“I’m sorry,” he continues, and my eyes widen.Sorry? What the hell is he sorry for?“I know I didn’t get back to you over the weekend. I just needed time. It was…a lot to take in all at once.”
“No, I’m sorry,” I reply, my face softening. “Steven…This is entirely my fault. If I didn’t lie to you…”
He puts his hand up to stop me. “No. I mean, yes, you could’ve gone about it in a better way. But this is their fault, Becca. Youneed to get that. And they did this all over some stupid grudge they had with your grandfather. They ruined my life, even if they thought they were helping me…This is on them.”
He reaches his arm across the table, taking my hand in his, and one tear spills over onto my cheek. His touch on my skin makes this entire weekend of suffering worth it. He doesn’t hate me and Damian. He still loves us.
I can’t fathom the words in my head.
“And I want to do this…” he whispers. “I want to take on this life with you and Damian. I want to be a father…I want you. No more hiding, no more lies. Out in the open…I want it all, and I want it with you. I want this with our son.”
My face lowers toward my lap, and the sobs are soon to follow. I came here expecting him to drill into me, yell at me even. But instead, this incredible man forgives me…
It almost makes me feel worse about this whole thing. Steven is caring and sweet. He loves me so much and is willing to work through something traumatic for us. I was selfish.
“I love you,” I manage to say between my faltering breaths. “It’s all I ever wanted.”
He stands and takes the seat beside me now, wrapping me with his strong, warm arms. He grips me tightly before his lips find mine. For the first time, this kiss isn’t followed by me worrying if someone saw us.
It’s a freeing feeling. The only obstacles we face now are telling my father and Damian the truth. This may be worse than Steven finding out, but I’m fully prepared for whatever the backlash may be.
As long as I have Steven and my son, what else could I ask for?
Our food arrives shortly, and with his forgiveness comes my appetite. We both ordered meatball subs, one of their best dishes here, and there are barely crumbs on the plates once we finish demolishing the sandwiches.
With my stomach—and my heart—now full, he pays the bill at the register and we walk out into the winter air, hand in hand. Something I wish we could’ve been doing since the beginning.
Unfortunately, life wasn’t always fair to us.
The warmth of his skin on mine makes me feel as if I’m floating as he walks me to my car. His hand reaches for my door handle, but he stops as a car slides into a rough spot behind mine, still partially blocking the road.
My breath catches, and my heart drops into my stomach as my wide eyes look up at Steven. His expression matches mine as we both know who’s about to step out of the red car blocking me in.
“Shit…” I say. The car door flies open, and my father jumps out. His face is red. I can even see his flared nostrils from here.
“Dad?” I say in a stunned tone. “What the hell are you doing here?” As I speak, I pull my hand away from Steven’s.
I had all intentions of telling him, but not like this…
“You piece of shit!” he yells, jabbing his finger at Steven, and I can hear the deep breath he takes, readying himself for my father’s rage.
