44 Chapter 44: Time With Dad. 

[Edward POV]

"I… thought you were bringing me somewhere fun."

"This is somewhere fun."

Looking around the dark green coloured lake, I turned to my dad who was already sitting on a small boat with a huge grin on his face. He wore a fishing cap with a few fish-shaped bait stuck on it, and a fisherman's jacket.

"...Fishing?" I asked flatly while dropping my shoulders.

"...Yes." Ted replied with the same excited smile – not knowing my apprehension to the activity.

"...Okay." I said in self-defeat and walked to the boat before I climbed on it. He brought us to the middle of the lake before helping me put the bait on and casting it into the ocean using a fishing rod.

"Haih~" I sighed while holding the fishing rod as the wait from getting a fish to bite the bait was too dull.

"It's boring huh." Ted smirked teasingly while looking at me before reeling his bait in slowly to attract the fishes.

"You promised me fun. This isn't fun at all." I said while looking far away into the horizon.

His spirited eyes turned serious, and he said, "A disturbed mind won't be able to understand the joy of fishing."

His words intrigued me, so I turned toward him. "What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know. That was what your gramps used to say." Ted smirked as I rolled my eyes.

"It's impossible for you to not understand it." I said snarkily. "So, you're trying to lead me into an emotional enlightenment by myself?"

"Bingo." Ted confessed. He looked toward the cloudless blue sky and said, "You know, in life you will meet a lot of different people. Maybe, she will be the one for you. Maybe, the one is still waiting for you in the later part of your journey."

Narrowing my eyes suspiciously at Ted, I asked, "Did you read a book titled "How to talk to your son after a breakup" ?"

Ted widened his eyes and said, "There's a book like that? I didn't find any when I searched for it this morn- Ahh…"

His act as a wise old man was blown away by my preemptive questioning. Finally, I laughed for the first time today because of my old man.

His eyes turned kinder as he saw me laughing. "What else did your book say?"

"Bring him somewhere peaceful so that he can process his feelings." Ted's confession made me laugh once again. He didn't mind making a fool of himself just to raise his son's spirits, and I really admire that about him.

"So, you want to talk about her?" Ted asked as he casted his bait once more after not having any luck on the first cast.

"There isn't anything to talk about in the first place. We started this whole thing because she wanted to experience what a relationship was like before moving back to New York. Either way, the whole idea was doomed from the start."

After my response, only the sound of the water could be heard. Ted took a deep breath and said, "Do you want to hear the story of how I met your mother?"

"Oh god. I was afraid of this the moment I found out that your name is Ted."

"What?"

"What?"

Ted looked at me weirdly and then he continued, "I was sailing to Cuba at that time."

"Kids. See you in 10 years." I waved at the invisible camera screen as dad started his story.

"What are you doing? Listen to me." Dad said seriously. After narrowing his eyes at me, I finally gave up and decided to listen to him.

"I was 20 years old at that time. After I ran away from inheriting Gramps' farm, I decided to travel the world by sailing."

"Cuba was my first destination. Everything was new to me. The culture, the food, the environment. As I was walking in the streets, suddenly, I bumped into a gorgeous woman."

"Named Robin." I interjected.

"No. Named Camilia." Dad corrected me.

"That's not mom's name." I said in confusion.

"Yeah. She's not your mom. She is…your aunt…" Dad finally shared something about my mom's family during my 14 years of living here.

"Wait, what?" I contorted my face as I heard the story.

"And. she had stolen my wallet the second she bumped into me."

I paused for a bit as I processed the information. But the only thing that could come out of my mouth was, "WHAT!"

…

[3rd Person POV]

Desiree had invited Haley and Tara to come along with her and her daughter and to spend the day at the amusement park to help raise her daughter's spirits. However, Abby didn't want to go out of her room, not even getting out of her bed as she was too depressed after the breakup.

"Let me talk to him. I WAS the one who asked Enid to spy on Edward! Not you!" Haley said.

Abby gazed at Haley slowly while eating an ice cream out of the tub using a silver spoon. "It's okay Haley. We were not going to work out anyway. Even without that."

"Why THE HELL NOT!?" Tara said in agitation. "We're the one who forced you to listen. We were the ones who misunderstood the situation. Let us talk to him, and you guys can get back together again."

"Aren't you listening? We're not going to work out even without that." Abby said angrily as she stabbed the spoon into the vanilla ice cream and took a big scoop of the ice cream into her mouth.

"But- But- Why???" Haley asked in exasperation. "Why do you need to break up?! Just date him until it's time to go back!"

Abby took a deep breath and said, "I don't know. I feel that if we continue…then, my heart won't be able to take it if we part ways."

Tara widened her eyes and she said carefully, "Wait…Are you…in love with him?"

Haley's eyes darted between Tara and Abby– who was lowering her head at this moment.

"You do, don't you." Tara finally realized it from her friend's silent agreement. "Then, why do you give up now? Why…Why should you back away if you love him?"

"I…" Abby was tearing up again, and Haley automatically went to hug Abby from over the blanket. Haley said to Tara. "Okay. Tara. Stop bringing it up. You're upsetting her."

"I will not. She is being stupid!" She said in frustration. "If you love him, fight for him! Why would you break up with him now?!"

Abby was silent for a while before she decided to unload something off her chest. "He..When I first hung out with him, he told me that his mother had left him…and everyday he's in pain from thinking about the matter. I…don't want to be the one to…to cause him the same pain.."

She broke down crying while Haley continuously comforted her. Tara rubbed her head in frustration and went to hug Abby too.

"Stupid. Both of you." Tara muttered as she comforted Abby.

[Haley's commentary]

"Soo…my crush on Edward is over before we even started." Haley confessed with an angry face. She pointed to the screen with her index finger and said, "He dared to mess with my best friend? He's in for a whole lot of trouble!"

Unknowingly, Haley has considered Abby one of her best, and true friends that understood her in the entire world.

So far, only Tara could be considered her true friend as Tara had never once put her down because of her intelligence, and would fight for her if someone dared to mess with her. Feisty, but kind. That is who Tara was for Haley.

Now that she found a true friend in Abby, she had crushed every bit of affection she had for Edward to make sure she would never hurt her friend. And once someone messed with her friends, she would make sure to mess with them back.

"But…Edward isn't a bad guy. Both of them…are just so damn unlucky!" Haley said in exasperation.

"If Abby could stay in LA, then I'm sure they will stay together for a long long time." She exclaimed in frustration and muttered angrily. "Screw it!" She stood up from the sofa and declared, "I will make sure that they will stay together. Whether they like it or not!"

[Commentary's end.]

(A/N: Please remember they are teenagers. TEENAGERS! They act on impulse rather than rationality as they are still immature.)

In the Dunphy's house, Claire and Phil were talking with each other about the breakup.

"I still can't understand why I couldn't go with them." Phil said in exasperation after Claire stopped him from joining Edward and Theodore.

"They are having a father and son bonding moment. Why would a neighbor's dad join in?" Claire replied dismissively as she continued cleaning the kitchen. Her laptop was still open on the kitchen counter as she was studying up on the business's management plan by playing Edward's audiobook and recorded lectures while doing the chores.

"You underestimated my bond with Edward. I'm like his second dad." Phil tried to convince his wife. Claire finally turned to him, and said, "Rather than being a second dad, why don't you go be a primary dad to those two…" She pointed at the bickering Luke and Alex.

"I don't understand why you can't just lie to him and say that I did my chores. It's not your bike!" Luke said as he kept following Alex from behind to further pester her.

"Ugh. Even if I explained, it's not like you would understand it. Besides, I already told him you didn't put your dishes in the dishwasher today. So he will be adding one more day to your punishment."

"That's not fair! I did everything else. I took out the trash!"

"No. Mom took out the trash. Don't lie to me." Alex said menacingly at Luke causing him to whimper in sadness.

"See. He didn't do his chores again. At the very least he did clean up his bed today." Claire said to Phil.

"He's just a late bloomer. He'll finish it." Phil defended Luke instantly.

"But I guess Edward's method is working. He is slowly finding out that there isn't any other way to get his bike back besides being accountable for his mistakes. He even called my dad to go get the bike back from Edward. Luckily, he called me to ask about the whole situation.."

"Jay won't hurt him." Phil said.

Claire nodded in agreement, "Yeah. My dad likes him a lot, so I'm not worried in the first place. He even likes him more than y-" She stopped her words before she could finish it and left the bewildered Phil hurriedly.

"MORE THAN ME?!" Phil raised his voice in exasperation.

*Ding Dong*

The doorbell of the front door was ringing at this moment. Alex hurriedly walked to the front door and opened it.

"We came as fast as we could!" Cam said as he barged into the house the second it was opened.

"Well…Hello to you too." Alex muttered alone as Cam walked past her as if she didn't exist. Mitchell followed Cam from behind as he carried the car seat with Lily still inside.

"Hello Alex." Mitchell greeted. Cam finally realized Alex was standing behind him as he stopped in front of the stairs and stood in a dramatic pose.

"Oh. Alex. I didn't see you there." Cam said.

"How did you think the door was opened then?" Alex asked sarcastically, causing Cam to feel bad about his ignorance.

"Don't be mad at him Alex. He's been binge-watching a soap opera for so long that he lives his life that way now." Mitchell said to comfort Alex.

"Anyway…We heard that Edward broke up with his girlfriend?" Mitchell asked Alex.

She widened her eyes and asked, "He broke up with Abby? Why?"

"You didn't know?" Mitchell asked in confusion.

"Well we come here to support him…and also listen to the gossi- I mean story." Cam added with a little giggle at the end of his sentence.

"Ahh…Mom's in the kitchen." Alex said in understanding. "Thank you." Mitchell said before he walked to the kitchen with Cam while carrying Lily with him. But before Alex could close the door, she heard a sound from outside.

"Alex, hold the door!" Gloria said hurriedly and managed to hold the door before Alex could shut it in her face.

"Oh Hi Gloria." Alex greeted her casually.

"Hola Alex. Did they start?" Gloria asked with an excited smile.

"You mean gossiping? Mitch and Cam just came in. You need to hurry." Alex said. Gloria nodded and ran inside quickly while shouting, "Ay! Don't start without me!"

Alex shook her head and then she saw Manny and Jay walking toward the house begrudgingly as they were dragged to come over by Gloria.

"Hey Alex, listen to this. I think that someone in this house is possessed by an owl." Manny suddenly said as he smiled in excitement.

Alex rolled her eyes and said, "Edward already did the trick on me. Pick someone else."

Manny lost his smile and said, "Ah. Too bad," Before he walked into the house. Jay, who was standing behind him, muttered, "Damn owls," as he followed behind Manny.

They were convening in the kitchen and the hot topic for today was Edward's breakup.

"So, they broke up because they needed to separate from each other when summer came? That's sad." Mitchell said with a stoic face.

With a face full of tears, Cam said while sobbing, "That is sad! Poor Ed..!"

"Ayy…Why break up now?" Gloria objected as if Edward was there. "Go break up later… when she's gone.(A/N: when she need to move back)"

"Well…" Mitchell scratched his head as he knew the true reason, but was contemplating whether to tell the group or not. Haley had already shared the secrets with Mitchell like she always did with everything else, therefore Mitchell was the only one there who knew the complete story.

Cam caught his expression instantly. "You know, don't you."

"Pff… No. I don't." Mitchell replied dismissively while avoiding eye-contact with Cam. However, now Cam was sure that he knew something. With glittering eyes, Cam stared at Mitchell an inch away from his face and said, "Spill."

"What- NO!"

"Oh. So you do know something!"

"No- I don't! Leave me alone!" Mitchell hurriedly ran away from Cam.

…

[Edward POV]

"Wait.So you chased Auntie Camila to a bar, and then you found my mother who was clearly the boss of the pickpockets, and got beaten up by her. And then, after all that… you fall in love? Are you a M?" I was honestly baffled when dad recounted his experience when he first met mom.

"No. Not then." Ted replied with a smirk. "There is still a long story to follow."

"Just skip to the important part." I muttered anxiously as Dad's story telling skill was quite lacking compared to the original How I Met Your Mother narrator.

"We fought a few times in a span of a month. I kept tracking her as she was still holding my wallet at that time. Finally, I cornered her alone in an empty alley.

"Then, you got beaten up?" I asked playfully, but Ted nodded. "Yes. Your 18 year old mom was very feisty at that time."

"So how DID you land her then?" I asked in confusion.

"I didn't." Dad replied. "She did."

[Flashback]

While stepping on Ted with a red stiletto on her right leg, the brown and short- haired Cuban woman with caramel skin and green eyes paired with a voluptuous sexy body looked coldly at the American man. Her hair was covering half of her eyes, and she was wearing leggings underneath her one piece floral dress.

She said with a thick Cuban accent, "You tracked me for a month, just to get your wallet back?" Putting more pressure on her legs, she said to the man in a sailor uniform, "I don't believe you!"

"It's…true!" Ted said with difficulty breathing.

Then, she took out his wallet from her deep cleavage and waved it at him. "There isn't any more money left inside this. What do you want it for?"

"If there is no money left inside, can you please give it back to me?" Ted asked in desperation.

"Why? Tell me!" She pressed her legs harder this time.

"Argh!...check the third ca…rd slot."

The Cuban woman opened it up like he said, and there she found a letter. She opened the letter that had never been opened before and started reading it, but it only confused her more rather than making anything clear to her.

"Are you playing with me? Why is a letter…and a piece of grass from a woman so important to you?!"

Ted smiled as he saw the letter and said, "Well…it's a letter from my mom…and that piece of grass is a 4 leaf clover…she asked me to keep it close to me…as her wish was stored inside of it."

The woman finally stopped putting the pressure on Ted's chest and removed her legs. She read the letter clearly at that time, and her expression turned conflicted. Ted stood up and brushed off the dust on his chest, but a clear footprint could be seen on his torso.

"Can you please give it to me now?" Ted asked politely.

The woman looked at Ted closely for the first time, and saw that the man's face suddenly turned attractive for her.

'Is this grass a magic spell? Why is my heart beating so fast?' The woman thought as she was lost in the view.

"Hey…Please…Give me back my letter." Ted begged. "I have not read it yet."

"You!" The woman widened her eyes. "Okay. You'll get your letter back." She said and put the letter back into her cleavage.

"Wait!" Ted tried to stop her from doing so, but it was too late as he was a true gentleman and couldn't bring himself to put his hand on the woman's chest without their consent.

"Hmph! Good choice!" The woman snorted as he stopped himself, but then she smiled for the first time which made Ted's heart skip a beat.

"Why are you doing this?" Ted asked in exasperation after recollecting himself.

She didn't answer and turned her back toward Ted. "You'll get your letter, after you take me out on a date."

Completely baffled by the development, Ted half-opened his mouth, paused for a few seconds before he said, "What did you just say?"

"Meet me at El Floridita at 8 o'clock tonight." The woman said before she walked away.

"Wait! What's your name?!" Ted asked hurriedly.

She turned her head and answered with a seductive smile, "My name…is Miranda."

[Flashback ends]

"What was in the letter?" I asked.

Ted smirked and said, "Apparently, Granny believed that a four-leaf clover could carry a wish at that time. Her wish….which she had written inside the letter, was… that it would lead me to someone that I would fall in love with….and I did…"

"But you didn't get married until right before I was born." I said. "How did you keep in touch? I know that you didn't stay in Cuba all the time, and mom didn't follow you to travel around the world. So how?"

Ted replied, "We meet only once every 3 to 4 months. And we made it work because we love each other."

"Then, she abandoned you for another woman." I said sarcastically, causing Dad to clear his throat a few times in embarrassment.

While avoiding my eyes, he said, "Anyway…It doesn't matter if it's a long distance. That shouldn't be a problem if you both love each other. So don't let it be a factor in your decision to break up with Abby."

I paused as I fell into a deep thinking state from my dad's words. Then, I said to him, "If we are in fact in love with each other…But we're just two dumb teenagers who don't even know what love is. Also dad, something has been pulling at your string for a while now. Aren't you going to reel it in?"

Dad looked at the direction I was pointing and saw that his idle fishing rod was shaking tremendously.

"IT'S A BIG ONE!" Dad said and grabbed the fishing rod hurriedly before reeling the line in. However, it couldn't hold and the fish managed to break free 2 meters from the boat.

Although we struck out today, it was enjoyable spending the afternoon with my dad.

"Still can't believe you got beat up by mom." I said as we entered the car.

"...I wasn't training yet then, nor had I already entered the army. I was just a simple farm boy, and your mom had military training from your grandpa."

He was a bit dejected by that topic therefore I stopped bringing it up. Little did I know that instead of basking himself with sadness, my dad was actually feeling nostalgic about his history with my mom.

"Dad. Tonight I will stay with Taylor tonight and practice with the band." I said after checking my text messages. There was no service at the lake, therefore I had been off the grid for a few hours.

" I see. Should I pick you up tomorrow morning?" He asked in concern.

"No need. Pepper is going to supervise the whole thing cause he says he doesn't trust Taylor. I don't even know what that's about. Anyway, he's going to drive me home."

Maybe it was because I didn't want to stay at home tonight, but I readily agreed to Taylor's invitation to join her rehearsal for the concert. When we got home, I quickly took a bath to remove the lake smell as Pepper was going to come pick me up in 10 minutes.

The newly made entertainment company CEO drove off quickly after picking me up before the group of busy bodies could even come to my house.

[3rd Person POV]

"Is he gone?" Claire asked hurriedly after almost running to the Newgate's house.

"Yeah. He's already gone." Ted replied to Claire and the rest of the group following her.

"Damn it! I told you I should've joined them Claire!" Phil said in frustration.

"Should we call him back? I want to give him a hug." Cam said in a sad tone.

Mitchell rolled his eyes and said, "Sure. Let's call Pepper and ask him to turn back- You really want to make trouble with him huh? It's not enough with the things you guys are fighting about now?"

In a thick accent, Gloria said, "I can intercept them. Give me the car (keys)."

"What- Gloria! No!" Claire stopped her quickly before she tried to grab the keys from Ted's hand.

"I got Gloria!" Phil said and hugged Gloria's stomach as he pulled her back from Ted although it wasn't necessary.

[Edward POV]

Finally arriving at Taylor's studio, the first thing I did was announce something to the group of girls practising in the studio.

"I broke up with my girlfriend last night."

"Oh poor baby!" Taylor hurriedly walked toward me and gave me a big hug while burying my face in the pitiful bump she calls a chest.

Not only dad, I got a hug from the female songwriters, sweaty female dancers, and the female staff members there, all hugging me the same way that Taylor did before.

'Life is good again.' I muttered inwardly as a beautiful dancer's older sister was pulling me close to her C-cup chest while being sweaty from the practice.