"Adam!"
"Hah! lanie!"
Adir paused mid-run as he saw the two figures enter the house together, his shoes skidding slightly on the pavent as he stared at Adam and lanie, frozen with uncertainty. He didn’t know who to hug first.
His eyes darted between the two of them, his breath catching in his throat. But then lanie smiled softly and opened her arms. That was all he needed. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward her and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.
She slled like sothing warm and comforting, sothing close to what he imagined a mother might sll like. He frowned. The last ti they hugged and he’d said that, his father had explained that it had been because she had been drenched in vanilla and that was why she was like cake. He still rembered how strong it had been. Did she bump into soone again? Maybe spilled sothing that made her scent like that again?
But, he didn’t ask. He just held on until his father called out, "Adir, you are going to squish the life out of her. Co on. Let her breathe."
Adir stepped away from lanie and then turned towards his father with a frown on his face and then turned to Adam who was standing quietly on the side. Imdiately, he ran to Adam and hugged him, "Adam! How are you?"
Adir’s grin widened as he tightened his arms around Adam as he continued, "I missed you."
Adam laughed at that and picked him up with an arm, "I missed you too, buddy. And I see what you’ve done there. Not recognising now that you saw a beautiful woman!" Adir grinned at that and gave him a toothy grin claiming, " Of course. Miss lanie was glowing like an angel. I didn’t even see you there."
Adam shook his head at that and tapped his nose. "You’ve grown in just a couple of days , haven’t you? Beco all smooth and charming."
Adir leaned back just enough to look at him. "A little. Only a bit."
Adam ruffled the boy’s hair and shook his head, "That’s not what it looks like to . You’re turning into a giant. And a handso one at that. I’m going to have a stiff competition!"
Adir bead at that and shook his head," I cannot be in a competition with you. I am way too cute for you." Adam groaned at that and Air grinned but he stayed close, his hand still clutching Adam’s sleeve, like he didn’t want to let go just yet and Adam made no move to make him let go either.
Patrick watched the exchange in silence. His arms were crossed loosely over his chest, and his mouth was set in a line that could’ve passed for neutral if not for the way his jaw flexed slightly.
Adam stood upright again. His gaze moved to Patrick. "Father," he said.
Patrick gave a short nod, his eyes not straying from Adam’s face. "Adam."
The greeting sat heavily between them, stiff, almost chanical. And neither man moved forward. No handshake. No warmth. Just a mutual, uneasy acknowledgnt.
Finally, Patrick asked slowly in a flat business like tone., "I assu you’ve received the DNA results."
Adam nodded once. "Yeah. Got them two days ago."
Silence followed. A quiet stretch that neither seed ready to fill. Adir looked between them, his smile starting to fade. Even a little boy could guess that sothing was on.
It was why lanie stepped forward with a smile and gestured to Adir, ready to break the tension, "Adir, want to help pick flowers for the table? The garden here is beautiful."
Adir turned his head, distracted and grinned up at lanie "Are you going to let pick the colours for flowers?"
"I’ll let you be in charge," she said, already crouching slightly and offering her hand.
He took it without hesitation, and they started walking off toward the far end of the garden with Adir talking animatedly now about colour combinations and how he liked blue but not with yellow though his teacher insisted it was a good combination.
Once they were out of earshot, the two n were left alone.
Patrick exhaled, as he stared at Adam. He wanted to say so many things, but he had no idea how to say it. And that hesitation showed in the way there was tension in the way his shoulders. He turned slightly, just enough to face Adam more directly. His arms dropped to his sides, but his fingers curled into his palms.
It was Adam who spoke first as he sighed, "Why the entire charade? Why let Saira do all that?"
Patrick sighed. After all these years, this was the first thing they spoke about...He sighed and explained, "I wasn’t expecting Saira to pull such a charade. When she suggested inviting you to Maniwa, I thought it was just because it was a neutral place. And because I already had connections there, I agreed. I never could have imagined what she was planning" He paused, then added, "As for the stabbing... even that happened after I left with Adir. I thought they planned to fra you. And I would have helped with that. But then, soone stabbed you...I’m sorry for that."
Adam simply nodded and said nothing.
Patrick exhaled. His shoulders rose and fell slightly, but he didn’t look away. "I’m also sorry for the past. And for what I’m going to ask of you."
Adam looked at him amazed. "What?"
Patrick’s gaze shifted briefly toward the house before returning to Adam. "We should sit inside for it."
Adam shook his head. "I’m fine here. This is a ’neutral place.’ So it suits ."
There was a pause. Then Patrick said, "I want you to take Adir’s guardianship. And beco his father."
Silence followed at that point.. The wind moved faintly through the trees above them, and the last of Adir’s laughter from the garden drifted toward them before faded out completely.
Adam didn’t speak. He didn’t move either. He stood with both hands at his sides with an expressionless face. He just looked at Patrick, as if making sure he had heard him correctly. Or even possibly wondering if Patrick had lost his mind.
Patrick didn’t repeat himself. His mouth was set in a firm line. He stood without shifting, without filling the silence.
Adam continued to stare at him. His face didn’t change. And neither did Patrick’s.
He looked like soone who had said what needed to be said and was now waiting for the response, no matter how long it took.
Still, Adam didn’t respond.
Then the smallest movent seed to break the frozen atmosphere. Adam blinked. His jaw shifted, then relaxed. But he still didn’t speak.
Patrick didn’t prompt him.
Adam lowered his eyes. Looked at the ground for a long second. Then lifted them again.
"Why? Why do you want that?"
"Would you be willing to take him in if I gave you an explanation?" Patrick’s eyes didn’t waver as he asked the question quietly. And when he spoke again, he said it the sa way he had before calmly and directly.
"I want you to take Adir’s guardianship. And beco his father. Tell Adam, would you be willing?" he asked.
Finally, Adam burst out! "Five years! Five years ago, you threw out of the house because you believed I had forced myself upon Saira. This child is the result of that pregnancy which changed my life and turned everything upside down. Why should I take in the child of the woman who betrayed and most recently tried to kill ? She blad this child’s conception on and maintained that he was mine until I have discovered everything otherwise!"
"Added to that, he is also the blood of the man who has hated all his life and made miserable, regardless of my age or vulnerability."
Patrick didn’t flinch at the barrage of questions. "Because, Adam, you’re a good man."
Adam looked away, jaw tightening.
Patrick continued. "You’re better than both of us. Better than her. Better than . And most certainly better than him."
Adam didn’t respond.
"I know what I’ve done and how I’ve lacked. And I know what she’s done. But Adir didn’t choose any of that. He didn’t ask for it. He just wants to be loved, and he trusts you. He already looks at you and lanie like you’re his."
Adam kept his eyes on the ground.
Patrick’s voice stayed level. "I’m not asking you to forgive us. Anyone of us. I wouldn’t expect that. I’m asking you to do what you’ve already been doing. To keep showing up for him. To give him the kind of life we couldn’t give you. Sir Robert Collins could not look past his jealousy and insecurity but you are... different"
Adam stood there, speechless. Of all the things he could have imagined Patrick Collins asking him, this was the furthest from his imagination.
Patrick added, quietly, "I know you are shocked. And rightfully so. Why would I, who has never bothered with you or even his own son, would be so worried about Adir and want you to have him? Because he deserves it. And because you’re the only one I trust to give it to him."
This ti , Adam shook his head again, " I still don’t understand why. You love taken him in and raised him for so long. So, what has changed now?"
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