Chapter 97

I hear a knock at the door, and excitement rushes through me hoping that it is Derek on the other end of the door. I can't wait to see him. I walk over to the door and start opening it. I see that it is Derek. I can't help but put my arms around him, and I feel his arms tighten around me as well. I also feel his hands touching my back. I am so happy to see him that I don't want to let him go. He comes into the house, and I shut the door. I can tell how nervous he is.

I decide break the silence and ask, “So, how was your flight?”

“It was good. I'm so glad that you allowed me to come out and see you and Faithlyn. I missed you both so much!”

“Faithlyn is napping right now, but I can get her up so you can see her if you want me to.”

He stops me and says, “No, you don't have to get her up. Let her sleep. I can wait for her to wake up. Anyway, it gives us some time to talk. Amelia, I'm so sorry for all that has happened.”

I stop him, “Derek, I don't even want to bring it up. Let's just start fresh. I don't want to fight. I just want to be together if that's ok with you.”

“Amelia, I love you so much, and I'm so happy that you aren't leaving me. I was so scared. I know I'm not good enough for you, and I don't deserve someone so good as you.”

“Derek, you are good too. I love you so much, but I'm just tired of wasting time on negative shit. I just want us to be happy.”

“Amelia, I think that you are the only person I know who would say that.”

My father walks over to us and shouts, “You're damn right she is the only one who would say that! After all that you have done and put her through? You want it to all just be forgiven? You don't deserve her forgiveness!”

I cut him off, “Dad, stop! Remember what we talked about? You don't have to like him, but please don't start anything. This was my decision to make to forgive Derek, not yours.”

Derek cuts in, “Amelia, it's all right. Your dad has good reason to be pissed at me.”

“Your damn straight I do!”

I yell at them both, “I don't care! I'm tired of all the fucking fighting! I just want things to be civil for once!”

“Fine bear, I will let it go for now, but he better not hurt you again or there will be lots of issues to come.”

He walks away, and I feel bad. I have never talked to my dad that way, but this is my life to live, not his. I just want to start living life to the fullest. I'm tired of dwelling on negativity. I just want things to be happy. I know that sounds crazy, but my god, it would be so nice if things would just be fucking simple instead of all kinds of fucking crazy like it has been! I want to go and apologize to my dad, but I know I didn't do anything wrong. He needs to just respect my choice no matter if he likes it or not.

Derek comes over to me, wraps his arm around my waist, and says, He is your father Amelia. He just wants to protect you so don't be so hard on him. Maybe you should just go and talk to him.”

“Derek, we already talked about this. I don't want to keep talking about it."

“Well, maybe it was easier for him when he didn't see me, but seeing me might have made it harder than what he thought it would be.”

“I never thought of it that way. Maybe I should go talk to him. “

“Yeah Amelia, I think that you should. You don't want him to be upset, especially when he doesn't deserve it.”

I never really thought my reaction would hurt my dad. I mean come on, why would it? He knows what I want, so he should just accept it and not fight me on my decision. Even if it's not one he agrees with, it's not his to make.

“Dad, I'm sorry if it seems like I was being rude. That wasn't my intent.”

“I know it was easier to just go with what you wanted when he wasn't here, but when seeing him it was like a fire just lit up inside, and I wanted to make him pay for all that he has done to you.”

“I know that he has a lot to make up for dad, so just please, give him the chance to make it up to you.”

“Okay Amelia, I will try my best not to try to kill him.” He smiles and hugs me then continues, "I love you bear.”

“I love you too daddy. Thank you for trying, I really appreciate it.”

My mother then comes out of the kitchen oddly at the prefect time. Her timing couldn't be any better as she tells us, “Dinner is now ready to be served. Why don't we all sit around the table to eat.”

I go to get Derek from the other room and ask, "My mother has made dinner. Would you like to eat with us?”

“Yes, I would love to! That would be nice.”

We all sit around the table. As we get what food we want, it's so quiet. I don't really mind it because there is no fighting either. I know it is hard for everyone to get along, but it is wishful thinking I guess. All you hear is forks hitting off the plates as we are all eating. 

I'm not sure what to say to break the silence. I don't have to because I then he Faithlyn crying. I go to stand up and announce, “I'll be right back. I'm going to go get Faithlyn.” I feel bad leaving Derek alone with my parents, but I could use a break from the awkwardness.

I walk up to her crib and coo at her, “Hi my beautiful girl. Mommy has a surprise for you.” 

She smiles at me, and as we are walking downstairs, I'm so excited for her to see Derek. Once I walk into the dining room Derek turns around, and as Faithlyn sees her daddy she says her first words plain as day, “Da da!”

“Oh my goodness, she just said her first word!” I am so overjoyed that Faithlyn finally said her first word.

She reaches out her little arms and says again, “Da da!” 

Derek gets up out of his chair and walks over to her with tears in his eyes. He picks her up and puts her in his arms. Then he hugs her so tight she starts to giggle and says, “Hey baby, I missed you so much.”

When I see Faithlyn's reaction, that is all I need to know that I made the right choice to move on with Derek. It was right for me to forget all the bad so that we can just move forward. I love him and so does she, so that's all that really matters. What everyone else thinks about it doesn't matter, and it's not any of their damn business.

I'm so happy at this moment that we both got to witness Faithlyn's first words. The joy we both feel is overwhelming. We sit back down at the table and the awkward silence and tension doesn't bother me any longer now. It's the three of us, and I'm just grateful for this moment.

The evening was amazing. Faithlyn was so happy to see her daddy. They played together for hours. She wouldn't leave his side. Everywhere he went she followed. I knew Derek is enjoyed every second, and I can tell he missed her as well. In the meantime, all I could think about was when it was her bedtime, and we could finally get some much-needed alone time together. I want him so badly that I'm getting moist just thinking about it. I can't wait until I can get my much-needed release too.