My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Maximus was at home, going through his to-do list. He had to leave everything in order. As he had said a few days ago, he was going to accompany Paul to the Maldives, so he needed to review all the documents that required his attention.

His focus broke when someone knocked on the door. He was surprised to see his daughter, Serenity. At first glance, the image that came to mind was of a young Mary.

"Hey, Maximus! Am I interrupting?" Serenity asked, still standing at the entrance.

"Hey, sweetheart! No, no! Come in! Come in! I'm just going over some things I need to wrap up before my trip," Maximus said, getting up from his chair.

"You're going on a trip?" Serenity asked curiously.

"Yeah! I'm heading to the Maldives. Paul wants me to take him," Maximus said casually.

"Oh, I see. It's because of Nadia, isn't it?" Serenity said, raising an eyebrow.

"So her name is Nadia?" Maximus asked with a smile, walking toward his daughter.

"Yeah, he met her in the Maldives. To be honest, I didn't get a good vibe from her, but Paul seemed really interested," Serenity said as she stepped in and closed the study door.

"Do you want something to drink? Water, coffee, tea?" Maximus asked, hugging his daughter.

"No, Maximus, I'm good. I just stopped by to visit and chat for a bit. I know we haven't talked much since we got back, but with everything-Peter, my mother, my father and then my pregnancy, we haven't had much free time."

"I know, sweetheart! I know, and I understand. First and foremost, they are your family, and we're still getting to know each other. But I want you to know that even if we don't see each other all the time, I love you I love you with all my heart," Maximus said, holding her close and kissing her forehead.

"I know, Maximus! Hey, I wanted to invite you and the guys to dinner..." Serenity said, taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of her father's desk.

"When? What are we celebrating?" Maximus asked with interest.

He had a hunch about the reason, though he wasn't sure how to react. Marcus definitely wouldn't be happy to see him, but if Serenity was inviting him, there wasn't much that man could do to stop it.

"Next weekend. Alden and I are setting a date for the wedding, and I'd love for you to be there," Serenity said with certainty.

"Oh, sweetheart! I still can't wrap my head around it-one, that you're my daughter, and two, that you and Alden are going to be parents," Maximus said, looking at her intently.

"I think you're handling it just fine. My dad, on the other hand, every time he sees Alden, looks like he

wants to strangle him. He tries toet

control himself, but he's not very good at it," Serenity said, a little embarrassed.

"If I were in his position, I'd probably feel the same way. But in my case, your husband is also my nephew, and that's... complicated, don't you think?" Maximus said with a

sarcastic smile. "Besides, I enjoy seeing Alden get on your dad's nerves."

"Dad! Alden isn't doing it on purpose. My father just doesn't know how to handle it

yet," Serenity said nervously.

"And I say I appreciate it..." Maximus teased.

"You two are impossible, aren't you?" Serenity said, shaking her head.

"Pretty much! To be honest, I don't like your father, and I never will. But for you, I try to behave. So when someone manages to piss him off, I enjoy it" Maximus admitted like a mischievous kid proud of a

"You guys act like children..."

Swank.

"Maybe, but if you think about it, our hatred is mutual."

"From hate to love..."

"Nope. I would never be friends with a man like him."

"Mmm... you never know! One day, when you're both old and realize life goes on, maybe you'll be three old men sitting down for coffee together," Serenity said, smiling.