My mother looked up in shock. “But…but…how can you say that? He brings danger to our family. Danger to us all! He stalked our daughter, plagued her for years, and god knows how he got her knocked up!”
I looked away. I could never explain to them the circumstances over the conception of Jeremy. It just seemed a little too sordid to me. How could I explain what went on between us all those years ago?
“Mum, please don’t upset yourself. I’m a grown woman now. I need to make my own decisions.”
My mother was about to speak, but my dad beat her to it, “She’s right, Clara. Tyler is a grown woman with a family of her own to take care of. She has to make her own decisions, and we have to trust that she is making them for the best.”
My mother sighed, got up, and shook her head. “I don’t believe this.” She rushed out the door without a backwards glance.
“Thank you.” Dean smiled at my father.
My father looked back at him with a stern face. “That doesn’t mean I’m happy about this, Dean. If you make my daughter happy, who am I to try and take that away from her? But, by fuck, if you ever so much as breathe at her in the wrong direction, I will hunt you down and kill you myself. You got that?”
My eyes widened in shock. I had never seen my father like this before. It was even the first time I’d ever heard him swear.
“Message received loud and clear, Mr. O’Shea. I promise you that you never have to worry as far as I’m concerned. I worship the ground your daughter walks on.”
My father nodded. “Well, just make sure to keep it that way.”
Dean nodded and my father turned to me. “Now, I have some damage control to take care of.” He gave me a small smile and turned towards the door.
Once he was there, I stopped him. “I know this is hard for you, but I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time.”
My father gently placed his finger under my chin and gave me a sad smile. “I know you are, pumpkin. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I smiled back. “I know, and I’m so sorry that I’m putting you through this…” I looked away.
“Hey.” My father pulled my head back to look at him. “How can you ever feel sorry for falling in love? You can’t force your feelings, Tyler. I’m just so sorry that everything happened the way it did. Maybe if we hadn’t pushed you…”
“Don’t you start, Dad.” I chuckled and he laughed back. “We can all stand around saying what if, but it will never solve anything. It will never stop the outcome for Dean and me.”
He nodded with a smile. “I understand.”
I suddenly realized I had no idea when they arrived or how long they were staying. “How long are you here for?”
My father sighed. “We haven’t really worked that out yet. I think your mother wants to see Emily before we fly back.” I nodded with a sad smile. “Hey, don’t worry about it, Tyler. Give her time. She just needs to adjust. I think we both do.”
I nodded again and came in for a hug. “Thanks, Dad. I miss you and think about you all the time.” I inhaled the scent on his chest and nuzzled my face in the crook of his neck. I had always been a daddy’s girl.
My father kissed my forehead and pulled away. “I miss you and think about you all the time, too. Take care, Tyler. We’ll be in touch.” He smiled at me and looked up at Dean. He gave him a cursory nod and walked out the door.
Once I closed it behind me, I slumped against it and sighed. I closed my eyes for a moment before looking at Dean. “I’m sorry about that.”
Dean laughed a little. “Tyler, it had to be done. I’m just so fucking sorry I never stepped up to the plate and did it seventeen years ago.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Stepped up to the plate?”
Dean shook his head with a smile. “You know what I mean.”
I sighed and placed my arms around him, closing my eyes. “What’s done is done. We’re here now and we’re together. Everything is how it should be.”
Dean tightened his arms around me. “It is, but we’re not quite there yet.”
Stunned, I pulled back to look at him. “What do you mean?”
Dean smiled and winked at me. “I’m working on it, Tyler, but let’s just enjoy what we have for now.” He saw my expression and shook his head. “Don’t give me the puppy dog look. I’m not going to tell you, so you better quit.”
I was about to tell him that he was an ass when Tara and Jimmy timidly emerged. “Is everything okay?” Tara asked.
I smiled. “Everything’s fine. I think we all need a little time, but I’m sure we’ll get there.”