Violet: You don’t have to if you don’t want to.
Violet: I don’t want to make you guys uncomfortable with meeting my dad.
Me: We’re on our way.
I tucked my phone back into my pocket, forgetting about my growling stomach or the need for food, because my need for Violet outweighed everything.
We walked quietly through the halls and stopped outside of her dad’s door.It felt weird how quickly I went from being confident and in control to nervous about meeting my girlfriend’s dad for the first time.
I knocked lightly, not wanting to disturb them in case he was resting.A few seconds later, Violet pulled the door open, stepping aside to let us in as she smiled nervously.
A frail looking man sat propped up in bed, staring at us as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.He looked from me to Asher and then to Violet.His features changed so quickly that I was worried about where they would land.
“Asher, Enzo, I would like to introduce you to my father, Bret Sanderson.”
We took a few steps inside the room, making sure not to crowd him as Violet closed the door behind us.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” I said before Asher introduced himself with a quick and gentle handshake.Fucker, already making me look bad in front of her dad.
“Have a seat, you guys,” Violet offered, nodding to the two chairs on the other side of her father’s bed.
She looked exhausted, but calmer and more relaxed than earlier.We sat down and made small talk with her dad while Violet led the majority of the conversation.It wasn’t long before the doctor came in to check on him, so Asher and I stepped out to give him some privacy.A few minutes later, Violet came out with her purse and a bag filled with bottles of water and snacks.
“The doctor wants to run some more tests and said that my dad will likely be here for a few days at minimum.He’s still pretty tired, and I’m exhausted, so I think that we should go to the hotel and rest, then I can come check on him tomorrow.”
“I think that sounds like a great idea,” I said, taking the bag from her.“We upgraded the room I got you.I hope you don’t mind.”
“Are you guys staying with me?”
“We are.”
“Then I don’t mind.”
She smiled, and it made the hole I had been feeling in my heart feel better.
********************
An hour later, we wereback at the hotel, where Violet was soaking in the tub after we all devoured the pizzas we had delivered to the room.It was nice being together again, but I couldn’t wait to hold her in my arms and feel her against my body.
It had been a long day, and everyone was tired.Violet finished her bath and threw on a pair of pajamas before climbing into bed with Asher and me.It was cramped with us right on top of each other, but no one complained because this was exactly where we all wanted to be.
