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He took Addie in a tight hug. My reaction was to stop him, afraid he may hurt her, but she eagerly held at him. So I stopped my knee jerk reaction and stepped back. Once he released her, he turned to me. Holding out my hand, he took it, and pulled me in, hugging me just as tightly.
“How have you been, son?” he asked happily. Fuck me, every time he was around, I couldn’t help but wish my father was like him, loving and caring. I reached out my free hand and hugged him back.
“I’ve been great,” I murmured.
“Good, I'm glad,” he said as he released me.
“Come on, Dad. We’ll take you to dinner and then home.” Addie took his arm and tugged at him.
“Yes, I'm starving. I hate airplane food.” he grimaced.
“You look like you appreciated the Greek cuisine.” I laughed.
“I did.” He chuckled and rubbed his belly.
We entered a quiet restaurant; nothing too over the top. Addie hated it when we went too “Richie” as she called it. It was a new restaurant called Nino which she loved coming to. She mostly loved their homemade pizzas.
“Dad, you’re going to love the pasta here, unless you want pizza?” She sat down across from me so she could be next to her father.
“I want both,” he said, smiling at her.
“Me too,” she laughed.
“Watching you two devour the restaurant should be fun,” I joked.
“May I get you anything?” the waiter asked the moment he approached.
“Yeah, a trough,” I noted.
“Daimon,” Addie scoffed. “Water for now, until we decide what to eat,” she spoke for us.
“Of course.”
“So how was Greece?” Addie asked.
“The family asked about you both, your sister and you. I told them everything. Your aunts want to see you,” her dad said proudly.
“Really?” Addie smiled.
“Yes, really…Addie, I was thinking since you’re now so happy here with Daimon and your sister is doing so well…” her dad hesitated.
“What is it, Dad?”
“I was thinking of moving to Greece permanently and only visiting a few times a year.” He reached for her hand and held it.
“Oh…” Addie breathed. “Okay, I understand.” She smiled but it wasn’t as bright as before. Fuck.
“It’s better for your dad, beloved,” I added, hoping to ease the slight furrows that appeared on her forehead.
“I have a life there, Addie, a good one.”
“That’s great, Dad. I’m happy, really I am. I'm just going to miss you,” she said softly.
“I’ll visit, Addie. I promise,” he reassured.
“Sure,” she nodded.
The waiter came back with a large bottle of sparkling water and began pouring. Addie took her glass right away and took a large drink, while her father looked at me, willing me to talk to her. To make her feel better. The months he was away were hard on Addie, but she kept telling me, and herself, that he was coming back soon.
“Would you like to order now?” the waiter said, his voice cracking. I looked up at him as he stared at Addie. Flicking my gaze to Addie, she lifted her head. Her face contorted as she leaned forward, holding onto her belly.
“Addie?” Both her father and I cried out as she double over and fell from her seat to the ground.
“Addie,” he father called out as he reached for her. I looked up to tell the waiter to call the ambulance, but he stood there frozen.
“Shit, I didn’t want to do this,” the waiter muttered.
I reached for him and yanked him down. “You didn’t mean to do what?” I shouted.
“What’s going on?” The manager came running in.
“Call the fucking ambulance. My wife is pregnant!” I shouted.
“Yes, of course,” the manager said frantically as he took out his phone and dialed.
“What?” I heard her father say as he cradled her in his arms.
“Pregnant?” the waiter who I had on the ground whispered.
“Fucker,” I said as I began shaking. “What did you do?” I roared.
“He offered me money. I needed it…I…I didn’t realize…I only used a small dose. I couldn’t do it… I just couldn’t do it,” he kept repeating as he looked at my Addie who was on the ground.
“Who?” I shouted. “Who?”
But he wouldn’t answer.
I left him on the ground and reached for her taking her into my arms. “Addie, do you hear me? Addie? Fuck, baby, please!” I pleaded as I rocked her back and forth in my arms. “Addie.” I reached down to her belly and held it. “God, please. Please, fuck please. Don’t take them away from me. Please, I need them. I need them both,” I begged, crying as I held her.
“Sir?” the paramedics rushed in with a gurney. “We’ll need to take her,” one said to me as I looked up at him. I rose and placed Addie on the gurney.
“Addie, my beloved; it’s going to be okay,” I whispered softly.
“Sir, please, let us help her,” one of the paramedics said to me as he pushed me out of the way. Addie’s father was speaking to the police who had the waiter in custody. “What did you use?” he called out to the waiter.
