I stood and gawked at him a moment before finally asking, “Do you want to come in?”
“Is he…” He glanced around, as if looking for someone. “Are you home alone?”
I nodded. “Jonathan had to run some errands.” He winced when I said Jonathan’s name. “Come in. I have coffee, tea, cookies, chips…” I rattled off the items, not sure what to do or say.
“Thanks.” He stepped inside but didn’t move to take off his jacket. “I won’t stay long. But I was in the area for business, and I…” He cleared his throat, toed at the floor. “Nice floors.”
“Dad,” I sighed, laughing. Leave it to him to comment on the floors when we hadn’t spoken in months. But it broke some of the tension, and I was so overcome with emotion that I leaped at him, giving him a tight squeeze around the middle. “I missed you.”
He tensed briefly then sighed almost as if with relief and returned my embrace. “I missed you too, Sum.”
When I pulled away, I had tears in my eyes and hope in my heart. “Come on,” I said, linking my arm with his. “I’ll give you a tour.”
“I—” He hesitated. “I don’t know.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
He swallowed, glancing toward the ceiling. “I’m trying here,really. But I can’t…” He shook his head and blew out a breath. “I’m not ready to see him,” he ground out. “Or the bedroom you share.”
I nodded. “Of course. Sorry. Um, well, what are you ready for?”
“I’m ready to talk to my daughter again.”
I smiled, so incredibly happy and pleased by his words. It was a start. It was a new beginning, and that was all I needed.
“And I want to apologize for making decisions for you. As well as for how I spoke to you the morning after my birthday,” he continued. “I was shocked and hurt, and…I’m sorry.”
I nodded. “I’m sorry too. I’m sorry that you feel betrayed. I’m sorry my decisions caused you pain and disappointment.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. “I should’ve been more understanding. You never judged me for my relationship with Lea, and I never thanked you for being supportive. Even when you had every right to be angry or disappointed with me for ending my marriage to your mom.”
I nodded, appreciating his words. “Thank you.”
We were quiet a moment, then he said, “You look good, Sum. Happy.”
I smiled. “I am.”
He turned for the door. “I should probably get going.”
I frowned, wishing he’d stay. He’d only just arrived, and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. “I know you said you need to take it slow, but we’d love for you to stay for dinner. I know Jonathan misses you too.”
He hesitated a moment, some emotion passing through his eyes before he said, “Maybe another time.”
My shoulders slumped, but I reminded myself that this was a good thing. It was a start. My dad had opened the door to communicating, and I only hoped it would get better from here. We hugged, and then he said, “I’m proud of you, Sumner. I’m proud of you for having the guts to go after what you want. To seize happiness and love even in the most unexpected places.”
My eyes stung as he released me. “Thank you.”
“Merry Christmas, kiddo.”
“Thanks, Dad. Merry Christmas to you too.”
I closed the door behind him and watched as he backed out of the driveway in a rental car. I stared after him, still reeling from the exchange. I was so distracted I didn’t hear the door from the garage open or footsteps approach. When Jonathan placed a hand on my shoulder, I startled.
“Hey.” He frowned. “Everything okay?”
I shook my head and turned away from the street. “Yeah.” I smiled. “Everything is going to be okay.”
He tilted his head. “You seem really…I don’t know. Calm.”
