Page 36 of Bread with the Orc
“Soproud,” I murmured, and when I lowered my head to kiss him, I heard more cheers.
I was still buzzing with excitement as we skipped—well,Iskipped, Dorvak stomped—back toward our booth. There would be an engraved plaque delivered in a few weeks, and we were discussing where to hang it.
“Right next to the register, where everyone can see it,” I insisted. “They need to know how awesome you are.”
He shook his head. “It would look better to be humble about it. Let’s stick it by the restrooms?—”
I glanced up to see what had caused him to cut off his words, and sucked in a breath when I saw who blocked our path.
My father was nevernotimpeccably dressed, but today he looked older, more frail than he had a week ago. Had he not been sleeping? My heart jumped with worry.“Baba?”
The hand he held up seemed hesitant, uncertain…unlike my father. “Lan-Yee—” He seemed to catch himself, reconsider, then take a deep breath. “Laney. May I speak…with you both?”
I gripped Dorvak’s hand. Oh God, what was wrong? What was he going to tell us?
It was my Mate who answered for me. “You can say anything to us right here.”
My father glanced around at the crowd that flowed around us. Then he nodded once and faced us more fully. His chin rose, and even though they were sunken, surrounded by dark circles, I recognized the strength in his eyes.
“Last week, after our…interaction, I couldn’t stop thinking about…” Another deep breath. “A grandson. I realized I was about to lose my daughter because of my own pride and harsh standards.” He gripped his hands in front of him. “Your mother would be ashamed of how I treated you.” Dark eyes flicked to Dorvak, then away. “Both of you.”
“Oh,Baba.” I lurched forward, wanting to hug him, but Dorvak pulled me to a stop at the same time my father shuffled backward.
“I have more to say, and you will let me say it, Blossom.”
How long had it been since he’d called me that? My eyes filled with tears, and even though I reached for him, I didn’t move.
But when Father folded his hands in front of him and bowed at the waist, I sucked in a shocked gasp. He was bowing…to me? “Baba?”
“I was wrong, and I ask for your forgiveness.” When he straightened, he gestured toward their booth. “This isn’t failure. You have built something that might not make you rich, but will fill your hearts. It isreal, and it mattersto people. Your mother loved tea because it brought people together and created harmony. Your shop does that, and I should not have judged it purely on the money it could make you.”
I was outright crying now. “I—I forgive you,Baba,” I sobbed.
With a grunt, Dorvak released my hand, and I flew forward to throw myself at my father. It had been years since we hugged, and his posture was stiff. But when my arms went around his shoulders, he unbent long enough to pat me gently on the back.
Over my shoulder, he met Dorvak’s eyes.
“I am also sorry, Blossom, for disparaging your choice of husband.”
“Mate,” I corrected him, wiping my cheek on his shoulder.
His lips twitched wryly. “Mate, then. I don’t understand your choice, but he is your choice, not mine to make for you.”
I’m not sure why I blurted, “He asked me to marry him.” Maybe I wanted my father to understand that monsters and humans could honor one another’s customs.
Babanodded in satisfaction. “Then you will have the biggest wedding Harmony Glen has seen.”
I didn’t want that, but Ididwant my father to be happy, and if throwing an epic party for his business partners would do that, then I would gladly invite my friends. Heck, maybe it would help monster-human relations.
With a deep breath, my father unwrapped my arms from around his neck and moved me to his side. He lifted his chin and addressed Dorvak while keeping a hand on my back. “I was wrong to call you the help, when it is clearly you who have helped build such a success. Anyone who defends my daughter like that, who has built a life and a business with her…” He trailed off, his face twisted into a grimace. “I will call son.”
My brows shot up and my gaze snapped to Dorvak’s. Did he realize what a concession that was?
My Mate stood with his arms folded across his chest, his habitual scowl in place. “I’m also the father of your future grandchild.”
Baba’s nod was more of a head jerk, but it was an agreement. “I want to know my grandchild. I am sorry for the way I treated you.”
And other monsters. My father’s dislike was well-known, but if we could start with just one…
