Bearfoot and Pregnant(42)

“She may seem like a gold digging type, but her family has their own money and she has a huge trust fund. She grew up with money, so she’s used to the biggest and brightest. It’s also why she’s spoiled in her own way. But she can get what she wants with or without me.

“She doesn’t need me to have the best life can offer. She chooses to be with me because she loves me.” He laughed. “I don’t know what she sees in an old bastard like me, but I’m glad she does.”





THIRTY-ONE



He refilled his drink and sat on the sofa across from Cassie. “I know I’ve never said this to you, but I’ve always wanted you to be happy. I’m sorry I was so hard on you about your weight. I understood how society would look down on you if you were different. And it wouldn’t be good. I knew you’d suffer and I wanted so much to keep that hurt away from you.

“But I couldn’t. I had failed you as a loving father. So I backed away from you, made sure I didn’t fail in raising you tough as nails to survive that suffering, all the meanness others would dole out to you. That, I have succeeded with. Apparently, too well. You’ve hardened your heart against me for well-deserved reasons.

“And if Talen is the one who makes you happy, then I suggest you take that feeling and run with it. Take as much happiness as you can, because the world won’t give it often.

“I want you to know you can depend on me and ask for anything without me thinking less of you because…Because I love you, Cassandra. I always have and I always will.”

Cassie couldn’t take anymore. She hurried around the coffee table and dove onto the sofa to hug her dad and cry on his shoulder. For so many years, she had felt isolated, unloved because of her weight and other things. So much of her childhood made sense now. Her dad didn’t want her to grow up depending on others to create her happiness. He wanted her to make it for herself. And she had.

With a big sniffle, she sat back from his shoulder. “Dad, Talen makes me happy. Very happy. I know he loves me because he shows me. I’m not afraid to love him, anymore. Even though I am strong on my own, I need him to lean on when I’m sad, and to share my moments of happiness.” She squeezed her eyes closed. “Like when our baby is born in a few months.” Cassie peeked open an eye to see if her dad had a heart attack.

He sat with wide eyes and a smile. “I didn’t see that coming. But all right. I’m going to be a dad again and a grandfather. How many people can say that!”

“Several older movie stars, Dad.”

“Okay, so I’m not the only one. Big deal.” He hugged her again. The clacking of Victoria’s high heels against the wood floor echoed down the hallway. Father and daughter quickly drew away from each other, wiping tears from eyes.

“Oh, Dad, I almost forgot. Talen and I are building a house in a very remote location. It’ll be somewhat difficult to reach me, but I have a special phone to give you that is a step above facetiming. It actually projects an image of me. It’s cool.”

“Can we not visit? I will fly anywhere to see my grandchild, and you. It’s not like you’re moving to another planet.”

“We’ll talk about all that later.” When she could figure out how to tell her dad she really was going to another planet without him wanting to have her committed. “I bet dinner is just about ready.” Victoria and Talen stepped into the room.

“Dinner is ready, if everyone is,” Victoria said, looking from her dad to her and back. “Is everything okay?”

Cassie smiled. “Yeah, everything is more than okay.” Before she and her father stepped into the hall, Cassie hugged her father. “Dad, I love you, too.”



She stopped and let others go ahead before walking into Talen’s open arms for a hug. “Thank you for being here with me.”

He cupped her cheek and stared deep into her eyes. “I will always be by your side. Always, love.”

Emotions overflowed inside her. She hugged him tighter and let the worry and stress of most of her life slide off her shoulders. She was free to be herself and know that she’d found the man who would cherish her exactly as she was. It was finally her turn to be happy and she was going to embrace it.

“I love you,” she said to Talen softly. “I didn’t think it possible, but our one night together has made me the happiest woman in every known galaxy.” She met his gaze and smiled. “I’ll miss my dad, but I’m glad I have you now.”

“You have me and our cub. We’ll always take care of you.”

That was the sweetest promise she’d ever heard, and it filled her with joy.