“I haven’t lost myself,” Ten said, not really believing his words.
“Liar! Liar! Pants on fire, Dad.” Everly giggled. “My favorite thing about you is that you’re always ready for a new adventure, even if it’s just taking me and Aurora to the library. You make up excuses not got out and you’re nervous every morning when you go to work.”
“You noticed those things, huh?” Ten asked.
“I did. I hoped you’d find your confidence again, but…” Everly trailed off.
“But what? Tell me everything.” Ten hated the fact Everly had seen him go though these personal failings.
“I think you’re depression is getting worse.”
“Depression? I’m not depressed.” Ten paused for a moment and thought about everything Everly had said. If someone had come to him talking about how they weren’t enjoying life like they used to and were self-isolating, he’d think they were depressed. “I never even considered that’s what was happening to me.”
“I know, Dad. That’s why I’m here. Daddy and I have wondered how to help you. He thought this trip would snap you out of your funk, but I think you need more than sunshine and the ocean.”
Ten snorted. “Your Dad’s always thinks time will solve every problem.”
“Because he’s not sure how else to help. Daddy has a lot of strengths, but dealing with emotions isn’t one of them.”
“Amen to that.” Ten started to laugh, but stopped himself. He’d been doing an awful lot of that lately, laughing instead of facing hard truths. “You and Aurora were hurt. That night with the brick through our window could have been so much worse. How can I have fun again when I’m the reason you girls ended up with stitches?”
“Dad, Aurora and I weren’t dying. It was just a cut. I hurt myself much worse when I was learning to ride my bike, remember?”
“I do remember. Your father was a mess, carrying you into the house bleeding.” Ronan had been out of his mind with worry. Ten had been left to deal with Everly’s skinned knee. “He wanted to throw your bike in the trash, but I wouldn’t let him.”
“Uh-huh!” Everly grinned brightly. “Do you remember what you told Daddy?”
“I told him you needed to learn to be brave enough to try again and that we learn valuable lessons when we fail at something.” Ronan had thought Ten was nuts in the moment, but thankfully he’d calmed down when Everly was all bandaged up.
“Yup!” Everly agreed. “It’s your turn to be brave now, Dad.Youdidn’t fail Autumn Miller. She failed herself. Instead of learning a lesson about why her relationship with Doctor Logan didn’t work out, she got angry and wanted to hurt the people she thought were responsible. “I miss when you leave for work excited about the people you’ll meet that day and when you’d come home and tell me stories about the spirits you met. It’s not just me that misses those things.”
“Your father does too,” Ten said. Ronan had said so on several occasions.
“You’re right, but I was talking about you, Dad.” Everly poked a bony finger at his chest.
Everly was right. Ten did miss his old self. “How do I start?”
“I know just the thing!” Everly hopped off the lounger and grabbed Ten’s phone. “Impromptu dance party!” Tapping the phone again, “Dancing Queen” blared from the speaker. Everly reached for Ten’s hands and pulled him out of his seat. “Dance with me, Dad!”
Ten felt the anger and fear slip from his shoulders as the music played. He danced along with Everly, doing moves from The Hustle, Electric Slide, and The Twist. The more dances he did, the more he and Everly laughed.
Spending an evening dancing with his daughter wasn’t going to cure all of Tennyson’s worries, but he felt better and lighter than he had in a long time.
Who knew twerking was good for the soul?
7
Ronan
After the dance party wrapped up, Ten and gone up to bed with Everly, they’d read books together until they’d fallen asleep. Instead of moving Everly back to her bed, Ronan left her in theirs. He managed to catch a couple hours of broken sleep. Everly might be sugar and spice and everything nice when she was awake, but in her sleep, she was a kicker. He lost count of how many times her little, bony toes slammed into his body.
Around half past six, Ronan gave up the ghost and got out of bed. They were going on a tour of the Portsmouth Naval Prison after lunch, so Ten could sleep as late as he wanted.
Ronan wondered if he should start breakfast or wait until a few more people were up. He was checking out the contents of the fridge when he heard feet on the stairs. It was Everly. She wasdressed for the day and had put her hair into double buns. “Did I wake you?”
“Yeah, it was cold when you got up. I saw the sun was rising, so I thought we could watch it together.”
“Really? I can’t remember the last time I watched the sunrise.” Ronan grabbed granola bars and walked out onto the deck. “I can’t believe how cool it is at the beach.”
