My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Maximus had been driving for about two hours. When he finally got home, he knew that before introducing Aria to his son, he needed to have a long

conversation with his brother. He stepped out of the car and gestured for his three guests to do the same. On the way there, he had already messaged Magnus, who was shocked when he saw Aria.

Magnus had never imagined that Leonardo would have kept Peter's mother alive. He had assumed that, just like in the present, the actions of that deceased man had been disastrous and horrifying.

Having Aria in the house revealed a side of Leonardo that no one else had known. Only he, whose ashes rested in Maximus's room, understood the history between Aria and himself.

Maximus introduced Aria, Danielle, and Ellie to Magnus. He was polite to the three guests and asked the staff to prepare rooms where they could rest. After that, he met with Maximus in the study.

"So, we've found Peter's mother, huh?" Magnus asked calmly.

"That's right..." Maximus replied, unsure of how to proceed.

"And how exactly are you going to explain to Peter that his mother is alive?" Magnus asked, noticing his son's concern.

"I have no idea... Honestly, in my head, it seemed easier, but now that I think about it, the fact that Peter doesn't remember anything makes things a lot more complicated," Maximus admitted.

"Well, whatever you're thinking of doing, you better hurry up. Imagine how Aria must be feeling-she's never even seen her son. She must be going crazy with anticipation," Magnus said as he poured his son a drink, noticing that if he didn't calm down, he might have a heart attack.

"Alright, I'll go to Peter's place right now, talk to him, and then call you. Can you do me a favor?" Maximus said, downing his drink in one gulp.

"Tell me," Magnus replied, watching his son.

"I'll call you, and after that, I'd like you to help me take Aria to Peter's house." "Yeah, just let me know, and I'll take her."

"Thanks..." Maximus said, grabbing the envelope Leonardo had left him along with his coat.

"No problem. If this is what it takes to get you to relax and focus on everything around you, then I hope it all goes well," Magnus said, placing both hands on his son's shoulders.

"That's what I'm hoping too..."

Maximus left the house and drove back to Westhaven. When he arrived, the staff opened the door for him. He walked in and found Serenity, strolling through the garden with a massive tub of ice cream in her hands.

"My girl! How's everything going? How are you and the little one?" Maximus asked, placing a hand on her belly.

"Hey, Maximus! We're good. She's getting bigger every day, and I'm getting heavier and fatter..."

"Not at all! Well, okay, bigger, yes-but everything else will go away once Serene Jr. is born."

Serenity smiled. Even though

Maximus hadn't made much effort

to be close to her before, he was

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genuinely trying to be kind and affectionate now. He had come to understand that Marcus was Serenity's real father, and he didn't want to cause any conflict in that relationship. So, he tried to keep his distance-well, as much as he could.

"Are you here to see Peter?" Serenity asked with interest.

"Exactly..." Maximus replied, feeling nervous.

"He's in the backyard with the girls."

"He's already taking them outside?"

"Just for a little while. He gives them some sunbaths-says it's good for them. Peter is completely obsessed with his daughters..." Serenity said honestly.

"How's Celeste?" Maximus asked with concern.

"She's exhausted! Taking care of two babies is draining, but aside from that, she's happy. Really happy! She's sleeping right now, but I don't think she'll be out for much longer."

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"Wow... Is Emma around?" Maximus asked, noticing she wasn't there.

"Yeah, she should be with Peter."

"What about Alden and Ethan?" He asked again, not seeing them either.

"They went out for a bit-Ethan needed to pick up some school supplies. They shouldn't be long. I stayed because I needed to sleep but look at me—I haven't been able to close my eyes. I don't even know how to position myself anymore; my belly is too heavy."

"Sleep sitting up... My girl, you need to rest. It's a cliché, but they say that once the baby's born, you never sleep the same again, so take advantage now..."

"Thanks, Maximus! I'm trying, but this little one is a troublemaker, even in the womb."

"She's going to be just like you. Remember how I met you?"

"Yeah..."

"You were already traveling alone in another country, so don't expect your little girl to be any different."

"I can already see my future... Now I finally understand Mom and all her worries."

"You'll get to experience it yourself. But more than anything, you'll live new experiences with your newly formed family."

"That sounds a little weird... doesn't it?"

"A lot can happen in a year, my girl. So enjoy your pregnancy, enjoy your wedding

—it's in less than a week now," Maximus said as he hugged his daughter.