Page 14 of Thanksgiving Daddy's Girl
“I’ve been in love with Myles for a long time, Dad.”
“Maeve—”
“No, you’re going to listen to me for a change. I’m a grown woman. I’m an adult. And I am capable of choosing who I give my heart and body to,” I growl. “If Mom’s death taught me anything, it’s that we’ve only got a short time on this planet so it’s up to us to make the most of it. And I’m not going to live the way you do. I’m going to chase who and what I want.”
His eyes narrow and his face darkens with anger. “What in the hell is that supposed to mean? Live the way I do?”
“You’re living scared, Dad. I understand. Mom dying really tore your heart out. I get it,” I say, my voice softening. “But ever sincethen, you’ve hidden yourself away. Hidden behind your work. You refuse to put yourself out there again because you’re scared. And I understand. I really do. But you’re not living anymore. You’re existing. You’re going through the motions. And do you really think Mom would want to see you like that?” I respond before he has time to even react, “She would not.”
He opens his mouth to say something then closes again and turns away. I can see the emotions scrolling across his face and it kills me. I want to go to him. Hug him and tell him it’s all going to be okay. But I’m pissed and want him to stew in that for a little bit.
“Myles is a good man, Dad. You know he is. And you know he’ll treat me well,” I say, softer still. “I love him. I’ve always loved him. And now I’m old enough to act on those feelings.”
“What do you want from me, Maeve?” His voice is thick with emotion. “Last thing I want is to lose you too.”
“I want you to be happy for me. I want you to be happy that I found a good man who will treat me like a princess. I want you to be happy that Myles and I want to be together,” I tell him. “But most of all, I want you to live again. I want you to feel the love I feel. To be as happy as I am.”
“I don’t know how.”
“I think you do,” I respond. “You just have to let yourself be open to it.”
He’s silent for a long moment and just stands there, staring out the window. But then he turns to me slowly and his face has changed. The anger has ebbed away and in its place is something different. I can’t tell what it is, but his eyes are shimmering with unshed tears and the corners of his mouth are curling upward.
He sniffs twice and blinks away his tears as he shakes his head. “I can’t believe my little girl has grown up. That you’re a woman now,” he says softly. “In my head, you’re always going to be that little pigtailed girl who liked catching frogs.”
I step forward and take his hand in mine. “I’m still that girl, Dad. But now, I’m… more.”
“Yes, you are. And you’re exceptional, sweetheart.”
“So are you, Dad. And you need to find a woman who will make you feel that way every single day. Because you deserve it. And because it’s what Mom would want you to do.”
He lays a gentle hand against my cheek. “When did my little girl get to be so wise?”
“I’ve had a good teacher.”
I turn my face up to him and he smiles as he strokes my hair. “You really love Myles, I mean,really?”
“I do,” I say.
“I have never known a better, smarter, more decent man,” he says. “And the only thing I’ve ever wanted for you is to find a man who will love and cherish you the way you deserve.”
“He’ll do that.”
“I’m sure he can,” he looks directly at me, “and, I know he will.”
He lets out a long, shaky breath. “I’m not going to say this isn’t going to be weird or anything. I mean, for Christ’s sake, he’s old enough to be your father,” he says with a grin. “But if this is what you really want, then I’m going to support you.”
Tears well in my eyes and I smile. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, pumpkin. Now, go tell him to stop packing, get his ass down here, and I’ll apologize.”
Standing on my tiptoes, I plant a kiss on his cheek and give him a radiant smile. “You’re the best, you know that?”
“Yeah, I know.” He bends gingerly to pick up the whiskey tumbler.
Laughing to myself and feeling filled with light, I swoop down and pick it up for him, then bound up the stairs and dash down the hall to Myles’ room. But when I step inside, my heart drops into my stomach. His bags aren’t there.
Tears, not of joy this time, spill from the corners of my eyes.
