4 Memories (3)

Ted and Malcolm brought April back to the US. Malcolm wanted to pay every hospital bills that April will undergo from now on, Ted didn't blame his friend yet Malcolm insisted.

He hired the very best Doctors to help April back to her old self. If not, at least to a much better state. When Annie was her poor daughter, she cried so hard. Yet after that, she pulled herself up and took care of April. Ted supported his wife and daughter on the side.

April still didn't like to be touched or it'll trigger her trauma. She didn't speak nor ate much. She mostly stared at the window or the ceiling. It pained everyone who visits her. The Lewis, The Smiths and even her relatives.

April was loved and missed. Not even the doctors know if April will return back to herself. The drugs on her body had a very long sided effects that destroyed most of her body, There's also the trauma she received from being raped and losing her baby. Who knew how many times was she raped? Who can tell what her reaction was, when she found out that she was pregnant of her rapist's child? How much pain did she endured she had her miscarriage? This was all unknown to them. Only April can say all these and yet April didn't speak. Not even when she is screaming.

One day, Colm finally had the courage to visit April. The doctor wanted to see if it'll bring a reaction on April, when she saw Colm. Since everyone that visited her so far, didn't bring any reactions from her.

It took a while before they convinced Colm to visit. He was guilty for putting her into this state, he was embarrassed to face her. Yet at the same time, he wanted to make it up for her. Even just a little bit.

When Colm entered the room, April was by the window. Staring blankly outside. April's room contained no harmful objects, afraid that she will kill herself. They also had security cameras installed, to monitor her behaviors.

"April?" Colm called out when he was at an arms length behind her.

April turned around, a handsome boy was standing there. April looked at him from head to toe. He looked alright and well at that. April's mouth started to curl a little bit. She was struggling to smile.

"I'm glad you're alright." She murmured very softly and then she lost her vision. April had fainted.

Colm rushed to her side, he had caught her before she fell down. The people who were observing them came rushing inside the room. They didn't hear what April had said, but they saw that she said something. Ted helped Colm and carried his daughter back to the bed. When he looked back to Colm, Malcolm, Jenny and his wife Annie was beside him. They were all waiting for Colm to say something. Even the doctors and nurses were waiting as well.

Colm looked at April and a tear fell his eyes. His mouth was slowly trembling.

"Son, can you tell us what April said? We couldn't hear it properly over the monitor." Malcolm broke the ice. It was important for them to know. It was the first time that they have seen April spoke. It was indeed a step for her, to get back to her old self. Colm was now crying.

"She said.. *sobs* She said.. I'm glad you're alright.." He hugged his father.

Everyone was froze. Some where confused, some understood. Annie and Jenny were crying along with Colm. After a while, Colm broke away from his father and faced the Lewis.

"Uncle, Auntie.. I'm so sorry. I could've come earlier, but I was afraid. Afraid that it'll trigger the bad memories that we endured together. I'm so sorry.. *sniffs* I now understand that she keeps looking at the window or the ceiling because she was waiting for me. She must've been worried how I was, after we parted. I'm so sorry." Colm grovelled in the floor.

No one replied to him. Everyone had a clear picture now, it was a very sad picture. They didn't know that this little girl have a very big heart. Too bad it all happened to her. Too bad that she have lost a lot from this.

"Uncle, Auntie. I promised to be with April for the rest of my life. Please let me do this for her. I owe her at least this much." Colm vowed in front of his parents and hers. He wanted to marry her, He wanted to save her from herself. This promise made Colm changed his life. He actually kept this promise in his mind everyday, as he struggled from his weakness to become his strength.

The Lewis didn't say anything towards Colm's decision, neither did the Smiths. Time went fast as April went from institution to institution. Countless medicines and therapies. The Smith's shouldered all expenses despite the Lewis' refusal. Colm on the other hand, went to study in Europe. To further his knowledge, as well as to become April's future.

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"Come on son, It's time to go. Say goodbye to your grandparents." April helped Sky cleaned up after breakfast.

"Byebye granny and granpa." Sky gave them both kisses.

"Bye dear!" Annie gave him a hug and kiss as well.

"Bye Sky!" Ted messed up Sky's hair.

"April, Jimmy is already waiting outside. Call me when your done." Ted reminded his daughter.

"I will dad. Bye mom, bye dad! See you later!" April replied. She held Sky's little hand as they walk towards the main door.

Ted and Annie looked at April's back. They still had a long way to go. It had been 10 years since it happened. They were glad that April seems to be doing much better nowadays.

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At the Smith's mansion.

Colm was sipping his tea. He was currently chatting with his buddy from England. It was a tall man, white complexion, had a dark brown hair and blue eyes. He dressed up like a wealthy gentleman. His friend and him arrived last night from Europe. Colm had been friends with him since High school.

"So Alex, what were you supposed to tell me? You said that you have something to tell us when we arrived here in the States?" Colm was puzzled. Alex had asked his parents a favor. The favor was to invite Ted and Annie Lewis here for a talk. The Smiths knew Alex well, yet the Lewis don't. Aside from seeing Alex with Colm at parties sometimes, that was mostly it.

Now that everyone was here, they were all waiting for Alex to talk. Especially the Lewis, they didn't know that it was Alex who called them here.

Alex stood up and faced the Lewis. He took a deep breath and sighed. Everyone was stunned when they saw Alex went down on his knees and bowed towards the Lewis.

"What the!" Colm stood up, shocked.

"Alex!" Malcolm yelled as well.

Ted, Annie and Jenny was speechless. They all didn't know why Alex was on his knees. Just then, Alex spoke.

"My name is Alexander Samuel Hawthorne. I'm the heir to the Hawthorne British Empire." Alex introduced himself. But why was he kneeling?

Ted and Annie may not know Alex very well, but they do know about Hawthorne British Empire. It was the largest conglomerate in Europe and was based in England. It was said that the Hawthorne's only had one son. He was already 27 years old and was married to his highschool sweetheart Francesca Mia de Russo. The heiress of the Russo Corporation. It may not be as big as the Hawthorne's but it was still well known in Italy, as well as its surrounding countries.

"I am Sky's father." Alex whispered and lowered his head. All he wanted was for his son to know that he has father and also to be able to raise his son to a much better conditions.

Everyone froze. They could not believe what they just heard. Colm who was standing beside Alex was shocked beyond belief. Anger swept in his eyes. He dashed towards Alex and punched his face as hard as he could.

"No wonder he looks kinda like you. Even then, I had never doubted you! How could you do this to me? To my April! You knew very well how I felt for her! You thief!" Colm kept punching Alex.

Malcolm rushed towards his son and pulled him away from Alex. Alex never retaliated. He knew his faults and he expected Colm to be mad at him. He didn't know about Sky till a year ago. By then, Sky was already close to 2. It took him a while to know if Sky was his. He couldn't believe that the woman who he had accidentally slept with almost 4 years ago, was none other than April. Alex sighed, that night was a huge mistake.