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“I can’t believe I’m looking at your son, Sigmund,” Leo cracked. “Hell has frozen over, in the best way.”
While the entire room congregated around our son, my cell phone rang. It was a FaceTime call from my father. I answered, and his face popped up on the screen.
“Hey, Dad. You’re on speaker with a room full of people, so don’t say anything incriminating.”
“Ah, you know me too well. Is that prick with you?”
“He is.”
Sig walked over so my father could see him.
“Hey, Sig.” My father waved.
Sig’s eyes widened. “I believe that’s the first time you’ve said my actual name.”
“Well, we’re family now, sort of. So…figured I’d let the nickname go.”
“No need. I quite like it. It’s fitting in any case.”
“How are you feeling, Abby?” my dad asked.
“Still a bit hard to walk around, but better every day.”
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there, sweetheart.”
“It’s okay, Dad. No one could’ve predicted that Alex would come early. That’s his name, by the way. I don’t think I told you. We’ll see you soon enough when you come in a few weeks.”
I’d chosen not to let my father know how close I came to losing my life. He knew I’d had to have an emergency c-section, but I didn’t want him to worry, since he was still vulnerable health-wise. Someday I’d tell him about the placental abruption and blood transfusion, but not anytime soon.
“Alex is a wonderful name. How’s he doing?” he asked.
“He’s doing great, Dad. But I need to let you know something.”
“Okay…”
My father and I had spoken right after I gave birth, but I hadn’t told him all the latest developments.
“I’ve decided to stay here in the UK. I’m in love with Alex. And I’m in love with Sig. They’re my family, and they need me here.”
My father didn’t immediately say anything, so I feared he might be upset.
“Does that mean you don’t get the money?” After a few seconds’ pause, he burst out into laughter. “I’m kidding. I’m kidding.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll compensate herverywell—with Devil Dogs and kisses.”
Dad beamed. “That’s great news, honey. I’m happy for you.”
“Well, I’m relieved you feel that way. I figured maybe you’d be a little sad, even if you’re happy for me.”
“Abby, I saw this coming a mile away.”
“It means I can’t be there for you the way I want to be. And it also means my dream of reopening the store will have to die.”
He shook his head. “You owe me nothing. Your mother would be so happy for you right now. The last thing she’d be thinking about is the store. I’ll start calling some of the other vendors in the area to see what stock we can unload on them. Don’t you worry about anything except that little baby.”
“I hope we can get you to move here once you retire. Alex needs his Grampy.”
Phil leaned over me to speak into the phone. “You can be Grampy. I’ll be Grumpy.”
