Chapter 21
FORD
“You okay with Connor back at school and Brielle in Hollows?” he asks as he slides the plate to Gracie who attempts to pick up a few pieces with her fingers.
“I mean, I would rather they be here, but it’s doable. I try to head there once during the week, and they come here on the weekends. Maybe the space is also a good thing.” I’m not going to lie, I’ve felt a little down lately.
Hudson gives me the once-over. “She’s still not feeling great, huh?”
“Physically she’s fine. I think she has come to terms with the Bar exam and the idea that she has to repeat the test, but it’s more our parents being complete idiots that really triggered her.”
“Did she even get her test results yet?”
“No, but she said that she blanked out on the last section, so it isn’t possible to get the score she needs.
Anyway, she isn’t sure what to do career-wise.
I also don’t ask anymore. I recognize that there are maybe more opportunities in Chicago than there are here, and I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t wish for certainty that she would end up here. I mean, I’ll follow her wherever.”
Hudson grabs his iced tea. “Give it time. When the results come in, then maybe more clarity will come.”
I scoff a sound and grab a fry. “We have a few weeks still, but I already told Connor to check the mail so he can grab the envelope before Brielle sees it, then I can guarantee I’m there for her when she opens it.”
“And your parents?”
Grabbing another fry, I smile bitterly to myself. “Her parents hate me. Or at least her dad. We had a big blowout the other week.”
“Have you tried talking to him?”
“Hell no, I’m not going to waste my breath.”
Hudson leans back and grins. “Don’t do that. You’re a man now who has maturity and class. Be the man you would want your own daughter to marry.”
“I don’t have a daughter,” I rebuff.
“But I do, and I’m older and wiser. Trust me, you may never see eye to eye, but at least be able to say you tried.”
I groan because he’s right. I owe it to Connor and Brielle at least.
“I have my own father to deal with first. Besides, I feel guilty,” I admit. “Her father may have a point. I threw a lot at Brielle this summer, for my own advantage.”
Hudson checks on Gracie’s eating progress before fixing his gaze on me.
“Love makes us do crazy things. The last time I checked, the two of you aren’t new.
I also don’t think entering into a relationship that’s been years in the making needs a right date.
Love is organic, so it works in its own time. ”
I tip my chin up. “I kind of pushed fate along on this one.”
“And she didn’t run away.”
“I just…” I bite my inner cheek, frustrated. “I hate that her dad is so damn right. She sacrificed more.”
“You can’t change what was done. You both have to learn to let it go.”
“I feel like I can only do that once I know she is at peace with how the cards fell. I feel like she is lost a little right now, and I hate that.” I rub my temples with my fingers. I’m stressed to say the least.
Hudson curls a finger to rub his upper lip. “Patience can be the best medicine. I don’t particularly have it, but I know that sometimes people need to figure out something on their own before they return to you.”
“I wasn’t sure if that’s the philosophy that I should follow, but grand gestures and ultimatums don’t seem fitting right now.”
He taps the table with his knuckle. “Then wait.”
I nod and turn my attention to Gracie who squeals and has ketchup all over her face, and it’s hard not to smile weakly at that.
“By the way, my sister asked about Brielle.” As she probably would since Brielle interned for her a while back. “She wants to meet up with her to give career advice but only after Brielle gets her Bar results, because she believes that you shouldn’t plan on a maybe. Lawyers like hard facts.”
“I appreciate that.”
“She also mentioned that there is a small practice in the county over that will have someone retiring in the spring. She could put in a good word.”
I hold my hand up. “As much as I would love for Brielle to work in law and be permanently in Lake Spark, it needs to come from her. I’m not going to push it. I’ve done enough lately to play with fate.”
He smiles to himself. “You’ll look back at all of this one day and it will make sense, I promise.”
I tap my finger in the air to show I hear him and quite frankly believe him too.
Sitting across from Margo, I admire how she always has fresh tea and cakes at the ready in her conservatory. Granted, my sister has already been here for an hour, so my last-minute visit is a coincidence for Margo’s social etiquette. I only phoned her this morning.
Violet pours me some tea that I will never drink, but I can’t say no in front of Margo. “After graduation, and as soon as I have enough money, I think I need to set my roots somewhere.”
“Of course you do, dear. You’re beautiful, and a man will want to snap you up. They are more inclined if you show stability.” Margo places her teacup back on the saucer.
I have to chortle because I know Margo is only partly joking.
“Flowers. I’m good with flowers.” Violet seems to ignore Margo’s statement and speak to herself.
Margo turns her attention to me. “I’ve been waiting for you to come back to me.”
I fold my arms over my chest and lean back. “Why is that?” I ask dryly.
“I’m not a fool, I know your engagement story with Brielle had a few holes.
But I appreciated the effort and the fun I had phoning the flower shop.
Your parents were shocked for sure when they found out at the hospital.
I’m not sure why, though, it’s a perfect love story that you both finally get your reunion. ” Margo seems to be reflecting.
Violet raises her brows at me.
Blowing out a long breath, I adjust my posture in the seat, leaning forward with my elbows on my thighs. “I might have embellished a few facts, but it was also the catalyst to, well… a lot.”
“I gathered. I heard a few whispers from your sister when I asked where to send flowers to Brielle after the hospital.” She looks up when I hear someone enter the room behind me. “There you are,” she smiles proudly.
My eyes land on my father.
Violet leans to my side to whisper, “Truthfully, you’ve been kind of set up.”
I roll my eyes.
“Ford.” My father’s greeting is short.
“Hello.” I can’t bring myself to look at him.
“How is Brielle?” He attempts to sound concerned.
Now it grabs my attention. “You care?”
“Of course, she is Connor’s mother.”
Violet taps her fingers on the table. “Look at you two talking,” she says in an attempt to make peace.
“I think you two need to talk like men. Neither Violet nor I are in the mood for children at our table,” Margo informs us without losing a moment of dropping a sandwich on her plate.
“You planned this?” I ask Margo.
“You know me, breezing in like a southern wind when you need it.” A proud smirk is hinted on her lips.
My eyes turn to my father who is staring at me, before my sister pulls on his arm so he sits down next to her.
Violet clears her throat, indicating for my father to speak.
“It’s good we’re here. Gives us a chance to talk. I didn’t want to disturb you the past few weeks, as I know your focus has been on Brielle and her recovery.”
“Yes, and?”
“At the hospital, it occurred to me that you might still hold a grudge against me for how things went down back then.”
“That’s an understatement.” I don’t even look at him.
My sister kicks me under the table, informing me that I should be more open to this conversation. Looking up, I see that my father hasn’t lost his focus on me.
“I can’t change the past, but I need to point out that I think you and Brielle together now makes sense.”
My head perks up in surprise. “You what?” I need to double-check.
“You have my full support.”
“Why now?” I’m wary.
“You’re a real adult now, and Connor is older. You should get everything you worked for, including Brielle.” An audible breath escapes him, and he seems surprised by his own admission.
My eyes search Margo and Violet, and they both give a reassuring smile.
“Didn’t Brielle ruin my life, according to you?”
A sneer plays on his lips. “I did say something like that once, but the reality is that it takes two to create a pregnancy, plus people change, and Brielle has always been a sweet person.”
Violet shakes her head at me. “Don’t question the why, but he is genuine, we talked about it.”
“I think you have enough on your plate, and I don’t want you to think I’m an extra block,” my father adds.
I rub my forehead with my hand before taking a deep breath, wondering if aliens landed somewhere.
“Sometimes reconciliation is easy and simple,” Margo mumbles to me.
Everyone waits for me to say something, and I’m just struggling to digest the last few minutes.
Maybe they’re right, sometimes we don’t need to question more.
“I appreciate it,” I manage to say. My eyes meet my father’s. I’m still skeptical yet convinced enough. To be honest, other than the moment when I told him Brielle was pregnant, he’s been supportive for almost everything.
Violet claps her hands together. “Hug it out. You know you want to.”
Slightly awkward, but what the hell. Margo is right and we should take the wins without question sometimes.
Reluctantly, or rather unsure, I stand at the same time as my father, and we hug it out. In the awkward-as-fuck, half-a-hug kind of way. I’m not sure why some odd dose of chemicals hits me, but I’m slightly affected, not in a bad way.
“See? I needed this before I move. You get the girl, closure with your father, and a fuck-you to Jim. I hope you all visit me down in Florida.” Margo drinks from her tea.
We all look to one another and have to smile.
Later, when I’m back home and staring out my living room window with a glass of scotch hanging from my hand, I take the energy of the day and decide to extend an olive branch.
Phoning Brielle’s father, I wait for him to pick up. The rim of the glass hits my lips for one last sip.
“Ford,” her father greets me.
Blowing out a breath, I rip the band-aid off.
“Listen, we both want what is best for Brielle. You have your theories about me, and I’m only going to tell you that you’re right.
I’m a selfish asshole. But the thing is, I don’t care.
If it means I get Brielle and can make her happy every day, then fine, call me selfish.
I’ve waited ten fucking years for your daughter.
There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for her.
You either accept it or move on, because here is another thing, Jim.
She’s going to be my wife, and I have no problem flaunting that fact in front of you for the years to come, because Brielle and I make one another happy.
You don’t need to watch out for her, I’m her protector now.
Whether you can move on or not, just know that she’s in good hands, and ten years can make your love for someone become unbreakable. ”
Hitting the red button, I toss my phone to the sofa and finish my drink.
Not exactly an olive branch, but that felt damn good.