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Declan said, “I’m telling you that it’s got everything you need for energy. You have no idea what you’re missing by eating all those salads.”
“For the record, I was thinking more along the lines of steak and vegetables.”
He raised a brow. “Why did I take you for someone who didn’t eat red meat?”
“Because you never asked. I love pasta, meat, and unfortunately many sweets. Guess I’m lucky to have good genes because I should be the size of a house with how I eat,” I admitted.
“Well then good thing you didn’t faint, because I’ve been neglecting my duties in feeding you,” he replied.
But you more than made them up in other ways.
“Are you sure you want to go out? You’ve had a stressful day thus far.”
“I’m positive. It will give me a distraction. And besides, I really enjoy your company. I want to spend every second of it together while we can,” he stated.
I kissed him and said, “I’d love that.”
The more memories we had, maybe the less it would hurt while saying goodbye.
Who am I kidding? It’s going to be worse than childbirth.
He took my hand, and we headed out to enjoy the last day we had together.
CHAPTER13
Declan
When I walked into the hospital room and saw my mother sleeping in bed, it was the first time I really relaxed since hearing the news. It didn’t matter what Rian or my father had said. I needed to see her in person.
She looked peaceful. I walked over to stand beside my father to find that he was holding her hand.
In almost a whisper, I asked, “How is she?”
He looked up at me and said, “A little better than yesterday. She was able to squeeze my hand this morning. That’s a good sign. She has a long way to go, but she’s tough. She’ll do it. I know she will.”
My mother was always a fighter. A strong woman raising two sons who challenged her all the time. And putting up with my father couldn’t have been easy either. He was where Rian and I got all our stubbornness from. But he was right, mom wasn’t a quitter. It might be a rough road to recovery, but she wasn’t going to back down.And I’m not going to leave her to do it without all the support she needs.
I’d spent so much time either in California or some other part of the world. Portland had always been the last place I wanted to be. She’d begged me to relocate my business here, and each time I shot it down. Portland got cold and where I lived, the sun was out most of the time, and temperatures never dropped to freezing. I’d be okay if I never shoveled or saw ice on a pond again.
It was almost summer and the weather in Portland now was great. I could deal with this for a couple of months. Also, I could do most of my work from here, as long as it wasn’t a hands-on job.
“Why don’t you pull up a seat? She hopefully will wake up soon,” he said.
“Did you want me to go get you a coffee or something first?” I offered. He shook his head, and I grabbed the seat beside him. “I can’t believe it. Some asshole posted fake shit and we almost lost mom because of it.”
“I’m glad that it was fake. Your mother and I couldn’t bear to lose you. You or Rian. I know she can be...overbearing sometimes, and pushy, but it’s just because she loves you guys. She wants what is best for both her sons. In her mind, that is a family. Probably because she loves our family so much that she thinks if you got married, you’d have the same kind of life.”
“I get it, Dad. But times are different. I’m different. Hell, I’m forty-six years old. Not the age when a man starts thinking about having a family. It’s when you start planning your retirement.” Not that I had any interest in doing so anytime soon.
“And when a woman is in her late sixties, she can’t help but want grandchildren. Not to put any pressure on you, but your mother and I aren't going to be around forever you know. If you’re planning on having a family, I’d do it soon,” he warned.
“Dad, did they do a blood transfusion on you two because you’re sounding a lot like Mom,” I replied. Normally he would sit back and not say a word when my mother started in. I figured he had nothing to say. Guess I was wrong.
“She can’t tell you herself right now, so as her partner in life, it’s my job to pick up the slack,” he replied. “But I’m serious. Not about the family, but about how much time you spend in Portland. Holidays and birthdays aren’t enough. They never were, but now it’s even more important that you make an effort.”
“I’m staying in Portland for a while. Can’t tell you how long, but I’m in no rush to leave,” I stated.Just wish that I could be in two places at once, because I’d be with Venus if possible.
“Good. Work is important, but it’s not everything,” he said firmly. “Now, tell me why the hell someone posted that you sunk a sailboat?”
