“Dad?” I turned back to see her glancing over her shoulder. “I like Oak and all. If he makes you happy, I guess I gotta get over being mad.”
“I’d like that. Thanks, Harper. I’ll see you in a bit.” Because I had no doubt she’d come down for a cupcake eventually, and maybe even join us in the living room, though it would take her a bit to be okay with everything.
I left the room, then, but only made it halfway down the stairs before I needed to just sit and breathe. Out of all the reactions that I imagined, Harper, or any of them, thinking I was a liar hadn’t even crossed my mind. I was infinitely grateful she’d opened up to me, and that we’d be able to work through it. Maybe I would talk to Oak’s therapist about getting the kids in, just so they had someone impartial to talk to. They were adjusting well, overall, but it couldn’t hurt. If Dr. Marks couldn’t see them herself, I was sure she would have recommendations.
Parenting was hard.
But the truth was out now, and all the kids were on board with me dating Oak. Harper’s issues were different, and we’d work through them, with or without professional help. In the meantime, all I could do was keep loving them, keep helping them. But most importantly, with everything out in the open, I could let myself fall in love with Oak.
Chapter 26
Oak
The snow was melting rapidly and everything was slush. Gone were my skating days on the pond, and we’d reiterated to the kids that there was absolutely no going on the ice anymore.
This was the time of year that I’d always disliked the most. I hated trudging in the melting snow and driving in it, but every time I walked between my cabin and the Yellow House, I could at least remind myself why I was doing it.
The kids were up to speed, and while Harper was having some trouble—apparently her dad being bi wasn’t easy for her to understand on a certain level—at least their support system was ready to, well, support.
Charlie actually asked Uncle Teague to talk to Harper during one of their frequent calls, because Uncle Teague was bisexual as well. It seemed to help, even though nobody but Uncle Teague and Harper knew what exactly was said, and she began to relax a bit more.
We were grateful, Law and me. Now that we were completely free from any pretense and lies by omission, we could cuddle onthe couch while we watched movies and occasionally, I’d stay the night in Law’s bed.
We were moving forward slowly but surely, and I was happier than I thought I could ever be, even though something was still holding me back a little bit.
One Friday in early spring —okay, more like late winter, but I was getting tired of the season and refused the idea of it lasting even a day longer— Law and Marlie had taken Ranger for his vet checkup, and I was hanging with Tris and Harper.
Because Law had picked the kids up from school and then dropped the duo off at the Inn before he and Marlie went to get Ranger, we went to bother Charlie just because we could.
“Uncle Charlie!” Tris yelled loudly, then barreled through the smartly already open office door. I’d given Charlie a heads up, I wasn’t cruel.
“Hey, bud!” Charlie hugged Tristan while Harper and I peered into the office a bit more politely.
Since Charlie had told Dana we were coming over, she soon called us into the dining room for snacks.
“Auntie Dana has the best snacks!” Tristan announced before dashing past us once again.
“I wish I had half of that kid’s energy,” I murmured.
Charlie chuckled. “A quarter would do.”
“Hey, even I don’t have a fraction of his energy and I’m not even twelve yet,” Harper deadpanned, making us laugh, which clearly made her day.
She gave Charlie a hug, and then we put our outerwear in the designated spot where Tristan had flung his backpack and clothes already.
I followed Harper into the dining room and got myself a snack once the kids had done their raiding of the selection. Dana came out of the kitchen with a mug of coffee and handed it over.
“There you go!” She was in a good mood. I think part of that might be the fact that she, Nic, and Aunt Regan were figuring their shit out, finally. I didn’t comment on it though; it wasn’t something they liked to talk about at this point and I respected that.
“Thanks!” I took the mug and my plate to my usual table by the windows while Tristan and Harper went to the one the kids normally used.
I noticed a car drive into the lot and park near the other side of the doors where I couldn’t see it, but thought nothing of it.
“Oak?” Harper looked at me expectantly.
“Yeah?”
“Can we make pizza for dinner tonight?”
