Chapter 15

August 1990 - Neverland Ranch

Michael's POV

The past months have been great for us. We hosted several events here in our home, we invited sick children and their families to spend some time here, hoping they'll forget their worries for just one day.

At the end of May we celebrated Nicolas' 2nd birthday by having a huge party. The whole family was there and we took the opportunity to reveal that Maeve and I were expecting our second child.

Now she was already halfway through the pregnancy, it's crazy how time flies.

This pregnancy has been completely different compared to the first one. Up until June, Maeve had problems with nausea but it wasn't as bad as last time where she lost a lot of weight.

Other than that, she has been glowing. By now she was showing, she had a beautiful baby bump that she loved to show off and I have to admit, she does look extremely good while being pregnant with my child.

The sound of the doorbell caught my attention. I quickly filled the mug with hot water, placed the tea bag inside and made my way to the door, the mug with the hot beverage in my hand. It was already late at night, Nicolas was asleep and Maeve laid on the couch, waiting for me to come back to continue watching the movie.

"Bill, hey" I greeted after opening the door. I held the door open and gestured for him to get him.

"Hey, Mike. Sorry for this late disturbance. We just received this registered envelope from an unknown sender" he informed me.

"Let's have a look than" I was about to grab the envelope with my free hand when Bill snatched it out of my reach.

"It's in Maeve's name!"

"What's in my name?" as if on cue, Maeve walked out the living room. She came over to us and took the mug out of my hand, before carefully taking a tiny sip of the hot tea I was supposed to bring her.

"Michael, I'm waiting, I really want to see that movie!"

"I know, it's Bill's fault-"

"Hey!" Bill protested. "I'm doing my job here!"

"Right sorry" I laughed at him.

"No one's in danger, so whatever you two need to discuss, it can wait til tomorrow!" Maeve spoke and gently pulled my arm.

"I have a letter for you!" Bill told her and she immediately stopped in her tracks, nearly spilling some of her tea as she turned around.

"For me?" she grinned. "Oh I love getting letters! Michael is the only one that sends me letters, give it to me!" She demanded and Bill handed her the envelope.

"Who's it from?" She wondered while she tried opening the envelope with one hand while holding the tea in the other.

She managed to get it open by sticking it between her elbow and stomach before tearing it open, she pulled out a stack of paper.

"Did the delivery guy mention anything about the sender?" I turned back to Bill who just shook his head before we both jumped at the sound of porcelain bursting on the hard floor.

"Maeve?!" Bill and I yelled in unison. With both hands she held the papers in front of her eyes, carefully reading the words on the sheets while standing in a pool of broken pieces of porcelain and the hot tea she ordered. She was only wearing socks but it didn't seem to bother her at all.

"Oh my god!" She suddenly said before turning around and walking away in a fast pace, nearly slipping because of her wet socks.

Bill and I quickly followed her into the kitchen where she spread the sheets of paper on the counter, quietly going through them, one by one.

Bill looked just as confused as I was while we stared at Maeve.

"What's going on Maeve?" I asked. She looked up at me, her eyes were wide but they've been like that since receiving these papers. She reached for a small note that was stuck to the front page and handed it to me.

I wish I could turn back time and reverse everything but since I can't, this is the least I could do.

"Maeve, what is this?"

She leaned against the counter, her face in disbelief. "This" she put one of her hands on the sheets in front of her. "This is my heritage!"

*****

"So what are you going to do with this?" I pointed over to the sheets of paper, that remained spread on the countertop since last night.

Maeve looked up from her plate and followed my gaze. Ever since yesterday the papers where her mother signed over half of the family's business to Maeve, meaning she now owned 50% of everything, including hotels and real estate.

From early on, I knew Maeve's family was well off but seeing their fortune listed one by one on paper made me realize that I completely underestimated their situation. They're worth billions, Maeve grew up richer than rich.

But then again, luxurious things don't really impress her, I learnt that early, even before our relationship, when I wanted to impress her with a limo. It does make sense. She cherishes the time we spend together more than any present I could ever give her.

"I... um... I need to talk to her..."

"You want to talk to your mother?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I guess I have to, so yes..."

"Ok" I continued eating my cereals, not feeling the need to say anything else.

"Ok?" Maeve was confused. "That's all you have to say?"

With a full mouth, I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm gonna call her after breakfast, ok? Is that what you want to hear?"

Maeve looked at me, a worried expression on her face.

"There's nothing to be afraid of" I assured her.

"How'd you know?"

"Your mother isn't the bad guy in this story, your father was-"

"But she didn't do anything to stop him..." Maeve was hurt and I knew it was because she thought that after she got her name back, she'd never have to face her past again.

While looking down, I searched my mind for something that might give her hope. Hope that everything will turn out to be alright.

"We don't know that..." I mumbled causing Maeve to stand up and leave the room without saying another word.

Great job, Michael.