My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

The man saying goodbye felt every step grow heavier and heavier.

His family was here, and he was leaving them behind to go to a place far away.

This time, he wasn't leaving alone-but he would've much rather stayed. He knew that this family needed him... and he needed them just as much.

When it was Paul's turn, Lucius fought hard not to cry. Seeing him only reminded him of how much time had passed.

If he remembered right, his little brother had been about Maurice's age when they stopped seeing each other regularly.

Back then, Lucius had been Paul's hero-just like he was now for Maurice. But the difference was, Paul hadn't seen him come back until now.

Paul's situation wasn't easy. So, before letting any emotion take over, Lucius took a deep breath and smiled.noveldrama

"Paul... Come here, little brother, come on. Listen... Whatever decision you make, I'll always support you.

"I agree with Dad-maybe you should give Pierre the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he just wants to know you, maybe he just wants to be close to the person who's his son. But that's something only you can figure out.

"I can't show up and give you my version of the story-you've got to find that truth yourself.

"Look at me... You know Dad and I never really got along, but now we've managed to get along, and it's been good for both of us. So give it time, and when you're ready, you'll know if you want to accept him or not."

"Thanks, Lucius. I know you mean well, but... I'm not ready to meet him. Not yet. I'm not ready to be around him either..."

"Don't worry. It took me years—who says it won't take time for you too?

"Just a little advice... You're still young, and I've noticed you've been a bit wild with the girls lately.

"You're a good-looking guy-probably got that from Mom-but you've gotta be careful with their hearts, okay?

"Never, and I mean never, mess with someone's feelings."

"I won't..."

"Promise?"

"I promise," Paul said, sincerely.

Though fate might still have a few surprises in store for him...

The two brothers hugged, and then Lucius went to say goodbye to Emma.

He hadn't known her long, but during his short time here, she had been there for his partner again and again—and Lucius would never forget that.

"Well... Emma, I know we don't know each other very well, but thank you for welcoming me, and especially for helping Amanda feel at home."

"No need to thank me, kid! This is your home-you should come back to your family.

"All of them-crazy, old, grumpy, or a total mess like your father-they're your family, and you shouldn't be away from them.

"Please don't go hiding in that bubble of yours. Come back. This is your real family. And if you're worried about Amanda, then just bring her with you."

"Thanks for the advice, Emma... and for everything you've said. Believe me, I'm seriously thinking about it.

"I'll do my best to convince Judge Moriarty to let me come back here and be with my family."

"That'd be wonderful. Your father can't handle all this on his own. Sometimes, they push him to the limit.

"I'm not saying he can't, but Paul's

not a little boy anymore, and Maurice is going to be a teenager soon. They're going to need a man who's a bit older-not as old as their dad, but someone with young adult experience. And that person,

sweetheart, is you."

"Thank you, Emma. I'm not promising anything, but I really hope I can make it happen..."

"Good. Now go say goodbye to your sister and your niece."

Lucius headed to the room where baby Adele's crib was. Laura was changing her

when he walked in. She smiled as she finished up.

"Is it time already?" she asked, a little sad.

"Yeah... It's time."

"I'm going to miss you..." Laura said, unable to hold back her tears.

"I'll miss you too. Come here... Whenever you want, you can come visit. The house is pretty big-I'm sure we'll all fit just fine."

"I want my brother here. I want to know you're close enough that I can tell you things—or at least be just minutes away. Not hours by plane..."

"Like I've told everyone else—I'll talk to Judge Moriarty and see what I can do. I can't just drop out of school, and neither can you... And I've noticed you're studying too..."

"Yeah, I'm studying Economics and Finance," Laura said proudly.

"Same as the idiot who fathered your daughter..." Lucius said, surprising Laura, since she hadn't told him much about the guy—and supposedly, Lucius didn't know him.

"You know him?"

"Not personally. But if I ever see him, I'll probably throw a few punches. So yeah-

I'm reserving the right to hit him," Lucius said seriously.

"Oh, come on... don't be so..." Laura tried to downplay the situation.

"Harsh?" Lucius asked with a straight face.

"He's paying his karma. I know it's

not right for me to feel this way, but

honestly, I don't think he's doing very well-and I don't feel any better'

because of it. I'd honestly prefer if he was doing well.

"That way at least, when I feel hurt, I can still tell myself he's a jerk. But I can't feel good knowing that the father of my daughter is doing so badly..." Laura said, torn between innocence and pain.

"Come on... He'll figure it out, just like you've figured it out being a single mom, right?"

"Yeah..."

"There you go. Just remember, if things ever work out between you two, that relationship is just between the two of you.

We all have to learn to forgive at some point-and Serenity taught me that." "Yeah... And that wasn't easy. Though in her case, you're her brother. In mine... he's the father of my daughter," Laura said shyly.

"Well... Only you will know what to do. In the meantime, come here. Give me a big hug. I want to hug both of you. I want to lock in your scent-burn it into my

memory."

Lucius hugged his sister, who had baby Adele in her arms. The little one was already dozing off.

"I love you both. Don't ever forget that. I hope I'm back soon..."

"I hope so too. I miss you so much... We miss you so much," Laura said with a nostalgic tone.

Lucius hugged her again, tighter this time, now that she had placed Adele back in the crib.

"I love you. Just remember this-you'll always be in my heart, even if we're far apart," Lucius said, kissing her forehead. "You'll always be my little sister, my girl. Don't ever forget that."