A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE FORTY-THREE

THEME: Eva McKenna’s fears

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

HARTFORD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

“Are you both my mom’s new friends?” Rowan asked Ava as he pointed towards Hope who was chatting away with Eva outside.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Not really friends like you see it. We are soon to be part of your family.” Ava explained as she toyed with Rowan’s free hand.

“Family?” The little boy repeated her last word with a raised eyebrows. He was confused about what she just said to him.

Ava giggled at his expression. “I see your mom hasn’t clarified things to you yet. So Rowan the flash news is that your mom is getting married to my elder brother.” She said with a bright smile her expression.

The little boy didn’t miss the excitement in her tone. “Oh.” Rowan muttered slowly with his little head still trying to process the information. His mother never mentioned anything of sort to him. Then Rowan remembered something. “Wait a minute, perhaps is he the one who calls my grandma to ask after me?”

Ava was not too certain if it was her brother so she gave him an unsure nod. “That should be him… I guess.”

“What’s his name? And is he…” he paused to process the right words to use to express his thoughts. “Are you going to be taking my mommy away from me?” He asked with a blank expression grazing his face.

“So for the first question, he is Christopher by name. And the second, we are not taking your mom away from you.” Ava answered.

“Are you sure?” Rowan asked again.

“Yes! You and your mom can be together any time and any day.”

“Cool then! I like you already, Aunt Ava.” A happy smile beamed across his face.

“Me too! I can’t wait to be seeing more of you.” Ava said as she smiled lovingly at the little boy.

“You would think they have known each other for ages.” Eva commented as she stood outside the ward with Hope Crawford.

Both of them were watching Rowan and Ava keenly. They had just stepped out not too long ago to get water at the cafeteria for Hope.

Eva sighed deeply before ushering Hope towards the lone bench in the long hospital hallway. She had been meaning to say something to Hope since Raven had informed her of their visit. Due to Rowan’s illness, she couldn’t ask to meet with Christopher in a more appropriate manner but he had proven himself to be responsible by calling and always checking up on them.

Without Raven’s knowledge, he obviously didn’t like blowing his burns. She has thanked him a multiple times for helping her family out at such crucial time. Eva had watched her daughter ache so much while still pushing through life. She had seen her only child feel depressed and still sort herself out of the puddle. All she wanted was for her child to be happy.

It has been a thing of worry for her when Raven had announced that she was getting married into such an influential family as the Crawfords. She had thought of how they might not approve and accept her daughter into the family since Raven was just like every other average person in Connecticut and they were the one percent that was controlling the business affairs in the city.

Eva feared that they would make life miserable for her daughter but seeing Raven look extremely happy as of late eased her mind a little and she didn’t want to be a bearer of bad news.

However, as fate would have it the family she feared so much might love her daughter less were obviously of good heart and it gladdened her soul.

“Is there something bothering you, Eva?” Hope asked after she realized that Eva was lost in thought and didn’t even catch on with her last sentence which was a question of how far she was holding up.

“Oh… I am really sorry for not paying attention.” Eva apologized followed by a sigh.

“What’s wrong?” Hope asked again.

“To be honest when I heard that Raven was engaged to a Crawford, I wasn’t happy with it.” She blurted out after some seconds of silence.

Hope was taken aback. She sat and edged herself to face Eva properly. “Why? Why won’t you be happy about it?” Going by her facial expression Eva knew Hope was certainly hurt.

“It is not what you are thinking. I was only scared for my daughter because I hear of the things wealthy families do to their not so rich daughter in laws. My Raven has had to endure so much and she is a woman who works tooth and nails to get the life she wants which implies that she isn’t after your son’s money. And I didn’t argue it or doubt her because I know her to be very thoughtful when making decisions. I had my speculations but Christopher seems really nice. And seeing you and Ava, my mind feels at peace that she got a good home to stay in.” She heaved a sigh of relief.

“It is nice hearing you say what’s really bothering you, Eva.” Hope reached out to hold both of Eva’s hands in hers. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about. I have two daughters too and I wouldn’t want them to be treated any other way than I treat them at home. The very first day I met Raven, I was already in love with her. She presented herself to be kind, caring, composed, resourceful and industrious. And she loves my son too. It’s all I have ever wanted in a wife for my son. A woman with her own mind, who will guide him on the right path and very much reliable especially since he would be taking over the entire Crawford Corporation now. Sincerely, I am really glad Raven is coming into our family and I am also happy that we have little Rowan and you in addition to our not so large family.” She beamed, pulling Eva in for a hug.

Tears clouded Eva’s eyes as she held on tightly to the woman. She was so grateful for her love and expressiveness towards her daughter.

“Thank you so much, Hope. I am relieved that my Raven is in good hands.” Eva said.

“I should thank you for raising your daughter right. I really can’t wait for the wedding.” Hope pulled away. “It’s just a shame that we can’t have a large wedding for now.” She pouted.

“It’s all good. We can always do that later in the nearest future. They both need their privacy and I think it is better that way.” Eva replied.

“Their union is going to be so good.” Hope giggled like a little girl.

“Thanks for listening to me.”

“I am glad you were able to express how you feel about my family to me.”

And Eva and Hope both switched to talking about other things. They discussed on days they would have cookouts for the whole family.

“I can’t wait for Raven to conceive Christopher’s child.” Hope giggled.

“Their children will look so cute.” Eva muttered.

“Yes! They are both good looking so obviously their children will be so adorable.” Hope supported as they both imagined what their future grandchildren would look like.

Ava shook her head towards both older women as they acted like high school girls giggling about their crush. She had come out of the room after Rowan had been put to sleep. She couldn’t take her eyes off him, it already seemed like they had known each other for years. The sort of love she has towards Liam and the rest of her nephew and niece was exactly how she felt towards Rowan. He was such a sweet kid.

Ava was glad that her photoshoot for the company she models for had been canceled for the day. Her mother had invited her out since she had nothing doing. She didn’t regret coming with her mom. If she had said no out of laziness then she would have missed a chance to get to know Raven’s family before the wedding. And it might seem awkward at the wedding. She thought to herself.

“He is asleep now.” Ava announced to them, taking a seat next to Eva.

“Mom, we should leave now. It is getting late. And I have a feeling that dad would start burning up our lines.”

Hope gasped when she checked her wristwatch. “I can’t believe we have stayed out so long. We should get going.” She stood up and Eva did the same too. “It was really nice to be with you, Eva. And thanks for letting us get to know you better.” She hugged Eva.

“It was really thoughtful of both of you to come here, get Rowan lots of toys and also staying for some time. Thank you so much.” Eva let go of Hope and turned to face Ava who was already on her feet.

“And thanks for not finding this space boring.” Eva embraced Ava.

“I am so happy to be here. And it’s nice meeting you and Rowan.” Ava replied as she hugged Eva back.

“You are welcome.” Eva withdrew from the embrace.

They bid Eva goodbyes with a promise to come around again. They got into the car with each person inhaling and exhaling.

“How long has it been, Nelson?” Ava teased the driver. She always did that whenever they went out and took much hours to return.

Nelson smiled stiffly as he stared at her from the car mirror. “It’s the perfect timing ma’am.” He said in his usual reply.

Ava giggled but she kept quiet after getting a rebuking glare from her mother.

“Let me say Chris picked the right woman this time.” Ava mumbled as she repositioned herself to face her mother. “How did you feel about meeting Raven’s family?” Ava asked her mom.

“Glad I did. It’s nice to know that Raven isn’t the person Ashley is thinking she might be.” Hope responded.

“How did you know what Ashley is thinking mom? You never know if she was just acting up?” She tapped on her phone to see the picture she took of Rowan while he was sleeping. He looked so peaceful and cute so she decided to use it as her Lock Screen.

“Ashley is my daughter and I know her too well. I would have to make her see reason when I return. It’s a long day tomorrow.” She yawned.

“Yeah. You are right mom. I also have some shoots scheduled all through the week. They had canceled today’s shoot because the intended photographer had fallen ill and they couldn’t get a replacement in a short period of time. So I will need to sleep early to get my ass working tomorrow.” Ava yawned too.

“Sounds like a good plan.” Hope nodded as she rested her head against the seat board.

Nelson drove down the road to the Crawford’s home.