Chapter 42

Angel jumped down from Mabella's lap and ran to his mother to kiss her cheek. It was out of the blue and she was stunned for a moment before she returned it.

"He didn't like to kiss anyone in the past." She explained to Mabella, knowing her reaction must have been odd.

"I don't think I've told you this before. You are doing great." Mabella said.

She was puzzled. "You think I am?"

Mabella refrained from being overly friendly, knowing Avery was still suspicious of her. "You are one of the best mothers I have ever met."

"You have no idea how much that means to me." Avery's heart melted.

Mabella placed a hand on Avery's, chuckling when Angel posessively swatted it away. "You have always done your best. However, I think you do too much sometimes."

She laughed. "There is no such thing as too much when it comes to my son."

"That's where literally every mother I've met goes wrong. You love your children so much that you nearly forget to love yourself. But if you don't take care of yourself, who will?"

Avery averted her gaze.

Mabella continued, "You need to spoil yourself too, Avery. Go to the spa, have massages, have girls nights out, calming baths once in a while, hit the nightclub…"

"Mabella, I have a son." She laughed.

"Of course." Mabella smiled. "Did you realize that you rejected all the things I said because you have a son and not because you don't want to?"

"You win." Avery gave up. "What are you suggesting?"

"That you reward yourself like you deserve for being such a great mother. Why don't you go on a vacation for a week? I know some wonderful destinations I can suggest."

Avery looked at her like she was an idiot. "I get your point about me needing a break but there is no way in hell I'm leaving my son for a whole week just to have fun."

"He will be fine! His father and I will make sure…" She shut her mouth when she realized she had said the wrong thing, but it was too late.

"Are you trying to get me to leave so Damon can take my son?" She snarled.

"Hell no, I promise." She cursed inwardly. "I really think you should go on vacation. You can take him with you if you feel safer that way."

Avery studied her expression and was convinced that she was telling the truth.

"Then I'll take your advice." She hugged her son who was confused by the sudden affection for a moment before slipping away to play. She chuckled as she turned to Mabella. "About your schedule…"

"I sent it to your email last night. Yeah, I knew you would accept me after thinking about it." She grinned, making Avery raise her brows in amusement.

"Can I take a photo with him?" She eagerly asked.

Avery knew it was for Damon but she shrugged. "If Angel doesn't mind."

____

She couldn't focus on work after talking about the vacation with Mabella so she decided to go. She looked up the best destinations and settled on Clauhan Island. She called Angel over to get his opinion on whether he liked it and sat him on her lap.

He pointed at the picture of the island excitedly.

"Do you like it?" She asked. "If you like it, we can go there on Monday."

He nodded happily, and when she asked for the room he wanted, he pointed at the blue and white themed one and turned to look at her, waiting for her to say yes.

She tousled his hair and kissed him. "Sure. Let's get you ready for bed, okay?"

He jumped down from her lap and ran out of the room. She caught up to him just as he grabbed the fluffy toy that was a chibi version of Damon. It drove her crazy but she smiled nonetheless as he hugged it.

"Are you missing your daddy?" She asked when he held the toy up to her. He shook his head, making her guess again. "You want me to hold it?"

To her relief, that was not what he wanted. He ran back to her room and when she followed him, he pointed at the computer screen that was still on. It took her a second to understand that he wanted them to invite Damon to go to the island with them.

She crouched to his level and cupped his face. "Baby, I'm sorry but your daddy cannot come. We can call him to come see you tomorrow. What do you think?"

She was relieved when he nodded. She was going on a vacation to get rid of her distress. Not to bring the distress along with her.

She carried him to his bed and read him the story he chose. He was asleep in a few minutes with a smile on his little face. She kissed him, her heart melting, and tucked him in to let him sleep before she gave Damon a call.

"The sun must have set on the wrong side for you to give me a call this late, angel." He teased as soon as he answered the call.

She rolled her eyes. "I didn't call to have meaningless chatter with you. Angel wants to see you tomorrow. If you have the time…"

"I'll always have time for my son." He interrupted.

"12pm. We can have lunch together."

The line went dead for agonising seconds, then she realized what she had just said. She gripped her phone awkwardly. "I mean, you can have lunch with him. Angel would like that. I will be at the table too but that's just because I'll be accompanying my son."

The more she explained, the less sense she made. She diverted her attention to the window and walked to it. She had the urge to open it so she did, glancing out at the starry sky as the soft breeze blew against her skin.

"There are many stars in the sky right now, Avery." He finally spoke, his voice heavier. "Are you at your window?"

"No." She lied, gripping her phone so hard she thought she would accidentally end the call.

"Go to your window." He ordered.

Her heart skipped a beat. "No."

"You are scared it will remind you of the first time we made love under the starry night sky, aren't you?" He taunted.

She bit her lip and shut her eyes. "Goodnight Damon." She hung up but not before hearing his taunting laugh. He just had to bring that up, didn't he?