(Flashback ends)
Both mother and daughter duo were drowning in their pool of tears by the time Elena was done narrating her story. Ellen stared at the letter her mom showed her from Aaron. Like her mom, she crumpled it and threw it in anger. "What a bastard!" Ellen exclaimed. "Ellen, don't talk like that! He is still your father!" Elena rebuked. "My father? My father is dead! That's what you told me, Mom. You never liked to discuss him; you always brushed the subject away and changed the topic when it came to him. Like it was nothing while you knew he was alive this whole time! I always longed for a father, and you never remarried or introduced me to him. You are no different from him, Mom, you are a liar!" Ellen fumed and went to bed. Elena couldn't do anything but cry because she knew she deserved her daughter's anger for hoarding the truth she worked so hard to bury deep down. She only wanted to move on from her past, but Aaron found her again after all these years. Aaron kept calling, but Elena didn't pick up any of his calls or reply to his texts. He wished she would give him a chance to explain everything and own up to his mistakes like a man. He just wanted to give them the life they deserved. It was going to be tough, but he knew it wouldn't be impossible. He got her once after playing hard to get, and he would get her again with time. At least he had finally found both of them. He stared at his phone for some time with a dejected look, and a light bulb appeared on his head, making his beautiful doe eyes shine brightly.
…
George was about to turn in for sleep and call it a night when his phone buzzed, making him frown. The lines on his forehead disappeared when he realized whose call it was. "Hey man, what's up?" He stepped out to answer the call in order not to wake his sleeping wife. "How would you like to go on a trip tomorrow?" Aaron voiced excitedly. "Dude, are you being serious? You haven't found your family yet, and you are planning a trip? Anyway, where to?" George asked. "Precisely, brother. We are going on a trip to the slum parts of the city to look for them. I think Elena will give me audience if you are there with me." Aaron explained. "Aaron Wilson, are you hiding something from me? Have you found them? How are they? Say something, bro." George asked a series of questions, getting excited. "Will you come or not? Stop asking questions like I'm in a courtroom." Aaron replied, avoiding his questions intentionally. "This guy. Is this how we throw an invitation? In fact, if I were Elena, I would kick your butt or give you a befitting slap when I see you again. Anyway, yes, I will come with you. I would love to meet her and your daughter. I am sure she's grown into a beautiful and brilliant young lady like her mother by now." George replied first with annoyance and ended with excitement. Aaron remained silent on the other end so his friend wouldn't know he was in tears. Aaron and George were more like brothers than friends as they both were the only child of their parents and sole heir to their properties. They've been each other's keeper and loved one another like brothers. There was no way George was going to make his friend face this alone. "Hello? Are you there Aaron?" George asked after a minute of awkward silence. "Yes, I'm here. Go to bed now. I will pick you up from your house tomorrow at 7 am. Goodnight." Aaron replied after clearing his throat and hung up. George knew his friend was going through a turmoil of emotions, and though Aaron deserved it, he felt sorry for his friend/ brother. He was still hiding the fact that Elena lost their child years ago because he just didn't know how to convey the message to his already broken friend. He sighed and went to bed, feeling jittery and excited about seeing Elena and her daughter again at the same time.
***
It was a beautiful morning with the sun already up showing off its glory with a bright shine when Aaron found himself at the door of the Clarke mansion. The mansion was magnificent with the servant quarters detached from the main house like Aaron's. He was surprised to see some servants place a huge toy bunny on the well-shaped front lawn while others placed painted eggs in basket around. He rang the doorbell, and a servant allowed him in. The interior deco was amazing with its white painting and golden furniture. The dining room was at the rear right with three people sitting at table, and a woman as beautiful as Elena, standing beside a young and beautiful girl with flawless skin from staying abroad for so long. She was just the same age as Ellen, and had come down for holidays with her family. Isabella was first to see Aaron as she took her seat beside her daughter. "Oh My God! Aaron? You are back!" Isabella exclaimed with joy before her expression turned grave. "Good morning, everyone. Bella I can explain." Aaron greeted, and raised his hands in surrender, making George, and his children laugh. "Okay then, explain." Isabella said, folding her arms over her breast. "I've been in the country for a month now. I haven't come to visit because I've been busy with you know what." Aaron explained, and sat. Everyone in the Clarke family knew what Aaron meant because George told Isabella everything that had happened. She was furious with Aaron, and regretted not seeing her friend before she left without a trace, but came to understand his intentions. Christian found out from Aaron himself who used his story to teach his students moral lessons once in medical school about love and importance of priorities. Though Aaron told his students as a professor, Christian knew the whole story from his parents since Aaron wasn't specific in class that it was about him. This made him the only one in class who knew everything, and passed it on to his sister. They were all understanding, and only hoped he would get his family back. Though they loved their parents, Christian and Stephanie adored and admired their favorite uncle a lot. He was their second father, and he loved them equally. Christian was like the son he never had, and Stephanie was just like his beloved daughter. Steph aspired to be a lawyer while Chris wanted to be like Aaron, and achieve what he's achieved and even more. The duo was extremely close due to this, and George had no problem with it. Aaron occasionally came down to expand his family's empire and also teach in medical school, aside searching for his family for five years now. He was so grateful to God that he drove by Nima one day and saw Elena hawking. At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him because she had disappeared when he turned back. His curiosity got the better of him as he kept thinking about that place and decided to investigate with her photograph. Lo and behold, a woman recognized the lady in the picture and directed him to her house. He drove in to find her preparing for the arrival of her daughter. He could still see the shock and pain in her eyes when she recognized him. At least she still remembered him, and that was a good thing. Elena almost collapsed as her feet became unsteady, but he was quick to catch her from falling with his long legs, and carried the delicate figure inside the house. She just stared at him blankly, in a catatonic state, lost at words till Ellen got home and the only thing she could say was "Ellen this is your father." … "Welcome back uncle." Stephanie greeted cheerfully and hugged him, bringing him out of his stupor. Christian also did the same, and they did their special handshake. "You do know I get jealous every time I see you two together, right? One day I might wake up to my son leaving me for you" George said, and they laughed. "Well get over it. I'm here now so he isn't yours anymore. You should try doing a DNA test, maybe Bella had him with me. Hahaha." Aaron said and they roared with laughter again. "I beg you Aaron don't make trouble for me. It's still too early in the morning for drama." Isabella chimed in. "Alright, I won't make trouble for you. What's with the bunny and egg painting out there? What's going on?" Aaron asked. "When was the last time you checked the calendar, Aaron? Don't you know it's Easter time? The bunny you are talking about is the Easter bunny. We are in the middle of April and it's Easter time." Isabella explained. "Are you kidding me? What have you been watching these days? You folks are taking this too personal. What's the use of these decorations? This is Ghana, not America." Aaron teased and Isabella rolled her eyes with a smile. "Aren't you going to eat uncle?" Stephanie asked. "Yeah. You are sitting at table but not eating. This is not done Aaron. If I have to force you like George, I will. Come on, let me serve you. And don't say you are not hungry because I don't care." Isabella instructed and they laughed. "Come on baby, you know no one can really control this guy. Hahaha." George teased and Aaron glared at him. "I know right. Gosh, where is Elena when you need her? She knew how to wrap this bad boy around her finger." Isabella blurted out a tease but regretted immediately. The dining room was suddenly engulfed with awkward tension and suffocating silence. "If you, and your wife are done pulling my leg, can we go now?" Aaron spoke jovially to ease the tension in the room which worked. He knew Isabella didn't have the intention of hurting him and she was right anyway. "Where on God's good planet are you two going? Because I have a feeling it is not to your workplace." Bella asked suspiciously. "Of course, we are going for work purpose. You worry too much. I will see you later, okay? I love you all. Take care." George answered and kissed her bye, taking the lead. "Have a great day folks. Thanks for breakfast, Bella darling." Aaron also bade them farewell, and winked at her, making her blush.