A/N: I'm glad I finally found some inspiration to write another story. This one is going to be a longer one. I have the whole story planned out, I just need to fill in the details, hoping I don't get stuck with writer's block along the way. This chapter is sort of the "prologue" I guess you could call it. It just gives an insight (mainly in Max's POV) to the beginning of the story. Again, stay patient, as I will try to update as soon as I can. Reviews are always welcomed, good or bad. Enjoy:)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, nor will I ever. I'm just borrowing them for a while, for entertainment purposes only.
Prologue
What does it feel like to lose someone you love? Someone so close and dear to your heart that you would do anything in the world to protect them. Somehow, Maxwell doubted himself on that. He felt as if he had failed her. He did everything he could to save her, but even the best medical treatment money could buy was no match for the terrible illness his wife was stricken with. "Sometimes we have to realize that terrible things happen for a reason," the doctor had told him that fateful night. But Max refused to believe him. How could a woman so kind and compassionate be given someone else's punishment? That question had haunted him for years, and it still does, whenever he felt himself missing her. He promised—no, vowed—to never love again. He couldn't relive the pain and sadness he endured (still endures) after his wife passed. So Max kept to himself. He threw himself into his work, not bothering to comfort his three grieving children. And as the years passed without Sara by his side, he began to realize that he was wrong. He didn't fail her; he did everything he could to keep her with him. It was her time. He couldn't control it, it was just the way things were meant to be. Maybe the doctor was right after all. Terrible things do happen for a reason. Then does that mean he was meant to find something or someone to help make him whole again? He didn't think so. Max was held in the belief that you could only find true love once, if at all. What are the chances of finding it twice?
So after all the tears he shed and the emptiness he felt after Sara's death, the most painful part was missing out on his children's lives. He neglected them for so long, blaming himself for their mother's death, that he hadn't realized they were growing up right in front of him. They were wonderful kids, but their mother's death was the stake to the heart. They were lost and devastated without her. Their luxurious lifestyle proved worthless, as no amount of money could bring their mother back. For months, even years, the children looked to their father for comfort, but he wouldn't give it to them. He felt more alone than the children did. And every time Maxwell looked at his eldest daughter, he saw Sara's beautiful face and being within her. She was so beautiful. Though Max found it heartbreaking that Maggie lacked self-esteem when she was around others. Still just a teenager, she needed a feminine guidance, something Max couldn't offer her. And ruefully, Sara's death greatly affected his son. She was the only one who could control his mischievous antics. So as of lately, Brighton became the troublemaker of the three; always finding conflicts at home and at school. But the most troubled of the three was Grace. Weekly therapy sessions became the norm for the young girl. Her imaginary friends were the only ones she could turn to, to help fill the void left behind by her mother's absence.
Therefore, over the past year, Maxwell constantly thought about what it would be like to not feel so alone and detached from everyone. He wondered if Sara would be happy for him if he moved on. But how could he move on when he vowed to never love again? Maybe it was time to break that vow? Maybe it was time to start over? All he has to do is find his new beginning.