound of creatures of the night made the place bareable. He continued to walk further in and came across a shine. He lit the candles and gave and offering. He sat on his knees and prayed. Tom was afraid. He was so afraid but he had to do it.

"Didn't think you'd have the guys to be here." Tom finished his prayers and looked at his father. His father sat with him and prayed as well. "You never once step foot in this place. That you were a coward. Scum."

"Oh gee thanks dad. You too." Tom said. They both stared at the grave.

"I suppose you were just too sensitive. Or maybe I'm less compassionate." The Chief said.

"Or maybe you were just an asshole who cared about rules and traditions." Tom said.

"I never wanted this from you." The Chief said unexpectedly. Tom looked at his father. "I never wanted you to suffer the way I have. But life never wanted to go our way." Tom hold back his tears.

"Oh now your fucking sentimental! Get fucked old man! Like I need sympathy from an asshole like you!" Tom said. The Chief glanced at Tom.

"Your words don't match your actions, boy. Its time you be honest with yourself." The chief said. Even though Tom said those words. His look was in pain and tears were running down his face. "Say what you need to say. I'll be inside making dinner." The Chief left Tom alone. He needed to be alone. Just for this moment.

Tom turned to the shrine. "Hey...its me....sorry I haven't been here for so long. You must've been sad without me here. I couldn't bring myself here. I was too afraid to face you. But its ok...Daddy here...your daddy's here...my.....my baby boy...." Tom collapsed at the shrine. "Forgive me...FORGIVE ME! DADDY'S HERE!!" Tom kept crying. "YOUR DADDY'S HERE!!"

The chief looked from afar. Watching his son cried out his tears. A side he hasn't seen in a long time.