Page 17 of A Forever Home
Chapter Five
Roman hadn’t heard from Della since last night. He missed her much more than he was expecting. He didn’t date often because he didn’t feel that spark with most dates. But he’d felt a spark with Della. It appeared she was done with him, however.
He pulled up their thread of texts and looked at the picture of her and Jingle Bell for a long moment, missing Della’s face. A memory came to mind of the mischievous sparkle she got in her green eyes. He liked that look best of all. He also liked the way she nibbled on that lower lip of hers. He’d thought about doing the same more than a few times.
As he held his phone, it started to ring. For a moment, he hoped it was Della. Instead, his mom’s number flashed onscreen. He tapped to connect and held the phone to his ear. “Hey, Mom.”
“Roman,” his father’s voice said.
Roman stilled for a moment.
“I figured you wouldn’t answer if I called from my phone,” his dad explained. “I, uh, just wanted to tell you that it was good to see you the other day.”
“Okay,” Roman said, for lack of anything better to say. He was waiting for thebut.It was good to see you, but you can stay away for another year. The visit was good, but you’re to blame for my bad mood over the last forty-eight hours.
His father cleared his throat. “I also wanted to tell you that, if you’ve stayed away on my account, I’m sorry.” His father groaned softly. “No, that wasn’t a great apology, was it? Let me try that again. Roman, I know what I said to you was wrong. I was out of line to blame Brian’s accident on you all those years ago. I was hurt, and I lashed out. I know that’s not an excuse. I guess I just felt embarrassed and ashamed for what I said. I let those feelings come between us when I should have just apologized.”
Roman was barely breathing as he listened to his father. He could hardly believe his ears. Where was this coming from?
“Roman, I am truly, sincerely sorry. I’ve been sorry since I said those words, but I guess I wasn’t strong enough to take them back.”
“You can’t just take something like what you said back. Those words changed me. They hurt me.” His eyes stung as he waded through his emotions. He didn’t want to be bitter; all he wanted was to move on. “But I know it took a lot for you to say you’re sorry.”
“It took about six months of talking to a therapist,” his father said. “I’ve been working on myself behind the scenes. I want to be a better man. I want to be a better father. To all my children.”
Roman swallowed past the swell of emotions clogging his throat. “It’ll take time, but I think we can work on rebuilding our relationship,” he finally said.
“I really hope so.” His father’s voice cracked suspiciously. “You’re a bigger man than me, son.”
Once upon a time, Roman’s father had been his hero. No one was perfect, and some were far from it. Roman had never wanted to be the guy who fired another at Christmas, even if it hadn’t been his decision. He wanted to brighten people’s lives—like Della—not make them harder.
“Anyway, your mom would really like for you to come home for Christmas,” his father added.
“I see,” Roman said, still processing all his thoughts and emotions.
“And so would I,” his father said. “It’s not Christmas without you here, son. Just think about it, okay?”
It was the eve of Christmas Eve. Roman would need to book a flight today and another rental car to get to Sweetwater Springs. “I’ll consider it,” he said. They shared a few more awkward exchanges, and then Roman said goodbye. When the call had ended, the phone’s screen returned to the picture of Della and Jingle.
Roman blew out a breath. Going home for Christmas would be preferable to spending it alone here. He didn’t have anything tying him to Ohio except a job he didn’t even like anymore. He could see his family and maybe take a short road trip to Somerset Lake to wish Della a Merry Christmas in person.
The idea was appealing. He mulled it over a bit longer, and it only grew on him. Then he grabbed his laptop and pulled up a browser, hoping there’d be flights home.
His hope dissipated as he looked at the screen. There were no flights going out until Christmas night. He’d miss dinner at his family’s home and Della’s face on Christmas. So there it was. This holiday was destined to be a lonely one after all.
***
Della waved as she watched Jerome’s SUV pull out of her driveway with Jett and Justin on Christmas night. They’d spent the day at her home, which hadn’t been part of the plan until Roman.
She put her hands in the deep pockets of her coat, and her fingers wrapped around her cell phone. She wanted so badly to text Roman and wish him a Merry Christmas. Every time she thought about him, though, her heart ached a little bit. She’d fallen for him fast and quick, which was so unlike her. And if she was never going to see him again, she needed to cut ties for her heart’s sake.
She turned and walked inside the house, where Jingle Bell was standing behind the glass door watching her. She stepped inside and petted Jingle’s head as she propped her front paws on Della’s thighs. “It’s just you and me now, girl,” she told the dog. “I’m so glad to have you here keeping me company.”
Jingle panted happily. Then she returned to four paws and jogged into the kitchen. Della followed. There was a countertop full of dirty dishes from all today’s cooking and eating. Della was tempted to prepare herself another plate. Instead, she opened the fridge and eyed the bottle of holiday-flavored wine from the Duplin Winery, a favorite in North Carolina. It was a gift from Jerome and Sofia.
Della pulled out the bottle, set it on the counter, and grabbed a glass from the cabinet. She poured herself a nice serving and sat on the barstool. Her cell phone sat on the counter in front of her. Roman had texted earlier to say Merry Christmas. She could at least return that sentiment, she thought after half a glass of wine. She picked up her phone and started to text when her doorbell rang.
Jingle Bell took off running toward the door, barking excitedly. Della put her glass down and headed to see who her Christmas visitor was. When she opened the door, her friend Lucy Hannigan waved from the porch. She had her new boyfriend Miles beside her.
