His empress to Claim (Book Three)

22. Chapter Twenty-Two.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I recounted the heart-wrenching decision I had been confronted with. "I ran away to protect my child, to offer him a chance at life. Demitrius means the world to me, Father."

My father's expression revealed a blend of concern and logical reasoning as he replied, "This explains the change in your features. Rena, you're still so young, and you have your entire life ahead of you. This is an enormous responsibility, and I worry about how it will impact your future."

He paused, as if carefully selecting his words. "I want what's best for you, my dear. But I need time to come to terms with all of this. Let's take things one step at a time."

I couldn't help but scoff at his words, as they seemed to emphasize my past life as a princess, rather than acknowledging the present reality. It was evident that my title was causing some issues. I noted that I had mentioned his own grandson, yet he had not asked about him once.

"You're right," I acknowledged, my voice carrying a note of determination. "I still have my whole life ahead of me. I'm young, and I'm confident that my son won't be a burden holding me back. I have a supportive family, maybe not up to your standards, but they treat us the way my mom used to treat me before she passed away."

My father continued to listen to my words, and there was a noticeable softening in his expression. Though it was a subtle change, it felt like a small step in the right direction, and I clung to the hope that it signaled the beginning of understanding and eventual acceptance.

He nodded with seriousness in his eyes. "Rena, this is a lot to take in. I need some time to process all of this. But I do want to meet my grandson. It's just... unexpected. I didn't mean for it to come across as if I was rejecting him. I genuinely want to meet him," my father asserted.

A wave of happiness and relief surged through me, and tears of gratitude welled up in my eyes. I nodded, genuinely thankful for his willingness to consider it.

I turned to Dimitri, letting go of his hand, and went to find Verona and my precious baby Demitrius.

Finally, as I entered the room, there before me was a heartwarming scene: Verona held our precious baby, cradling him in her arms with utmost care.

Her eyes, however, betrayed a hint of skepticism, a mother's natural instinct to protect her child, causing her to pause and ponder the decision of whether to let King Liam, my father, hold our precious bundle of joy.

Verona hesitated, her internal struggle etched on her face. "I'm not entirely convinced it's a good idea, Rena," she replied thoughtfully, her voice tinged with concern still holding Demitrius close, uncertain about letting my father see the baby.

I gently took Demitrius into my arms, understanding Verona's concerns, and said, "I'll bring Demitrius to see his grandfather in the living room. He'll be fine Verona." Verona nodded, her skepticism not entirely eased, but willing to trust my judgment.

With Demitrius cradled safely in my arms, I retraced my steps back to the living room, where my father, awaited the momentous meeting with his grandson.

Upon entering the living room, the atmosphere was palpably charged with emotions. My father sat there, his eyes glistening with tears, clearly moved by the prospect of meeting his grandson. I couldn't help but feel a lump in my throat, emotions welling up within me as well.

With a tender and hopeful smile, I approached my father, allowing him to get a closer look at Demitrius. As I held our precious baby gently, my father's eyes filled with tears, and his gaze locked onto the tiny, fragile life that now connected our family in a way we could never have anticipated.

"Oh, he's handsome," my father whispered, his voice brimming with emotion. "He has your eyes, Layla."

His words resonated deeply within me, and I couldn't hold back my own tears. It was a moment I had dared to hope for, and my father's acceptance of Demitrius meant more to me than words could express.

I had always thought in the back of my head that my father would reject my son just as how he had turned his back on me.

My father extended his arms, gently taking Demitrius from my embrace, cradling his grandson with the utmost care. Tears still shimmered in his eyes as he held the baby close, and the genuine love and joy in his expression were undeniable.

In that precious moment, it felt as if a bridge had been lovingly constructed between my past and my present, and I couldn't have been more grateful for this unexpected bond that was forming within our family.

"Hello, Demitrius, I'm your grandfather," he cooed at the almost sleeping baby, making me beam with pride.

"If I had known, I would have brought a gift for him," my father continued, a hint of regret in his voice.

I reached out and touched my father's hand, my own filled with gratitude. "Your acceptance and love are the greatest gifts he could receive, Father."

Liam held Demitrius in his arms, his gaze unwavering as he looked at his grandson. "I still can't believe my little girl is a mother now," he admitted, his voice infused with a blend of wonder and joy.

He took a moment to pause, collecting his thoughts, and then spoke with a determined tone, "I want to find a way to be a part of your life, Rena, and to be there for my grandson. Perhaps we can discuss how to make that happen."

"But you're the king of Asentrix, and you have your duties to attend to," I began to protest, but my father immediately cut me off.

"My child and grandchild are more important. You two are what makes me happy, forget about some silly title," my father declared, his words underlining the depth of his commitment to I and his grandson.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips, and I couldn't help but break into a joyous smile. "It's so good to have you back, Dad," I chuckled, my voice radiating happiness at the prospect of having him back in my life, by my side, and being a part of Demitrius's journey.

*************

Remember to leave a comment and vote below❣️