Page 144 of Christmas off Script
He gave her a nod and turned away, taking the call.
Ella faced her father again. ‘Why didn’t you tell me all about this?’
‘You had Oliver. I thought you were better off without me in the picture.’
‘Did Michelle know?’
‘No. I wanted to wait till I was out.’
‘What did she say?’
He gave her a rueful smile. ‘It wasn’t what she was expecting.’
‘It hasn’t been easy for her.’
‘Or you.’ Ronnie gazed at her intently. ‘Bille-Mai told me what you’ve done for Michelle. It was what you did for us before I went in. I’ve—’ He broke off, tugging the chain from under his jumper and rubbing the gold cross hanging from it. ‘I’ve been a shit dad, Ella. I know a few words won’t fix anything I’ve done, but I wanted to tell you I’m sorry.’
Any reply stuck in Ella’s throat. After all the thoughts about what would happen after her father was released, the fact he might have changed had never crossed her mind.
‘The accident wasn’t your fault,’ he continued. ‘It—’ He broke off, pinching the bridge of his nose. ‘Out of all the things I did… that…’ Taking a deep breath, he faced her, his expression tortured. ‘I’d give up my life if I could take that night back. You were trying to stop me. You were doing the right thing. But I didn’t listen. I never did.’
Ella closed the gap between them and extended her hand.
Ronnie took it, his eyes liquid. ‘I’m sorry, love. I’m sorry for everything.’
Ella allowed herself to be drawn into a hug. Getting this version of her dad back was more than she could have hoped for. But would her stepmother ever allow them to have a relationship?
‘And don’t you worry about Michelle,’ he said, seeming to read her mind. ‘She’s my wife and I love her, but things are going to change. She can’t treat you like she’s done. None of us can anymore.’
‘She hates me,’ Ella mumbled.
‘Nah, she doesn’t.’ He hugged her a little tighter. ‘She’s just jealous and running scared.’
Ella lifted her head. ‘Huh?’
The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled at her. ‘Prison gives you time to think. You’re everything Michelle’s not, and she feels threatened by you.’
‘What?’
‘She has to be in control to feel safe, so that’s why she acts the way she does.’ He paused, his smile turning sheepish. ‘I’ve been learning about myself and studying why people behave the way they do. I’ve even discovered I have an “inner child”.’ He grinned at her expression. ‘If your eyebrows go up any higher, they’re going to fly off your head.’
Ella drew back, embarrassed. ‘Sorry, I—’
‘Don’t say that. An elf just died in Santa land.’ As her mouth dropped open, he smirked. ‘Leo told me to say that if you tried to apologise for anything.’
She blinked at him in disbelief. ‘Is this real?’
He nodded. ‘I’ve got my life back and the chance to do things differently.’
‘What are you going to do?’
‘Start by making amends if I can. Beg forgiveness from all the people I’ve hurt. And it’s the right time of year for it.’
‘Christmas?’
‘Yeah. It feels like the big man’s on my side.’ He let out a long breath. ‘I know I’ve got a lot to make up for. But I want to be the kind of dad you read about in kiddie books. The kind of dad I would have wanted. One you deserve.’
Ella couldn’t speak, the lump of emotion in her throat too big to even swallow.
