My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Maximus had fulfilled something he had taken upon himself-something that had ultimately become Leonardo Palmer's final wish. Everything had been a whirlwind of emotions. It was clear that Peter's real mother's arrival was a reason for joy, but there was still one last thing to take care of.

After much thought, he decided to follow the advice Diana had given him. Both he and Peter wanted nothing to do with the man who had tried to hurt them. Peter, despite not remembering much, knew enough from what his son had told him to want to say no to anything related to Leonardo. The question of how—or if they would say goodbye to him had never been discussed.

Maximus had shared his dilemma with Diana, and she had come up with an idea that didn't seem too far-fetched. In the end, if there was anyone who still cared about or respected Leonardo, it was Aria Fairchild. If anyone could decide what to do with his ashes, it was her. Without thinking about it any further, he called his brother to discuss the idea. Fortunately for him, Peter was busy with a "girls' day"-something he had foolishly gotten himself into.

"Peter? Are you home?" Maximus asked over the phone.

"Hey, Maximus! No, I took my mother out shopping. What's up?" Peter asked, a little breathless.

"It's about Leonardo and Aria, but I'd rather talk in person..." Maximus said, trying to gauge his reaction.

"Well, I'm in Valeria's city center. If you want to give me a hand, come meet me here," Peter replied, feeling a slight sense of relief.

Hearing that Aria was with him, Maximus didn't hesitate. He grabbed his coat, picked up Leonardo's ashes, and left the house to meet his brother.

When he arrived, he immediately knew something was off.

"Peter?" Maximus called out hesitantly.

"Yeah... Hey, help me with these bags, will you?" Peter said, shoving a ridiculous number of shopping bags-branded ones, no less-into his brother's hands.

"You never said you were shopping!" Maximus exclaimed, stunned by the sheer amount of bags.

"You never asked," Peter replied, rolling his eyes.

"That's low..." Maximus muttered as he begrudgingly started picking up the bags.

"I know! But can you even imagine what it's like shopping with seven women and three baby girls? I didn't think twice when I suggested this trip, and now I'm basically their pack mule..." Peter groaned, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm the one being used!" Maximus protested.

"Welcome to the club. Besides, it's your duty to help me-Laura and Adele are here too," Peter said with a smirk, motioning toward the store.

"What?! Laura's here too? That explains why no one was home..." Maximus muttered, his brow furrowed in thought.

"Maximus, how the hell did you not notice your own kids were missing?" Peter asked in disbelief.noveldrama

"Paul and Maurice asked if they could go to the park with friends. I assumed Laura had just taken Adele out for a stroll. But now I see where she really is..." Maximus said, glancing inside the shop.

"Exactly! Do you have any idea how crazy this has been?" Peter asked, narrowing his eyes at his brother.

"If I remember correctly, you used to love being surrounded by women," Maximus teased.

"Maximus! That was completely different!" Peter shot back, knowing exactly what his brother was implying.

"Well, give them a break. Serenity's wedding is coming up-they're probably picking out outfits. Just relax, we'll load up the bags into your car and be done with it," Maximus said casually. He still had a lot to discuss with Peter.

Despite acting all put out, Maximus could tell Peter was secretly enjoying the chaos.

"We can't," Peter admitted, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"Why not?" Maximus asked suspiciously.

“My car is full. That's why I called for help. We're loading everything into your car," Peter revealed with zero shame.

"So... you basically lured me here just to haul their shopping bags?" Maximus asked, feigning outrage.

"You wanted to talk to me, didn't you?" Peter responded shamelessly.

"Well, yeah, but—” Maximus started to protest.

"Then quit whining and let's get to your car," Peter cut him off, eager to end the conversation.

"Some things never change..." Maximus muttered, shaking his head with a smirk. "Come on, let's go. I'm exhausted," Peter grumbled.

"Fine. But hey... I really do need to talk to you," Maximus said, his tone shifting. "Is it important?"

"Yes. It's about Leonardo. He's here with me..." Maximus said, nodding toward the front seat of his car.

Peter's expression immediately darkened. He looked at his brother, confused and wary.

"Well... his ashes are here," Maximus corrected himself.

"What the hell, Maximus?! What do you mean, his ashes?" Peter asked, taken aback.

"I don't know what to do with them. We need to give him a proper burial. Do we keep them at the house? Leave them at the cemetery? What do we do?"

"Hmm..."

"You're his son. And honestly, we need to close this chapter. I know sound cold, but I don't really feel like organizing a funeral. But if you think we should, we'll do it."

"Maximus, I have no idea what to do with that. Just... take them to Catherine's

grave. Maybe they'll be fine there..."

"See? Even you don't know what to do with them, Diana suggested something you and I don't have the best memories of him, at least not in the present. But your mother... she's the only one who truly cared about Leonardo. If there's anyone who should decide what happens to his ashes, it's her. That's why I brought

them. But I wanted to talk to you first."

“As much as I'd love to tell you you're wrong... you're right. For my mother, this

could be a chance to say goodbye to him."

"See? I knew I wasn't wrong."

"Don't pretend that was your idea. That was all Diana."

"Doesn't matter whose idea it was-it's a good one. And Leonardo's ashes are

sitting right there in the front seat."

"Alright. As soon as my girls are

done clinging to my mother, I'll talk

to her. If she agrees, I'll take the

ashes, and she can decide what

do with them. But for now, let's not

talk about him. Let's leave Leonardo right where he is," Peter said, glancing at the urn in the passenger seat.