Page 95 of Gamers' Omega
“Ok,” I replied.
He stepped aside and I turned to the next person approaching when I saw Freddie walk back through the door and hold it open for someone.
Time stopped and tears sprang to my eyes.
Papa…
I wiped my eyes, and when I opened them again, he was still there.
Papa…
“Help me up!” I demanded of anybody nearby. “Help me up!”
Owen laughed and offered an arm. “Up we go.”
I started waddling towards Papa as soon as I was on my feet. Then I was there, in his arms.
“Hey,” Papa murmured. “It’s ok, Baby Boy. I’m here.”
I sniffled. “How?” I whispered. “You said you couldn’t afford the plane tickets.”
“Your mates,” he explained. “They set everything up. I’m here for a week now, then another three in March to help with the babies.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
I swallowed. “What… what about Danny?”
“She thinks they’re work trips.” He kissed my cheek. “Don’t worry, Baby Boy. She has no clue you’ve met your mates, or are about to be a papa. I’ve even had people help me set up privacy settings on social media so that I’ll only share photos with people I know won’t tell her.”
“Thank you.”
“I might not have been able to protect you then. But I can now. You’re both my babies, and I love you both, but I understand that the best thing for you is to be away from her. I’ll help you protect your peace.”
I chuckled. “I didn’t know you knew that phrase.”
“You used it when you called to tell me about the babies. It’s a good phrase, so I remembered it.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Papa rubbed my back a few times, then set his hands on my shoulders and took a step back. “Look at you,” he praised. “All grown up and about to have babies of your own. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become.”
He pulled me back against his chest. “I just wish I could have seen you more often.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t come home to visit.”
He shook his head. “No. You had your reasons to stay away. I should have ignored Danny’s tantrums whenever I thought about going to see you.”
“I know how she is,” I murmured.
“That shouldn’t matter. She’s an adult, and has been for longer than you.” He hugged me tight. “No more though. She has to learn to let go. I know I can never make up for all the years I let her come between us, but I can do the right thing moving forward. I can help to heal the hurt I caused because I didn’t protect you enough from her.”
“I never blamed you,” I whispered. “I understood things were hard, and choices had to be made. You always loved us both so much.”
“I blame myself though. I didn’t know how much she hurt you until it was too late. That’s something I can never forgive myself for. And I’m so sorry.”
Tears were streaming down my face as he stepped back again. Papa reached up and wiped them away.
