Page 24 of Fierce-Matt
“I’ll do that,” her father said. “Not that my son ever wanted the business, but it’s time to retire.”
“It is, Dad.” She smiled and patted his hand.
Her father frowned and moved his hand back. He didn’t always like to be touched.
Not before his diagnosis and not always now.
A concerning loving and touchy feely father she didn’t have. She’d wished for it.
Especially when she saw Tim Kelly with his daughter and sons.
She long since gave up wishing or hoping for things that weren’t in the cards.
Her father not showing up for sporting events when they were kids. Her first dance that he wasn’t there to see her all dressed up for.
The little things she did with the Kellys and her mother because her father was working. It didn’t mean he hadn’t treated her well, just that he wasn’t always around.
“Let’s get this over with so I can get some food. I’m starving,” her father said.
Anya looked at her watch. It was only ten twenty. Her mother would have fed her father breakfast and, since he overslept, he ate later too.
“We can get right to work,” Matt said.
She sat back while Matt went over everything she’d already talked to him about, saving her mother from having to explain it in front of her father. It was for the best.
“That was fairly painless,” her mother said. “Will it take long to get power of attorney? We’d like to get the business listed quickly. Elliot can sign and will, but you know.”
“I can draw it up this afternoon and if you have time to return tomorrow, once it’s signed and notarized, it’s effective.”
Her mother looked relieved. “I hadn’t realized it was that fast.”
“I’ve got the paperwork right here. Elliot, you’re willing to hand over power of attorney to your wife, correct?”
“Sure,” her father said. “She’s been bossing me around for years; this won’t be any different.”
Anya laughed. Her mother smiled. Her father and brother butted heads nonstop, but her parents had a good strong marriage.
Statements and touches of memories were what her mother needed now. She did too.
“There you go. We’ll get it all squared away then. I’ll need some more time for the wills, but medical proxy and power of attorney will be done immediately.”
“We appreciate it, Matt,” her mother said. “I’m so glad Anya thought to call you. It’s better to have someone you’re familiar with at a time like this.”
“I would have called Phoebe, but her office being two hours away isn’t conducive to my work schedule or my parents’ time.”
“I’m glad I can help,” he said, but he was looking at her.
“I loved your sister,” her mother said. “I always wished Anya had a relationship with her brother as you did with your siblings. Though I have to admit, she came home frustrated with yours and Ben’s antics.”
“More Matt than Ben,” she added.
“I’ll never forget Phoebe’s fifteenth birthday sleepover.”
“Mom,” she growled low in her throat. “We don’t need to bring that up.”
“Anya thought there was a bear in your house,” her father said.
She wanted to race from the room and hide in a closet over this being brought up again, but the fact her father remembered it was more touching than anything.
