Chapter 17 Choosing Each Other #2
Whatever Richard decided from this point forward, Nathaniel would respect it.
But he would no longer let someone else's expectations determine the life he was brave enough to choose.
For the first time, choosing himself did not mean choosing against someone else.
It meant choosing the truth.
And the truth was simple.
He loved Evan.
He was going to marry him.
And he was ready to build their future together.
A Father's Acceptance
Evan knew something had changed when his father called.
Richard rarely called without a reason anymore.
Since the photograph had become public and the wedding plans had begun, their conversations had been limited to short messages, most of them practical.
Nothing personal.
Nothing warm.
Nothing that resembled the relationship they had once shared.
So when Evan saw his father's name on his phone that evening, his heart immediately tightened.
He answered.
"Hello?"
"I'd like to see you."
Evan sat up.
"Okay."
"Just you."
Evan understood.
"Where?"
"Come to the house."
The word still carried weight.
"All right."
Richard paused.
"And Evan?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want Nathaniel there."
Evan swallowed.
"I'll come alone."
The call ended.
Evan sat quietly for a moment.
Nathaniel was in the next room reviewing some wedding arrangements.
When Evan told him about the call, Nathaniel didn't hesitate.
"Go."
Evan looked at him.
"You're not worried?"
"I am."
"But?"
"But this is between you and your father."
Evan nodded.
Nathaniel touched his hand.
"Whatever happens, you don't have to choose between us tonight."
Evan smiled faintly.
"You're getting good at saying that."
"I've had practice."
Evan kissed his cheek.
"I'll be back."
Nathaniel's eyes softened.
"I'll be here."
The drive to his father's house was quiet.
Evan had made this trip countless times.
He knew every turn.
Every familiar building.
Every tree along the road.
But tonight everything felt different.
He wasn't returning as a child.
He wasn't coming home to ask his father for permission.
He was going to have a difficult conversation as an adult.
When he arrived, Richard opened the door himself.
For a moment, father and son simply looked at each other.
Richard stepped aside.
"Come in."
Evan entered.
The house felt exactly the same.
That almost hurt more than if everything had changed.
The family photographs were still on the walls.
His childhood pictures.
Graduation.
Birthdays.
Holidays.
There was even one photograph of Evan standing beside Nathaniel and Richard when Evan had been much younger.
Evan looked away.
Richard noticed.
"Come into the study."
Evan followed him.
They sat opposite each other.
Neither spoke immediately.
Finally, Richard said, "I spoke to Nathaniel."
Evan's heart tightened.
"What did he say?"
"He didn't attack me."
Evan nodded.
"That's Nathaniel."
Richard looked down.
"He said he loves you."
Evan swallowed.
"He does."
"I asked him whether he was willing to give you up."
Evan's breath caught.
"What did he say?"
"He said no."
Evan looked at his father.
Richard's expression was tired.
"He said he respects your choices."
Evan didn't know what to say.
Richard continued.
"He said he won't demand my forgiveness."
Evan looked down.
"That sounds like him."
Richard gave a humorless smile.
"You've changed him."
Evan looked up.
"Maybe."
"Or maybe I just never knew him as well as I thought."
Evan remained silent.
Richard leaned back.
"I've been angry."
"I know."
"Very angry."
"I know."
"I felt betrayed."
Evan's eyes lowered.
"I know."
Richard's voice became quieter.
"Not just because you are with him."
Evan looked at him.
"Then what?"
"Because I trusted him."
Evan nodded slowly.
"I understand."
"I thought I knew the boundaries."
"So did he."
Richard looked at him.
"Then why did it happen?"
Evan took a breath.
"Because we fell in love."
Richard looked away.
"That simple?"
"No."
Evan shook his head.
"Not simple at all."
He thought about everything they had survived.
"It started with attraction."
Richard's expression tightened.
Evan continued.
"Then fear."
He paused.
"Then the pregnancy."
Richard looked at him.
"But the love came separately."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I didn't fall in love with him because I was pregnant."
Richard didn't answer.
"I was already falling for him before I knew."
Richard's face became conflicted.
Evan continued.
"He tried to walk away."
Richard looked surprised.
"He did?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because he thought the age difference made it wrong."
Richard was silent.
"He thought he was protecting me."
"And you disagreed."
"I did."
Richard rubbed his hands together.
"I still struggle with that."
"I know."
"You're twenty-three."
"I know."
"He's forty-one."
"I know."
"That's eighteen years."
"I know."
Richard looked frustrated.
"You keep saying that."
"Because none of it is a secret."
Evan's voice softened.
"I know exactly how old he is."
Richard sighed.
"I worry that you don't understand what it means to build a life with someone who has already lived so much of his."
"I've thought about that."
"Have you?"
"Every day."
Evan leaned forward.
"I know our lives are different."
Richard listened.
"I know he has more money."
"I know."
"He has more experience."
"I know."
"He has more influence."
"I know."
"And I know that makes our relationship complicated."
Richard's expression softened slightly.
"But?"
"But complicated doesn't mean impossible."
Richard looked at him.
"I need you to understand something."
"What?"
"I don't expect you to stop worrying about me."
Richard frowned.
"You don't?"
"No."
Evan smiled sadly.
"You're my father. You're going to worry about me whether I'm twenty-three or fifty-three."
Richard almost smiled.
"Probably."
"But I need you to trust that I am capable of making my own decisions."
Richard looked down.
"I don't know if I can."
"You have to try."
The words were gentle.
But firm.
Richard took a long breath.
"I keep thinking about when you were a child."
"I know."
"I remember holding you."
Evan's eyes burned.
"I remember you running through this house."
Evan smiled.
"I remember."
"And now you're telling me you're going to marry Nathaniel."
"Yes."
Richard looked at him.
"Sometimes I still see the child."
Evan's voice softened.
"But I'm not that child anymore."
Richard nodded.
"I know."
"I've built a life."
"I know."
"I make my own money."
"I know."
"I make my own decisions."
"I know."