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I ready myself for a party that should be worth my while, at least I think so. It’s been an entire month since my father walked away from me without a single word. Now, he wants to mend what’s broken as he called me for the first time just yesterday. He asked if I would accompany him to a surprise baby shower for a family friend of ours.
It’s not like I want to go, I barely even know the woman, but I know if I don’t attend, we’ll be stuck like this for longer. I’m sick of the silence between us. It needs fixed, and I do miss my father. I want things to change.
Bruno over the course of these weeks has insisted on reaching out to my father, but I couldn’t let him. I wanted to be the one who fixed this, but then, my father phoned me up, and that just helped speed things along.
Tonight, I’ve tossed on a white silk gown, pairing perfectly with my set of white, shiny heels. My hair is curled, my nails are done, and I feel the best I’ve felt in some time.
“I’m not sure what time I’ll be home, but I can’t imagine this running very late,” I say to Bruno as he eyes me up as if he’s ready to strip off the very clothes I’ve spent an hour prepping myself for.
“It’s alright, you take all the time you need.” His dark stare remains on me as he brings his hands to my waist, pulling me in for a kiss.
This past month has been one of the happiest times I’ve had in life. Spending every day with Bruno has only made us closer. I’ve fallen more for this man than I ever imagined I would, especially this quickly. We cook together now, and I even know how to make a variety of casseroles as I learned quickly what Bruno’s favorite dishes are.
I’ve come a long way in terms of cooking, cleaning, and décor, I must say. I’ve learned that I can make my own decisions. I’m independent enough to do as I please without anyone’s consent. There are times I do ask for Bruno’s opinion of course, but it’s because I want to know what he thinks of an idea—not because I want him to make the choices for me, or to okay the choices I’ve made.
I haven’t spent time with my so-called ‘friends’ in some time now too. The more I go on without them, the more I realize how I’m better off without them, and sadly, I probably always was. I just didn’t see it as clear as my father did when I was living at home. I’m not saying my father was right in his actions, but some of the points he’s made are spot-on, and this is just one of them.
I know it hurt him when I wouldn’t come home, but at the same time, he had to see I could live without him and that I didn’t need to be treated like a child any longer.
Though, with my absence from home, I’m sure he’s enjoyed the silence as he used to say my chatter just caused him headaches anyhow. So I guess in the end, he got his wish, and I got mine; freedom.
I get to meet his new girlfriend this evening as he’s invited her along to the party, so it should be rather interesting. At least it won’t be just the two of us trying to make small talk. It still bums me out that Bruno isn’t coming along. My father didn’t extend the invite to Bruno, which I’m not sure if he had assumed he’d tag along anyways, or if he truly didn’t want him to be there. Either way, that was enough for Bruno to not feel welcomed even though I feel as if he should. It’s my father we’re talking about here. He’s not that scary.
“I wish you’d come with me,” I tell Bruno again, slipping on my earrings. He sighs, but has a smile on as he looks at me.
“You know how I feel about this. Unless Derek invites me, I’m not going to impose on the evening.” He tells me what I already know. I know he’s not going to change his mind, especially just before I’m about to leave.
The doorbell sounds before I even have a chance to convince him that my father will just have to get used to us being together. I’ve been trying to convince him of this, but as much as I already know he knows, he still doesn’t budge. If my father wants to be part of my life, he’s going to need to accept the fact that Bruno is here to stay.
“Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. You look incredible tonight, Liza,” he whispers as he walks over to me, and plants a kiss on my cheek.
“Thanks, daddy.” I wink at him, feeling my cheeks blush by his stare alone. The way he makes me feel is unbelievable, a feeling I know will never fade.
Bruno steps back, taking in the full length of my appearance before turning to head out of the bedroom to greet my father, once and for all.
EPILOGUE
BRUNO
I head downstairs to greet Derek at the front door. I have high hopes that Liza and her father will work this out tonight. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t want me around, I don’t have to be there. I just want the two of them to get along. They’re family, and that’s all that matters. I can tell how much it’s been bothering Liza as of late with her father distancing himself from her. This will be good for both of them.
These past few weeks with Liza have been amazing. She makes me feel young, adored, and appreciated in every way. I’ve never felt this from a woman and it only makes sense that Liza is the one that I was meant for. She brings the light into my life. I love her more than anything, and I know she loves me. If I didn’t love her so damn much I wouldn’t have kept pushing her to make amends with her father. I’m just happy the time has finally come now.
I reach the entranceway and approach the front door, opening it up to find Derek, also accompanied by who seems to be his new girlfriend. She seems rather young for Derek, but then again, who am I to talk. It’s just that his new girlfriend looks only slightly older than Liza, but not by much.
“Derek, it’s a pleasure. Liza is upstairs, finishing up as we speak,” I say, taking a step back to welcome their presence into the
house, and they move to step inside.
“You’re not ready yet?” Derek asks, catching me off guard with his question. Why would I be ready?
“The invite was for Liza, not the pair of us. When you asked Liza to the party tonight with you, I had only assumed it was for the two of you to spend some time together.” I clear my throat, feeling my face grow red as I hate surprises, and this, this feels like a surprise. If I knew he wanted me present tonight, I would’ve been ready hours ago.
“I would like the two of you to come with us tonight. It’s a coming-out party; a friend of the family is coming out about a surprise pregnancy and I think it would be a joyous time for everyone to celebrate together.” Derek informs me, smiling as if he’s happy with the thought of us all being together.
I suppose I will be in attendance for the party after all this evening. I just need to ready myself, even though it’s a bit ridiculous I’m in this situation in the first place. I should’ve just manned up weeks ago and spoke to Derek myself.
“If you just give me a moment, I will be back with Liza, and we’ll be ready to go,” I assure him.
