Start Over (Daniel and Ash)

[danielm]

The Lyon air was warm that night, and stars twinkled overhead, a man sat at one of the many stools lining the bar of the popular club Le Menestrel. He ran a hand through his graying hair as he tried to think of how best to write his letter. Daniel McLane sighed; he knew it was long past time for him to explain to his son why he did what he did. He knew it was highly unlikely that his son would ever forgive him. But still, he had to try. Although he had never admitted it, Daniel loved his son dearly. It was jut that Ashton reminded him so much of his Celine, that he couldn’t stand it. And so, he made Ash’s life miserable, just so his wouldn’t be. The man sighed again, and put his head in his hands. But now he knew, that was no way to treat Ash. Ash had never done anything to deserve this, and it was time to make things right once and for all.

Pulling out a pen and piece of paper, he wrote the letter, choosing the words carefully. Reading it over, he nodded, satisfied and folded it up into the envelope. Now, the task of getting to Ashton; he supposed he could just mail it, but he wanted it to be there as soon as possible, and mail didn’t run again until nine o’clock in the morning, and it was now, eleven-thirty at night. Smiling as an idea popped into his head, Daniel got up and walked towards the door. Why not deliver it himself? Walking through the bustling streets of Lyon, Daniel began to wonder. What if Ash laughed at him, what if he tried to hex him, what if… No! Daniel clamped down, pushing all the ‘what ifs’ out of his mind.

Spotting the large, slightly intimidating house, he walked up to the mail box, located just outside the main gate, and slipped the letter inside. There were so many things that could have been added to the letter, but Daniel realized no matter how much, or how little he wrote, a simple letter would not right the wrongs. It was going to be hard from here, and Daniel just wanted Ash's forgiveness. He knew though, that what he was asking was no small feat. He had been abusing his son for nearly eighteen years, and knew that at this point, it would be a miracle if Ash even considered forgiving him. Suddenly, a light from upstairs came on, and a silhouette appeared at the window. Ash. Daniel cursed softly to himself, and quickly ducked down. After a few agonizing moments, the light went off, and all was dark once more. Daniel sighed in relief as he stood to go back the bar. Back at the club, he sat down at the bar once more, and waited. Hopefully Ashton would read the letter tonight, or sometime in the morning. Daniel would wait for about an hour, if Ash didn’t show by then, he would go home, and come back tomorrow.

However, as he sat there, the doubts started to rampage once more. You know he’ll never forgive you! Why should he? Taunted a voice in his head. Daniel knew the voice was right. Daniel knew this whole mess was his fault. He was the one who chose to be so horrible to his son; he wouldn't be surprised if Ashton told him that he never wanted to see him again. He had to admit, he would be upset, but he couldn't blame Ash. After all, he had been the one beating the boy for nearly eighteen years. But maybe, just maybe, they could start over…

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash stood at the window looking down at the lawns below. He saw someone at the mail box, but it wasn’t the mail man, it was after all eleven o’clock at night! So if wasn’t the mailman…who was it?

After a few moments, Ash turned out the light and closed the curtain; it was probably someone dropping off a letter. He started to turn away, but something made him go back to the window. Who had the person been? And why had they been dropping off a letter so late? Should he go down and get it?

Ash stood there debating for a while, then sighed and walked towards the door, might as well see what it said. Walking down the stairs he opened the door and walked down to the mailbox. Opening the small metal box, pulling out the letter inside, Ash stood there a moment, turning the envelope over back and forth in his hands. What should he do with it? Curiosity getting the better of him, he walked back towards the house, envelope clutched in his hands.

Back in the house, he walked into the kitchen and turned on the lights. There, written in a hand so familiar he nearly fainted, were the words, I’m Sorry. Fingers trembling, he slid them underneath the flap, breaking the seal. He stared down at the letter, his mouth dropped in astonishment as he dropped into a chair.

The letter fell from his limp grasp and floated to the floor, the words running through his mind, over and over again. I’m sorry, I never should have treated you the way I did. Please, give me another chance… Sitting there for a moment, staring down at the paper, thoughts raged in his head. How could he? How could he just go meet his father and say that everything was okay? Everything wasn’t okay! Everything was so wrong. But, that didn’t matter. Everything was in the past, Ash was moving on.

He looked down at the letter again and saw that his father had written that he would wait for him at Le Menestrel until midnight. Ash looked at the clock. It was now eleven thirty. Should he go? Yes. He decided, standing up and pulling on his jacket. Why not at least listen to what his father had to say? He’d seemed sincere in the letter.

Opening the door again, he walked down the lawns and out the gates. Through the still bustling streets of Lyon, down the alleys, cutting across backyards, he reached Le Menestrel. He stood outside the club; did he really want to face what was inside? Was he ready? Ash sighed in frustration. What was wrong with him!? His father couldn’t hurt him anymore, and if what the letter said was true, he didn’t want to.

Pushing open the door, the raven-haired teen stepped inside. Eyes scanned the room, looking for Daniel. Finally he spotted his father’s familiar figure. Then, something strange happened…instead of wanting to hex the man through hell and back like he usually did, Ash felt the almost overwhelming urge to run up to his father, hug him, and never let go. But, he couldn’t do that. He wasn’t ready. Instead, he took a breath, and walked up to the man at the bar. The man who had been his father, but never his dad. Maybe, they could finally have that relationship. Standing behind Daniel for a moment, Ash finally spoke, “Dad?”

[danielm]

"Dad?"

Danile froze at the sound of Ash's voice. He turned slowly to see his son, expression wary. "You- you came." he whispered disbelievingly through what felt like a desert-dry mouth. His throat was parched, either from thirst or nervousness, he wasn't sure.

He cleared his throat awkwardly, "Um, sit down." he said pulling out a stool for Ash. He waited until Ash was seated, then began talking. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I um...I suppose you're wondering why I'm here." he said slightly nervous. "I...I came to ask your forgiveness. I know what I did to you was wrong, and I am truly sorry. When I was doing it, I thought I had reason to."

He saw his son's confused expression. "Let me explain. You look so much like your mother, and it broke my heart to have to see that reminder everyday. And so.." his voice broke with shame, "And so, I thought that if I made your life miserable, I would feel better. But, I didn't. I felt guilty, but I was too stubborn to admit it. I wanted to love you, but I couldn't make myself see past the fact that you were a reminder of the woman I loved."

He sighed, "But I know now, that I was wrong. If...I had just taken the time to get to know you. To see what a special, talented, caring, wonderful person you are. If I had just seen that..."

He sighed again, "But, I didn't. And I have no one to blame but myself for it." He smiled slightly, looking into Ash's eyes. "I don't expect you to forgive me right away, I know it will take awhile. But please, just give me another chance. Please." His tone was pleading now, "That's all I ask, is one more chance."

He eyed his son nervously, would Ash forgive him? Would he strike out, what would he do?