“Any time I brought up my weight, he wouldn’t hear of it. He would tell me how beautiful I was, how smart, and that I could do anything in this whole world. He made it so that I could go to college, go to medical school, and I couldn’t save him in the end.”
“Oh, honey,” she said reaching for her hand. “He knows. He knows how wonderful you are, how successful.”
“How do I know that?” sniffed Marnie.
“Well, I suspect that’s him standing over there,” smiled Sadie. Marnie looked at her, then behind her to see Matthew, Ruby, and Irene.
“No,” she whispered. She stood slowly, feeling her head spin. “No, how can this be?”
“Belle Fleur, honey. I don’t know how long you have. Go. Go speak to him.” Marnie turned to Sadie and nodded, then hugged her so tightly that Sadie just laughed.
“Thank you, Sadie. Thank you!”
Marnie walked slowly toward the group of people, stopping a few feet away.
“This can’t be real,” she whispered.
“Hug me and find out, kiddo,” he grinned. She raced toward him, falling into his arms. It was Hal. The strong, lean Hal that she’d loved almost her whole life.
“H-how?” she cried. “How is this possible?”
“It won’t be for long, honey,” said Matthew. “You’ve got about an hour with him. I just felt as though there might be things for you two to talk about.”
“An hour. Oh, God, only an hour. But an hour!” she laughed.
“I’m always with you, Marnie. I’ve watched you forever. I’m so damn proud of my girl. I tell everyone, that’s my daughter down there. She’s so smart, brave, and beautiful. Look at you! Look what you’ve done with your life!”
“Oh, Dad,” she cried in his arms.
“Nothin’ like a hug from your daddy,” smiled Irene. “We gotta stay close for this to work. Sorry about the lack of privacy honey.”
“No. No, don’t be sorry. You’ve given me the greatest gift ever! Dad. Dad, I’m going to be a mother. Triplets!” she cried.
“I know,” he nodded. “Like I said, I’ve been watching. You’re gonna be the best mother in the whole world, Marnie.”
“You were the best dad. I should have told you that sooner.”
“You told me every single day,” he smiled. “You were there, Marnie. Always. When I worked late, you did the chores, cooked us dinner, had my clothes washed and ready for the next day. We were a team, like we were supposed to be.”
“I know what you sacrificed for me. I understand now,” she said kissing his cheek. She was surprised that it was warm and soft.
“I sacrificed nothing!Wehad a great life. You and me, kiddo. You were all I ever wanted. A child. A child I could call my own.”
“I am your child, Dad.” He smiled again, nodding. They spoke for forty-five minutes before Mitch showed up, returning from his mission. He was just in time to meet the man that had formed the woman he loved.
“I can’t thank you enough, sir. She’s the woman for me and I’m going to be the best damn father I can be.”
“You’re going to be spectacular,” smirked Hal. “I have no doubt. And, I have it on good authority that if you’re not, you’ll get the beating of a lifetime.” The others chuckled, nodding as Mitch hugged Marnie.
“It’s time, Hal,” said Matthew.
“Oh. Oh, no,” said Marnie. “Will I get to see him again?”
“You can always see me in your dreams,” said Hal. “I’ll be watching you always. Talk to me and if you listen carefully, I’ll talk back.”
They hugged for a long time, then he stepped back looking at Matthew, Irene, and Ruby.
“I can never thank you for doing this for me. I got to hug my girl one more time. Mitch? You’re gonna be a great dad.”
