“Gabriella, this is my brother, Nathan. Nathan, this is Gabriella.”
He smiled and held out his hand, gently shaking her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I heard you’re about to graduate from law school. Please, tell me everything. Law has always been fascinating to me.”
Nathan grinned excitedly and helped her into a seat at the table. My mother took a seat as well. Just as Greg was about to sit beside her, I gently grabbed his arm and nodded toward the bar. The same bar we had argued at last time.
“Can we talk?” I asked.
He raised a wary brow before nodding and following me to the bar. I ordered us two beers and we both sat there awkwardly taking a first sip.
“I wanted to apologize,” I started.
Greg looked taken aback, but didn’t say anything.
“I haven’t been the best stepson to you…”
“I don’t think you’ve ever called yourself that,” said Greg softly.
“Well, it’s what I am. Youaremy stepdad. You stepped in when my mother and I were on our own. I didn’t know if she’d ever open up again after what my father put her through, but you were able to do it. And you tried to be a father to me, too, which I never really welcomed or appreciated.”
“You were young,” he said, waving me off.
“I was stupid. And I’m not young anymore.”
“I haven’t always been easy on you either…” admitted Greg.
“Well, I don’t blame you.” I shrugged. “But I would like to start over.”
“I would love that, Chandler,” he said, his voice shaking slightly. “I’ve always seen you as a son.Always.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to see that.” I lowered my head with remorse.
“Better late than never,” he said, nudging me with his shoulder.
I smiled at him. “My daughter is lucky to have you as her grandfather.”
It was then that I saw a tear run down Greg’s cheek. It was the first time I had ever seen him cry. I pulled him in for a hug, probably our first one ever, and something broken inside me seemed to be glued back together.
Chapter 55
Gabriella
I watched as Chandler and Greg hugged at the bar, and couldn’t help but feel teary-eyed at the sight of two grown men putting aside their differences and making peace after all this time. I turned and saw Sandy across the table having the same reaction, a stream of tears running down her face as she looked at two of the three most important men in her life reconciling.
I knew how much courage it had taken Chandler to talk to Greg about his feelings. I knew how hard it had been to put his pride aside and see what was right in front of him, which was a stepdad who cared. He really kept showing me just how much he had changed in the months I had known him.
Not only had he made amends with a man who clearly loved him, but Chandler was too blinded by his own fear to see, but hehad let me into his family to witness it beginning to heal. I knew opening up was difficult for him, but he was letting me in. He was letting Greg in. He was letting the employees at work in. He was no longer hiding behind his cold façade that he only put on to push people away.
He liked to give me credit for this transformation, saying I changed him, but I didn’t believe that. I believed people only changed for themselves, but sometimes it took being opened up by another’s love to have the courage to try. From where I stood, he was the most courageous man I had ever met. I loved him so fiercely for it. I wanted to go and hug him right then, but would never interrupt this moment for him.
“You love him, don’t you?” asked Sandy from across the table as she looked at me through watery eyes, as she dabbed at her cheeks. I could see Chandler in her, even though he swore he was all his father. He had the best parts of his mother. Her kind smile. Her dimples. Her soft eyes.
“I do.” I nodded, turning toward her. I squirmed in my seat slightly. As much as I was looking forward to tonight, I had also been worried about it. My nerves had been dancing in my stomach since we left Juliet’s that morning, thinking about coming to dinner with his family. I didn’t let Chandler know, not wanting to dampen his spirits on such a big occasion. It was just the last time I had seen his mother or Greg was at the golf tournament when she had realized I was pregnant. It had been awkward and uncomfortable for everyone there, and I wondered if she resented me for how things had played out with Chandler.
“You know, I wanted to tell you something…” she said, as if reading my thoughts. She reached across the table and grabbed my hand gently. I looked at her worriedly, wondering what she was going to say next. Nathan stood up from the table, clearly uncomfortable by where this conversation was headed, and excused himself.
“I’m going to go grab a beer with Chandler and Dad. I’ll leave you two ladies to it.”
