When Nick gets home, Itell him about my day and my dad.
“I had a visitor today,” I say, sitting down, folding Jace’s blanket at the kitchen table where Nick’s reading some papers.“My dad came by.”He looks at me and puts the papers down.
“He just showed up?”
He doesn’t sound angry, which is good.“He said he was sorry to drop in on me without calling but he wasn’t sure I would want to see him.”
“Then he should have called.What did he want?”
“Are you upset he came over?If you are, there is no reason for me to tell you the rest.”
“Angry?That depends on what he said.”
“He wanted to know how I was doing and the baby.He apologized for the things that happened.He said he was sorry for not giving me a chance.For not being a better father and failing me when I needed him.”
“He said that?”
“Yep.Like you are now, I wasn’t expecting him to say any of those things.”
“He needed to say that—and more.”
“I let him see Jace.”I wait to see his reaction to this.He doesn’t show any, so it’s safe to continue.He said he would support me if I wanted to see my family, but sometimes he can be like a rattlesnake when it comes to me and Jace.You can’t be too certain what he’s going to do.
“I was emotionally overwhelmed to see my father holding his grandchild.He told me he loved me, and he asked if he could come by again to see me and Jace.”
“What did you say?”
“I said yes.If you’re not okay with it I won’t let him see Jace.”
“I’m okay with your father coming here, preferably when I’m not.I’m fine with it.”
Meaning my mother and Kate are not welcomed.I understand that completely.“It was weird; he wanted to hug me, but it was like he needed my permission.It was never like that with us.He would give me the biggest hugs, no hesitations, and call me his baby girl.I missed him a lot, I didn’t realize how much until he showed up at the door.”
“Understandable, you were close.”
“He asked me if I was happy.I said yes.He said I deserved it.”
“You do.”He reaches across the table, taking my hand and pulling me on his lap.“You can see your family if you want to.I can’t stop you.I don’t want Jace near your mother or sister.I don’t want you alone with them, but I can’t stop you.If you choose to see them, be careful, and don’t do it alone.I almost lost you once, and I don’t think I can survive another situation like that.”
I kiss him and agree.This is good; I wasn’t sure what he was going to say when I told him my father was here.“Jace has an appointment tomorrow, do you think you’ll be able to come?”
“I’m going to be in court.Call me if anything comes up.I’m sure he’ll be fine, he’s gained a lot of weight.You wouldn’t know looking at him he was premature.”
“I know.He eats so much I worry I’m overfeeding him.I’m not on the schedule I should be on.”
“Let him eat if he wants to.Don’t starve my child.”
“That will not happen.He’s like his daddy—by the time he lets out the first shout you better have the bottle ready.He’s the sweetest baby but you don’t want to get on his bad side.”I smile and he chuckles.
“Don’t forget it.That’s my son.”
Cat
Nick walks through the door, and I practically jump in his arms, smiling up at him.He drops his bag, the mail scattering on the floor, to get his arms around me and prevent me from not knocking him over.
“Hey!You’re excited to see me.What’s going on?”
“Not much.Can’t I be happy to see you?”
