Here's the next chapter. It should be winding down soon. Thanks to my wonderful editor for helping me out with this chapter and for all her suggestions.

Family Ties

Chapter 15

After Nathan left Joshua's office, he headed home. But he couldn't stop thinking about their conversation and the terrible choices his son was making. As he entered the house, he was greeted by his wife, who was sitting on the couch. He gave her a kiss and then, with a sigh, sat down next to her.

"Tough day at work, dear?" Sarah asked.

"I went to see Joshua today."

"Nathan you didn't..." She shook her head. "I thought you promised to stay out of this."

"I did... I was, until I heard him making plans to see her again. You would think he had learned from his first mistake of getting involved with that girl."

"He did what any other decent doctor would do. He helped Avery. That's something to be proud of him for, not condemn him."

Nathan shook his head in disbelief and took a deep breath. "He loves her, Sarah."

You don't know that."

"Yes… yes I do. You can see it in his actions, in how he defends her. We've lost him."

Sarah smiled, a bit amused. "We haven't lost him, darling. You just can't help who you fall in love with. You of all people should understand that. Remember my father wasn't so thrilled when I met you, but look how well that turned out. If it's meant to happen it will and, Nathan, you can't do anything to change that...because then we will lose him forever."

"What if we already have?"

She smiled. "She's a lovely girl, Nathan. He could do worse."

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Avery had made her way over to Joshua's apartment. She told Rebecca she was meeting some friends if her parents asked. It wasn't really a lie, she was meeting a friend. She just didn't need to be lectured so she left out some facts. After dinner they sat out on Joshua's furnished terrace, enjoying the warm summer night.

"Thank you for the amazing take out food." she laughed.

"You know me. I only order the best." he joked back.

"Well it was great, this whole night has been just what I needed."

He rests his hand on her knee. "I'm glad, I would suggest going for a walk in the park, but the two agents outside would be too obvious."

She laughed, "Yeah, can't get rid of them, sorry."

Avery stood and leaned over the balcony. "This is a great view..." However,she wasn't really interested in the view tonight. She needed to tell him something but wasn't quite sure how. She decided to just come out with it. "Josh, I don't think we should see each other anymore

Josh was caught completely off-guard. "What?"

Avery turned and looked at him. "I just I don't want to wreck your life anymore than I have. Let's face it ever since you offered to help me it's just been one thing after the other. Haven't you had enough of my problems?"

Josh stood and joined her at the balcony, andtaking one of her hands, he told her,"Don't you get it? Any other guy would have run screaming by now after everything that's gone on, but I don't plan to. You know why?"

Avery shook her head "No I don't ... I really don't know."

He cupped her face in his hands and looked deeply into her eyes. "I don't ever plan to leave becauseI love you, Avery."

He lowered his head and softly kissed her on the mouth. Instinctively, Avery let herself fall into the kiss, enjoying his passion. After a few seconds she came back to her senses and pulled away from him.

"I should go." She was distraught. "I'm sorry," she said as she rushed out of the apartment, leaving Joshua standing on the terrace totally confused.

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When Avery got home, shewalked by the living room where Dad, Rebecca and Horace were hanging out. She walked right by them oblivious to their presence.

Uh Av, you okay?" Horace said more joking than serious. Even with her troubles with Dad she still usually spoke to everyone else in the family.

"Huh? Yeah I'm just going to my room." She left the room with the others looking on.

Rebecca and Horace looked to one another and simultaneously got up.

"We'll be back." They immediately went to her room and knocked on the door.

"Hey," Becca told her, "it's me and Horace..." They walked into the room and spotted Avery sitting on the bed staring into space.

Horace waved his hand in front of her face. "Maybe she was abducted by aliens?"

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Avery what happened?"

"He loves me," she shook her head, speaking as if she was talking only to herself. "He loves me."

Horace and Becca once again exchanged looks.

"You know I think she's lost it," he told his twin.

Becca smackedhis arm. "Horace shut up. Avery, who loves you?"

After a moment, Avery looked up. "Josh. He told me so tonight."

Horace was outraged."You're not serious? The jerk's son. What are you thinking?'

Horace, he's not a bad guy, really he's not. If you got to know him you would see it." Avery stood and began to pace the room.

"You know he told me he cared about you in the hospital... Do you love him?" Rebecca asked her older sister as she moved to stand in front of her.

"I don't know." Avery said honestly with a sigh.

"What if he's using you?"Horace was very much like their father: protective of everyone in his family especially his older and young sisters.

"Horace, you don't even know the guy and you're not really helping." Rebecca shot him a glance to cut it out.

"Sorry , this is just weird. If Dad knew he'd flip."

"Which is why you're not going to tell anyone. Please Horace?" Avery looked at her brother pleadingly

"Alright I won't say a word." He told his sister putting his arm around her to comfort her.

"Thank you." she smiled. "You should get back out there before Dad thinks we're up to something."

Horace nodded and began to leave the room. "You coming Bec?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute."

Rebecca waited until Horace left the room then looked once again at her sister. "Okay it's just me and you now. Tell me why you're really freaking out about this."

Avery sighed, "What if he is using me? What if everyone is right? I mean it's happened before and look where that got me."

"He's not using you." Rebecca smiled, taking her sister's hand in hers. "Avery you should have seen him at the hospital. He rushed there as soon as I called him. He would have been right at your side if Mom and Dad had let him. He didn't budge from his seat the entire time you were there... now if that isn't love then what is?"

Avery smiled. "You're right. He has been pretty great... Ugh, why is this so hard?" She groaned and momentarily put her head in her hands. Then sitting up and taking a deep breath she said, "I'm not supposed to love a guy whose father does his best to hurt my family."

Rebecca smiled. "So you do love him?"

After a moment, Avery sighed coming to the realization herself, "Yeah, I think I do."

"Well did you tell him that?"

"No... Becca I'm an idiot. He kissed me and I freaked out. I ran out of there as fast as I could. He must hate me."

"Well, I don't think he hates you, but you should talk to him- immediatly Put the poor guy out of his misery. Tell him exactly what you told me. Don't worry too much, these things work themselves out. Mom and Dad love you and want you to be happy. It may take Dad a little longer to come around, but you know he will."

Avery looked at her younger sister astonished. "When did you become so wise?"

"I was born this way." Becca joked.

The two sisters laughed. "Thanks, Bec. What would I do without you?" Avery leaned in towards her sister.

"You would have to go to Horace for advice and we all know how good he is with that."

Avery smirked and gave her sister a hug. It's good to be home, she thought.