Page 227 of Steeling Her
“No, she’s gone quiet.” It’s a simple answer that tells me a lot.
“She’s thinking,” I comment and she nods; we’re on the same page. She needs the time and space to think, weigh it all out.
“I know, she never stops.” She giggles. “She gets it from me.” She tilts her head to the side and smiles weakly at me. A moment passes by, and when the atmosphere has reached its peak, she gets up from the seat and moves around the coffee table to sit next to me, taking my hand and squeezing it tight. “I know you love her, Nick, but she’s my daughter. I will keep on protecting her.” I can feel her thumb lightly stroke my skin.
“I know you will. I appreciate that too. I also don’t want to cause a divide either—”
“You won’t. Nothing can break our family, it’s made of steel.” She winks and I grin at her reference to the profound and powerful surname she married into.
I am thankful she came around and met with me.
She returns to grab her bag, happy with the quick visit. “Just so you know, my daughter doesn’t hate you. She never has, even when you did her wrong and made that mistake. She never will hate you, but if you love her like you say you do, then . . .” She hesitates to say the next part and takes a deep breath before making eye contact again. “. . . Then don’t give up on her. She’s worth every bit of the fight. Just tell her how much you were hurting too. I can see it in your eyes. They give your pain away, Nick. It’s okay to admit that it was painful for you too. You were two young people so in love with each other, and I believe you both still are. Even if a certain someone is too stubborn to admit it.” She rolls her eyes heavenward, speaking about her own child. I smile into my hand, feeling better after having spoken to her. “And truth be told, I’ve always liked you, and so does my husband despite what he says and threatens. You may have hurt her, but you treated her well when you were with her. We just want to see her happy, and as much as I do like Ted, I just don’t think he’s for her,” she confesses with pity in her eyes, like she never wanted to admit that aloud. She’s just being honest.
“I know you want her to be happy, and so do I,” I agree with her.
“Then make her happy—make my baby smile. Treat her with kindness. We all make mistakes. You’re only human, despite what your fans say. Don’t sit on this mistake for life. Forgive, forget, and move forward. Or don’t, just don’t let that mistake eat you to your grave—”
“It’s not that easy—”
“Yes it is, you’re making excuses. If you want a shot at love, now is your time. Go back home and forgive him. Life is too short to be holding onto grudges. It’s not worth it. I can see that it’s eating away at you the longer you don’t talk to him. Don’t punish him for a mistake, one that you can fix. Forgive him and fix it, both relationships. I can see that you want to in your eyes. I can see the love you have for my daughter too. Every time you see her, it shines clearly.” I can see the water brim in her eyes as she reaches for my hand and holds it once more. “I can see it,” she whispers in the smallest voice I’ve ever heard in my life, “and every time she sees you, it’s there on her face, too, no matter how hard she hides it or how many times she denies it. A mother knows.” She nods back, reassuring me that it’s okay to own up to everything and to try and move on.
The only way I can, is to go back home and talk to my father. I need this. I need to heal from this.
The cold feeling of where her warm hand once was takes me out of my reverie.
Elaine makes her way towards the door we entered in from and leaves me to ponder with my own thoughts. Before she leaves, she leans her body on the door and rests her head along the side, holding on to the handle.
“It’s not too late, Nick. Forgive, forget and fix,” she says simply while parting from me.
I sit and watch the door close.
The sound of the door clicking behind her is familiar in my head.
Forgive, forget, and fix.
Chapter Forty-Five
Nobody Fights Over Dessert
Nick
“Boarding pass?” I’m asked to hand over the piece of paper that has been in my clutch since arriving here today. “ID?” he asks for the other object in my grasp. As he checks my identity and scans my pass, he allows me on the flight back to do some business.
Back to my hometown.
What Elaine said is true. I need to move on.
You can forgive a person for a mistake they made, albeit it was a big mistake, one I don’t think I could ever forget.
The ball has been in my court for the last five years, and it’s time that I picked up the racket and made a serve. It’s time I spoke with my dad.
I find my seat soon after stepping onto the pressured vessel. I rest myself down and organize myself for the flight ahead. I’ve been thinking a lot about this and I even spoke to Haley about it. She agreed that I should try and make an attempt to try a rectify this entire thing. As much as I hate to admit it, it has put a wedge in the family. All of us used to be so close to each other.
Now, I don’t even come back home. The only time I see my mom or Ellie is when they come to me.
But now it’s time.
I need to speak to him, one way or another.
