Page 75 of Then and Now
“Baby,” I start, thinking carefully about what to say. “I think it’s more than an apology to him. It’s the only way he has to start making up for the last twenty years. I’m not saying it’s okay or that you have to accept the money. But as another man who has been trying to make up for lost time, I’m just saying, cut him — and yourself — some slack. Look at his offer as more of a door opening, a way back into a relationship with your father.”
She sighs, and I feel her body sag against mine just a little bit more.
“It all just feels so surreal. He’s been out of my life for so long, and I thought I was over that. But now, knowing he’s back only to leave me again, but this time forever? It hurts so much.”
I hold her, letting her cry into my shirt. Seeing my beautiful, strong girl, so vulnerable and in pain is killing me. Especially since there is absolutely nothing I can do to make it better. No words I can say, nothing, will take this pain away.
Eventually her tears slow and she lifts her head, rubbing at the wet spot she left behind.
“Sorry,” she whispers.
“Don’t be. What can I do? Do you want some tea?”
“Actually.” She casts her eyes down at her hands. “I feel bad for asking, but I think I need to be alone for the night.” She winces before glancing back up at me. “I’m sorry. I appreciate you being here, really.”
As much as it kills me to do so, I stand up and walk over to where I put all my gear when we came inside. “Don’t ever apologize for asking for what you need.”
Serena follows me over to the door before hugging me tightly. “Thank you. You’re amazing, Leo Talbot. I love you and I’m thankful for you. Now go home to your little girl and cuddle her close.”
“You’ll call me if you want me to come back, right? Or just come over to my house. I’ll leave the back door unlocked.” My hand grips the door handle. I don’t want to leave her like this, even if it is what she wants.
“I promise I’ll call you if I need to talk. But don’t be disappointed if I don’t, okay? It’s nothing to do with you, or us, it’s just me. Please understand.”
I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs gently stroking her jawbone. “Tippy, I’ll never deny you something you need or want. It’s just hard for me to leave you when I know you’re upset.”
She kisses me briefly, her hands resting on my chest, holding onto my shirt. “I know. And I won’t pretend I’m not sad about my father. But I really do just want some time alone to process everything, maybe have a good cry, and then get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
In the end, the knowledge that yes, she will see me tomorrow, even if she doesn’t realize exactly how early she’ll be seeing me…is what gives me the strength to kiss my girl one more time and then leave.
Once I’ve said goodnight to Kat, I walk down the hall to Violet’s room and peek in the door. She’s fast asleep, her arms stretched up over her head, in her usual position. I walk in and crouch down beside her bed. Stroking the little hairs back from her face, I lean down and kiss her forehead.
“I love you, my sweet girl. And I promise to never let you doubt that.”
I’m already outside the studio when my cousins pull up in Sawyer’s truck and start unloading their tools. “Hey guys, thanks for doing this.”
Sawyer slaps me on the back. “No worries, man, this is what family does. Besides, you said there would be muffins.”
“I’ve got those!” A feminine voice makes us turn to see Mila, Paige, Summer, and a couple other women I don’t know walking toward us from the direction of the bakery. “The guys are on their way with the glass for the window, too.”
They come to a stop in front of us and Mila opens the lid of a large bakery box, revealing a dozen of her signature apple nut muffins.
“Dig in.”
“Good morning, Leo. Is Serena still asleep? She did not send us an update on how her conversation with her father went, so I confess, we are all quite curious.”
I lift a muffin in greeting. “Morning, Paige. Yeah, I think she’s still sleeping. When I left her place last night around ten she was okay. But I’ll let her give you the details.”
“What’s going on?”
We all turn around at Serena’s confused and still sleepy voice. She’s wearing her pajamas, and her eyes widen almost comically when she sees everyone standing around. They get impossibly larger when a horn honks, and Ethan pulls up in a large truck with carefully wrapped sheets of glass in the back.
“Leo, what the heck is all this?”
I go over to Serena and kiss her cheek. “This is our friends and family showing you that we love you, and we’ve got your back, always.”
“Where should we start?” Max asks before nodding at Serena. “Hey, Serena, how are you?”
“Stunned? Confused? Overwhelmed? Take your pick.” She lifts her shoulders and looks at me with a baffled expression.
