“Did you ever get so mad at Dad?” I asked.
She chuckled, “Oh, only about a gazillion times. But listen, baby, it’s not about the words they say that tell you what to do; it’s their actions.”
I recalled the things he did.
Sitting in his truck at night.
Following me around.
Sitting in that very chair at night and watching over me while I slept.
Not able to be here but still taking care of me when I was sick.
The Tahoe.
The lunch.
Paying for my things.
Taking my things.
I chuckled.
Then I decided. Yes, earlier I said fuck it because I missed his cock, but really... I missed his heart, his soul, I just missed him.
Mom lifted a brow and smiled, “You just get clarity?”
I winked at her.
She giggled.
Then she looked at me and asked, “Think we gave them time?”
I shrugged, “Well, there was no yelling. Nothing sounded like it was being broken.”
She chuckled, “Never thought I would find anyone that wasn’t scared of your dad... but here he is.”
I felt my chest puff up with pride.
She caught it and burst out laughing.
When we left the bedroom, Dad was glaring at Alexander, and Connor was explaining what he’d been doing for him while he was away.
Mom squeezed my hand and then headed to Dad
I walked into the living room, went to Alexander, and wrapped my arms around his waist. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pressed his lips to the top of my head, and asked softly, “You okay?”
I nodded, “Yeah.”
I looked at my dad, who watched the exchange. That was when my dad looked down, and then his mouth dropped open.
“You're not observant in your old age,” Alexander teased.
My dad looked at him and asked, “How?”
I squeezed Alexander’s waist.
“Overseas. Bad mission. It ended my career, I can’t say anything more than that,” he told him.