Page 145 of Give My Everything
I’m no longer a peer’s son or another business owner in town. I’m the man with a shitty reputation who wants to marry his baby girl.
A coffee appears on the small table that sits between us. I sit forward, picking up the cup and lifting it to my lips, blowing softly before taking a sip.
It scalds my tongue, like coffee is supposed to do, and I take another sip.
“Mariana told me you two were…seeingeach other, but I didn’t realize things had gotten so serious.”
Bob accepts his own coffee from Andrew, using the spoon that rests on the saucer to mix whatever is inside the cup.
I nod. “To be completely honest, Bob, everything between us happened rather quickly. But, I can assure you that how I feel about your daughter isveryserious.”
He shifts in his chair, leaning to the side a little and resting his chin in his hand.
“My wife likes to avoid town gossip, you know,” he says, slowly stirring his coffee. “It’s her Catholic upbringing, all that stuff about proverbs and slander. I don’t always subscribe to the same ideas she does. In business, you have to know who you’re dealing with, so choosing not to pay attention to the things being said about the people I work with would be foolish. So, for the sake of honesty, I’ll be honest with you as well.” His gaze turns firm, his eyes narrowing. “I’ve heard a few things about you that make me wonder what kind of man you are, Ben, and it makes me question if you’d be the right person to marry Remmy, if you’d do right by her and the baby.”
My eyebrows rise and Bob’s face slips back into something easy as he lets out a small chuckle.
“Oh, yes, I know about the pregnancy. I knowmostof the things about my kids that they think they’re hiding from me. I have a pregnant daughter who changed schools and got an art degree, a gay son with a boyfriend who works as a bartender at The Wave, and another son who busts his ass working for me even though he wishes he could lead guided treks through the mountains.”
I’m shocked at Bob’s words but work hard to control my facial expressions.
“Mariana and I look at the world a little bit differently. She has some…fairly specific ideas of what she thinks will make our kids happy. Her background guides her views on morality and decision-making, but…”
Bob pauses, then leans over and grabs a picture off a shelf to his left. When he hands it to me, I see a picture of a very young Mariana and Bob holding a very, very tiny baby.
“That was Jasmine.” My eyes fly up. “She was our firstborn. Spent three months in the NICU fighting for her life after being born too early.” He shakes his head. “We never got to take her home from the hospital.”
I feel my chest tighten as I listen to him speak, my own emotions welling up as I imagine how scary that must have been at the beginning, how heartbreaking at the end.
“Like I said, Mariana and I look at the world differently. She has specific ideas about how to make sure our kids live their best lives. She thinks she knows what’s best for them.” He shrugs, his eyes looking off to the side, something wistful coming over his face as he thinks over whatever brief memories he has of his first-born daughter. “If I learned anything from losing Jasmine all those years ago, it’s that we have to appreciate every moment with our kids, even if we disagree with their choices. All I want is for them to be healthy and happy, whatever that looks like.”
I take one more sip of my decaf and settle the small mug into the saucer that still sits on the table. Then I rest my elbows on my knees, leaning forward, prepared to pitch myself as the best thing for Remmy’s happiness.
But Bob lifts a hand, keeping me silent.
“Having said that, I don’t necessarily think you would make my daughter happy. As such, I can’t give you my permission to marry her—not until you prove a few things to me.”
I nod, realizing that, as friendly and kind as Bob can be, he’s still a man who is used to getting his way, and that means I might piss him off.
Because I have no intention of listening to him.
“You know, Bob, I can respect that. Completely. But I’m not here asking for your permission. I have every intention of marrying Remmy, regardless of whether or not you approve. I love her, and she isn’t a piece of property that needs to be given to me by anyone other than herself.”
Bob’s eyes narrow and I see a tick in his jaw, but he remains silent, just watching me.
“I came here to ask for yourblessingbecause I know it means something to Remmy. Even in the face of worrying that her parents would kick her out of her home and banish her from the family if they found out she was pregnant, she still values your voice and support in her life, still wants to know you stand behind the decisions she’s making for her future.”
At that, those hard eyes soften, and I watch as the father replaces the businessman in the chair across from mine.
“I am going to work my ass off to be an amazing husband to Remmy, and a much better father to this baby than my dad ever was to me. I would love to have your blessing on our marriage because what makes Remmy happy is what makesmehappy.” I pause. “But I also know I can make her happy withoutyour blessing. All due respect, sir, but I don’t intend on letting anyone’s opinions get in the way of giving her everything she wants.”
“You think you can give her what she wants?” he asks me, his voice easy and smooth as he sits forward and rests his arms on his knees, mirroring me and linking his fingers together. “What is that exactly?”
I smile, imagining Remmy at her happiest, that brilliant smile shooting out of her like it can’t be contained.
“An art studio in my garage so she can paint her emotions. A home where she feels happy and safe. A husband who cherishes her every step. A partner who will love this baby just as much as she does. A supporter who encourages her dreams. A man who treats her with care and respect. A friend who makes her laugh.” I shrug. “I might be someone who has made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I can give her those things.”
There’s an extended pause where Bob just sits across from me, unmoving, unblinking.
