My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Maximus was in his study, going over some things on the phone with Alden, when Alden accidentally let slip that Lucius had asked them to look for a house for him and little Amanda.

"Well, Uncle, if there's nothing else to go over, I'll let you go. I'm going to check out some properties. I'm going with Serenity to see a house Lucius asked her to look at."

"Lucius? My son?"

"Yeah... Didn't you...?" Alden said, realizing his huge mistake.

"Didn't what, Alden?"

"Well, Lucius asked Serenity to help him buy a house. Look, it's better if you talk to him directly. I've already said too much, and I don't want to say anything more..."

"He wants to leave, doesn't he?"

Alden went quiet for a moment, then answered.

"Yeah. And I get it. Serenity didn't at first, but after thinking it over, she agreed to help her brother."

Maximus was speechless for a moment. After a deep sigh, he said, "Lucius is devastated after Amanda's death. He can't leave. He shouldn't leave. He's not alone-he's got us, his family."

While he was talking to Alden, Matthew had come into the study and taken a seat, quietly listening to his friend and protégé.

"Well, what can I say, Uncle? He wants to go, and I don't think anyone can stop him. Even Moriarty already gave him the green light."

"Moriarty doesn't get to decide his life. I'm his father. I should know these things," said Maximus, clearly upset.

"I talked to Lucius. That's all I can really tell you."

"Alright, Alden. Thanks for telling me."

"You're welcome, Uncle..."

With that, the call ended. It was clear Matthew had been paying close attention, though he hadn't said a word.

"What's going on, Matthew?"

"Oh, nothing. Just dropping by to say hi. I'm traveling with Magnus. The man decided he wants to go check out Peter's properties in the Emirates. Why? Don't ask me, it's your dad who's feeling curious."

"Yeah, he mentioned something about that... Honestly, I think he just wants a break. And you two have hit it off."

"What can I say? We're just two old guys waiting around to die."

"Don't talk nonsense. You both have plenty of years ahead..."

"No, just because you all see us that way doesn't mean we feel young. Truth is, we don't. We're tired. And if death comes knocking someday, we'll welcome it.

"We've lived what we've lived. We've done things right, done things wrong. Maybe we found love once, but for one reason or another, we let it slip away. Now we just want to live out the rest of our time peacefully."

"You sound pretty grim..."

"Eh, what can I say? At my age, anything I say ends up sounding that way... Hey, I heard Lucius wants to leave..."

"Yeah, I just found out. He wants to move to Hesperia. Can you believe that?" "Yeah, I can. And I think it's the best thing for him."

"What? You support this madness?"

"Maximus, you have a good life. You've got your kids, a loving wife, and you just became a father again. Life's been generous to you. Sure, life took your mother, it didn't let you stay with Mary, and gave you a wife who's... let's say, a bit unique, but...

"Let's be honest you didn't exactly do everything right either. Now, you're living the life you were always meant to have.

"What happened to Lucius-God-it

was a tragedy for the whole family.

We were on a 'a good streak, and then

that turned everything upside down. I'm sure after that happened, even you were afraid for Diana. And Theo, of course, and Peter too-even though he doesn't have more kids, don't think he's not scared of what might happen if he and Celeste try again." noveldrama

"You really think leaving will make things better for him?"

"I think he's looking for a fresh start. Look, I'm old, but I'm not blind. Lucius hasn't come around much because he doesn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. He needs his space, a new beginning. And we all know he can do it—he left home at 18 and never really came back.

"But he has a daughter. That baby needs care...

"Yeah, and that care isn't really coming from you or anyone else here. Just think about it,

Maximus he lives at Moriarty's net

house. Even though he's your

Moriarty's wife treats him like one of her own. And honestly? She's the mother figure he never had with Alexia.

"All I'm saying is: be aware. Everyone here is happy-except him. Let him go. Respect his decision. He's a grown man now. He's not going to ask for permission or wait around for approval.