Chapter 25 #2
Finally, it was my dad who broke the silence.
“I guess I need to apologize to you, Ace,” he began. “For jumping the gun when you first arrived here with Tessa and assuming the worst. I’m sorry for that. I also need to thank you for everything you’ve been doing recently to look out for my daughter. You have my gratitude, and I’m in your debt.”
An overwhelming sense of peace settled over me, and I thought it was possible things were going to go better than I’d anticipated ever since Ace’s parents had shown up at his place this morning.
But then Ace felt compelled to respond. “I appreciate you saying all of that, but I’m not looking out for your daughter.”
My dad squinted at Ace while my mom and Nikki seemed to sense things were about to take a pivotal turn. Luke said, “I’m not sure what you’re trying to accomplish here, Ace, but I think you might want to offer an explanation and do it quickly.”
Ace draped an arm around my back and squeezed my opposite shoulder. “I’m not looking out for your daughter, because what I’m doing is everything and anything necessary for the woman I love.”
My mom bit her lip, and Nikki’s eyes were dancing with delight. Luke braced himself as his eyes darted between his son and his best friend.
As for my dad, I couldn’t quite get a read on him. He said, “The woman you love?”
Ace jerked his chin down. “Yes. This wasn’t exactly how I thought this would happen, but we’re here now, so I’m not going to hide it.
Tessa and I are together. She means the world to me.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and happy.
And I give you my word that I’ll never do anything to hurt her.
I’m hoping that you’ll give us your blessing, because I’m madly in love with her, and I have no intention of letting her go. ”
Long moments of silence ensued, and I wondered if my dad was simply biding his time. Was it possible he wasn’t going to say anything at all until we were outside? He wouldn’t dare allow things to get physical between Ace and him, would he?
Fearing the worst, I called, “Daddy?”
His head snapped up, eyes immediately on mine. “Yes, sweetheart?”
“I’ve known Ace my whole life. You’ve known him since the day he was born.
You know what kind of man he is. You know his family.
You can’t possibly sit there and say that you think this is a mistake or that he’s not good enough for me.
You know he’d never cheat on me.” I glanced at Ace to see him looking at me with such warmth in his gaze.
Returning my attention to my dad, feeling myself getting choked up, I added, “I love this man. I’m so happy with him.
Ace has shown me that what I had before him wasn’t love.
He’s given me what I deserved to have all along.
He knows what it means to be loyal. And it would mean the world to me if we had your love and support. ”
Ace gave me a reassuring squeeze.
Tears had filled my mom’s eyes, Nikki was positively beaming, and Luke looked like he desperately wanted to be happy for us and just needed my dad to say the words.
“My sweet Tessa,” he started. “I know you’re worried that I’m sitting here, not saying anything, because I’m unhappy about this. That’s not it. You’re right. I know Ace. I know his family. And I know he’d never, ever do anything to hurt you. My problem is that I know what this means.”
“I don’t understand. What does it mean?”
His eyes darted between Ace and me, and when they finally landed on me, he said, “As much as I didn’t like him at all, it was easier for me when you were dating Ryan.
I knew it wouldn’t last. I knew he wasn’t right for you.
But this…” He shook his head. “I know it’s right for you, because Ace is already filling a role for you that even you don’t realize. ”
Some tension was easing out of me because I got the gist that this was leading to something good. But I was still confused. “What role?”
Resignation washed over him. “He’s the most important man in your life now.
When you have a problem, you’re calling him.
You’re not calling me or your brothers. It’s been a week since this stuff happened with you.
I knew nothing about it, and from what I can see, you’re happy and safe.
I finally understand what my father-in-law went through when I started dating your mom.
But I remember wanting nothing more than to have your grandfather’s blessing. ”
I smiled at him, a wave of sympathy crashing over me at my dad’s feelings. He knew Ace wasn’t going anywhere.
“I wish you’d stay my little girl forever, sweet Tessa. I don’t want to let you go. But I know that’s unreasonable, especially when you’ve found a man who is precisely what you need and the kind of man I respect.”
Ace squeezed my shoulder, a way of letting me know he was confident this was the way things would go.
I stood and walked around the table, where my dad was already standing and waiting for me with his arms open. Crashing into him, my arms sliding around his waist, I said, “Thanks, Dad.”
He held me tightly for a long while, well past the point that was reasonable. But since I knew this was so tough for him, I didn’t relent. I waited until he was ready to release me. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head and whispered, “I love you, Tessa.”
“I love you, too.”
Finally, his arms loosened around me, and I returned to my seat.
That’s when Luke croaked, “God, I hope Lark doesn’t put me through this any time soon.”
I bit my lip to stifle my laughter. But it became impossible to hold it in when Nikki said, “Monroe, have you thought about how much fun it’s going to be when we get to start planning all the weddings.”
Mom gasped. “I was just thinking about that!”
Dad and Luke grumbled under their breath, but I didn’t pay much attention. Tipping my chin up, I looked at Ace, grinning.
His eyes were shining as he smiled back.