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“Dereck now has the opportunity to mend the broken relationship with Alina’s parents.” Martin wrapped his hand around his beer bottle but did not drink. “With everyone on good terms, that would surely relieve some of the stress on Alina.”
“I don’t know if I can do that, man. Her father barely even looked at me today.” Dereck was about to drink his beer when Lee stopped him.
“You can start by not returning to the apartment drunk. It would appear as if you’re uncaring based on Alina’s state. What if you have to bring her to the doctor again?” Lee advised.
Dereck wouldn’t want to give Alina’s parents more reason to hate him, and he certainly didn’t want to be incapacitated if Alina needed him. He pushed the beer back and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “So, how do you think I should perform this miracle?”
“That is what I cannot help you with.” Lee sighed and his dimples became more pronounced. “You have to figure that out on your own.” Then he offered Dereck encouragement, patting his friend on the shoulder a little harder than he meant to. “You can do this, man.”
“Yeah,” Martin added. “They loved you once. You can win them over again.”
“Do you know why they were so fond of you in the beginning?” Lee asked, his eyes wide, an indication his brain was working overtime.
“Laura loves the fact that I’m a doctor? She always wanted Alina to go into medicine, practically tried forcing her, but Alina refused,” Dereck gave his friends an insight into his girlfriend’s mother.
“That explains why Alina gave you a hard time when she found out you were a doctor,” Lee voiced. “Strange, the same thing the daughter hated is what the mother loves.”
Dereck ignored him and continued speaking. “And I don’t know why Lewis approved of me. We barely spoke.” Then he brought his finger to his temple. “Maybe as long as Alina’s happy, he’s happy, too.”
“Well, in that case, you know what to do. Show her parents that you are attentive and take good care of their daughter. Show them how happy she is with you and maybe they will come around.” Lee’s deduction was sound, but the execution was not going to be that easy. Alina’s parents do not like him, and he understood why. As a parent, they looked out for their child, as he would soon do.
Dereck dropped his shoulders and blew out hard, took one last drink of his beer, and rose from his seat. After saying goodbye to his friends, he went back to the apartment.
He walked into the apartment strong but faltered when he noticed the elderly couple watching an old western on the television in the sitting room. Alina was not with them.
He edged the couch they were sitting on as if he did not belong in the apartment he rented. “Is Alina asleep?”
Lewis kept his head on the television while Laura slowly nodded her head.
“Great,” Dereck said. It seems as if her parent’s presence was indeed affecting her and for the better.
Dereck wanted to know if his sister was home also, but didn’t dare ask. Instead, he turned to peer in the direction of her room, but it was in darkness. If Dina was home, she was sleeping, but it was more likely she was out. “Well, this will give me an opportunity to speak to you.”
Lewis breathed out hard and dropped his shoulder, a frown firmly in place, but he turned off the television so Dereck took it as an indication to sit on the free couch.
“Let me first apologize to you about the scene that happened at your house in Maryland,” he said, referring to when he and Lucas became confrontational. “It was never my intention to ruin your party, but I acted rashly when I noticed them coming out of the bedroom. I lost my cool and I promise it won’t happen again.”
“Is that all?” Laura said, obviously ready to return to her time with her husband.
“No. I also want to apologize about the situation with Alina.” Dereck took a deep breath, his body moving up and down as he did so. “Though I didn’t know she was pregnant, I should have. I am a doctor and should have noticed she was ill. Her illness bypassed me also because I was not a very attentive boyfriend.” He laced his fingers together. “I sometimes let my work interfere with my personal life and I promise that is something I’m changing. I want you to know that Alina is very important to me and I will not do anything to hurt her again.” When he caught the couple’s eyes, Dereck continued. “I will do everything in my power to make sure they smile often, Alina and the baby. I don’t expect you to believe me with no merit, so I will prove it with my actions.”
Laura fidgeted with the edge of the couch then, her lips curved into a gentle smile, although she tried hard to contain it. “I think I underestimated how much you care about my daughter, young man. I can hear it in your voice.”
“Saying something and doing it are two different things.” Lewis’ voice was still grim and his arms were tightly folded across his chest.
“I understand.” Dereck’s hand was moist then, although he felt a little reassured that the couple was at least speaking to him. “I know this is probably not the time for this, but I want you to know how serious I am about your daughter.”
He dipped into his jacket pocket and produced a black velvet box, opening it to reveal the classic halo diamond engagement ring.
“Oh my goodness,” Laura flew off the couch, grabbing the box for a closer look at the engagement ring. Her eyes glittered and Dereck swore he saw moisture in there. “Lewis. Our little girl is getting married.”
Lewis was a little less moved. “Only if she agrees and, frankly, I wouldn’t encourage her to. Alina is a grown woman and I can’t stop her, but I am not fond of this man.”
“Lewis!” His wife scolded him.
“A few pleasant words and I’m supposed to be thrilled he intended to marry our daughter he got pregnant.” Lewis’ voice was sharp, though it was low. “Don’t forget, she came all the way to Maryland to get away from him.” He pointed his finger at Dereck, the scorn evident on his face.
“I haven’t forgotten.” Laura went to her husband now and placed her hand on his. “I also haven’t forgotten the look on her face when she introduced him to us.” She breathed out hard. “Like it or not, he makes her happy. So, who are we to interfere with that?”
