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“Before we start pummeling each other again, can you shelf the insults for a moment and listen to what I came to say?” My hands are fisted at my sides, my jaw clenching in anticipation of John landing a right hook.
"He's right, John," Sarah says, shaking her head and taking a seat. "This has gone on long enough. We haven't seen our baby girl in two weeks; it's time we talked."
“Where’s Oakley?” John asks accusingly.
"She's at home. I told her I had to meet a client." I chose the word home for a reason; it's time they understood that it was now Oakley's home as well.
“Lying to her already?” John’s voice is laced with acid.
“John, please,” Sarah pleads. “If you don’t want to hear what he has to say, you can step outside. I want to listen to him.”
I instantly gain more respect for Sarah for standing up against John.
“Fine.” John huffs and takes a seat.
I pull out a chair and swing it around before I straddle it. “We went to the doctor today and had an ultrasound. You should’ve seen the look on Oakley’s face. She’s so happy and excited about the baby, but she spent the whole ride home crying because she couldn’t share it with you.”
“My poor girl…” Sarah says, clutching her throat.
"I know this isn't what you want for her John. I know you'd like her to finish college, maybe get a degree or two and then meet a nice man to settle down with. But life doesn't always go as we plan. I fell in love with her, and I know you probably feel the same way Rebecca does, that this is just a mid-life crisis. It's not." I take a deep breath and search the ceiling for the words I hope can bring reconciliation for the Turners. "Today when we heard our baby's heartbeat, do you know what the first thing was that came to mind? Oakley is going to be a wonderful mother. She's kind and caring and compassionate, and she'll love that baby more than any other person could. Shouldn't we be celebrating that instead of being at odds because I'm older than she is?"
“He’s right, John,” Sarah’s voice is barely audible.
"As soon as she's ready I'm going to support her if she wants to go back to college. Or if she wants to do something else, I'll support her in that as well. I'm in this for the long haul, and that's why I'm here. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't want my baby born out of wedlock. I want my baby to have my name, and I want Oakley to know just how much I love her. I haven't asked her officially because I want your blessing first."
“Oh my…” Sarah gasped.
“John, I’d like to marry your daughter.”
John looked at me with a gaze that could split a hundred-year-old tree. "You're not going to hold her back?"
“No, I’ll always support her in becoming the woman she wants to be. Whatever she decides, I’m here.”
“You’re not going to fuck around when the baby thing becomes too much in a couple of months?”
"Rebecca had numerous affairs, John. You know that. I knew what it felt like being the receiving end of that and I can promise you I won't do that to Oakley."
Sarah and John share a look. I smile faintly. It's the same type of look Oakley and I were beginning to share. A look that conveyed our feelings, if we agreed or if we didn't. When you loved someone an entire conversation can be relayed in that single look. I missed having someone to share that look with since my divorce.
John sighs and narrows his eyes. “We’ve been to the shooting range a few times Levi and you know I can aim…”
The words hung in the air like the warning I expected. “You hardly ever miss.”
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He scoffs. “I’ve never missed.” His face finally softens. “You have my blessing, but know this—you hurt my little girl, I can promise you I won’t think twice about coming for you.”
I stand up and hold out my hand. He glances at it hesitantly before finally taking it. “And if you call me dad I’m going to fucking aim for your balls.”
Laughter, even though it was slightly terse, flowed through the kitchen. The ring I’d been carrying around in my pocket for days burns against my skin. It’s time I gave it to its rightful owner.
"We'd love to have you over for dinner tomorrow night if you're free?" I offer.
“You’re pushing it,” John warned.
“That would be lovely, Levi,” Sarah answers. “Thank you for inviting us.”
I smile gratefully at her before I let myself out.
