Page 147 of Their Property
“Oh,hecan stay,” T-Bone teased, kissing me again quickly on his way out. “I'll be right outside if you need me, little lady.”
“Thanks, my love.”
I leaned against an armchair as I watched him leave, gathering my thoughts and assessing my mental state for this visit. I felt...good. Calm. I used to dread the idea of meeting with my father, because they always centered around me acting out of line and how disappointed he was. He was not an intimidating, scary man, but he used guilt and fear to control me.
Well, now he was in my domain, where I was in control. I wasn't powerless anymore, and he needed to recognize that. My office door opened, and I pushed off the chair to stand.
In my peripheral vision, my armored valkyrie moved into a protective stance, her axe and shield at the ready.
My father was visibly nervous as he entered my office. His eyes latched onto my face and then fell to my stomach, gently rounded with early pregnancy.
“Kyrie—” he began.
“Governor Vance,” I said evenly, clasping my fingers over my belly. “How nice of you to visit.”
His mouth opened and then closed before a sheepish smile appeared. “Thank you for having me...Governor Vance. Congratulations again, by the way.”
“It’s my pleasure, and thank you.” I gestured toward the two armchairs in front of my desk. “Please, have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?”
“No, thank you, dear. I’m alright.” He shifted uncomfortably in the chair, looking at my belly again as I sat across from him. “Congratulations on your upcoming addition as well.”
“Thank you.” I ran a protective hand over my belly, careful to keep my face neutral. “We’re all very excited.”
Dad’s eyes darted to my face again. “The father—?”
“All three of my husbands are fathers,” I said firmly.
“Yes, yes of course. I didn’t mean…”
He trailed off when Isaac climbed onto the arm of my chair and hugged around my neck.
“Are you done reading?” I asked, patting Isaac’s back.
“Mm-hm.” He hugged me tighter, glancing curiously at my father who looked back at him with equal interest.
“This is Isaac, my stepson,” I said.
“Oh. Hello, young man,” my dad said politely.
“This is my mom.” Before I had time to react, Isaac reached down to pat a gentle hand on my belly. “And this is my baby brother.”
“Or sister,” I corrected with a soft laugh as I blinked away tears of utter joy.
To further compose myself, I hugged him closer and kissed his messy mop of dark hair. He called mehis momso casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world. This precious boy had no idea what that meant to me.
Isaac squirmed in my hug, now embarrassed by the affection. “Can I go see what Dad’s doing?” he mumbled.
“Yes,” I laughed, kissing him once more on the forehead. “Daddy T-Bone is right outside, go ahead.”
My father and I both watched him scamper off, and Dad had a knowing look on his face when his eyes returned to me. “You seem very happy.”
Understatement of the century, but I nodded. “I am.”
Dad clasped his hands together in front of him. “I’m so proud of you, Kyrie. Truly, I am.” He pulled in a deep breath. “I was a fool, I can see that now. And I am so,soglad that I didn’t succeed with my foolishness. I’m proud that you fought for what you wanted, even if it was against everything I stood for at the time.” He nodded to himself, as though trying to believe his own words. “Yes, I’m proud you’ve done so well for yourself, in spite of how I mistreated you.”
“I wasn’t the only one mistreated,” I reminded him.
He nodded again, hands clasping tighter. “Yes, I know. You’re right. Your husbands deserved better. For years, I was unfair to them. They deserve an apology too.” His eyes shifted. “If they would like that from me.”
