Chapter 418
“Your dads alright”. He spoke.
I turned in his embrace. “He is isn’t he and thank you for doing this p>
“Family is everything Leah and I wouldn’t keep you from yours p>
Everything seemed to be going in the right direction. Jake and I were better than ever. I had been accepted into college and now my dad was finally part of my life. Trying to ignore the little bit of doubt I had I placed a kiss on his cheek. “I love and appreciate you and I hope you know that p>
“I love and appreciate you too babe”. He kissed the top of my head just as the microwave dinged. “I’m going to go for a shower I won’t be long p>
“Okay p>
I was heating up some food when my dad cleared his throat behind me. “I’m grateful for the hospitality you and Jake have shown me. It wasn’t my intention to stay here, and I hope you don’t think I planned this”. “No”. I shook my head. “I don’t think that, but I am curious as to why you came here tonight instead of waiting till morning p>
“I like to get a head start on things and I thought we could spend a few days together. It would be nice to finally get to know my daughter. If that’s okay with you p>
“Yeah”. I smiled. “I have plans tomorrow around lunch time but I’m free after that if you want to do something p>
“I would like to take you to dinner p>
I nodded. “I’d like that. I love Mexican food just so you know”. I grinned.
“Noted”. He laughed. “I have something else to ask you”. He spoke.
My stomach tightened, the dread settling. I always thought the worst before I even knew what was coming.
“Okay”. I frowned.
“How would you like to meet your gran? Your other gran?”. He asked.
Oh wow. Of course, I want to meet her, I want to meet all my family in time. We had missed so much. They had missed my full childhood.
“It doesn’t have to be straight away but she’s dying to meet you p>
“Yeah, yes”. I smiled. “I’d love to meet with her p>
“Excellent”. He smiled. “You could always come back with me and stay for a few days if you want p>
“Stay where for a few days?”. Jake asked as he appeared at the kitchen door. “What’s happening p>
I chewed the inside of my cheek. Somehow, I don’t think Jake was going to let me go without an argument.
“I was asking if Leah wanted to drive back with me for a visit and stay for a few days p>
“I see”. He walked to the fridge and took out a bottle of water. “A few days p>
“She has a lot of people who want to meet her Jake. I can assure you she’ll be safe the whole time she is with us p>
“She doesn’t need my permission, Jack. If she wants to go with you she can. I won’t stop her p>
I was at least expecting an argument but for him to just be okay with-it kind of threw me off. He didn’t like when I was away from him, didn’t like us being apart I didn’t either, but it was time for this to happen.
It was time we all came together as a family finally. I had gone so long without one and I wasn’t going to give this chance up but right now I had so much going on with my gran here and my auntie Claire on the way. I had to deal with them. I couldn’t up and leave until we were all on the same page.
“I would like that but”. I glanced at Jake. “I have a few things to sort out here first. Maybe in a few weeks p>
“Of course, sweetheart whenever you’re ready p>
I nodded giving him a smile. “Are you okay with eating this out the tub or would you prefer it on a plate?”. I asked.
“It’s fine just the way it is”. He smiled.
I fixed him a mug of tea and placed his food on the table.
Did I mention it was still weird having my dad here?
It wasn’t long before we were saying goodnight and heading to bed. Jake showed my dad where he’d be spending the night while I headed into our room.
I was scrolling through my phone struggling to keep my eyes open when Jake joined me.
“I really like him”. He pulled back the covers and got in beside me. “And I think it’ll be good for you that he’s here p>
I placed my phone on the nightstand before I turned onto my side to face him. “If I go with him for a few days, can you come with me?”. My eyes were already closed so I couldn’t see his reaction. Man, I was tired tonight.
“Do you want me to p>
I frowned. “Yes, of course I do. You’re my safe place and I would like it if you came with me p>
“Okay baby”. His hands found my waist and he pulled me to him. “I’m proud of you do you know that”. He kissed the top of my head, but I didn’t hear anything after that.
I was dead to the world and no doubt snoring within minutes.