Felix Ryker’s house was something impressive. A white brick, gated entrance, party deck, boat dock, it was the ultimate bachelor pad. Atlas hit the buzzer and the gate swung open slowly. He looked nervous and secretly my own stomach was in knots.
I had worn the dress I packed for Thanksgiving, picking at the hem as he pulled to a stop in the circle drive. “Have I told you how incredibly handsome you look in your Blues?”
“Thank you, Ginger. Not only for the compliment but for coming.”
“Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
With that Atlas jumped out of the truck and came around helping me down. Hand in hand, his gripping mine tightly as he knocked. I was holding my breath, we could see the shadow of a man approach.
“Oh hey, I already made a donation but I’m sure I can find something for you, just let me get my wallet.” Felix Ryker was shorter than his son with a head full of gray hair. They shared the same sculpted lips, rounded nose, and strong jaw.
“Um... No.. I.. Hi Dad.” Atlas lifted his hat off exposing more of his face.
“Holy sh-- Atlas?” Felix’s mouth fell open. “You... Wow.” He took a step back examining his eldest son. “Please, come in.” He held the door open as we stepped through the threshold.
“This is my girlfriend, Ellie, Ellie this is my father, Felix.” Atlas spat his name out as his jaw tensed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Ryker.” I smiled as politely as I could muster given Atlas’ anger.
“The pleasure is mine. Wow, Atlas, you’re a Marine.” He was staring at Atlas like he was a foreign object.
“Yes, I am.”
“Can we go talk?”
“That’s why we’re here. Ari said you wanted to see me.”
“Right, this way,” we followed him into a dark wood living room, sitting on a contrasting tan leather couch. “How long are you here?”
“Until Sunday.”
“Where are you stationed?”
“Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.”
“What do you do, your rank?”
“I’m a Sergeant, looking for a promotion when I get back from my next deployment. I’m a sniper.” The corner of Atlas’ lip twitched as if he wanted to smile.
“Sniper, wow,” Felix rubbed his hands together, “Deployed again?”
“Fourth time, hopefully last but I’m not holding my breath.” He squeezed my hand.
“Girlfriend, huh?” Felix smiled at me.
“Yes sir,” I smiled, leaning into Atlas.
“What do you do?”
“I’m finishing my bachelor’s in social work and music. I work at a little diner in town. Nothing fancy but it keeps me busy.”
“Very good. Do you live in North Carolina?”
“Yes sir. My father is stationed at Lejeune. I moved in with him after high school.”
“Oh, your father is enlisted?”
“Yes sir, close to thirty years with the Marines. Both of my brothers are as well.”
“Military brat, seems good for you, son.” Atlas cringed at the word son.
“Can we cut the bullshit? Why did you want to see me? After all this time what makes you think you have a goddamn right? Acting like you care. You didn’t even recognize me!” Atlas lashed out at Felix.
“Atlas...” I put my hand on his thigh trying to calm him down.
“No he has every right to be mad.” Felix nodded somberly.” I screwed up, I know I did. I was selfish, stupid, a total asshole. I cared more about myself and there are no excuses. I just want to make it right. I want a second chance.”
“A second chance?” Atlas sneered. “What make you think--”
“You’re a grown man, Atlas. I know you don’t need a father but damn, I still need my sons.”
“You didn’t need us then.” Atlas shot back.
“I deserve that,” Felix bowed his head, “I”m just asking for a chance here, Atlas.”
Atlas sat brooding, running his hand over his face, something I had seen his father do earlier. They obviously shared more than just their facial features, their mannerisms were similar. He looked at me with his mouth screwed to the side, his blue eyes intense, pained. “Can I talk to Atlas for a moment, sir?”
Without a word Felix stood up and left the room. “Oh baby, I know you’re pissed off.” I cupped my small hands around his face. “You want to make him proud? Let him see the honorable, courageous man you are. Let him see the man I fell in love with.” I leaned forward brushing my lips against his. “Show him that you are compassionate and you know forgiveness. That you are a better man because of what he did. Prove to him that you didn’t need his influence to become who you are. But give him a chance to prove to you that he might not be the same man he was either. You never know, he might be capable of change, I was.”
“You’re right. You’re always right.”
“Not always but at least ninety-nine percent of the time.” I beamed at him as he gave me a simple smile. “Go tell him, bring him back in here.”
“Dad?” Atlas called out to him as Felix poked his head around the corner. “Eavesdropping?”
“Maybe a little.” Felix acquiesced.
“Figured.”
“Would you two like to come for Thanksgiving?” Felix asked hopeful.
“We’re going to be at Ma’s.”
“How is Dromy?” Felix sat back down in the chair across from us.
“She’s good; successful, happy, constantly worried.”
“Nothing new there.” Felix looked amused.
“Where will you be?” Atlas asked hesitantly.
“Here, your grandparents are coming over, my sister and her kids, not sure if Caspian and Dante are coming.”
“Maybe we can stop by that afternoon?” Atlas looked over to his father as Felix’s warm mocha eyes widened along with his smile.
“I would love that, Atlas.” Atlas just nodded, pressing his lips together as he looked around the room. I gave him a reassuring smile. “So, how about a tour?” He finally asked.
“Sure,” We all stood up, Atlas’ hand one the small of my back. “How did you two meet?” He led us through to the patio complete with outdoor kitchen.
“Atlas?” I giggled, nudging him.
“I went into the diner she works at, dog ass tired for fifteen straight days until she noticed me.”
“Oh please! It was like two and three in the morning, you were the only person there. How could I not notice you?” I gave him a serious look but couldn’t stop from cracking up as Felix did.
“Okay until I got the balls to actually talk to her. She made me go ask her father if I could have a date with her. Which was almost a deal breaker when I found out who he was. I was scared shitless. He rather reluctantly agreed and I’ve been bothering her ever since.”
“You don’t bother me, I would tell you if you did.” I batted my eyelashes at him.
“I don’t doubt that for a second actually.” Atlas kissed the back of my hand.
“When is the wedding?” Felix teased.
“Whenever she finally says yes.” Atlas said seriously.
“Not until I finish college. Then it’ll be when he has a serious proposal.”
“You’ve proposed?” Felix grinned at his son.
“At least a dozen times.” Atlas sighed dramatically. Felix laughed loudly as we walked through the kitchen.
“I hate to tell you but you are definitely my son. I proposed to Dromy about a week after we met. Then at least once a week until she said yes.”
“I get it honestly then.” Atlas said to me, pointing at his father. “Great house.”
“Yeah,” Felix looked around with sadness in his eyes. The silence fell heavy around us. “I have something for you.”
“Oh, okay.” Atlas said hesitantly as Felix left us in the kitchen.
“It’s going better than I thought it would.” I admitted.
“Yeah, it’s going well, thank you.” Atlas pressed his forehead to mine.
“Stop thanking me. I’d do anything for you.”
“Marry me.”
“Not yet.”
Atlas groaned, planting a sloppy kiss on my forehead. “I know, I know, May.” I nodded smiling up at him as Felix came back with a small box.
“You can open it when you get back to your mother’s.” He said handing it over to Atlas.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope it brings some clarity or hell, anything.” Felix and Atlas both grabbed their chins at the same time, the small action made me smile.
“We should probably get going. I told Ma we would help her get ready for tomorrow.”
“Of course, what time should I expect you guys?”
Atlas looked to me. “Don’t look at me, I’m just here for decoration.” Both men shook their heads laughing at me..
“Three?” Atlas suggested.
“Three sounds great.” Felix walked me to the door as Atlas went for his hat. “Ellie, thank you.” He turned hugging me. “I am sure you had something to do with getting my boy here. I can’t thank you enough for that.”
“You’re very welcome, sir. He wants so badly for you to be proud of him. He is an amazing man and I am so lucky to have him. You are too, so let him know that. Don’t mess this up again. I’m not sure I can perform too many miracles.” I squeezed his forearm gently as Atlas came to the door. “I’m going to give you two a minute. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Ryker.” Blowing Atlas a kiss I walked out to the truck.
From where I was standing I couldn’t hear their conversation. No matter how hard I tried. Atlas was nodding, staring at the ground. Not something I was used to seeing such a confident man doing. Felix reached out to shake his hand but Atlas surprised us both by throwing his arms around him. There were tears in Felix’s eyes as he gripped Atlas tightly, fingers digging into his back. I had to look away, wiping my own watering eyes.
Atlas had come back to the truck looking on the brink of tears. “What did he say?” I asked once we were on our way back to Andy’s. He took a sudden turn and parked the truck on the side of a dirt road.
Atlas leaned forward, his forehead against the steering wheel as he began to cry. My chest physically ached as his shoulders moved every time he choked out another silent sob. Unbuckling myself, I pushed his shoulders back and crawled into his lap. He immediately clung to me.
“It’s my turn, I got ya’, Cowboy.” I whispered, wrapping my hand around the back of his neck, holding him in the crook of my neck. “You did so good. I’m so proud of you.” I kissed the side of his head. “You did it, baby.”
“I-- I’m sorry.” He stuttered quietly.
“No, no, no. Don’t be sorry.” I lifted his face planting kisses across his forehead, over his eyes, down his cheeks, tasting the salt of his tears.
We didn’t say much else, I held him while he cried. For the pissed off teenage boy who needed his father, for the little boy he became a father figure to, for forgiveness, acceptance, and finally hearing just what he needed to hear.
Chapter Eleven
Just as he said Atlas took me to dinner and around the downtown square that night. It was perfect description of old town charm. I had fallen in love with it when we came to surprise Andy but all lit up at night with the twinkling of Christmas lights, it was magical.
Atlas hadn’t said anything more about what Felix had told him and I didn’t ask. I knew he would tell me all in time. He had put the box on the nightstand as we showered and changed for the night. Neither of us had touched it; I think he was a little afraid to.
When I came out of the bathroom in my pajamas Atlas was sitting on the bed spinning the box in his hands. “I was waiting for you.”
“I know, for twenty five years.” I smiled sweetly at him as I climbed in bed.
“And every life before.”
“Good answer,” I bumped his shoulder, “We going to open it?”
“You do it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah,” Atlas slid the box to me.
“What if it’s a bomb?” I teased.
“I would jump on it.” He replied flatly.
“Would you if-- no, not going there.” I waved my hand fighting off the thought. “Lets open it!” I pulled the middle of the folded sides, peeking in.
“What is it?” Atlas looked over my shoulder.
My hand went over my mouth, trying hard to fight off tears. “Birthday, Christmas, graduations cards, letters... Your dad, aunt, grandparents, uncles...” I lifted out dozen of envelopes onto the bed. “There’s at least fifty cards here.” I turned over the box letting the rest fall out.
“Damn,” Atlas said softly picking one up. “Lets open them.” We sat together laughing, me crying, and both of us stacking up piles of money. Each card held at least one hundred dollars and the ones from his father had five. “Well it looks like I can buy that ring now.” Atlas grinned at me.
“Don’t you dare spend your money on me.”
“It’s my money I’ll do whatever I want with it.”
“Don’t make me hurt you.”
“You think you’re bad enough?”
“Oh I know I am.”
“Bring it, Ginger.” Atlas stood up on the bed, arms crossed across his chest. “But you better catch me first.” He jumped off the bed, yanking the door open, and took off running out of the room.
“Oh hell no!” I scrambled over the bed, dashing off after him.
“Keep up, Ginger!”
“Keep talking and see what happens.”
“I’m not scared.” He ran around one side of the couch then into the kitchen. I lept over Ares laying in the middle of the living room floor and followed after Atlas.
“Be careful you two!” Andy chastised us as I chased Atlas around the island.
“Yes Ma,” we said together. Atlas spun around on me, effortlessly picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder.
“Atlas Quinn put me down.” I kicked my legs, squealing.
“No can do, Penelope Noelle.” He swatted my pajama clad backside.
“Penelope?” Andy smiled.
“Yeah, Ellie is short for Noelle, Penelope is her first name.”
“If I had a daughter I would have named her Penelope.” Andy said with a wistful smile.
“See, that’s destiny. Now if you would just say yes.” Atlas grabbed my inner thigh, tickling me. I squirmed in his hold, howling with laughter.
“Do we have to have this discussion while my ass is up in the air?” I scowled, pinching the back of his arm.
“Ouch!” Atlas smacked my butt again. “Violent little firecracker.”
“I’ll be civil when my feet are on the floor.”
“Hm...” Atlas saluted his mother and turned on his heel marching back to his room. “Feisty thing.” He said, his pronounced Texan accent making me laugh.
“Yes I am.”
Atlas picked up the money and put it on the nightstand then tossed me on the bed. With one knee on either side of my thighs and his hands by my head, he leaned down kissing me butterfly soft. I was aching for more.
“I love you, Ellie.” Atlas pressed his forehead to mine. “So much it hurts. I’ve learned so much about you and about me these last two days. You helped me do that. I appreciate you pushing me to do it. I appreciate you. When...” He took a deep breathing burying his face in my chest. “When we left he told me he was sorry for leaving, for hurting all of us. He said he acted selfish and screwed up the best thing he ever had. He had no idea about me or what I do but he is impressed by the man I turned out to be.”
“He should be.” I closed my arms around him, rubbing his back.
“He said he’s proud of me. That he has to get one of those “My son is a Marine” stickers to put on his Beamer.” Atlas’ laughter was muffled in my skin. “He said he’d never graffiti his car that way but he will for that even though I think they’re kind of lame. He told me he loves me.”
“Of course he d
oes, Atlas. Someone would be a damn fool not to love you.”
“I’m glad you think so.” He tilted his head, pressing his lips to my neck. “I always thought that if I forgave him I would be betraying Ma. I knew she forgave him but that didn’t mean I could. I saw how much it hurts you not having your mom in your life. My dad wanted to see me. That’s what made the difference, you did.”
I couldn’t find any words. Part of me was happy for Atlas and the other was jealous. For the mother who didn’t want me. The mother that blamed me and called me a liar when I needed her the most.
“Stop thinking about her.” Atlas whispered in my ear.
“How did you know?”
“You get the saddest look in your eyes and I hate that look.”
“Sorry,” I felt the corner of my mouth jerk up in a half smile.
“Don’t be. We’re going to count this money, think crazy, and go watch some TV with my brother.” Atlas rolled off of me and pulled me up. Handing me a stack of bills we each began silently counting.
“What do you have?” I picked up the stack of bills, wide eyed.
“Five thousand and forty. You?”
“Six thousand seven hundred and sixty.”
“Nearly twelve thousand dollars.” Atlas said in disbelief.
“That’s insane.” I shook my head as he tucked the money into his bag.
“It’ll go into savings.”
“Good place for it.”
“With what I already have it’s a good down payment for a house one day.” Atlas gave me a small smile, searching my face for my reaction.
“With my savings it should be no problem.”
“Next summer?”
“Yeah, next summer.” I leaned over the bed, kissing him.
“Lets go watch a movie with doofus.”
“Lets.”
❋❋❋
Between Atlas’ grandparents, aunt, uncles, cousins, and everyone else I had been thoroughly hugged, kissed, and questioned. His grandmother had cried when she saw him and I had to look the other way so I wouldn’t join her. He was turning me into a sap.
I was seated between Atlas and his grandfather. He was well into his eighties with sagging skin and a contagious laugh. Him and Atlas bickered over whether or not Cookie, (which apparently was his nickname because according to him he was just so sweet), we're going to run away together. Atlas threatened to hunt him down if we did all the while winking at me.
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