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“With all due respect, I wouldn’t,” I said. “Love is love, David. Commitment is commitment. Integrity and consideration and communication, honesty and genuine care, compassion, support… those are the things that make a worthwhile relationship, whether that’s two people, or three people, or ten people.” I willed him to listen. To understand. “We have all of those things, so no, David, I wouldn’t understand the preference of the status quo over a situation where three people have found genuine happiness. I’m sorry if our relationship disappoints you, honestly I am, your opinion matters to me very much, but I am not ashamed of loving your daughter, and I’m not ashamed of loving Rick. I’m not ashamed, David, and I have no intention of leaving either one of them.”
He pointed a finger in my direction, smiled. “This is why you’d make such an excellent partner for my daughter, Carl. You have such integrity, such honour. I’ve always respected that in you.”
“I hope Idomake an excellent partner for your daughter. Maybe you should ask her before you come to any conclusions about our situation.”
“Maybe I will,” he said.
“Please do.” I got to my feet. “We have a celebration to attend, if we’re done?”
He waited, staring up at me. “I can’t say I’m alright with this, Carl.”
“So don’t. Don’t say anything until you know what youcansay.”
He rose from the table, and I looked at the man I’d come to respect to highly. He was still a strong man, still proud. His grey hair was thinner than it once was, but he was still an attractive man, still a charismatic, dynamic, driven leader. He held out a hand and I took it.
“Please don’t feel this is a reflection on my feelings towards you, Carl. I respect everything you’ve done for me, not least for building bridges between Katie and I. I know that was you, I know what you did for me.”
“I did that for both of you,” I said. “And maybe that’s where you should be putting your attention. We’re really no threat to Katie’s happiness, Rick and I. We’ll do the right thing by her, always.”
“I know,” he said. “I just need some time, to make sense of my outlook.”
“Take all the time you need, David. We’ll all be right here when you want to talk.”
He nodded, and I opened the door.
“Psst,” Katie said. She had a party hat on her head, a golden crown with garish glitter stars. I raised an eyebrow and she smiled. “Ryan brought them in. Mine’s the queen one, isn’t it cool?”
“Very.”
She took a breath. “What did he say? My dad, I mean. What was all that about?”
“He knows,” I said, and her eyes widened.
“And…?”
“And it’s a lot to take in. I was honest, he knows the situation.”
“Shit,” she said.
“No,” I argued. “It’s not shit. It’s a relief.”
She shrugged. “Honesty’s the best policy, right?”
“Always, Katie.” I smiled. “Always.”
“He’s still here.” She looked over at him. “That’s got to be a good sign.”
“He is indeed, and I hope so.” I pulled her close, took her hand in mine. “And a little birdie told me you may well have an envelope to match your crown. Maybe you’ll even appreciate it this time.”
“Maybe I will,” she said.
I handed her a champagne and we raised our glasses to David across the room.
He only hesitated a second before he raised his in return.
We stayed on late to clear up, the least I could do for the cleaners. We’d made quite a mess of the buffet, and someone had been thoughtful enough to bring party poppers, the whole room was covered in coloured strings.
Katie mucked in, and she was giggling, happy on champagne.
