The Royal Contract

Chapter 1307: Between a father and a son

"Where is Edison?" Zach noticed that the young boy was nowhere to be found.

He and his fiancee had been roaming around, mingling with their guests that he lost track of their child. He could not help but worry since he was still new to this parenting act.

He had promised to help Ria in raising their child. Yes! He wanted to be Edison's father, not just his stepfather. Therefore, he already had his lawyer prepare the adoption papers.

"Don't worry, Zach. He is with your father." Ria tapped him on his arm, reassuring him.

He guessed he still had many more to learn about caring for a child. However, he knew he was up to the challenge.

He swore that despite his busy schedule. He would always find time for his family. He would never neglect the opportunity given to him to have a family of his own.

"I can't help it." He smiled with relief. "I am always afraid he would go missing if I lost sight of him." He finally admitted what was running through his mind. "That something bad would happen to him."

That was what he felt every second Ria left Edison in his care. He could not take his eyes away from the boy, terrified he might get hurt or lost in his watch.

"That is perfectly natural. It only means you care and you love Edison." Ria explained to him.

She immediately turned and faced him, putting her warm palms across his cheeks while looking deeply into his eyes.

"Every loving parent wishes they could have eyes on their child twenty-four seven. But the reality is, we can only do so much to protect them." Ria shared with him.

He could only imagine what Ria had gone through all those years of raising Edison alone. She had to be the mother, the breadwinner, and the caretaker of a sickly child.

But he believed she managed with not just flying colors. She surpassed his every expectation. She was indeed an incredible woman, a superwoman in his book.

"Yeah, I guess I am still learning. I only hope that I will be the father that Edison needs." Zach smiled, feeling so much better.

Of course, there were times that he doubted if he would be a good father. But it did not mean he was not up to the challenge. On the contrary, he was ready to try.

Besides, why would he be scared when he had her by his side? He was lucky to have this woman in his life who would do everything for the welfare of their child, or hopefully children, soon.

"Of course, you will be the best father to Edison." She guaranteed as if she had never doubted him for a second.

She looked at him with so much love and respect that he felt an overwhelming emotion he could not explain. But most of all, he could not wait to marry her and be with her for the rest of their lives.

Who would have thought that the boy who never cared for anyone but himself would end up loving and committing to this woman and her child too?

"Only because you made me want to be one." He said, but before they could say more, they heard a voice calling them, disturbing their private moment.

A family affair in their household had always been a massive affair. He could not remember a family celebration that consisted of a few people.

As the son of a successful politician, his concept of family had extended beyond blood relations. It included friends, associates, and people who supported his father's political career.

"I am more than delighted." His mother responded with a friendly smile as she ushered her fiancee into the awaiting crowd.

He could not blame Ria if she could not remember many of these people's names. It took him almost his entire childhood to get their names right.

However, if she planned to be part of this family, he believed it was better she understood now what and who she was marrying herself into.

"I will see you in a bit." He promised as he walked in the opposite direction, exiting the other hallway away from the noise and the growing crowd.

After a few minutes, he stood outside their mansion and passed their expansive lawn. He could already tell from the commotion in the other building that he would find the people he sought in there.

He entered the well-maintained barn his father had converted into his private area. It was considerably farther from the main house, making it not accessible to his mother, who never liked the outdoors.

"You see this." Zach could hear his father's voice from outside the door. He could tell his father was probably showing off his prize possessions to the new, youngest family member.

He still recalled how his father told him that it was not the money that made a man wealthy and successful but the experiences he acquired in his lifetime.

He also remembered thinking that was a load of crap. How could those pieces of junk signify wealth? He always thought that his father's collections were nothing but some worthless thrash.

"Oh! Did you take that out of a monster?" He walked into Edison, holding the piece of the tooth his father had kept on one of their trip to Africa when he was just a young boy.

"No. But a great hunter gave it to Zach as a token of his bravery." Suddenly, he could not help the tears welling up in his eyes. But, of course, he kept it at bay.

He did not realize that his father kept that after all these years. To him, it was a useless tooth that had no value. Continue your journey on m|v-l'e -novelhall.net

But now, he realized that it was more than that. He guessed no amount could measure up to the memories brought up by those worthless objects.

"Cool." Edison expressed in his most amazed and excited voice. "Zach is brave." He added as he held to the tooth as if it was a delicate gem he was afraid to lose.

"Yes, he is. And he is going to be your father now. So, I think he would want you to have that." His father said as he looked up and stared directly into his eyes.

"Really?" Edison could not seem to believe his ears. But whatever it was, Edison hugged his new grandfather with love and affection.

Now, he wondered if he was surprised by receiving the tooth or the thought that he would become his father.

Nevertheless, in his thought, he could not wait to have a bonding moment like this between a father and a son.