Happy Reading Everyone!

Comment below, please support our Christmas story… Come on, you know you want to tell us what you think. Show us some love and review.

Chapter 19

My boy

Hana's POV

I have been watching my Tobias since I first saw him again a few days ago. I thought he was lost to me forever, a figment of my imagination. He disappeared from our lives suddenly after the boys graduated from high school.

My Uriah was a gifted child when he was younger… He even had to skip a grade when he was just a boy. His father hated the idea, he worried that Uriah would be treated differently because of his Divergence they called it. Yet he never was, my Zeke wouldn't let such a thing happen to his little brother. He never did. I was proud of him for that, stepping up and protecting his little brother. Who wouldn't be? Zeke has this kindness in his soul, although he is a joker like his father… He is also very tender and loving. It's what makes him a great father.

The day Zeke brought home Tobias, I was both surprised and yet filled with such an admiration for him. Although he nor Tobias ever specifically told me any details pertaining to my Tobias' home environment… I knew. Deep down, I knew something was very wrong. He was such a scared little boy. Aware of every movement he made, scared to make the wrong ones, the way he would wince when I touched him on his back and worse his reactions when he did do something wrong. Like spilling a cup of milk by accident. Add to that his reactions to the signs of malnutrition and his hesitation when offered more food even to take home. The guilt ate me from the inside. But each time I asked him anything, Tobias would avoid answering or come up with excuses for the marks on his body. I didn't have enough evidence to take it to anyone for help. I feared without the evidence I would only be making matters worse by shining a light on them. As Tobias got older, I stopped asking. He knew he could talk to me about anything, but for one reason or another, my Tobias, never confided in me like I had hoped. But I never stopped caring for him or trying to help him. Offering him more sleepovers than I should have and giving him doggy bags to take home with food that didn't need refrigeration so he could hide the bag of food in his room.

When the boys graduated high school, I remember they spoke about college and road trips. Although that did not happen. Tobias just simply stopped coming around and stopped calling. When I asked Zeke what was happening, it was always Tobias was working at his dad's office. He was in meetings and busy learning what he needed to. That's when I knew more than anything he was working to mend and save whatever relationship he could with his father. By working for his father in his company…He could prove his father worthy. I always wondered if he had succeeded one way or another. I may never know exactly what has happened. But from what I have seen…He's not that scared little boy anymore. He is no longer the malnourished, scared little boy I once knew him to be. He is this kindhearted man that I have watched break out of his shell that he had when he first arrived.

The last few days I have seen him smile brighter, talk louder and even laughed harder than I have ever seen him. Maybe it's this place… I think it brings the best out of everyone. Even for my Tobias.

"Hey Hana," Tobias greets, approaching me. His hands are buried deep within his pants pockets. It is a pretty cold day out. Even for here.

"Oh Tobias, I was just thinking about you." I greet, smiling back at him. Just like my own sons, Tobias always has seemed to put a smile on my face. "It's good to see you as always." He nods, smiling widely as ever. A very welcoming sight after all those years.

"I wanted to thank you… for what you and Natalie did the other night." Tobias struggles. I nearly chuckle as I watch him pull his right hand out of its warmth home and begin to scratch the back of his head. It was a nervous habit that he began a long time ago when he was a boy. It was always a hint to know when he and my sons were lying.

"The pleasure was all mine," I say, I place my right hand over my heart, showing him with all of my heart and joy that I had to do it. "So I take it the night went well?" I ask. I never did find out how it all went.

"Yes. The night went perfectly." He replies, for the first time ever I see his cheeks redden suddenly.

"Not too perfect, I hope." I began to scold him. I like to think I had a hand in raising him after all, I don't raise anything other than a perfect gentleman, of course.

"Hana." Tobias chuckles, shaking his head to the side. I'm partially relieved but wonder what in the world was that blush for then.

"Just checking," I say, surrendering. We continue to walk down the freshly shoveled pathways that lead down to the resort.

"So where are you off to?" He asks, matching my pace down the path.

"I am off to see if my good friend Natalie could use a hand in the kitchen this afternoon… She has been rather busy. It's nice to spend time with her and lend a helping hand." I explained. Many have never understood my desire to come out here on vacation and volunteer my time helping Natalie around the kitchen. But honestly, it's a joy to help out, plus it's a great reward to spend time with her while doing something I love. Not to mention everyone should share good company around this time of the year, not just work.

"I see." Tobias says, with a tense look in his eye when I mention Natalie's name. I wonder if I should let him know that I know much more than he thinks I know about things around here. Such as his late night with Tris last night and his father's company buying out the resort…

Flashback

"What in God's heaven was that all about?" I ask, the moment my Tobias walked out of the kitchen. I'm beyond delighted to hear that he is getting so comfortable around this place and with Tris. She is such a wonderful girl for my Tobias. So patient and kind and understanding, yet she also has this fire about her. No doubt it's what my Tobias needs.

"I don't know what you are talking about Hana." Natalie says, turning towards the fridge. She begins to dig out a few ingredients out of the fridge. But not before giving me a side glance. Something tells me there is more to the story that she is willing to let out.

"Natalie… spill the beans," I encourage her, I fold my arms waiting stubbornly for her to tell me everything that is going on.

She sighs heavily as if contemplating on whether or not she should let me into whatever is going on. It's now that I know that whatever is going on… can't be good.

"We are thinking about selling the resort," She finally says.

"Nooo." I breathe out. The resort? Why? When?

"Yes, and Tobias' father is interested in purchasing it." She says, funny how little words can easily clue me into everything that has been happening.

"Natalie, why would you and Andrew do such a thing?" I ask. This place… it's been everything for so many people for so long.

"Andrew and I are tired. He is becoming forgetful, and his back can't do as much as he used to." She continues, "To be honest we don't want this to be a burden for the kids. It's not fair to them." She says, placing random things on the counter. She closes the fridge door and turns back towards me, leaning against the same counter that she just poured random ingredients on. "Caleb and Susan want to try for a baby, Tris had to give up school… their whole lives had to be paused for us. This isn't even their dream to live, it wasn't even Andrew's." She says, I can see the burden this has all been on her face. I nod, taking a step closer to her, placing a hand on her shoulder to comfort her in the best way I can.

"But Natalie, this place… is all they have known. All you have known. Are you sure you want to give this up? What does Caleb and Tris say?" I ask, trying to make sense of it all.

"I think Caleb is more relieved than anything." She says, shrugging her shoulders. "Tris on the other hand is angry about the decision. Rightfully so, she always thought she would inherit this place one day and take over." She explains.

"Then why not give it to her? Let Tris take over," I ask the obvious question.

"How can we do that with a clear conscience? She couldn't finish school because of this place. The work this place would take… the effort… she is so young… and alone." She struggles to answer. I nod my head, encouraging her to continue, "Not to mention the arguments that her and Andrew have had over this place."

"What arguments?" I ask.

"Changes that would modernize this place, things that should have been added years ago, but Andrew never thought or agreed they should be added." She sighs, "The arguments have gotten pretty heated to the point of silence for weeks at a time. The time has come for us to retire, and nothing has been resolved… So…" She says, not feeling the need to finish her words.

"So, he wants to sell it instead of solving anything," I finished for her, nodding my head. "Oh Natalie, why didn't you tell me?" I ask, hating that she has carried this burden on her own.

"Oh, we didn't want to spoil your Christmas, that's all. Especially since it might be your last one here." She announces, and there it is. It might be everyone's last Christmas here. I may not have seen Marcus Eaton in years, but if memory serves me correctly, he was never fond of such celebrations and traditions. Something tells me that he has not changed for the better either.

"So, is that why you don't want Tobias and Tris to be together?" I ask.

"It will make things more complicated if things head south… don't you think?" She points out.

"It would… But Natalie I know my Tobias… that boy, although he may be stirred in the wrong direction, he does have a good heart. I ask that you reconsider, give the boy a chance," I say. She nods, pressing her lips together contemplating my words. "I would also need to ask that you reconsider Mr. Eaton's offer. That man…" I begin, shaking my head. I know I can't say too much, after all it's not my story to tell, but she should know the kind of person she is getting into business with. "He just isn't a very good man, Natalie. Marcus Eaton isn't someone you want to trust with anything," I say, warning her.

Flashback Ends

I smile thinking about the conversation I had with my dear friend Natalie the other day. She had promised to do just what I asked of her. To give Tobias a chance to prove himself worthy and to not give into Marcus' offer so easily. I stop my pace, turning towards the man that I always thought of as another one of my sons. I reach up, cradling his large face in my very small hand.

"What is it, Hana?" He asks, concerned about my sudden compassion.

"My boy you are worthy of so much. You have always been worthy of so much. Even when you couldn't believe it to be true. My son… you are worthy of every ounce this world has to offer you. That includes love and a family." I answered him. His mouth drops open in shock from my words. "My son, I believe you have finally found your place in this world… Your home."

Because he has finally found his home.