26 - Heartfelt Apology

The smell of bacon cooking downstairs the next morning woke Lilly, Aiden, and Ethan from their slumber. The twins wrapped themselves around Lilly as she stretched trying to make her way out of the bed.

Lilly giggled, falling back down in between them, “Guys, I must go to the bathroom. Plus, it smells like Jason must be cooking us breakfast downstairs. We need to go and offer our help.” Aiden locked his luscious lips onto Lilly’s mouth, kissing her passionately as Ethan sandwiched her tightly between them. He was kissing trails down her neck and shoulders making it so hard for Lilly to break away.

Lilly finally saw an opening and jumped from their grasp making them groan and fuss. Ethan started first with his complaints, “Lilly, please come back to bed.” He pleaded.

“I am sorry guys. If we do not get out of bed now, we will never come out of this room, and you two know it.” Lilly said with her hands on her hips. The guys knew she was right. Obviously, Jason had gotten up early to fix them breakfast, so they needed to see what he had planned for the day. They both growled with disappointment as they got dressed and made their way downstairs.

“Well, good morning sleepy heads.” Jason was extremely too chipper this early in the morning. The twins rolled their eyes at him and went to sit at the table. Lilly ran over wrapping her arms around Jason’s neck and kissing him. “Good morning especially to you beautiful!” Jason kissed her back slipping his tongue between her soft lips to get a better taste. Jason stepped back, eyes wide, “Whew I better stay over here and cook this bacon before it burns. You distract me, Lilly.”

Lilly laughed, “What can I do to help?” He motioned for her to get plates and they were ready to eat.

Once they were seated, plates full, and everyone seemed to be in a better mood, Jason cleared his throat to get their attention, “I need to talk to you three about the phone call I got last night.”

Lilly looked worried at Jason, “Is everything okay?”

Jason placed his hand over Lilly’s, “Yes it may be more than okay. Dad called last night and apologized to me about how he overreacted about Lilly. He wants to come over this evening to sit and talk with us.”

The twins looked at Jason with questioning and doubtful eyes, “Do you believe him, Jason?”

Jason thought for a minute and then shook his head, “Yes, he seemed sincere. I told him we would have a nice calm dinner and hear him out, but I also explained to him how we feel about Lilly, and that no matter how he feels she is a part of our lives now.” Lilly’s heart felt like it may explode from her chest. She felt so loved by the three of them. They all finished breakfast discussing the plans for the evening.

It was about 6 pm when Frank pulled into the driveway, feeling a mix of emotions swirling in his chest. He had been thinking about his conversation with Jason and the twins nonstop since it happened, replaying every word and every feeling in his mind. He knew he had overreacted, and he was determined to make things right.

As he walked into the house, he was greeted by the delicious aroma of Lilly's cooking. She had been working hard all afternoon to make the perfect meal. Jason and the twins offered to help her, but she was determined she wanted to make a good impression. Lilly got out her favorite cookbook with all her mother's and grandmother’s family recipes. She found her favorite, chicken and dumplings, turnip greens, and black-eyed peas. That was a Southern comfort food that no one could turn down. Frank's stomach growled in anticipation as he followed the scent to the dining room. Jason, Aiden, and Ethan were already seated at the table, looking up at him with a mixture of surprise and wariness. Lilly hid in the kitchen until she knew it was okay to come out.

"Hey, Dad," Jason said stiffly. Aiden and Ethan nodded toward him with their awkward hellos.

"Hey, boys," Frank replied, taking a seat across from them. "Thank you for allowing me to join you for dinner?"

Lilly came walking into the dining room carrying the last of her spread, her eyes fixed on Frank's face. "Of course, Mr. Donovan. We were just waiting for you."

The silence that followed was thick with tension. Frank knew he needed to apologize, but he wasn't sure where to start. He took a deep breath and began.

"Please call me Frank. You must be the famous Lilly that my boys talk so highly of.” Lilly reached out and shook his hand. Frank continued, “I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I overreacted the other day. I shouldn't have blown up at you three like I did."

Jason's expression didn't change, but Lilly's eyes softened slightly.

"I was worried about you and the twins, Jason," Frank continued. "I know I shouldn't have taken it out on you three. That was wrong of me."

Lilly reached out and put a hand on Jason's arm. "Frank, I want you to know that I love all three of your boys with all of my heart," she said gently. "I can understand why you were worried about them. This is a very unorthodox relationship, and not many people will approve of it.” Lilly reached towards the twins grasping their hands as well, smiling up at them.

Frank shook his head. "No, it wasn't just about being worried about you four. It's about me being scared. Scared of losing my sons and realizing that I don't have as much control over your life as I thought I did. I also do not want the twins to lose sight of their education and on football. They have worked so hard to get to where they are now."

Jason looked up at him, his eyes searching. "Dad, we're adults now," he said softly. "We make our own decisions. You can't control us."

“Yeah, plus dad Lilly is so supportive of us and our goals. She is also very school-oriented. Lilly has a perfect 4.0 GPA and goals of her own.

Frank felt a pang of guilt and regret. His son was right. He had been trying to hold onto the past for too long, especially after he had lost their mother. She meant everything to him, and it felt like he was going to lose them too.

"I know that" Frank said. "And I'm sorry for trying to hold onto what we used to be instead of embracing what we are now. After your mother passed I lost myself in trying to continue to raise you boys. It just hasn’t been the same without her."

Lilly squeezed Jason's arm making him relax. "Dad, we get it. We miss Mom so much, but just because we are adults now doesn’t mean we are gone out of your life." he said gently. "But we need space to make our own decisions and live our own lives. I know that you never believed in Mom’s visions, but we do. Lilly is our soulmate."

Frank nodded, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He knew he had made a mistake, but he was willing to learn from it.

"I love you three so much," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "And I promise to give you the space you need from now on. If you are happy with Lilly, then I am happy also." He turned to Lilly and placed his hand over hers, “Lilly, I apologize to you also. I am sorry this is our first meeting. You seem like an honest and caring young lady with a good head on your shoulders. I am glad to know that if you are as school-driven as the twins say you are you will help keep them focused.”

Lilly smiled back at Frank, “Thank you Frank, and yes there will be no slacking around her.”

The five of them sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the clinking of silverware against plates. Then Frank spoke up again.

“And might I add a damn good cook, Lilly. Where did you learn to cook like this at such a young age.” Frank said shoveling more chicken and dumplings onto his plate.

Lilly laughed at Frank, “Thank you. That means a lot. These recipes are my mother’s and grandmother's passed down from generation to generation. My mother is a true Southern woman with lots of old-school ways and that includes cooking from scratch. We never ate out growing up because she always had food ready and waiting on the table.”

Frank smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Lilly seemed good for his boys. Yes, it was an odd relationship, but the world is changing daily, and he was sure they would be accepted easily. It wasn't going to be easy for him to deal with the changes, but he was willing to work through this and rebuild their relationship and add Lilly to their family.

As they dug into their dinner, Frank felt a sense of hope that they could move forward together, as a family once again.