Page 63 of Free-Falling
Jagger smiles. “I’d be a fool not to accept your family business when I know your daughter, my wife will succeed you.I accept you for everything that you are because you are an honest man. Thank you for not going away but for being there for Ainslee. There’s no such thing as too late, as long as you’re alive. Is this where we hug?” Jagger says.
My father’s laughter is boisterous and genuine. He hugs Jagger. “Do me a favor. Be there for Mikonos. He needs male friends not just this one.” He points at me when they get out of their brief embrace.
“I’m already wearing the big bastard down. He loves me.” Jagger teases.
“Favorite drink?” My father asks Jagger.
“Whiskey.” He answers.
My father whistles. “More balls than your old man. I like that. Let’s go over to the kitchen. This shit is for more formal meetings.”
Epilogue-Six months Later
Ainslee
Itake a deep breath in and release another one out as we make our way into the surprise but not surprise baby shower that I let Karessa plan for me. I didn’t think I could trust someone to do something like this for me, but I’ve seen Karessa’s work.
“You ready, baby?” Jagger asks.
I bite my lip, nodding with a huge smile on my face. “Yes!”
I rub my belly for good luck as the doors open and I walk into what I call my version of the best gold baby shower I’ve ever seen. Tears automatically escape my eyes as I take everything in. I love the color scheme ranging from white, rose and gold. I can’t wait to share the news with everyone. I hold on to Jagger’s hand tighter as the people closest to me come hug us.
I hug Mikonos, Karessa, even Oran, her sisters, my cousin Guinevere, Jagger’s mother who he started talking to again once we got back from the trip. It was the greatest decision he’s ever made and I’m proud of him. I watch as Jagger kisses his mom on the forehead, pulling her close. It makes me think of how good of a grandmother she’ll be.
“Ains…” I hear the voice that I will never forget in my life.
“Daddy?” I turn to the voice behind me.
My handsome father smiles at me. He’s looking younger, less stressed out than I’ve ever seen him. My father towers over me at six feet and four inches. I’m the spitting image of him and I’ve never been so proud. My dad cups my face, his gray eyes shine brightly. He tilts his head. “Did you think I wouldn’t make it or something?” He asks.
I try to mask that fear, tucking it away. “No.”
He narrows his eyes. “I wouldn’t agree to something or your terms if I didn’t plan on committing to them. You said you wanted a grandfather who would adore your children, so here I am adoring them even if they all aren’t born. I’m going to make up for everything and not let your forgiveness of my inability to be a good father go to waste. I love you, Ainslee Margot Bishops-Hanlon. With all my heart and if I have to be at a baby shower, then that’s where I’ll be. I may not have shown you just how much you mean to be before, but I will spend the rest of my life doing that. You are the only daughter, only child that I have and I can’t be any more proud to call you mine.
“Oh, dad.” I wrap my arms around him not letting him go and when he wrapped his around me, I relaxed.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t have a father-daughter dance for your reception but I promise to make it up to you. We can dance right now.” He said.
I laugh and cannot stop crying. This damned pregnancy really has me going and I’m embracing it all. “I’d love that.”
“Music.” I hear my father command someone.
I shut my eyes, holding tight to him. I want to say thank you to everyone around us but for the first time in my life; I want to be daddy’s baby girl. I want to take back the moments I’ve missed and make up for all the tears I’ve cried by myself because I couldn’t get a hug from this man.Tattooed Heartby Ariana Grande plays, and I laugh. “How did you know?” I ask.
“Know what?” My father asks. “That you love this song? Well, one I asked Jagger for a song that had a rhythm from the olden days that you loved and he pointed this song out.”
“But how did you know what kind of music I like?” I ask.
“Because even if I didn’t give you one hundred percent, it doesn’t mean I didn’t see at least fifty percent of things. I may have missed things, and I will always regret that. Always. But it doesn’t mean that I didn’t know how much you loved to dance to music that sounds like it’s from the 1950s.”
“I love you daddy. I’ll always love you.” I say.
“Love you too, little Ainsy.” He makes me smile. This is what he used to call me as a child. I can’t believe I didn’t miss it until now.
“Can I cut in?” I hear my precious husband’s voice. I open my eyes and my father lets me out of his arms.
I wipe my tears. “Be good to her. Always be good to her, Jagger. That’s all I want for her.” My father says and goes to sit down.
