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“What is it?” I asked, hoping it wasn’t money. Dad had already jumped at the chance to help us get this house as a wedding gift. Giving Josh and I money was also a way he was trying to make up for lost time in building our father-daughter relationship.
“Don’t give me that look,” he chuckled and kissed the top of my head. Dad stepped aside to look at the picture of Josh, Maddie and me hanging over the high backed chairs in the front room.
“Dad, you’ve given us enough already. I told you, all I want is you, not your money,” I murmured.
“True but this isn’t for you, it’s for my granddaughter,” he said. “Josh!” Dad called, “Can you come in here for just a sec?”
I sighed, unable to stop whatever he had planned. Josh jogged into the room, curious.
“Hey Old Man, glad to see you,” Josh shook my dad’s hand and he smirked. Of all the nick names my father could like, I was shocked that he was fond of that one. But Josh had been calling Dad that since we got married and my dad never protested.
“I wanted to give you both something for Maddie. It’s a decent start to her college fund,” he said.
“Dad,” I said, unable to think up anything else as he gave Josh the envelope. We both peeked at the check inside. The ‘decent’ start was enough for four years at a state university, one and a half years at a private college. “This is ridiculous,” I managed to say.
Dad grinned at us. “I’ll never get tired of seeing those expressions on your faces. Naomi, you seem to forget that you come from a strong foundation,” he said and winked at me. “It’s my job as Maddie’s grandfather to contribute this way.”
“Okay, Dad, but please, no more huge sums of money?”
“I second that Roth, this is…I have heartburn,” Josh said and rubbed his chest.
My dad just laughed at us. “You’re welcome, now let’s go enjoy ourselves, yeah?” He squeezed both of our shoulders and strode through to the living room.
“When do you think he’ll let up?” Josh asked, waving the envelope.
“I…I don’t think he will? Maddie is his first grandchild, he’s gonna spoil her.” Josh took a breath then he smirked at me. “What?” I said.
“I married into money,” he joked.
I rolled my eyes, “Whatever,” I laughed. Josh pulled me by the hand and I landed softly against him. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt nothing but warmth, whenever we were like this, we created our own bubble.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” I smiled. Josh bent his head and brushed his lips over mine.
“Now let’s go throw our daughter the best party that she’ll never remember,” he said. We joined everyone in the living room, the party was in full swing. Amy and V had already opened the wine and were pouring Jess and Mom a glass. Dad was taking his turn with Maddie who loved to cuddle him and had her little hands wrapped around his neck. His expression was pure bliss. No wonder he just gave her a huge check.
“He’s not allowed to buy her a car,” Josh said. Casey came in from the back and slapped Josh on the back.
“Good, so I can then,” he said.
“What?” Josh exclaimed, both Dad and Casey laughed at him.
“Guys, that’s something her dad is supposed to do, plus we’re about fifteen years off the mark here.”
“I was thinking she’ll be fine in a BMW, nothing extravagant, like a Two Series,” Casey said while Dad nodded in full agreement.
“Pick your battles, Nao, come join us on the sane side,” V beckoned. I gladly joined the ladies in the kitchen. Kaden had the cutest crush on V, he wouldn’t stop staring at her as he stuck by his mom’s hip.
“So, Amy you never told us how that…” she paused and glanced at Kaden then edited herself, “outing went with the swanky gallery owner,” V said. Amy laughed.
“Umm, it went…pretty well, actually. He’s a lot more down to earth than I expected and he’s a real gentleman,” she took a sip of her wine and shrugged. “I don’t know, I’m open to hanging out with him again,” she admitted.
“Really?” V squealed. “That’s it, I’m officially a matchmaker.”
“You made one maybe potential match,” I said.
“Excuse me, Maddie wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for me urging you to go for it with Josh,” V reminded me.
