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“Sweetheart, you can’t make everyone happy. The only person whose happiness you’re responsible for is your own.”
“But what about…?”
He covered her hand with his. “Sometimes you have to choose yourself. I regret how I handled things in the past, but not where it led.”
“I know you’ve said that before,” she murmured. “I’m just not sure I’m as strong as you.”
“Have you talked to Reece?”
“We talked last night,” she said. “We decided to put a pin in it until after Christmas. Everything’s been so… nice. I didn’t want to risk ruining it.”
“Or are you avoiding making a decision?” he asked gently.
She let out a small laugh. “Maybe a little of both.”
“And that’s okay. Just remember, whatever you decide, it should be for you. Staying or leaving doesn’t have to mean the end of anything. If you stay, you’ll still see your mother. Just not every day. And if you go… people make long-distance relationships work all the time.”
She didn’t answer right away.
“I really wish you’d just tell me what to do,” she said with a small pout. “It would make everything so much easier.”
He smiled. “I know. But that’s not my job. You’re a grown woman, and I’ll support whatever you decide.”
She nodded slowly. It wasn’t exactly the response she was hoping for, but it helped. “Thanks, Dad.”
Before she could say anything else, Reece returned with a tray of drinks. He caught her eye and winked as he set them down.
But as he handed her a mug, his gaze lingered just a second longer than usual. “Are you okay?” he asked quietly, low enough that only she could hear.
Alesha forced a small smile and nodded. “Yeah. Just… holiday overload.”
He didn’t look entirely convinced, but he let it go, giving her hand a quick, reassuring squeeze before turning back to the group.
“So, what are we playing now? Bingo?”
She nodded. “Holiday bingo. There are prizes and everything.”
He glanced around the room and chuckled. “I feel like we might be the youngest people here. Maybe we should sneak off and find something more our speed.”
“Don’t even think about it, son,” Henry said without looking up. “It’s Christmas. We’re doing everything as a family.”
Reece sighed. “Yes, sir.”
Alesha bit back a smile.
“So,” he went on, looking at his card, “is this regular bingo, or are they calling out, like… reindeer and candy canes? Because I have no idea what’s happening.”
That pulled a genuine laugh from her—her first since reading her mother’s text.
“Still numbers,” she said. “Just festive prizes. It’ll be fun.”
“I think we have very different definitions of fun.”
She leaned in, brushing a quick kiss on his cheek. “Relax. We’ll find something a little more exciting to do later.”
His brows lifted slightly before he sat up straighter.
“Let’s play some bingo!” he announced, far too enthusiastically.
