I do not own any characters. The Count of Monte Cristo belongs to Dumas.
The 2002 film adaption belongs to Touchstone.
"Albert, you are the son of Edmond Dates. The man you know as the Count of Monte Cristo."
The words Mercedes said rang through Edmond, a.k.a the Count of Monte Cristo's ears. All these years of careful planning and scheming could not have prepared the count for this. When he spotted Fernand attempting to disappear from France, he challenged Fernand to duel, eager to take revenge on the man for ruining his life. But then, during the duel between himself and Fernand, Albert intervened, preparing to defend his father with his life. Edmond didn't want to kill the boy, but he would, if Albert interfered with his vengeance…at least until Mercedes arrived and uttered the words that shocked both himself and Albert to the core.
All this time…I had a son. Albert is my son. Albert is my son. Edmond thought to himself, her words echoed through his mind.
Suddenly Mercedes's choice to marry Montago, after he was taken away made perfect sense. She never betrayed him at all; she was trying to protect their son! His son! As he looked at Albert, a wave of emotions pasted through him, Surprise, joy, releaf and regret. He never imagined that he would be a father, Edmond thought all those years in the Chateau d'lf had robbed him of that chance to start a family with Mercedes. But he already did without realizing it. What luck! Then he remembered how he planned to use Albert as a tool of revenge against his father. He allowed Lugi and his bandits to nearly cut off his finger! If it wasn't for Mercedes, the count would've killed his own son, his own flesh and blood! Then Edmond's mind flashed back to Albert's birthday party. Fernand had refused to make the birthday toast, choosing business over family. So, he himself stepped in and made the birthday toast.
Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you: as Albert Mondego, the man! Edmond recalled.
Yes, though Edmond wished he could've witnessed it, Albert had grown up to become a fine young man. Edmond was proud of the man Albert had become; proud that he was a kind hearted man, proud that Montago's influence hadn't corrupted him. Albert had grown close to him enough that Albert thought of the count as a father figure, what did he think of him out that he knew the truth? Had he known that Albert was really his son, then he would've found a way to get Montago without putting the boy at risk. This almost caused a few ripples in Edmond's perfect plan, almost. He would have to adapt, which was something that the count of Monte Cristo was quite good at.
My vengeance isn't worth it. Not it means harming Albert. Edmond decided. Out of respect for Albert's idolization of Montago, he would let him go. Edmond would take Jacopo, Mercedes and Albert. They would escape to a place where could put this mess behind them. Hopefully he could learn from Mercedes what he had missed during Albert's childhood, atone for Albert and putting him at risk. Then maybe he and Albert could have the father-son relationship they should've had. Would he forgive him for what he had done? Maybe? But he had to try for Mercedes's sake at least. She wanted all three of them to be a family, and if that's what she wanted, that's what he'll do.
Besides, he was looking forward to getting to know Albert, learn what his favorite activities are, his favorite foods and drinks. Oh there was so much about his son he didn't know, but he looked forward to the challenge and the Count of Monte Cristo always enjoyed a good challenge.