“He’s n-not my father,” I stammer.
“Gabriella… I’m sorry. I should have fought to be in your life, but I had commitments back home. A family who needed me.”
“You were married?”
“At the time, no. My parents had a business here, and my grandparents were elderly. We had a lot of health complications in the family, then my career kind of whisked me away again.”
I have so many questions I want to ask him, my curiosity overwhelming me. The last thing I want to do is push him away, though.
Calm down. There will be a time and place for everything.
“Did you ever marry? I mean… after my mother?”
The corner of his eyes crinkled—his hazel eyes are the same shade as mine.
“I did, about five years later. Her name was Marjorie. We had twin boys, they’re eighteen now.”
“I have brothers?” I ask, shocked at the revelation. “Twins… wow.”
He nods, removing his phone from his pocket. After swiping through, he turns his phone around and shows me a photograph. They’re identical—tall, dark blond hair with athletic builds. They are handsome, indeed.
“I’m… I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m glad we’ve met Gabriella.”
“Does your wife Marjorie know about me?”
“She’s no longer my wife. We divorced a few years ago, but she is a close friend, and yes, she does know. I’d love for you to meet her one day. I know she’d love to meet you.”
My heart almost bursts at the seams. Hope beads on my skin like dew on spring grass.
He wants to see me again.
Introduce me to his family.
This journey has been a long time coming, but at this moment, I have no regrets.
I’m quick to remember he’s just mentioned the dreaded D-word.
“Divorced? I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be…” he lingers on his words, before continuing, “To burn with desire and live a life with someone else is the greatest punishment we can place upon ourselves.”
How true his words ring for me. I sense the pain which still lingers. I will never understand—he loved a woman who easily allowed a man to treat me like an outcast. I’ve witnessed only one side of Melinda Carmichael, and it’s far from beautiful.
But the heart wants what it wants.
“My mother is… she’s not the nicest of people.”
“I’m sorry to hear you feel that way. My memories of her are fond, but it was never meant to be.”
“Have you ever tried to contact her?”
Miles shakes his head. “Edward made it very clear I was never to contact her, and if he found out, my life might as well be over. Like I said, I was young and arrogant. If it didn’t happen, it didn’t happen. I wasn’t going to compete with a man who could crush everything I’d worked so hard for.”
“Do you still love her?” I ask, but it’s faint.
Miles glances toward the glass of chardonnay, skimming his fingers along the rim of the glass.
“Some things you can’t change no matter how hard you try.”
The waitress serves our food which warrants a change of topic.
We spoke for hours. He asked me questions about my life, my work, and friends back home. I learned so much about him and my brothers, still shocked I have an Australian father.
We laughed, having a similar sense of humor which made it easy to converse. Spending time with him is effortless. I could have listened for several more hours if it weren’t for the restaurant staff sweeping the floors around us, warning it was almost closing time.
“This isn’t goodbye, Gabriella,” he tells me outside on the pavement. “I’m glad you have found me. I really hope we can be a part of each other’s lives.”
I throw my arms around his waist, pulling him in for a tight hug. His arms feel like shields of love—his protection and warmth filling the void which has consumed me my entire life.
I don’t want to let go, the tears shimmering in my eyes at the thought of never seeing him again.
Miles buries my head in his chest, stroking my hair as he plants a kiss on the top of my forehead.
“Hey,” he whispers. “It’ll be all right. We’re family now. You’re not alone.”
The heavy sobs gurgle up in my throat, the typhoon of emotions bearing down in this one embrace. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything, Gabriella.”
I pull myself away, creating a distance as I look into his eyes. “Can I call you Dad?”
His beaming smile is enough to wash away any doubts I had about meeting him.
“It would be my honor.”
We say our goodbyes, agreeing to meet for breakfast the morning before I leave for the States.
Back at the hotel, I knock on Aubrey and Chance’s door.
Chance is still out with some friends while CJ’s sleeping peacefully in the middle of their king-size bed.
“So, it went well?” Aubrey yawned, sitting at the edge of the bed with her legs crossed beneath her.
“He was everything I could have asked the universe for in a father,” I whisper, contently.
Aubrey leans her head on my shoulder. “I told you it would work out. How can anyone not love you?”
I linger beside her until my eyes weigh heavy with exhaustion. “I’m going to go to bed. Tomorrow night for dinner?”
“Yes, it’s fancy. Some restaurant which revolves around a tower. Chance booked our table, so we’ll meet in the lobby at six.”
“It’s a date.”
For the first time in a long time, I wake up in a delightful mood. It’s almost as if a piece of me has returned, and boy have I missed her.
The tension of meeting Miles has disappeared. I am optimistic things will be great between us and look forward to meeting my new family.
The bed in the hotel feels like a giant cloud, so soft and inviting making my sleep completely dreamless, giving me the much-needed rest my body craved.
After a healthy breakfast, I shower and change into a navy dress I bought at Venice Beach. It’s kind of quirky, nothing like
