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I could already hear Khloe downstairs. She was a ball of energy from the second her eyes sprang open. When I trotted down the stairs, Mom was in the dining room with Khloe eating breakfast. Chase was still asleep. Dad was in the living room. I walked in to sit with him.
“I heard I missed quite a beautiful young lady last night,” Dad spoke, turning his head. His voice sounded hoarse.
“You did. I’m hoping you can meet her today, if you’re up to it.”
“I would love that. Mom hasn’t stopped gushing about her. She’s making me jealous.”
I grinned.
“There’s that smile.” He pointed his finger at me. “You’d better keep this girl around. Happiness looks good on you.”
I stood, smelling the coffee brewing in the kitchen. “I need coffee. You want me to get you a cup of tea while I’m in there?”
Dad reached out and took my hand. “You have made me so proud, Tanner. Do you know that?”
I swallowed hard. “Have I?”
“You have worked your ass off in that shop every single day. I wished you could’ve gone to college. I know how badly you wanted to go away. But you put your family before yourself, and we wouldn’t have survived without you.”
“I didn’t do anything. I just—”
He squeezed my hand as hard as his weakened body would allow. “You deserve all the love and happiness in the world. I appreciate everything you’ve done for this family. You are a good man, Tanner. You’ve made me so proud.”
Tears flooded my vision. “I love you, Dad. It means the world to me to hear you say you’re proud of me.”
“Ah, don’t start blubbering on me.” He wiped his eyes as he chuckled.
“I’ll be right back with your tea.” I walked into the dining room feeling stunned.
“How is he?” Mom asked.
“He just told me he’s proud of me. I think he’s delirious.”
She smiled. “He just wants you to know how much he loves you.”
“I told him I’d bring Charlotte over again today,” I called from the kitchen. I filled my mug with coffee and Dad’s mug with hot water. “I really want her to meet him.”
“That would be great. Invite her over for dinner.”
I walked back into the living room and set Dad’s mug in his cup holder. His head was slumped forward, and his mouth was open. He’d fallen completely asleep in the few minutes I’d been gone.
I took my phone out just as Khloe came bouncing into the room. She babbled on and on about her Christmas gifts from Santa while I typed out a text to Charlotte. I was only half listening. Then, I heard three words like a siren blaring in my ears:
“Daddy’s breathing weird.”
I looked up from my phone before clicking Send. “What do you mean?”
“Come listen.”
I set my coffee down on the side table, and leaned over to listen for what Khloe had heard. Dad’s breaths sounded like he was gasping for air.
“Hey, Dad? Are you okay?” I asked. Normally, he would pick his head up when he heard someone talking to him. He didn’t respond.
“Khlo, go get Mommy. Tell her I need her to come in here.” I pressed two fingers against his neck. His pulse was so faint, I could barely feel anything at all.
“What’s wrong?” Mom asked, looking concerned.
“His breathing doesn’t sound good, and his pulse is … not good either.”
