Madeline’s POV

“Jack!” I exclaimed, and I couldn’t believe I would see him in my grandpa’s beach house. 

“Hello, Madeline, it seemed like motherhood suited you well, and you became more beautiful.” He said as he looked at my face, and I couldn’t stop myself from blushing; I know I love my husband so much, but I couldn’t deny Jack is a handsome man, and until now, he still has the same effect on me. Maybe it was because he liked me, and I felt guilty that I had hurt him when I couldn’t reciprocate his love for me. 

I liked Jack Morigan as a friend because his family took good care of me when I ran away from the Divenson mansion, and I will forever be grateful for their kindness.

“Jack, I want you to meet my son, Frank Luis,” I said, and he was looking at my son with a wide grin on his face.

“I could tell he will look like your husband when he grows up, and did you know if your child looked like your partner it means you are so in love with your husband, and if your baby got your physical features, then your husband is the one who is more in love with you?” He asked, and I laughed.

“Well, it could be true; I will not deny it anyway; I am proud to be in love with Hunter.” I declared, and he beamed at me, and this time I could no longer see the pain beneath his smile.

“Yeah, I know, and that is the reason why I learned to forget you, and I am glad that I could talk to you now without feeling the pain,” He said, and I felt so glad, and I am so excited for my best friend, and I couldn’t imagine Gina’s reaction the moment she learned Jack was here with us.

“I know it would be rude to ask, but why do the well-known chef and owner of one of the best restaurants in Archois would be here in Neospoli country? And this is so unexpected, and I never predicted I will see you here today, Jack,” I stated.

“Well, one month ago, your grandfather called me, ever since he visited Archois when he came to see you, and you brought him to my restaurant, your grandfather told me he couldn’t forget the taste of my every menu, and Hector invited me to come here, and he offered me a reasonable amount I couldn’t refuse that will help me to open another branch in the future.” He answered, and my grandpa didn’t tell me anything.

“Wow! That is great, and I couldn’t wait to tell Gina that you are here,” I said, and I saw his face blush.

“Is Gina here as well?” He asked, and I could see his face lit up when he mentioned my best friend’s name.

“Yes, she is with us, and I guess she is still outside with my aunt,” I responded.

“That would be nice to see her later, and if you will excuse me, Maddie, I needed to go to the kitchen now; I need to prepare your lunch.” He said.

“Okay, but you have to promise me you will be joining us in every meal,” I said, and he gave me one of his sweetest smiles.

“I couldn’t believe you would tell me the same thing as what your grandfather had told me.” He replied, and I chuckled.

“Now I could tell I am his granddaughter,” I said, and Jack laughed.

“Jack, it feels so nice to see you, and I was hurt when you didn’t show up the last time I invited you,” I said, and his face turned serious as he looked at me.

“I wanted to attend that party, Madeline, but I promised myself I would see you next time when I am ready, and now here I am as one of your close friends.” He responded.

“And I am no longer the man who once became so crazy with you to the extent that I hoped one day you will leave Hunter, and you will realize I am the only man for you, and as I think about it now, I felt so ashamed of myself for thinking that way.” He declared, and I was surprised with his confession.

“I wasn’t proud of myself for thinking that way, and I felt so thankful that I came to realize I could never have you as more than friends because no matter what kind of trouble you are going to face, you will never stop loving Hunter, and I could say he is such a lucky man for having you as his wife.” He added.

“And knowing he was so in love with you too, made me realize I should be happy for you, that in the end, you’ve got what you wanted in your life, and I just want you to know, Maddie, I am so happy to see you with your child, and I couldn’t wait to see your husband,” Jack said, and I smiled at him.

“Yeah, and I am excited to inform Hunter, you are here, and like my grandpa, he was also fascinated by your cooking, but he couldn’t stop himself from feeling so jealous of you,” I said, and he chuckled.

“There is nothing Hunter should be jealous of about me because he has you,” He answered.

“Yeah, I know, but he couldn’t control himself, and I know he is insecure with our closeness, but I am sure this time he will no longer feel that way,” I declared as I looked at Jack, and I know Hunter will know right away, that Jack’s feelings for me are purely friendship.

“You should go to the kitchen now,” I said, and we said goodbye to each other, and I proceeded to my room feeling so happy and excited.

“What?” Gina asked me after I told her Jack was in the house, and I asked her to lower her voice a bit because my son was sleeping on the bed.

“You heard me, Gina, your Prince Charming is here, and this place is very romantic, and there is a possibility that he will fall in love with you while you are in this beautiful place,” I said, and I could see the pain on her face.

“Why is he even here? I don’t want to see her, Madeline,” She said as she walked to the door.

“Gina, wait,” I declared, and she stopped and turned around to look at me.

“I don’t want to be humiliated again, Maddie; he told me he can’t love anyone else and will be forever in love with you.” My best friend said as she glanced at me.

“Well, he is a different man now, Gina, and you will never know what I meant if you do not speak with him, I could see how his face lit up when I told him you are here with us,” I said, and her face suddenly lights up, and I could tell my best friend is blushing.

“Are you sure about that?” Gina asked, and I nodded my head.

“I am one hundred percent sure, and I will never lie to you; who knows, things will go differently, and you will have your chance with Jack,” I replied.

“I didn’t bring anything fancy, Maddie; what should I wear that I will look presentable in front of him?” My best friend asked, and I could see the panic on her face.

“You need to relax and leave it to me, and I will ask Lily to do your hair later, and about your dress, all you have to do is look on my dresser, you know my aunt will never fail to surprise me, I couldn’t believe even here I’ve got all types of dresses I can wear, can you believe if I tell you I have a ball gown?” I asked, and she beamed at me as she started looking at the clothes on the wardrobe cabinet.

“Who knows your grandpa will suddenly throw a party, and that is why you have gowns in here.” She responded, and I smiled when she found a floral knee-length dress, it was a beautiful dress and not too fancy.

“I am sure that dress will look good on you, and you need to find another one for dinner, and I think you will have your date at night,” I said, and Gina giggled, and I already promised myself to help Gina with Jack.

.

And I never expected my grandfather would help me, I only mentioned to him once that I wanted to repay Gina all the things she had done for me ever since we were younger, and I know she was always there for me. When my mom died, it was her who comforted me at the darkest moment in my entire life. I was so young back then, and I felt so alone.

Everybody was excited to have lunch, and my best friend looked so beautiful, I know Lily did a great job on her hair and light make-up, and I know it would be impossible for Jack not to find her attractive. 

Aunt Francine was carrying my little boy, and uncle Paul couldn’t stop himself from watching my little boy, and I could see the anxiousness on Gina’s face, and I took her hand as we walked on the shore.

“You need to relax, Gina, we are only going to eat lunch, and you are not entering a beauty pageant where you will be asked by the judges some questions,” I said as I tried my best to keep my voice so low, and I felt glad she laughed.

“I just couldn’t stop myself from feeling so nervous; what if he ignored me, Maddie?” She asked, and I shook my head.

“Believe me, Gina, Jack will never ignore you; you looked so beautiful!” I said, and she relaxed a little as we made our way to the beachfront, where there is a beautiful native cottage big enough to hold a little party. I felt so worried when I suddenly saw my husband among the crowd, and I knew I was missing him crazy that is why I was hallucinating.

But when he smiled and ran towards me, I couldn’t stop myself from meeting him halfway, and I threw myself at him while he put his hands around my waist, and he lifted me in the air while I couldn’t stop myself from giggling, and I felt so happy when I realized my husband finally came home to me.