I found my dad once on Facebook. It was right before I graduated high school. He had a new family by then, and all I felt was jealousy. I thought he had traded me in, but he had to go on and live his life … just like I have.
“They are pretty special,” I admit.
“When your friend Jesse called me, I could hardly believe my luck. I’d been praying we’d find each other again.”
I don’t know what to say, because I had very little to do with it. The universe somehow just keeps conspiring on my behalf.
“I’m sorry to hear about your mother and brother,” he continues. “Jesse explained everything.”
I nod, still unsure of how to act. It’s not every day your father shows up. Or at least mine doesn’t.
He waves his hand over me. “You’re the prettiest bride I’ve ever seen.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and the little girl inside of me basks in the familiarity of his compliment. My father always had a way of making me feel special.
As if sensing my walls crumbling, he opens his arms to me. I rush into the warmth of his embrace.
“I’m so sorry I lost you,” he says, hugging me tight.
I feel his relief at having me in his arms again, and I wonder if it’s similar to the feeling I had when I pulled Mila from her crib the day I rescued her.
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not, but I’ll spend every day of my life making it up to you. My wife and I want to move to Cheyenne to be closer to you … and your family.”
“You’re moving here?”
“We are. If you’ll allow it. I want to know you, Serenity, and I want to know my grandchildren.” He looks at me like he’s found the most precious element in the universe. “My wife stayed behind. She wanted to give us time to reacquaint, but she’s very excited to meet you.”
My gaze bounces over his face, and I realize maybe I was wrong about his new family. They weren’t what kept him away. It was my mother. She didn’t want to lose my brother and me. We were all she had.
“That was very considerate of her.”
He smiles at me proudly. “I’m so happy for you, Serenity. I can see you’ve built a wonderful life here with these people.”
“Will you stay?” I blurt out, already knowing I don’t want him to leave and we’re running out of time.
His immense joy at my invitation shines through the smile on his face and the tightness of his hug. “You’ve just made me the happiest man in the world. Well, Rage might be a tad bit happier at the moment. It’s obvious how much he loves you.”
“I love him too.”
“Good.” He holds me at arm’s length, getting one last look at me before he heads out to join the rest of my friends and family down by the lake. “So beautiful,” he says again, tears shining in his eyes. “I’ll talk to you more this evening.”
I nod, biting back tears. This is the best wedding gift anyone could have given me.
It takes me a few minutes to compose myself, but eventually I step out and find Dan right where he said he’d be.
“Are you ready? We got about ten minutes,” he says, patting me on the cheek.
“I think so. You guys didn’t bring any more surprises with you, did ya?”
He laughs. “Life is full of them. So, I make no promises.”
I notice the twins tossing one of Mila’s balls between them in the living room. “What are you two doing in here?” I ask, rushing toward them. “Get out there!”
“Our pizza isn’t here yet.”
“Oh my god! Rage is going to kill you.”