Chapter 24 the Goodbye

It was well past midnight. The streets were almost quiet. The last guests from various cafés and restaurants could be heard making their attempts to go home. Hilary was still not sleeping, her eyes kept opened from overthinking the conversations she had with Sonia, and with Kai. Since a night of restful sleep would not visit her in the moment, Hilary decided to call it quits. Annoyed she sat herself up against the bed's headboard

What is it that I really want? She kept thinking.

What are really the facts here?

Hilary turned her head towards to her room desk. Overtired eyes glanced to the file laying there. She had not opened it yet.

I will read that in the morning, hopefully when Lady Midnight finally stops by, Hilary agreed with herself. With a tried arm gesture, she pulled away the covers and stood. She walked the small distance over to the desk and sat down on the chair. With a finger she pushed the file aside.

I'm too tired to want to be tempted to read that.

On that thought she opened one of the desk drawers to get a blank piece of paper and grabbed a pencil. Remembering what Sonia had said:

What is holding you back?

Hilary whirled the pencil back and forth between her fingers. She stared mindlessly at the blank piece of paper. Closing her eyes, she took deep breaths and exhaled slowly. She could not deny the truth of her feelings any longer. Yes she had been hurt deeply, but the core feeling of it all was:

Betrayal

Small tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. Soon the tears freely made their journey down her face. Hilary let the pencil go and brought both her hands up to her eyes to wipe the pouring tears away.

Finally…

It felt so good to put a word to that dark emotion that had been underlying everything. More importantly, it would be something Kai, of all people, would understand very well.

In their relationship, she tried to be so careful not to overstep his boundaries, that she forgot to establish some of her own towards him.

Well, we were young and trying to figuring a relationship out, she mused, but the way he ended it… that was a betrayal… a betrayal of me, my feelings and everything I did to accommodate him. We were supposed to be a team, not just me being some add on to Kai's life.

And yet…

And yet I'm still in love with the man. Hilary shook her head disapprovingly.

A man who this time says he is not going anywhere and that he loves me…

"Make a deal with Kai", Sonia's voice echoed in her head.

'Make a deal'

Hilary's eyes narrowed as an idea started to spread in her mind, and she reached for the discarded pencil. The previous blank piece of paper quickly filled up with her scribbles.

Eventually Lady Midnight did stop by.


Hilary woke up, as she felt the bed dipped from Gou climbing up. Sleepily she sat up and hugged her son goodbye and wished him a good day. Charlie had said that he would take Gou to Mrs. Lâvskov, so she could get some rest. Both Charlie and Gou yelled their goodbye once more as they left the apartment.

Thank the gods for Charlie, she thought. After last night, she felt so drained. However, there was no time to get back to bed. Rather, per her idea last night, she needed to call Kai and ask if he could host Gou's birthday. She had initially planned to keep it a small affair, her and Charlie's apartment were not big enough to entertain dozens of small children. Kai's mansion on the other hand, plenty of space. She picked up her phone and pushed his number. The pickup was immediately.

"Hi Kai, sorry to call you this early in the morning…but" Hilary stopped as Kai interrupted her. She rolled her eyes, "No I haven't read it yet… This is not why I called" she said tiredly, " I just wanted to hear if we could have Gou's birthday at your place?", a slow smile graced Hilary's face as she listened to Kai agreed to it. "Yeah, I wanted to invite his entire year from the academy to the party… you don't have an issue with that…right?" Hilary held in a breath, Kai was silent on the other end "You know, I just want him to enjoy the whole day. It's around this time in his development, that he will retain good memories… and" she continued, before he could question the validity of that statement, Hilary added;

"… and I could spend the night".

As the phone call ended, Hilary let out a breath, she been holding in. She was sure that Kai would not miss an opportunity to try and convince her into sharing a room with him.

She would be counting on this move. But, in the event he would act like a perfect gentleman. Hilary smirked confidently; she was convinced she could guide him, where she wanted him.

And when we enter his room…BAM…Then I will present him with my request.


Lunchtime arrived, the smell of freshly brewed coffee still permeated throughout the kitchen.

Heavy steam still rising from the cup she held in her hand. She put her lips to it, and took a small sip grimacing at the bitter taste. This was what she needed right now, since bitterness ran through her like a pack of wild horses.

The morning had started out well, despite her tiredness… and then she opened and read the damn file.

How in the world could she have been so naïve!

How was she not more suspicious?

Some warning signs had been there. Like Milo's stupid apology date. Perhaps, there had been more attempts, at getting her on dinner dates. Now, she was really stuck in overanalysing every encounter, she just found odd back then.

But still, how…how…HOW!

Hilary sat for what felt like hours, speculating on everything.

She could not lie to herself. She knew how and very well the reason, why.

Leaving Bakuten and all of their friends behind. Running away to a different country while being emotional vulnerable left her wildly exposed. She needed to believe that people only wanted the best for her. In the end, one truth remained.

If faced with the very same circumstances, not knowing the information she read in the files. She probably would have taken the same decisions.

Another sip of bitterness.

'How could Walter believe that me and Milo would fall for each other', she thought snippily, 'he was my boss for fucks sake!'

In the grand scheme of life, it seemed that Walter had big plans concerning Gou. It had all readout like a stupid movie villain plot. Apparently, when it had been established that Gou was Kai's biological son, Walter would try to make sure that Gou would have a share in the Hiwatari enterprises. Being Gou's loving sort- of- adopted grandfather he would then try using his influence on the boy to make his own Mckinney Corporation grow larger.

I cannot believe Walter wanted to use Gou to further his own wealth,Hilary frowned.

"Hilary", a voice called out.

Hilary turned to see Charlie walk in through the door she hadn't heard open. She graced him with a small smile, glad for the interruption. It would be good with a break from her myriads of feelings. Charlie closed the door behind him, holding his own coffee in one hand. He lifted it in a small salute and sat down beside her.

"Are you home for lunch today?" Hilary asked smiling. Charlie grinned and winked at her.

"Well, I did meet a bit earlier today. Something with having to drop off my friend's kid as well" he put his lips to the cup and took a mouthful.

"Thank you for everything this morning" Hilary began, "I've…needed to do a lot of thinking"

"Yeah I gather that"

Hilary's smile turned sad and she straightened her back, something that didn't go unnoticed by Charlie. She seemed to stare a bit into the distance. Charlie knew not to disturb her, in her moment of trying to compose herself. She obviously wanted to share something with him. So taking this small break with everything that had been going on was the least he could do.

He had been doing some soul searching about his own future as well. In fact, had it not been for Hilary and Gou staying here he might have moved back to the States a long time ago. He was starting to feel homesick, and even though he loved that little boy and Hilary, he could not keep playing the same role in their lives as he had. Especially, since Kai was back in the picture.

"So", Hilary began drawing Charlie's attention back to her, "It seems that Walter had plans for me and Gou. Plans, that included me marrying Miles and Walter getting his claws into Gou's inheritance". Charlie's mouth dropped and his eyes widen larger than they had ever been.

" Wut…Really" he said not believing, what he was hearing. Hilary nodded, her hands clenched.

"Yeah, it all sound so…stupid! Like a plot from some cartoon villain, she raged. Fury once more took a hold on her body, Hilary took a deep breath and exhale slowly, determined she continued on. Not wanting to spend a second longer thinking about the Mckinneys.

"Enough about Walter, Milo and their stupid schemes. I've been speaking to Sonia as well on how to deal with Kai… and I think I've come up with an idea." Hilary hesitated, "I spent all night working on this and I would like for you to read it through and tell me what you think."

Hilary handed him at brown manila envelope and he took it with one hand, while the other place his coffee down on the kitchen table. The title on the document struck him to be a bit odd giving her a sideways glance.

"A relationship agreement?" he asked and skimmed through the papers.

"Kai wants me to marry him, he made no secret of that" she paused, "but I'm not going to unless we have something that resembles a healthy relationship." Hilary twisted her hands tightly together

"Kai is always going to be Kai! But to be good parents and maybe a married couple, we will need to work together becoming fully partners" She turned her head and stared resolute at Charlie.

"I know my life will not be all sunshine and flowers, but I feel this is the necessary step to take" Hilary sighed deeply, "I realized that I can't deny my feelings for him. I love him, but I am also very angry at him. I probably will be for some time, though…"

"We are only humans" Charlie interrupted, "You sound like you thought this through… And, in every aspects of life there will be risks. Carpe Diem I say" he handed the brown manila envelope back to her.

"So I'm not totally crazy here?"

Charlie's body rumbled with a slight laugh. "No, he did get you fired. I think with all that's happen, it's not an unreasonable move to make".

Hilary smiled. It felt good that Charlie seemed okay with this. Everything was a bit nerve-racking and happening so fast.

"I also called Kai this morning. All of us will be celebrating Gou's birthday this weekend with Kai and I'll present it to him there"

"So soon?" Charlie's eyebrows rose in surprise.

Hilary rose from the chair dusting at bit of breadcrumbs of her. "There is no point in waiting. I'll just get more nervous if I wait too long".

Charlie rose from other chair as well. The coffee forgotten on the table in front of him. The two friends faced each other. Hilary's blinked away a couple of tears and smiled at him.

"Thank you for everything Charlie. If not for you-" Hilary choked on the words and Charlie wrapped her in his arms in a warm hug.

"You're so very welcome and inspired by you I might seek out new challenges as well"

Hilary held him tighter "Don't you dare become a stranger".

Charlie smiled, "Likewise".


The day of Gou's birthday celebrations arrived faster than Hilary expected. It was a strange feeling of time passing differently. From the years after she left Bakuten having Gou, meeting Kai again and spending the past 6 months seeing the growing bond between Kai and Gou. Then, getting her world turned upside down once more by Kai, in his rash attempts to get his way. A cold shiver travel down her spine, remembering all the info involving Walter and Milo Mckinney.

And now…

Everything was moving full speed once more, and for the first time she had found herself, just last night with a sullen and unhappy child, who did not take well the news that he wasn't spending time with his father before Saturday. Their usual tradition with Friday night dinners was cancelled, as Kai needed the time to prepare for the birthday party.

The bond Gou and Kai shared only strengthen her resolve to complete her plan tonight. Knowing her son would be close to passed out coming night time after a whole day with a lot of activity, he would be fully worn out and thus not able to disturb her and Kai. Hilary smiled warmly, as she looked at her little boy his small body trembling with barely constrain excitement, if not for the seatbelt, he would be jumping all over the backseat of the car. Charlie was trying to ease the boy a little, but did not have too much success. He looked back at her with pleading eyes. Kai had sent Vladimir to be their designated driver for the night.

"His little body will explode if we don't get there soon". Charlie said so seriously it made Hilary laugh.

"It's a good thing we can launch that little body of fire on his father", she answered her body still shaken with laughter.

Kai stood outside his mansion watching the car pull up. Vladimir almost didn't get the car-door opened fast enough, before a small figure bolted out and ran at him full speed. The boy launched himself at him, Kai grinned as he caught Gou in his arms. The mansion filled with noise from children laughing, crying and screaming. Gou looked toward the door as he heard loud yell.

"Is Sasha here Papa?" he asked excited.

Kai nodded and put Gou down opened the door and Gou ran inside to find his friend. Hilary walked up the stairs along with Charlie. Charlie greeted Kai with a mere head nod perhaps in an act to try and look cool, while Hilary greeted Kai with a smile and a small kiss to his cheek. Kai's eyes widened at the gesture and two of them made eye contact. Hilary gave him a coy look from under her eyelashes, Kai's eyes darken in response.

"Do you have anything…strong to drink?" Charlie interrupted the two of them in their moment, as another loud child's yell rang like a bell throughout the house, "I have a feeling we're all gonna need it". Hilary let out a small chuckle and the three adults went inside. Hilary walking alongside Kai leaned into him and asked "I trust you made sure that there is help with all of these children?"

Kai smirked, "Don't worry. I have everything under control".


Evening arrived, the visiting parents gathered together their worn out children and left. Tala and Sonia stayed at bit longer with Sasha, so he and Gou could play together. Both boys were delighted that Kai and Tala took them downstairs to practice and see how experienced beybladers played. Eventually, even the small boys tired out. A sleeping Sasha tucked against his father while Kai was holding Gou the same way. Still, the two men managed to shake hands. Tala and Sonia went home, while Hilary and Kai put Gou to sleep in his own room.

Charlie was already gone. The butler Vladimir drove him back to the apartment, when the attendance of too many children got too much for him. Hilary felt the weight of Kai's eyes on her as they closed the door to Gou's room.

"I can have a room ready for you if you want" he asked softly.

"I would like that" Hilary quietly replied. As Kai turned to leave, Hilary grabbed his arm with her hand. Kai didn't move a muscle, like a deer trapped in headlights. Observing her curiously, he was taken aback with what he saw. Hilary stared intently at him, her soft round face flushed with that shade of red he was so fond of. It was all overwhelming for him.

"I would like to stay… with you in your room"

A new sun could be placed in the sky with the warmth that Kai's brilliant smile bestowed on her.

Showtime, Hilary thought and clasped Kai's hand with her own, leading him down to the room she knew was his. As they reached the door, Hilary looked up at Kai with loving eyes before dragging his face down to hers. It took only a second before their lips meeting in a sweet promising kiss. Hilary pulled away slowly, stopping Kai from following into another kiss by putting a finger to his mouth.

"What…" he began, but Hilary shushed him before he uttered another word and said "I have something I wish to speak to you about"

"Okay" Kai drawled his voice rough "Is this something that can wait until tomorrow? I believe we have a good thing going here" he leaned towards Hilary again. Again she stopped him, opening the door to his room.

"We'll talk in here" she smiled at him. Kai nodded in agreement.

"I can only concur with that idea" he purred at her.

The door wasn't even closed to Kai's bedroom, before he moved to kiss her again. Hilary sighed deeply into the kiss as Kai pulled her even closer to him. Right there on his fancy desk she had placed her brown envelope, while he had been with Tala and the boys. She had taken that opportunity to sneak into his bedroom to prepare.

Breaking off the kiss much to Kai's annoyance, going on the small whine he unknowingly let out. "I want to thank you for the information about Walter" she began, "needless to say, I won't go back working for him.."

"Good!" Kai firmly said trying once more to drag her back into a kiss. Hilary stopped him again and this time left his warm embrace. She felt the rising tension in the room; Kai's frustration was seeping from him. She could almost see the dark aura surrounding him. Hilary walked over to the desk picked up the envelope and handed it to him and sat down on his bed. Kai was watchful of her every movement.

"But I won't be working for you either!" Hilary said unwavering and pierced him with a fierce look. Kai scrutinized her stoically. With a last glance at her, he finally pulled the papers out from the envelope. He glared at the title and watched Hilary.

"What exactly is this?" he asked.

"An agreement about our relationship, from this day forward". Hilary answered.

"Hmph, I see someone has been talking to Sonia" Kai frowned, as he began reading through the papers.

Back on the bed Hilary watched with trepidation, Kai was reading very fast. She tried to stay calm, but couldn't stop her breath from quickening. His entire being changed the further he read. The man standing in front of was now fully in CEO mode. It was difficult not feel intimidated.

Stay calm…Stay focused Hilary. What you are asking is not unreasonable. Hilary kept telling herself taking gentle breaths. It felt like hours watching him turning the pages. When he finished he walked over to his desk and put the papers down. With his back to her, tapping his fingers against the desk still not looking at her. Hilary felt like holding her breath. The tapping stopped and in a low voice he asked;

"Is this so called agreement non-negotiable?"

"What do you wish to negotiate?" Hilary countered. Trying with difficulty to stay calm and reign in her own stirring ire.

Pull yourself together Hilary, or you might just as well give in and walk to Kai's tune for the rest of your life.

Kai turned leaning against the desk placing his palms on the desk. Watching her with a expressionless stare

"You don't want a marriage, but rather a partnership, if I'm to understand this correctly". His voice kept neutral, giving her no insight to his emotional state.

"Which is a problem, because you want to marry me right now if you could" Hilary quickly answered in his stead.

"Yes", was Kai's short reply.

Hilary took a deep breath in. This was the moment she prepared for.

"I believe in these past months, I have been very clear about my reasons. But, if you really need one more. Well then, here it is." Hilary paused. She stood up from the bed and walked in front of Kai, who crossed his arms.

"You betrayed me Kai! All those years ago when you left the way you did"

Kai stood unmoving, she could see his arms tightening, and his slightly raised eyebrows were the thing that gave away his surprise at her words. Hilary stood firm and determined, she continued letting him know the truth of her emotions.

"Why would I want to marry a man that has done nothing but try and manipulate me, and throw havoc in my life? You got me fired from my job"

"I put Gou's safety firs…" Kai tried to intercept.

"You could just have told me and I would quit that job myself!" Hilary almost shouted at him, no longer was she able to contain her anger and started pacing around the room. Her inner turmoil couldn't keep her still any longer. "Betrayal is not something that a quick fix marriage will solve. I took me a long time to recognise my own feelings. You, of all people should understand". Hilary ended her outburst and looked pointy at Kai.

"And yet despite any rational thinking… All of this hurt." she raged on to Kai, "I still want to be with you. Raise our son together"

Hilary walked over to him and with her hands she cradled his face searching his eyes.

Ruby met amethyst.

"I want a partner. One who will support and care for me, but not hinder me in my endeavours. I'm a person Kai, not a prize, not an object to be kept locked away in your house. If you want the right to call yourself my husband, then you must work for that title."

Kai stood completely unmoving, eyes down not looking at her. Hilary started to remove her hands away from Kai's face, but he held one with his own hand against his cheek. He leaned his forehead against hers. The two of them stood silently breathing each other's air. Hilary's cheeks were damp with tears she hadn't noticed coming down.

After, what felt for a long time. The two of them basking silently in each other's company. Kai's voice came out, "Alright… If agreeing to this is what it takes to have you happy in my life…then this is what we'll do.

Tears flowed once more from her eyes. A second went by and Hilary hurled herself at Kai kissing him with all she had. Kai grinned through the kiss and pulled Hilary tight up against him.

She began pulling him backwards towards the bed and Kai broke the kiss.

"Are you sure" he asked worried, that she might feel she had to do this.

"I want this, and I think both of us have waited long enough".

Kai didn't disagree with that statement.

The madras was soft against her back. The floodgates of desire were fully opened. Their mouths engaged in a passionate kiss. Kai tried slow down and enjoy every touch. Hands caressing each other bodies as they were freed of their clothing.

The warmth of his body against hers was a feeling of coming home for the very first time. Coming up for air she moaned loudly, as Kai's lips travel down her neck and his hands caressing every inch of her body, finding the old zones that would make her cry out .

She pulled him even closer to her, her lips trapping his. Mouths opening, giving way to tongues meeting in a slow dance. Moving to an old rhythm, they gazed deeply into each other's eyes as completion reached them.


Birds were singing happily outside. Hilary hadn't felt so well rested for a long time. Her head rested against Kai's shoulder she sighed in contentment. Kai's finger slowly caress up her arm that laid on his chest. Both of them awake, neither wanting to leave the peaceful bobble they found themselves in.

"I have an idea" Kai rumbled, breaking the spell, "What do you say about moving back to Japan?"

Hilary felt his head move as he looked at her, she looked up at him contemplating his idea.

"I think I would like that. I really miss all of our old friends" she finally said and she slowly sat up, "We should get up. Gou will wake any moment and he's gotten a lot of new toys he undoubtedly wants to play with".

Kai watched her with an amused expression and leaned in giving her a small peck on the lips.

"Then we better get up" he said with a grin to his voice.

The couple sat at the morning table watching their young son wolf down his breakfast with a worrying look.

"Gou, sweetheart, do try to slow down" Hilary tried saying. Gou looked at his mother, then over at his father who had a certain strict look to his eyes.

"Sorry", he let out.

"We have some important news to share with you" Kai said catching Gou's attention once more. The boy watched at his parents with big curious ruby eyes shifting between the two.

"Gou", she said making the boy look at her, "You and I will be moving in together with you father".

Gou was quiet at first just looking back and forth between them. Hilary nervously side glanced Kai, who was sitting calm observing Gou.

"Okay", the boy chirped and went back to finishing his breakfast. Hilary felt her shoulders come back down, while Kai had a grin to his face.

Gou finished his breakfast and asked; "Can I go play now Mama?" Hilary nodded drinking her morning tea. She and Kai were chuckling among themselves. They had expected a different reaction, a happy one of course, but it was evident that Gou's mindset was on the many gifts he received last night. What only felt like seconds, they heard Gou come running back. Kai readied himself holding out his arms as Gou jumped into his embrace.

"You're the best gift of all Papa" he muffled out. Both Hilary and Kai smiled at that sentiment, they shared a happy look.

"You and your mother are the best gifts in this world" Kai answered his son, while watching Hilary with loving eyes.

Hilary smiled back at him and down at their son. It would be a difficult road ahead of them. But, with Kai willing to work with her on their relationship, she was sure they would find a future path together.


Author's note;

This is the last chapter of Child of Mine. I just want to say thank you to everyone who kept returning to this story and those who have just discover it. To everyone who took time to put down a review, thank you for your time. As I stated in my profile, I was taken aback by the continued interest in this story. Wanting to give it an ending has been a small nagging guilty voice popping up once in a while, whenever I remembered the story. I don't know where I put the old files of the earlier chapters; therefore I don't have any plans to do a rewrite/revision, so I do hope you can see past old mistakes (and newer ones).

Thank you for the support.

Nemi The Dragon