ameluz: Thank you very much, it is nice to hear that. I know I don't have to rush but it is my nature. I am always like that :) I love you too and thank you for your never ending support :)

And thank you all for reading, patience and your time. It means a lot to me :) Enjoy this chapter.


Fatherhood

William and Samantha tried to help her, as best as they could, but it was sometimes difficult for them to pretend that everything was fine. Some nights he had to walk alone around the neighborhood. It was necessary for his head, which was full of evil and hateful thoughts about her boyfriend. And when he couldn't say them in front of her, it was better to deal with them outside in private. His wife was worried about him because it was for the first time when he experienced something like that. However, it was proof of the close connection between daughter and father. In addition, she also admitted that she wasn't feeling well. And above all, when her daughter didn't want to talk to her, it was worse. Sometimes she wondered if she had made a mistake. Where? How? When? These questions plagued her most evenings in bed and when William was away, fighting with his anxieties and fear, she prayed. For a good end, for re-return of happiness and joy into the body of their daughter, for their reunion. Samantha realized that his return was really the only thing which could save Ariadne because her mind couldn't handle all this and she needed help. She needed him. What would be the end after his refusal? It wasn't necessary to think about it. Mainly, they both didn't want to think about it.

Another month passed and he wasn't here. No phone calls, no messages, only waiting. Ariadne was in her room, lying in her soft bed. Lately, her fatigue grew, which was normal according to doctor Brecken. The twins needed more energy, and her body was the only source. However, it didn't matter. For their health, she would do anything, and moreover, being in bed all day didn't hurt. But someone was missing by her side. After all this time, not only fear had increased but also doubts were getting stronger. Especially, Ariadne was afraid that her father was right. Was truly Arthur same as the others? Had he run away from her as the biggest coward? Nonetheless, it wasn't wise to judge him. She had done it too and mainly she had wanted to abandon him forever. Ariadne felt sick of herself. It was pure sadness for last couple weeks. Her parents had noticed it too. Her face without a smile and joy was as rainy weather without sun.

Ariadne again had her hands on her lower abdomen, showing the pregnancy. It was one of her favorite activities. She was convinced that her touch gave them love and tenderness. Two essential ingredients which she missed lately. Of course, her parents gave her everything, but this was a different kind of feelings. However, only one man knew the right recipe. She sighed, thinking about Point Man.

"I know that you miss him. I miss him also," she said sadly, her voice barely audible.

Another conversation with twins which was even for her. Whenever she spoke to them, it was also a release of emotions from her head. Thank God it worked every time. But how long this effect will last? It was difficult to estimate.

"But don't worry. He'll be back... I'm sure he will."

Although it seemed like a lie, her faith and hope were still alive. There was no food or water, but the two castaways on a desert island still hoped for rescue. Evenings of loneliness, repeatedly incoming storms of fear or huge waves of pain attacking the shore, trying to sink and destroy everything what stood in their way. Ariadne resisted because of the children, like every good mother, but her strength was quickly disappearing.

xxxxxXxxxxx

Arthur had never felt so bad. It seemed as if his body was engulfed by negative feelings completely. His cell phone was still off. Eames, Cobb, Yusuf... nobody existed. No one was able to help. His past became more vivid and he was losing his fight. However, something strange and unfamiliar in him was reluctant to give up. Point Man couldn't name it, but it was certain that its strength and courage went beyond his comprehension. It was almost like a source which couldn't be depleted. Maybe it was bigger than himself.

His thoughts were interrupted by shouting kids and suddenly he had to remember where he was. Although it wasn't difficult. Every day for a month, in the rain or when the sun shone, Point Man was sitting on a bench near the playground, trying to empathize with the role of the father. However, it was rather watching other parents with children, who he tried to understand. Happy couple watching their son playing with another boy, two little girls running around the castle with dolls... thanks to all this, he felt nervous, because in a few months, his children will be in this world also. Even he will be someone's father. Father. That word was frightening. This thought caused more fear. The size and volume of the balloon of desperation was enormous. Now would be enough a needle and a small crack and he would drown in the water.

"Excuse me. Are you all right?"

Unexpected female voice was pleasantly kind. Arthur looked to his left and saw a woman in a red shirt with long sleeves and black long jeans, with a large black bag on her shoulder. Apparently his five senses didn't work, because he would have noticed her immediately. Right? She looked very elegant and short brown hair added to her charm. Her eyes of the same color were concerned, maybe even a little curious, but before he could answer, unknown woman sat down next to him, looking him in the eyes.

"I see you every time when I'm here with my daughter. You look sad and desperate. I can feel that something torments you. I want to help you, if it is possible."

His mother probably had sent help from heaven. Even though she wasn't here, she still loved him and did everything to make her son happy. Apparently she saw a bigger picture. Unknown woman was afraid, trying to rescue him from the mud and though Arthur didn't want to talk to anybody, her words immediately broke his bullet proof wall. Unbelievable that someone could do that. Rarely someone had such power. Maybe it was time to confide. Maybe it would be better to release all the bad thoughts from the jail of his head. At that moment, Point Man stopped fighting.

"I am so scared. You know... my girlfriend is pregnant and... I can not be a father." However not only that, but also tears started to appear in his eyes. It seemed that emotions were flowing out of him in all forms.

"Why not?" The sensitive and painful topic again. Arthur sniffed.

"My past. I can not get rid of it... it's like a shadow which is always with me, killing me slowly." The pain in his heart was too big and the first tear ran down his right cheek.

"So stop looking at it," she said frankly. That sentence struck his mind like an arrow into the center of the target. "All of us have bad memories. You don't have to forget them, because it is impossible. They will be there always, as well as the shadow which can't hurt you, but... you have to stop looking back. You have to turn your gaze ahead, to the horizon. There isn't only the sun every day, but also hope and a future." Her smile was sincere, but the resistance inside him was even more intense than before.

"It's not that simple," and he shook his head. Woman realized that it won't be easy with him, but talking about the issue was already a small victory for her. She knew very well this problem.

"You're not the first one who is afraid. It's perfectly normal. Becoming a father is just as scary as becoming a mother. It happened to me and my husband also." Arthur glanced quickly to her left hand, where he saw two gold rings.

"The first three months, we had a lot of arguments with Peter. Any minor mention about child meant a huge crisis, but it was mainly because we were not willing to talk. We were both desperate and all this almost caused our end. But one day, we got to the depth of the problem and it transpired that he wasn't ready for the role of father." That sentence sounded familiar to Point Man. "He had doubts about how he will able to take care of something so defenseless and fragile. But it was primarily a fear of things to come, because according to him, no one ever has prepared him for it. He was afraid of mistakes. However, I had exactly the same feelings and when we found it out, it was kind of funny. And now... he's the coolest dad in the world. Sarah means everything to him. When she sits on his back and he pretends to be a wild horse running through a meadow... it belongs among my favorite moments. Always, his eyes shines with joy. And her laughter to me is a sign that she is really happy. For mother, it is the most beautiful sight of all."

It was like a bedtime story. Arthur suddenly realized that he listened so much that his sadness and tears stopped. Actually bad memories lost to somewhere and it was created room for other things in his head. Nonetheless, unknown woman after a while of thinking decided to continue.

"I don't know your past, but no matter how bad it is, it is behind you. Thinking about the things which happened is like opening a bloody wound over and over again. It will never heal until you let it be. You don't have to believe me... because I'm sure that deep down, you know it too."

Right after, he realized the terrible mistake which he had made. All this time, his body, mind and soul lived in childhood. Moments of torment and suffering were his everyday world, but only the memories had caused it. It was a choice which gave him a kick. This solution was right there in front of him and he hadn't seen it. Until now, Arthur understood how truly easy it was. Suddenly, a dangerous spiral stopped and he found a new base.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

It was heard a child's voice and a little girl came running toward them. He saw how the face of unknown woman transformed within seconds. Above all, he was fascinated by the big and wide smile on her lips.

"What is happening princess?"

"I'm thirsty!"

She immediately reached into her bag and pulled out a small bottle of juice (orange apparently). Sarah took it and started drinking. However, Point Man noticed something strange. Her eyes were familiar... long brown hair... nose... even the shape of ears was exactly the same. Small Ariadne was standing in front of him. Arthur couldn't believe that his daughter was with him now. Wait. It couldn't be... he blinked rapidly and girl's face changed. It was like magic, by which he was deluded. Everything was back to normal. But nameless feeling of joy appeared in his body. Sarah returned the bottle to her mother and ran away, apparently to play again. Unknown woman put it back into the bag and looked at him.

It was obvious that he wasn't present, mainly due to new thoughts filling his head. Would it be wrong to experience a similar moments? Being a horse with strong cowboy on his back? Or having a beautiful little princess in the castle? Significant change happened inside him. Suddenly, as if he was a different person. Suddenly father wanted to hear the laughter of children. But even problems will appear. The new kind, which he wanted to know. Plus he could do more important things in life. Killing and robbing were nothing noble, but taking care of the small miracles with his own blood was certainly the biggest challenge of all.

"Are you okay?"

The second time today, he had heard the question, and as before, it interrupted the flow of his thoughts. Arthur looked at her, not wanting to answer. He realized that he forgot to ask on something important.

"What is your name?" The woman smiled sincerely.

"Janine. And you?"

That was the last straw for him. Point Man began officially believe in miracles. Not only that, this woman helped him to move further in life, but he already knew the reason why she had sat down next to him. Her name was the same as his mother. His face broke into a smile. His muscles hurt a little bit due to this movement, because it was after a long time. However, the meaning of this gesture was multiple. It was joy and realization that SHE was still close and happiness that he will soon become a father.

"Arthur."


After a long time, a little happier chapter. I don't know about you, but I needed it :) Anyway, again I apologize for such a small number of words. I'll try to make it up to you next time :)