Page 33 of Three Stepbrothers Save Christmas

“Sorry, Verity, dear. I didn’t see you there. You’re up awfully early,” she points out, looking up at the clock on the wall.

“I always get up early. Dad says it’s important to make the most out of the day. Is he still sleeping?” I ask, looking around.

“No, he’s up in our room, dear. Pa.”

I don’t hear what she says past Dear as I’m rushing back up the stairs towards his room. As I get to the top of the stairs, I see Ryan stepping onto the landing.

“I need to talk to you.”

“Not, now I need to speak to my dad,” I call, side-stepping around him and rushing for my dad's room.

“But that’s why I need to speak to you, Kitten. I.”

“Not now, Ryan,” I call, opening Dad's door and rushing inside. “Dad, you in here?”

“In the wardrobe, Pumpkin.”

I almost skip to his large walk-in wardrobe, eager to see him. He is inside, with the suitcase open on the floor, and he places a hanger on one of his rails.

“I’m sure I’m meant to have a bigger wardrobe than you,” I laugh as I hug him. I feel his arms wrap around me and, for a moment, savour the feeling. My dad has always given the best cuddles and I miss them when he’s not here.

“You know most of this is stuff that Linda insists I have. I don’t need half these suits, but she is adamant I don’t wear the same one twice to an event.”

He chuckles as he rummages through his shirts.

“So, I thought we could do something today. We could go to the Christmas market or out for breakfast and then for a walk. What do you say, Dad? Let’s spend some time just me and you.”

“That sounds lovely, but I have plans; sorry, Pumpkin. Maybe another time,” Dad replies, keeping his back to me as he looks through his shirts.

“Oh, okay, sure. Maybe tomorrow?” I offer, feeling deflated but trying desperately to hide it.

“I was thinking more like the new year if we’re back.”

My stomach drops as I realise what he means.

“You aren’t unpacking, are you?” I ask as he finally turns around, smiling with a shirt in his hand.

“No. We‘re leaving any minute. We were offered a last-minute chance to spend the holidays with Linda's family in Hawaii. We wouldn’t have flown back a few days ago if we had known.”

“A few days? You’ve been back and not even bothered to come and see me?” I demand. My dad looks at me with that disappointed look he gets, and I feel myself sinking into myself.

“You know I have to work hard, Pumpkin. Your school costs so much, and this house isn’t cheap to run. But you deserve the best, and I work extremely hard to give it to you. Because of that, I’ve had all kinds of meetings going on; yesterday was the first chance I had to come back.”

“I’ve told you I would give up the dancing and the house. That way, you wouldn’t have to work away so much. You only just got home, and I haven’t seen you in months.” My eyes and throat start to burn as I feel the tears starting, which I know will disappoint him.

He walks up to me and cups my cheek.

“Now, don’t cry. I have missed you too. I know it’s not ideal, but it’s just the way things have worked out. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” He reaches into his pocket and hands me his handkerchief. “Now dry those eyes. No one wants to see that sad face.”

I take the fabric from him and pat it under my eyes, forcing back the tears. He tips my chin up and smiles.

“That’s better. Now, why don’t we get this suitcase packed and have no more tantrums, okay?”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak, as I force a smile onto my face. “There's my sweet girl.”

“Darling, have you put everything in the car?” Linda calls as I stand outside of the house, watching my father slam the trunk closed.

“Yes, honey. Everything is just the way you like it,” he calls before walking to the front steps where Ryan and I are standing. Ryan has tried to speak to me a few times, but I’ve ignored him. I can’t risk speaking, not yet.

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