Chapter 20

Los Angeles, CA ~ 2022

Kate was sitting at her desk. The laptop was on and some music was playing on the back ground. That summer Sun was burning outside but she wanted to stay inside to study. She is a professor on medical school of California state after all and studying was her daily routine. She left her pen on the desk and looked outside of the window. Being next to the beach especially in the summer was very noisy. For some reason she remembered the first time she got there.

Pregnant, lost and broken hearted. After what happened with him, she never said his name again. It causes her so much pain that any painkiller can’t easy. She loved him with every cell of her body. She couldn’t believe that all the pain was caused by her family, her own brother who has sworn to their mother’s grave that will always protect her no matter what.

When her brother and father died on that car accident all their money and properties were hers, but she didn’t care. She sold everything. She didn’t want to have anything that will remind her of their actions both good and bad. She kept the money and asked for a transfer in any hospital. The further is was form New York the better. That city had a special place in her heart and she couldn’t say goodbye, but her brain accepted that transfer to California.

And now there is was. Twenty five years later from all that pain and suffer she had finally done something for herself. Being a doctor helped a lot. She wanted to forget everything and focus on her career, and she did. She is now one of the best doctors in California with a specialty in cancer. Any type of it. Because of her cleverness and her true passion, she is also one of the youngest professors of medical school in history of the USA.

“What are you starring at?” she heard in the middle of her daydreaming. She looked up the door of her office and there he was. He was standing and looked at her a little puzzled. He knew her mother had some issues, mental issues. But he never asked why or how. He never knew his father and that is his biggest question. Every time he starts this conversation Kate starts crying and she always tell him that one day when she is strong enough, she will explain to him.

“The beach.” Kate simply answered. She had a ton of work to do and she was thinking of what hurted the most. “I’m going out… I won’t be late. I have to study Anatomy for the semester exams.” Benjamin told his mother. “Yeah, I know. You better start studying young man.” Kate answered as she put on her glasses. “Mum please don’t start….” He replied annoyed. “Ben you know, I will not help you study. Medical school was your choice, now you have to face the consequences.” “I know and I will.” Benjamin said while he was looking around. “Are you looking for something?”  Kate asked her son. “My helmet. Have you seen it?” he yield from the kitchen.  

Kate sighed as she as stood up. “How many times do I have to tell you not to leave things all over the house?” Kate exited her office and walked to the kitchen but her son wasn’t there but as always he had left the kitchen door open. As she was walking out she heard the garage door open. Just a few seconds late the engine of Benjamin’s bike was on. When Kate reached the garage she saw her 27 year old son wearing his helmet. Wearing the leather jacket of the biker’s club he is in and his sunglasses was looking just like his father. Tall with brown hair and chocolate brown eyes was always a reminder for Kate. As she was looking at him waving at her and leaving she knew that someday she has to tell him the truth. That his father is Richie Sambora.

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On the other side of town Richie was watching TV. He wasn’t paying attention it was his company for thinking. His other company was sitting right next to him probably sleeping but who could know, that’s what dogs do. He pet Ivar with his right hand and for some reason his eyes stayed on what is left of the stitches David gave him all those years ago. When he closed his eyes, he saw her. In that ware house in New York where his life changed forever.

He had never stopped thinking about her ever after her brother and father died he wanted to go and find her. He wanted to be with her with all his heart. In any case his heart will always belong to her. He had never loved any other woman so deeply, so desperate. But he was so coward back then and afraid that she might didn’t want him anymore. Afraid that she might had find someone else to fill her love. He was afraid that she might had forgot about him and everything that they’ve been through.

That city only caused him pain. He had sworn that he will never step a foot in New York or in New Jersey but he did. His second visit was beyond his imagination. He remembered when him mother called him in the middle of the night and told him that his father was in the hospital. He flew from Los Angeles to New York just to be in the same hospital that she was. He spent days in that hospital making even more bad memories. The nights he spend with his father dying from lung cancer made him release how much he wanted someone to lean on. He had the boys of course but it wasn’t the same. He wanted someone who can pour his heart out without judging him or judging his actions. He knew he wasn’t a saint and who was?

“Hey Dad I’m going out with the girls.” Ava said while she was walking down the stairs. Richie was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t hear her. Ava knew that look in his face. She saw that look a lot these days. She was now big enough to deal with the problems that her family was facing. What was left of her family. Her mother was in and out of jail for the past few months and her father was her father. Dealing with his problems which he never talked about with anyone since he left the bad in 2013.

Ava walked closer to her father and said again “Dad are you listening?”. Richie jumped. He didn’t realize his daughter was there. “You want anything?” he asked. “I said, I’m going out with the girls.” “Oh great. Have fun.” Richie answered simply and took the remote in his hand and changed the channel. Ava hated to see him like this but there nothing she didn’t try to make him talk to her, she is his daughter after all. That wasn’t the Richie she knew and admired and that made her so sad. He is all she got left for a family and wanted to make things right for the first time in her 25 years of her life.