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He finally breaks the staring contest with my father and looks at me. He looks into my eyes and can see my pleading and I see guilt in his eyes, but he smiles at me and places his hand on my cheek. He releases a breath and I instantly see his body relax. He keeps his eyes on me when he speaks next.
“Allison deserves your undivided attention when she speaks Mr. Pierce.”
I feel my parents gaze on us, and I try to focus on the present before everything disappears like it always does when I look into those eyes. No one has ever stood up to my father like that and I’m nervous waiting to see how my father reacts to this confrontation. I look up to see my mother gripping her shirt where her heart is basically in tears and my father staring at Dexter. His gaze slowly makes his way to me, and his expression softens, and I had the sudden urge to cry.
“I’m sorry Allison. He’s right!”
I blink and a single tear fall down my face. I can’t believe my father apologized. I turn towards dexter, and he looks pained when his eyes move to my cheeks where my tears slide down. He wipes them off my face and places a kiss on my forehead completely ignoring my parents at the table.
“I’m sorry beautiful girl, don’t cry.”Tell him, tell him you love him. Now!
“Dex, I L….”
My mother interrupts us yet again and she has teary eyes. I guess all the women in our family must be emotional.
“Well, this has got to be the most interesting thanksgiving yet.” We all laugh, and it lightens the mood in the room.
Dexter is helping my mother pick up from dinner and my dad hands me a beer as we sit on the back porch. This seems like how a father and daughter relationship is supposed to be.
“That man in there really loves you, Allison. Andrew never stood up for you like that.”
I spit the beer back in the car and wipe my mouth with my sleeve. I turn around looking through the glass door watching my mother laugh at whatever Dexter is saying to her. I smile when I see him help my mother with cleaning the dishes.
“Yeah, I guess he does.” I turn back to my father in the wooden Adirondack chair.
“Why did you apologize earlier in there?” He stops his beer midway to his mouth and looks at me with regret.
“Because I was wrong Allison. You should never put your work in front of your family and that is exactly what ive been doing. You deserve my attention, just as much as your mother.” He looks inside when he says my mother and smiles when he sees her laughing.
“She hasn’t laughed like that in a while. She must really like him. He’s very protective of you, that’s a good quality in a man.” I smile.
“He makes me so happy dad!” My dad reaches for my hand and squeezes it.
“So, when can your mother and I buy your book.” I laugh at him.
“Not for a long-time dad. I just sent it out.” He looks me straight in the face.
“I’m so proud of you Allison. Keep doing whatever makes you happy because you deserve a life full of happiness baby girl.”
“I love you, Dad!”
“I love you to sweetheart!”
We hug each other and when we look up at the door again, I see Dexter hugging my mother while she cries. My father is laughing, and I see Dexter mouth help me to us. We open the door and go inside, and my mother turns to us with red eyes and smiles.
“Seeing you guys’ hug fills my heart so much.” I smile at my mother and my father takes my mother in his arms and kisses her hard. I peak around them to Dexter who slowly makes his way toward me.
“Looks like everyone made up tonight.”
“Because of you!” He smiles down at me and kisses me.
Chapter Thirty-One
We got to the venue early after leaving my mother’s house this morning. It was quite the drive, but it was so beautiful seeing all the different colors of trees on the way up north. The weather changed from cold to artic when we got to the Adirondacks, but still no snow surprisingly. Dexter checked us in the lodge, and we made our way up to our room. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay and spend time with him since I was needed in the bridal suite.
“I’m sorry I can’t stay with you.” He smiles and brings me in for a warm embrace.
“I’m sure I can find something to occupy myself with for…” He looks down at his wrists and then back to me.
