Chapter 122
Vanessa
With my father telling everyone else I’m only left with Mia to tell. Even though I only tell her on the phone, it’s more difficult than I thought it would be.
“I’m so sorry about this,” she says. “I just want to hug you right now, but I’m out of the country.”
I chuckle painfully. “You can always hug me when you come back.”
“How’s Dominic taking all this?”
As I respond, I instantly think about the kiss right before he left. I still can’t stop thinking about the possibility that he did it out of pity and it makes me a little sad.
“And you know what?” she says, “I was going to ask you about how it went with Patrick yesterday, but now obviously isn’t the time. It’ll be up to you to tell me all about it when you’re ready.” “Thanks for understanding.”
“How could I not understand when I’m your best friend?”
I chuckle softly.
Hearing footsteps from the staircase, I look up and notice my father in a different suit, which instantly makes me narrow my eyes.
“Can I call you back?” I say to Mia.
“Of course. Take all the time you need.”
Right after the call, I approach the stairs and wait until he gets to the bottom step.
“Dad, what’s going on? Why do you look like you’re going out?”
“I am,” he says, fixing his collar.
“But where are you going?”
“I know I said I was going to tell everyone over the phone, but I think it’s better to do it in person. Do you want to come with me?” “No. I’ll stay right here and wait for you.”
He holds my hand. “You don’t even have to tell me the reason behind it. I can already see it.”
I press my lips together with a nod. The last thing I want is to relive that moment from yesterday when he broke the news to Dominic and me.
“I’m so glad you’re staying here for a few days, but this only means Dominic will be here so many times to check on his lovely wife.”
“Dad, stop.” I smile, feeling a little embarrassed.
“But that’s the truth. You won’t be home for a few days and-”
Suddenly, he looks to the side and coughs painfully, twisting his face in discomfort. I get closer, my heart instantly racing in panic. “Dad? Are you okay?”
He coughs once again, then relaxes his facial muscles and sighs with relief.
“I’m alright,” he assures me.
“I don’t believe you.” I shake my head.
“I’m used to this by now.” He smiles, still trying to ease my concern. “It’ll only happen more frequently. Please don’t worry about me too much because I’m already worried about you.” I sigh in defeat, still not satisfied with the way things are going.
While my father is away, I constantly take strolls around the yard and in most of the rooms, trying to relive all the memories that I hold dear to me and those that have to do with my father.
With no one to see me, I break down again for a few minutes, then compose myself and proceed to look for a distraction. I put on a show but barely watch it as I not only think about what it’s going to be like as the months go by, but also hoping to see my father holding his grandchild with joy.
Suddenly, my phone rings, making me flinch a little. The caller ID makes me purse my lips for a moment. I haven’t spoken to Patrick since I left his apartment yesterday and he hasn’t been in touch with me either.
Only looking for distractions, I decide to pick up his call.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Vanessa.” He awkwardly clears his throat. “How are you doing?”
“Great.”
“I don’t think you mean that and I know what’s wrong.”
“You do?” I sit up more, wondering how he found out about my father’s health condition.
“Yes, it’s about yesterday,” he says.
I sigh with relief, realizing that he’s thinking of something else but because it’s something I already wanted to talk about, I don’t let the opportunity slip away from me.
“You’re right. This is about yesterday. I actually wanted to talk to you about it in person but since we’re already on the topic, I didn’t like that.”
“I can tell. I’m sorry I just…” He trails off.
“Go on. Tell me.”
“Maybe some other time. I was just checking on you because we haven’t spoken ever since that happened. Are we cool?”
I sigh. “Of course.”
After the call, I rest the back of my head against my seat, feeling just a bit better because I got that out of the way, but what else does he have to say?
My father returns in the evening but he’s not alone. Dominic’s entire family’s with him and they keep comforting me, yet it’s my father who needs that. I soon understand that this is a collective attempt to make me feel better and as they all embrace me while we talk, it already makes a difference.
While we’re all in the living room, Dominic arrives and raises his eyebrows as he looks around at everyone. He then makes eye contact with me and I just shrug. It seems he’s just as surprised as I am. Dinner is filled with so much chatter as everyone gathers at the dining table and having such a large family present makes me so much better. I look around and smile, my heart filled with gratitude. I didn’t know I needed this.
Three days after staying with my father, I’m finally ready to go home but still plan on making frequent visits to my father’s house.
Dominic comes to pick me up, but not without sharing breakfast with him. Even though he came here every day, he didn’t spend the night like the first time as he had so much work to do. Considering how things are, I’m glad he didn’t as it wouldn’t have made any difference to me. I haven’t had any other thoughts lately, other than gaining a new appreciation for him and my father’s health.
The ride home is silent during the first few minutes until he says, “So, about your Uncle Jerry.”
I instantly roll my eyes. “What about him?”
“What’s he like? I know I get to meet him soon now that the entire family knows about my father-in-law’s health but I’m curious.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “It’s even crazy that you have to ask me what my uncle is like. He should’ve been there at my wedding, but he wasn’t. My dad doesn’t have the best relationship with him.” “That’s why I’m so curious about him.”
“You’ll find out when you meet him. I won’t spoil it for you and who knows? Maybe he’s changed.”
“Changed?” He furrows his eyebrows.
“You’ll see.”
After we arrive home, I head up to my bedroom so I can take a shower and he follows right behind me, heading to his own bedroom.
As soon as I open the door to my room, my jaw drops in shock at the sight before me.
Walking in, I say, “What happened here? Where’s all the stuff I usually have on my dressing mirror?”
He sighs as he comes in, making me turn around to face him.
“The night I had a few drinks with my father-in-law, some of the things we talked about made me realize that things need to be different because you’re pregnant.”
“What are you talking about?”
Taking a step forward, he says, “Starting now, you and I will sleep in the same bedroom.”