Ellen and her mother had left home in sorrow and pain, but returned joyous and whole as a family last week. Elena might have forgiven Aaron, but they were still divorced and far from getting back together. Aaron had to prove himself worthy of her heart once again, and this time it was excruciatingly hard. That stubborn woman just wouldn't give him a free pass despite still being in love with him. One thing she had to admit, was that she finally felt at peace after all those years of anguish, and pain. It felt like the hole inside her heart, and life has been filled. "Aaron I'm highly disappointed in you. After all these years, you still fail to realize my friend is not a gold-digger, who is interested in all this wealthy stuff. If I were Elena, I'd throw these boxes in your face." Isabella expressed her disappointment when she saw the jewelry boxes Aaron bought to impress Elena. "You know she's right bro. ("Of course, I am. I'm always right". Isabella interrupts and George smiles before continuing) Elena is not a fan of expensive things. Just do what you did to win her before. You know? Leave the wealth and go for simple things. Ellen will be going back to school in three weeks' time, I suggest you get her list for school and continue from there. Nothing is more important to her than her daughter." George said. "Have you two idiots got nothing better to think about? If you target Ellen, Elena will know you are using her daughter against her, and as a mother, I can tell you that's pretty much offensive. Just re-live your memories with her. The walking by the beach, you two used to go to the cinema and she wouldn't stop talking about it. You'd wait for her till she's done with her work and take her home. Just remind her how great it was to be loved by Aaron Wilson." Isabella suggested, making the men smile. "Oh Bella, I could kiss you right now. (*cough*) Relax, I won't do that. I'm just glad you thought of this, Bella. Bro, thanks for marrying her okay, she's a genius. Keep these, but I'm keeping this one." Aaron said excitedly, taking a small box from the jewelry he bought, and handed the rest to Isabella as thanks. The next two weeks were filled with Aaron doing his best to win back his wife. He sometimes took Ellen along to the cinema, and they both loved it. …. It's a Saturday, and Ellen has been up since 5:30 am to work early, and wait for her father, who promised a daddy-daughter day out. The time read 7:50 am, and he was yet to make an appearance. "Ama, will you calm down, and eat something? Maybe he's caught in traffic, he will be here okay." Elena tried to make her daughter relax. She would be going to school in a week's time, and Aaron had told her to make a list for school items. Nobody had ever told her to make a list, without worrying about the cost, and she was precisely happy it was her father, that asked her to prepare such list. A car finally pulled up at their compound and Ellen rushed out with joy on her face, only to be disappointed by who she saw. "Wow, is it me or you are disappointed to see us Elle?" Kelly spoke first and Ellen smiled. "Yhh, I saw it too." Abby teased. "I can't believe you two are here. I am expecting someone else. I'm sorry…how are you?" Ellen explained and went to hug them, when Elena came out. "Oh girls…you are here." Elena said with a smile. She was elated to see her daughter's friends weeks ago, when they came to get her, for the country club on Easter Monday. She loved them as they were a good influence on her daughter, and Ellen wouldn't stop talking about her friends. "Surprise aunty. We came to surprise Ellen, and go shop for school items, together, but she is not happy to see us." Abby explained their visit with a hint of sadness in her voice. "What? No, I am happy to see you two…I just thought it was …" Ellen began, but stopped when another car pulled up behind the girls' car. Their driver had to make way for the new car that just pulled up. At this point, it was 8am, and Ellen rushed to meet the person in the car. Elena stood by with a smile. The girls were curious about who the person in the car was, when Ellen opened the car door. A man stepped out and hugged her, making their jaws drop. Not just because this was the first time, they were seeing Ellen hug a man, but because they knew the man who was approaching them after hugging Ellen. "Dad, I want you to meet my friends; Kelly and Abigail." Ellen introduced. "DAD?!" the girls exclaimed together. "Dr. Wilson is your father? How is that possible?" Abby asked in shock. "Ah I thought I recognized you. Abigail, how are you doing? How's old Mr. Benson doing?" Aaron asked, after recognizing her. "Wait, you know each other?" Ellen asked with confusion. "Yes. I'm their family doctor. Hello, nice to meet you, Kelly." Aaron answered and extended a hand to the dumbfounded Kelly with a smile. "Uh hi sir, doctor. I can't believe you're right in front of me. I look up to you sir. I can't believe he is your dad, and you never said anything!" Kelly blabbered. "Wow, I'm glad to hear that, but I think you ladies need to talk. Ellen, I'm sorry I'm late…something came up, or down, but I'll make up for it I promise." Aaron said and kissed her forehead before making his way to Elena by the door. "You, have got some explaining to do, sister", Abby commanded. "Yeah Elle, how is your dead father, Dr. Wilson? You didn't even tell us, when I told you guys, he's the doctor I look up to." Kelly said, annoyed. "Hmm. Let's go somewhere and talk… I have a lot to catch you two up on." Ellen replied. "No kidding. Get in the car", Kelly said, and the driver drove off after they entered. "You told her you'd be here by 7:30 Aaron. Do you know how long she's been waiting for you?", Elena said as she entered the house, followed by Aaron. "I know honey, but I got held up. Like I said, something came down. My parents just came down from Germany, Elena." Aaron explained and Elena got apprehensive at the mention of parents. "Don't worry, nobody, especially my parents, is going to come between us this time." Aaron assured, taking her hand. "I have heard those words before Aaron. It didn't end well for me or my daughter." Elena said, retracting her hand. "I know. I know you've lost your confidence in me Elena, and I don't blame you. But this time it's different. I have made my own wealth Elena; I'm not the same guy, who left you, because of money his parents took from him. They can't control me anymore Elena. And I've made it perfectly clear, that they can't come between us this time. I just need you to trust me." Aaron explained with a plea. A message popped up on his phone and he reached out to take it, sighing after reading the message. "It's my mother. She wants to see you, both of you." Aaron said, and Elena got goose bumps, not feeling good about it. "I don't want to see her Aaron, and I definitely don't want my daughter near them." Elena refused. "I understand that, but she's their granddaughter Elena, eventually she will have to meet them. Why not let her do that while you are around?", Aaron persuaded. "When?" Elena reluctantly asked. "How about dinner tonight?" Aaron asked, and she nodded, feeling a nauseating knot in her stomach. Those people did not deserve to even see Ellen, after callously depriving her of her father's love at such a young age, but she was indeed their granddaughter, and if they want to see her, they'll do everything in their power to. Better let them see her while she's around, than have them go behind her back or worse, start a custody battle she might lose because of their power and influence.
