Chapter 43: You changed.
"So, how have you been?" Tyson asked Hilary as he stretched his tired right arm getting crave to do the same for his left one.
"Fine, I just broke when you said Grandpa is in coma. We can go tomorrow to see him. Can't we, Tys?'' Hilary asked as she sighed tiredly and leaned deeper in the couch keeping her legs on the small table between the couches.
"Yeah, I will take you and Ashlene to him, tomorrow," Tyson gave a smile, "If two daughters like doctors treat him, he will be okay, hopefully,"
Hilary smiled fully to him. Tyson gladly accepted her smile.
"I might leave now as well, meet you tomorrow," Hilary yawned preparing to get up,
"One second. You aren't staying here?" Tyson raised an eyebrow,
"You told me to stay at my mom's place, remember?" Hilary said nastily. Tyson ignored easily,
"You know that I was kidding because I didn't want you to know about Gramps," Tyson said calmly,
"Tyson…" Hilary sighed, "I'm leaving because-" Hilary paused and looked down worriedly,
"Yeah?" Tyson urged,
"Because dude, Ashlene will probably not appreciate me staying at your place, especially when we are the only two persons in your home." Hilary mentioned. Tyson shook his head in bewilderment,
"What the hell!"
"Look, I trust myself and you too, and I really want to stay here and company you and help you since you're injured but after what I came to know what she assumed years back that we hooked up or had some chemistry going on; no, I don't think it will be fine for me to stay here," Hilary said in the best way she could to explain him,
Tyson gave a disbelieving smile to her, "I'm not bothered what she thinks or anyone." Tyson held her hand, "I love Ashlene, but you will remain my closest and best friend, Hils. Nobody can deny this,"
Hilary rolled her eyes, "Fine Tys," Hilary gave a cheesy smile, "Just take care you don't say this in front of her,"
"I told her already. I've literally admired you in front of her and criticized her that she had left me," Tyson said dully,
"You did?" Hilary almost laughed,
"Yeah. I'm honest; I'm tired of pretending- pretending of feeling what I don't. I've started expressing my real feelings all the times no matter how much anyone hates it," Tyson said in one go, and it almost seemed liked he blabbered,
"Good, good," Hilary patted him sarcastically,
"Except that I don't know about Ellie," Tyson said lowly,
"Means?" Hilary asked and waited for his perplexed expressions to dissolve. When he just stared at the floor and didn't answer, Hilary coughed, "Care to elaborate, Tyson?" Hilary asked discreetly,
Tyson gave a sharp exhale and sighed, "I have known Ellie only for a few times like few years back once, and then recently twice in hospitals. I don't know about her and it will take time for me to adjust," Tyson wasn't finished but he lost words of what he wanted to say,
"You need time to adjust with Ellie or Ashlene as well? Are you hinting that or do you still doubt her? Or is it Raul?" Hilary shot him with so many questions. Tyson's mind jammed.
He shook it and slapped his own head to get it through. "I've known Ash. Maybe it will take a little time but that's really not the problem. I don't know what to do around Ellie." Tyson said. Hilary was quiet, waiting for him to continue,
"And?" she urged boldly,
"And its not Raul," Tyson said unsurely.
"Tyson," Hilary gently placed a hand on his shoulder which caused him to hunch down, "Trust Ash, Ash would never have let Raul do anything to her." Tyson just stared at the ground. The thought of Raul touching her or doing any intimate act got him insane and he violently shook his head,
"Calm down man, you look like a bomb now," Hilary said with a laugh,
"Might be I'm just overthinking." Tyson shrugged with a sigh,
"Exactly." Hilary nodded, "Have you been out with any other girl during this all time? No, so was Ash. WE are friends and I'm sure Raul and Ash might have been the same too." Hilary appeased him.
"Really?" Tyson wanted to believe her,
"That's my intuition. Its always right." Hilary grinned.
Tyson agreed and his vague doubts faded off. "But Ellie..." Tyson said in a whining tone,
Hilary scowled. She just solved his one doubt and he shot her with another problem.
"What's wrong with her?" Hilary groaned, "You were feeling so proud when you were with her, I suppose that was not an act?"
"It was not," Tyson glared at her, "But I'm nervous now." he said, "I just acted out of thinking, impulsively. But I don't know if I will not be able to remain normal in front of her next time," Tyson giggled absolutely nervous. That died down and he looked seriously, "I need time and a couple of hours was not enough. What you saw was just a naive excitement but I don't know!" Tyson groaned in perplexity and weirdness.
"You don't know um, what?" Hilary asked, trying her best to appease and understand him more at the same time.
"I don't know how fathers should be, how they behave. That feeling of becoming dad suddenly just excited me, but that's not what reality is. The truth is I am pretty clueless of what dads should feel or do. Fuck, I've not seen my dad for quite time of my life too. Whenever he shows up, half of the time I try to be normal, try to behave of how sons are suppose to behave. Its not like that with Grandpa though; because we always were together. Plus, I'm seeing my daughter after five years, grown up and full of brains, I need time to adjust and I can't start the fatherly love soon. I don't know what's fatherly love anyway," Tyson heaved out.
Hilary gave a sad and clueless look to him. She didn't know for the first time how she should console and appease her friend.
"Um, I've a father and maybe I can help you with the fatherly love concept?" She asked. That sounded humorous though.
"Oh you've a father who was close to you. Right." Tyson said without thinking.
Hilary sighed.
"Fathers are kind, caring and protective you know," Hilary said happily.
That didn't help Tyson even a bit.
"Even romantic love involves all those three but," Tyson sweatdropped. Hilary's fury was visible now.
"Yeah but this is different!" Hilary hissed.
"I'm not sure what's this and what should I do..." Tyson was helpless right now.
"Look, calm down and spend time with Ellie, just like a friend. Soon enough you both will develop the father-daughter bond." Hilary said jadedly.
"Maybe..." Tyson sighed. "You just be around when I'm with her. Ash will probably be mad at me if I-"
"Shush!" Hilary said angrily, "She will understand. And instead of getting nervous about your daughter, get nervous about Grandpa. We'll meet him tomorrow. Done. This conversation is dismissed."
"Alright," Tyson said tiredly.
"Alright, I will get to sleep then. I'm full enough,"
"Yeah me too, I will make something or I and Ash will make something for you, tomorrow" Hilary yawned,
"Thanks," Tyson got up and headed to his room,
"Oh, I almost forgot, I met Nyhan at airport." Hilary mentioned keeping a finger on her chin's base,
"You told him that you were coming at my place?" Tyson asked,
"Nope, he doesn't know that we are friends," Hilary chucked, "He was saying that he is making an orphanage in Ryan's name and in his mom's name,"
"Oh," Tyson gave a dull smile and turned. He halted in his steps when a sudden thought came in his mind, "A few days back he was worried that he didn't have a proper job, I wonder how he got enough money to do that?" Tyson said to her,
"Might be his friends contributed," Hilary shrugged,
"You mean Lyan and Julyan," Tyson asked,
"Might be,"
"That explains," Tyson nodded. He felt like he's missing something important but he couldn't remember but he was slightly suspicious about Nyhan subconsciously.
.
.
.
Ashlene shifted at Tyson's place. Hilary got well with Ashlene within a day and they spend time chatting, discussing their medical lives, college life, college friends, Hilary's past memories with Ryan, cooking dishes, Tyson's past and sufferings, grandpa, Kai and others being traitors, reasons why they left and what they might be doing.
Tyson barely got time to spend with Ashlene. Of course they occasionally blushed in each other's proximity, talked when Hilary was asleep, when Ellie was at school but they were still not as close like they were few years back. Tyson didn't mind. He was fine and happy as long Ashlene was there.
Tyson rather tried closing up with Ellie.
For the first few weeks, Ellie stuck around with her mom, the little girl didn't know what should she do with Tyson. Ellie was trying to accept Tyson as her dad and her one side of mind always yelled at her that she has her favorite blader as her father but that didn't help. She was fine sometimes with Tyson but then she found hard to accept a life with him, accepting him as father. She missed Raul. Raul was more close to her. Raul has seen Ellie ever since she was in Ash's womb. He nourished her, cared for her and Ellie always gave the place of a father to him. She would play on Raul, jump on his stomach as a two year old kid, and her first words were 'da'dda' which she said to Raul. At times, insecurity enveloped her. She couldn't bear the fact that she would have to stay away from Raul and Julia from now on and be close with Tyson like she was with Raul.
For Ashlene, it was no big change because she would drop at Julia's place and meet them during returning from hospital duties anytime. She didn't understood Ellie's insecurities and inner turmoil; was pretty clueless. Tyson sensed Ellie's perturbation too, especially her nervous behavior when she was with him. Hilary was aware too and she helped Ellie the best she can by accompanying her with Tyson so that she was comfortable. And Hilary tried that she could help the dad-daughter bond to build up better. Tyson thought about talking of this to Ashlene but he thought he should try on his own, seeing that Ash was pretty clueless about this situation. Tyson also concluded that Ash wasn't the best handling her daughter's feelings and understand her in the best way. Maybe it was Raul and Julia who supported Ellie previously.
One day it happened that Ashlene was working in kitchen and Ellie and Tyson were having a friendly match. Hilary was doing the commentary as the father and daughter beybattled. Tyson was being lenient and keeping his blade low, just so Ellie could win. He was trying to keep her happy. He knew how much her joys would skyrocket momentarily upon defeating him.
"Yaho! I defeated the world champion! Ellie did it!" She squealed to herself and hugged Hilary.
"You did it! Congrats!" Ellie smiled. She gave a sympathetic comical look to Tyson who scratched his head. Ellie was good and comfortable with Hilary. Ellie treated Hilary almost like Julia, except that Raul's place was not taken by Tyson yet.
"Congrats kiddo," Tyson smiled at Ellie and walked towards her. She smiled back.
"I always used to defeat Raul da'dda too! He always said I'd so much potential!" Ellie said loudly with pride. Tyson's smile faded at those words.
Hilary patted him to get him back to senses,
"Ellie, go and say that to mom too!" Hilary drove Ellie away.
"Tyson calm down. She has left her home just few days back. She's a kid!" Hilary tried to explain.
"Hm," Tyson walked away defeatedly. The defeat was not of the battle, it was that of Ellie who often reminded them that she misses Raul so much.
"Ellie changed you know, I thought she was happy with me," Tyson mumbled but Hilary heard him.
That night the four people had the dinner silently and Ellie kept on talking and praising Raul and Julia. Tyson reluctantly and bleakly nodded and smiled.
Two nights later, something very unexpected happened. Hilary woke up with bleary eyes in the midnight and went to washroom, but to her surprise the door was closed.
She waited, thinking Ellie might be inside.
After full ten minutes, Hilary knocked, and Ellie came in with ruined red teary face.
"Ellie what happened?" Hilary was shocked and she picked the girl into her arms and hugged her. Ellie sobbed with undeniable hiccups and cooed into Hilary,
"Please tell me sweetie what happened?" Hilary was very worried.
"I-I.." Ellie whimpered, "I don't want to stay here... I want to go to Raul! I miss him so much. Please!" Ellie implored through her cries and hiccuping sobs.
"Fine fine, we will go tomorrow! Promise Ell, we will go. I'll say to mom to take you." Hilary consoled and kissed her on forehead.
Ellie veered her head away from Hilary's chest and looked at her, the kid's face scarred and eyes red.
"Mom won't take me! I'm tired of asking her. She wants me to spend more time with Tyson. I know momma wants me to forget Raul, I know!" Ellie cried again, her face was filled with disappointment and immense pain.
"Ellie, this is Aunt Hils's promise, I'll take you to Raul, okay?" Hilary wiped Ellie's tears, "Now don't cry baby, I feel so bad. I'll talk to Ash and I'll make her understand things." Hilary consoled.
"Mom always wronged me. She kept me away from Tyson," Ellie sniveled, her voice was shaking, Hilary had to hold her close and tight."I don't know what Tyson did to her, I'm least interested in knowing that, and then I thought Raul was my dad'dda. I was so stupid, I kept on asking for my real father even though I had Raul!" Ellie shook her head and her eyes dilated and became redder,
"Now I don't care about anything. I misses Raul, I want to go back I don't care if he's my uncle or whoever, but I want to go back. Mom will NEVER understand me!" Ellie yelled and Hilary has to shush her and quieten her. Hilary was scared slightly if anyone would come down in the middle of night to witness this dramatic scene.
Ellie calmed down a little but held Hilary close and her fingers trembled. She realized that Hilary was as good as Julia. She rested her forehead on Hilary's shoulder, her cries mumbling and subsiding gradually in the burnette's embrace.
"Tyson destroyed everything, didn't he?" Hilary asked, testing the little girl.
"No, I don't know, maybe." Ellie mumbled,
"If Tyson wouldn't have come, you could have been with Raul, right?" Hilary asked,
Ellie pulled back and sighed uneasily, "Its not Tyson's fault but... he's not bad." Ellie said thinking deeply with a frown.
Hilary smiled wisely and placed Ellie on her lap. Removing few strands of blue hair, Hilary asked, "If you had to choose one person from Tyson and Raul for forever, who will you choose? ONLY ONE." Hilary asked softly. She continued caressing Ellie's head.
Ellie was pondering, not able to come to a conclusion. She initially was about to say Raul's name, but a realization of that she was wrong hit her as Tyson's image came in her head where he had accident for saving her. He didn't even know at that time that she was her daughter, and hadn't been the car receded at proper time, his injuries could have been WORSE and terrible. Ellie shuddered as she fathomed the consequences.
"You okay?" Hilary asked,
"Mhm," Ellie nodded, "I think I HAVE to choose my parents," Ellie said, her words reluctant lowly.
"You are right and a good and wise girl, ya know." Hilary smiled maturely at Ellie, "I'm proud to be your Aunt," Hilary smirked,
"Huh?" Ellie was shocked by the praise.
"You know what's wrong with you," Hilary approached her thoughts. Ellie looked at her curiously.
"You misses Raul and Julia, but Ash is not letting you meet them. If you visit them, you will not miss them and you will not be sad. Simple" Hilary said with a grin. That satisfied Ellie almost that Hilary was right.
"If mom doesn't listen what you want," Hilary said cheerfully, "Dad is still there. Tyson will take you to them, you could have asked him Ell. He will scold Ash if she hurts you." Hilary suggested,
"T-That didn't came to my mind," Ellie said thinking so much.
"No problem. Tyson is a very good guy. He loves you so much. Try to spend time with your dad. He will give Ellie everything: He will teach you beyblading, he will buy ice-creams for you, he will take you to Raul even if you ask daily, he will take you to Tom and Jerry movies!" Hilary said,
"Yes you are right Aunt Hilary!" Ellie said with sudden realization, seeming changed for a while now.
"See, I am always right!" Hilary said with a grin. Ellie grinned back.
"Good girl now, go to sleep. You've school tomorrow, don't you," Hilary ushered her to her room and lied with her till she fell asleep.
The next day, Tyson visibly noted how his daughter was smiling with him and she was cheerful and lively, trying to be friendly with him. Tyson accepted that friendship and made efforts to develop that mysterious so called fatherly love that was essential.
"Doofus, its a bond that develops through time, like you and Dragoon? So be patient," Hilary smacked him once.
Tyson understood what Hilary was saying. Hilary definitely made impact on both Ellie's and Tyson's lives. Tyson was cautious and not quite confident with Ellie in the start. He took time to know her. It took a few couple of days. He noted her angst nature sometimes in beybattle getting reminded of his younger self, he noted her sudden cheerful and extremely happy attitude at small things, he noted that she was protective of her mom in most of the cases. He took her at Raul's place sometimes, just as to see her happy. In first few visits, Tyson was not entirely glad that she liked Raul more, but as time passed, Ellie begin to admire and close up with Tyson more and Tyson was also relived that he would be loved too like Raul soon. The bothering faded off with time and Ellie was enough satisfied by visiting Raul and Julia often. She no longer insisted him on taking her to their place. Soon, they visited for movies of kids, ice creams, toy's shops, her favorite princess frocks! She no longer was sad, she was doing fine.
Ashlene used to be very busy with house work and hospitals, plus her PG studies came in the way disastrously. So that gave her less chance to join Tyson and Ellie. She would take time to talk to Ellie, and she would also take care of Tyson and spend time with him in their bedroom, but still it wasn't really enough.
Soon enough, Tyson loved spending time with Ellie. It was usually Ashlene and Hilary on one side and Tyson and Ellie on other side, having tons of fun themselves. They would blade out, enjoy with other kids in park, go to shopping together when Ashlene was busy and buy ice-creams. Tyson revived his young self with her, he was reminiscing those carefree times when he was wild and careless. Ellie herself admitted at one dinner that she's lot happy than ever she was before. Tyson noted that she was very much settled with him at this point. That hurt Ashlene a little and she remembered Raul's words briefly. However she ignored and forgot about it easily. Ashlene's Internship was also over and she was working as a Doctor in her ex-hospital, earning finely.
That day when she met Tyson when Ellie arranged that rendezvous for them, Tyson proposed her with that ring. However she didn't accept it that time, saying that she wanted to make this moment eventful, and like they should have some party arranged or at Church. Tyson didn't mind at that time but he later had some pondering about it that why she didn't accept it. Ashlene did spend time with him and even though both of the couples' schedule was packed, more for Ashlene, Tyson was trying to accept and understand that this Ashlene was same who was years back, and that she still loved him, but then... that love was seeming less, deficient of something and not enough for him, but he kept on pretending that he was very happy with her.
He had no idea of what was slowly perturbing from inside. Oversensitive feelings? He thought, Or is it because of abstaining sex? That was definitely not the reason, he shook his head. I'm doofus. He sighed, This love is really not enough simply. He continued driving and staring ahead after glancing at Ashlene beside that she was half asleep.
…..
Tyson sat in one corner of his room watching "Game of Thrones" and passing time, while Ashlene sat on her desk and continued with her studies- she being drown completely in it. Tyson occasionally eyed her but she never did. Tyson then resumed his watching. Though he seemed busy watching but in reality, he was perturbed a whole lot.
Hilary walked in and patted Ashlene and they had a brief talk about the subject and Ashlene explained something to her which was Greek to Tyson. But during that talk though Hilary gave him a glance, Ashlene didn't gave him any. He almost was about to leave the room in silent anger and rather spend his time with his daughter who'd at least make him cheer up and smile once in every five minutes. But then he remembered that she was asleep to wake up early and practice blading.
He had put a good influence on Ellie regarding blading. He sat still in disappointment. Ashlene turned and resumed her studies while Hilary turned to look at Tyson,
"Hey," Hilary walked towards him,
Tyson glanced at her momentarily and continued watching,
"You're watching that again?" Hilary nudged him and gave a playful smile.
"Like YOU don't watch," Tyson said triumphantly with sarcastic smile,
Hilary rolled her eyes, "Can I watch too?" Hilary asked,
"Sure," Tyson moved a little and she took a seat beside him and they had minor talks and random flustering at the scenes.
"I watched this episode earlier," Hilary said as she yawned,
"Me too, but it's sweet to be re-watched," Tyson winked,
Hilary was almost asleep, her head oscillating away and towards Tyson's pillow like shoulder.
"You're sleepy?" Tyson asked,
"Nope, I will watch with you till the end," She smiled though her eyes were closing on her own, becoming bleary.
Tyson looked at Ashlene wishing silently if she would instead join him but she seemed undisturbed and busy- brushing her hairs with her fingers and her lips moving in some accord reading some magazine.
"Hils, go to sleep, you're drained off," Tyson said eyeing her,
"Shut up and let me watch," Hilary said while her eyes were still close. Tyson sighed at the determination of this girl.
After a while, the episode was almost finished and Hilary was peacefully sleeping on his shoulder. Tyson glanced at her and smiled at her reluctance to go and that willful determination. He patted her on head. The moment was broken when Ashlene looked at him and his patting her in hidden accusation. Tyson blinked when he saw her and stared at her in certain perplexity.
She gave a slight disapproving look on her face as she turned and read her book. Tyson seriously couldn't discern her mind and shrugged.
Hilary woke up when Tyson gave a reluctant harsh pat on her shoulder and she woke up dizzily and groggily and went downstairs saying that she fell asleep. Ashlene continued wordlessly with her books till Tyson announced that he was sleepy. Ashlene nodded and closed her books and prepared the bed. Tyson changed into his night wear and slumped on his bed while Ashlene kept a cylindrical pillow beside him and took her place on other side. The lights were switched off.
Both of them were wide awake and staring at the ceiling,
"Not feeling sleepy yet?" Tyson asked,
"Yeah, kinda," Ashlene said,
Tyson paused briefly and gave a look to her and saw her silent contemplation,
"You think Gramps will be okay?" Tyson asked,
"Can't say," Ashlene said honestly,
"Hmm… as soon as he gets well, I will arrange for our engagement," Tyson smiled lightly. She was unperturbed and quiet, not moved by his words even teensy.
Tyson spoke after few seconds, "You're not excited?"
"Let Grandpa become okay first?" Ashlene looked at him,
"Yeah but..." Tyson paused, "You will marry me, Ash. Won't you?"
"I can't promise you right now. It's just been a couple of weeks since I've shifted here," Ashlene said him softly,
"What does that have to do with our relationship?" Tyson asked almost confused,
"Just kidding, it's anyway going be a lot time till Grandpa gets okay. Till then, have fun with Ellie," Ashlene said with a forced and fake smile,
Tyson stared at her for some time in retrospection,
"What?" she asked in slight accuse,
"You changed," Tyson said stoutly and turned on other side.
A/N: *cough* I know I know, you guys are overloaded with so many thoughts and assumptions, but I will just say one thing: Calm down, its going to be okay. XD
I know there have NOT been enough of TyAsh in this chapter, but it will be there in next chapter though. I cared to elaborate Tyson-Ell part more, and of course the first day excitement of both was just impulsive but the reality and senses both came down hitting them, hm. They needed that time to adjust with each other. Did that made sense?(Next Chap title: A Fragile relationship.)
Also, I don't watch Games of Throne, that was not my type but I just wrote that part originally because there was a familiar incident irl like that.
Anyway, thanks so much for reviewing the previous chapter. That means a lot ^_^