Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
“Derrick is on a trial run while we’re in Europe for the next month. If all goes as planned, I’ll be able to step back a lot from the office.”
He’s had Derrick working at his side a lot since he let my father go.
I haven’t spoken to my father since that day, and I don’t have any plans to. Not yet, at least.
“You know you don’t—” I start to say, but he cuts me off. I would never make him choose between me and the company he’s built.
“I will be a part of all of this. Nothing is more important to me than this family of ours. You and our baby will always come first.”
“How did I get so lucky?”
“I’m the lucky one.” Sammy leans down and brushes his mouth against mine. “I love you. You’re my whole world.”
“I love you too, husband of mine.”
“Then be a good girl and come dance with me, and I’ll feed you cake.”
How could I possibly say no to that?
Epilogue
Samuel
Seven years later
* * *
“Are you sure you want to do this, Parker?” I ask as I look into her eyes and search for a hint of doubt. I don’t see any, but I know she’s nervous. “We can leave right now.”
“No, I want to do this. It’s time.”
“I’ll be by your side the whole time. I’m not going anywhere.”
She smiles softly as she nods. “I know.”
I take her hand in mine, and we walk into the nearly empty restaurant and make our way to the back. I’d specifically asked for a private room today, and we all wanted to be on neutral ground. When the manager of the restaurant comes over to greet us, we keep the chat brief, and he shows us to our room. As soon as he opens the door, I see Parker’s father stand up from the table.
I feel her hesitate for just a second before she takes a deep breath and we walk toward them. There’s not an embrace or a tearful moment, but there is a calm in the room as we all take a seat.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet me,” Louis says.
I squeeze Parker's hand under the table, and she nods. “It’s been a long time.”
“Too long.” There’s regret in his voice, and I’m glad to hear it. “But I want to make this right.” He takes a deep breath and looks directly at Parker. “Your husband was right, even all those years ago when I didn’t want to see it. It took me destroying my life and having to live the consequences of it to see it.”
“I heard Mom left you.” Parker’s voice is even and strong, and I’m so fucking proud of her.
“Yes, last I heard she was remarried to someone, and they were traveling through Europe.”
“Why did you want to see me? After all these years, why now?” Parker squares her shoulders and squeezes my hand back. “Do you need money?”
“No,” he answers quickly. “Your husband has done enough. More than he ever should have.”
When my wife cuts her eyes to me, I clear my throat. “I did pay off his debts the first time I offered.”
“You never said anything,” she says softly.
“I asked him not to,” Louis answers for me. “I knew I fucked up, and I wanted to prove to you that I could be a good man. Maybe not a good father, but a good enough person that you wouldn’t hate me.”
“I don’t hate you.” The words are automatic, but I believe her. Parker doesn’t have a hateful bone in her beautiful body.
“I did all the things that Samuel said I should do. I went to therapy, I got help for my addiction, and I’ve stood on my own feet for the past five years. Since then, I’ve volunteered my time and tried to give back. It’s not enough, but it’s a start, and one that I hope can help bridge our divide.”
“I’ve had people watching you,” I say, and Louis nods as if expecting this. “But you’re not lying. You’ve been doing everything I asked, and I can see that you’ve made an effort to change for the better.” I look at Parker and then back to him. “It’s up to my wife if she’ll let you back into her life, but it’s up to the both of us if we decide to let you near our children.”
I can see tears form in his eyes as he dips his head and begins to nod. “I understand.”
“There’s a lot of healing that needs to happen,” I offer, and I feel him look up as I face Parker. “As a father, I can’t imagine my life without my children, so I know what you’re missing with not having Parker in your life.” When I turn to him, I see he’s looking right at her. “And she’s more incredible with every day that passes.”