The Four of Us (GxG) (COMPLETED)

Chapter 53: Rite of Passage

As promised, Brix kept her word and proved to Ember's parents her good intentions for their daughter. She's currently visiting them and telling them what has been happening on the outside. Oliver seemed to be getting softer towards Brix but Martha hates her guts. "She's been doing great at school" Brix told the couple "she missed a lot but, she's adjusting well"

"That's great" Oliver told the younger woman "h-how about Anthony?" he asked lowly still feeling guilty of what they've done "No dad. You only wanted what is best for you" Anthony replied "but don't worry, I won't do anything to ruin this family like you two already have. I'll take care of Ember" he remembered Anthony say.

"He's staying for a couple more days, but he has to go back" Brix replied

"Of course," said Oliver "but who will stay with Ember. She'll be all alone in the house"

"We've talked about that and she said she'll be fine. I will come by—"

"Don't you dare step foot on my house" said Martha bitterly.

"Martha!" stopped Oliver

The older woman turned to her husband. She couldn't believe what she was hearing "are you getting softer with this" she pointed a finger at Brix "what are you bff's now?"

"Martha can you please stop!" shouted Oliver "can't you see that she's the only person that wants to talk to us. Not even our kids want to come and visit us yet this girl, even though we've pushed her a lot of time. She's still here, trying to set things straight with us" he paused "can't you see that she's the only link I have with our kids?"

"But she's still a sinner!"

"And I killed people!" Oliver retorted "matter of fact, compared to me...us, she's a saint. After all the wrong things we've done you still have the right to act godly?!" he's breathing heavily now "we've ruined a lot of lives and she... the only thing she did was to take care and love our daughter. Something that we should be doing"

Martha couldn't say a word, the same with Brix. So, she got up, whispered something to the guard, who led her back in her cell. Now, Brix left alone with the older man couldn't believe what she just heard.

Once composed and calmed, Oliver turned to his visitor "I-I'm sorry" he breathed out "I would like to apologise about everything. For treating you so badly before. I just heard rumours about you before about being this play girl. I hope you understand, I'm only a father that wants the best for his daughter"

At first, Brix couldn't reply back because it was true "I... It is true sir. Those rumours" Oliver gave him a questioning look "but, I changed. All because of Ember. I used to be this person that has no goal in life, thinking that everything is a joke, and that I have control of everything" Oliver listened to her "but then Ember came, and she changed me. For the better. I learnt to value everything I have, I learnt to see the good in stuff"

Oliver smiled "you remind me when I was younger. I used to go out every night, sleep with anyone I want, use drugs, alcohol, name it. But then I got Martha pregnant and we were still kids that time. My parents kicked me out of the house, and I had nothing" he paused and a smile formed on his lips "but the thought of that child, growing up. I promised to do everything. I mean everything, just to give him a good life"

Brix listened intently

"Then we had Ember" he smiled "my little ball of sunshine" he looked down at his intertwined fingers "I wanted out, when she was born" she looked back at Brix "at that time, we already had enough money and it was the start of my career. Everything was going as planned but the suppliers won't let us and threatened my family. So, I had no choice"

Brix felt sorry for him and gave his hand a comforting squeeze "but in the end you did what was right. You told the authorities who the suppliers were and you're facing the consequences of your past instead of running away" said Brix "and based from what you said, you were only doing what a father should do, provide for his family. And I understand it even though it was wrong" they both smiled "I know, in time, Anthony and Ember will also understand and forgive you"

A tear left Oliver's eyes "thank you" he told her.

Brix, came to check up on Ember as Oliver told her to but Anthony said she's with Claire and Naomi. He just came home from his jog, while Brix sat in the sofa "so, are you ready?" he asked

Brix gave her a questioning look "for what?"

"Your rite of passage"

"Rite of passage?" Brix repeated

"Yes, rite of passage to formally be in a relationship with my sister and to be part of this family. It's a family tradition" replied Anthony. "So, do you love my sister or not?" he asked

"Yeah, of course!" Brix stood up from her seat. Anthony grinned.

When Ember got home, she noticed that no one was in the house except a few maids "where's Anthony?" she asked one of them and they told her he's at the back. As she walked closer to the back door, she heard a weird noise... like someone's chopping wood. Curious she opened the back door and saw Brix holding an axe chopping wood, while her brother sat comfortably on a chair warming his hands on a fire "what is going on?"

The pair turned to her "ah, you're home!" Anthony greeted

"Brix what are you doing?" Ember asked the woman with an axe

"My rite of passage" Brix replied out of breath

"Your what?" Ember asked stopping the now wet from sweat girl from chopping wood.

"Anthony told me that you guys have a family tradition of courtship" replied Brix "So, I did it. I filled the pool with water from the tap, Anthony didn't want a dowry so, I just bought him some food instead and I'm chopping wood"

"He said what?!" Ember turned to her brother who is now laughing his ass off "you made her do what?!"

"It's not my fault she believed it!" Anthony replied

She turned back to Brix "and why would you believe him?"

"I—" Brix couldn't answer "I don't know. I though because you guys had like traditional upbringing. I thought it was true" she replied "but... I really didn't care thinking, if this is my way of proving myself then so be it"

Ember shook her head "you are the stupidest and most cutest person I know" she told the girl "not come here. Look at you! You're all sweaty. You did all that?" Brix nodded "let's get you cleaned up"