Page 20 of My Perfect Valentine

My father stands and shakes Logan’s hand and opens his arms for me to hug him. Which I happily fall into.

“I’m so happy you two could join us,” my father says.

“Yes, of course,” I say. Wilting under my mother’s gaze. There’s no anger or disappointment coming off her, and I’m growing more uncomfortable by the second.

I waiver over jumping into the conversation or having my mother broach the subject. This is all uncharted territory with how she’s acting.

“So, I’m starving, how about–” my father says, but my mother interrupts him, which is unlike her. She finds it rude.

“I’m so sorry, Addison. If I had known that’s how he treated you, I would’ve done something.”

My jaw drops as I’ve never heard my mother apologize about anything before, and here she is apologizing to me.

“Witnessing last night,” my mother pauses and purses her lips together. “I can’t believe I kept putting you in his path, thinking I was making a good match for you. I worry about you and want to make sure you have the best life. Since you didn’t want to be a doctor, I figured the next best thing was to be married to one.”

Logan’s hand grips my thigh when he finds it’s bouncing up and down frantically.

Shocked, I remain silent, which seems to make my mother decide to continue.

“I don’t know what to do to fix any of this, but I’m going to listen. And I mean really listen to what you have to say. Your father and I stayed up all night working through everything and he had some strong points to make and I never paid attention to before, but that’s changing right now. I never want to find you in the position you were in last night ever again.

“I’m not the warmest mother, but I am your mother, and I love you very much. I’m going to work on showing that to you better.”

“And I’m going to talk to your mother more, and step in when needed,” my dad states.

Logan remains quiet as he lets the conversation happen. I expected none of this, and I don’t know what to do or say.

“Okay.” Is the only word to come out of my mouth as I’m too speechless. My parents only nod, and their shoulders slump as I say nothing for a while longer. But once my wits come about me, I continue. “I’m not cut out to be a doctor, and I still don’t know what I want to do with my life. It may be old fashioned and not to your standards, but all I’ve ever wanted was to have a loving and supportive family of my own. To be a wife and have an amazing husband with the most beautiful children. And trying to come up with a career when that’s all I’ve ever wanted has been impossible.”

I grab onto Logan's hand resting on my thigh and wait for my mother, at least, to scoff at my dreams. Something I’ve never voiced before and never thought about because my progressive mother wouldn’t understand or accept it. Logan is teaching me differently, though. I can escape my parent’s shadow and live the way I want to live. Either with or without them in my life.

My parents nod, my dad smiles while my mom nods enthusiastically. It has me thinking she cares and wants to be a part of my life, but I’m not holding my breath. She’ll have to prove it to me. Her actions are going to have to speak louder than her words.

“Logan is a major part of my dream. I love him and he’s staying whether or not you accept it.”

Logan squeezes my thigh tighter, and it dawns on me what I said. I panic.

Did I say I love Logan, in front of him, to my parents when we’ve only got together yesterday?

I struggle with keeping my panic at bay, but one problem at a time.

My dad speaks first. “Of course we accept Logan. You two are crazy for each other. And any man who will protect you like he did last night will always have my blessing.”

“I agree. I apologize to you too Logan, I wasn’t the most welcoming last night, but it’s my issue and not yours.”

Logan nods. “That’s nice to hear, because I love your daughter very much and I’m always going to be right by her side—making sure every dream and wish she has will come true. Consider me in the wish granting business when it comes to Addie.”

I want to cry and jump around with joy. He loves me too. And even both my parents have big grins on their faces. This brunch is turning out way better than I expected, and it’s going to take me a minute to soak it all in.

“I appreciate your apologies. And I love you both and forgive you, but it’s still going to take time for me to believe the changes.”

“Of course, I understand that, and I will prove it to you. You’ll see. Thank you for giving me the chance to prove it.”

I nod and let a small smile peek out to my mom. We won’t fix an entire relationship over one meal, but this is the best start I could ever hope for.

“Well, okay, how about we order, shall we?” my dad says as he opens up the menu and waves the server over. She quickly responds and I lift my brow at my father.

“When your mother started in, I waved her off. Since then, she’s been eyeing us, waiting for us to order.”

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