by Mj Fields
I was about ready to walk in when I saw Dad jogging up from the house. I stood waiting on the small porch as he made his way up.
���Good morning! Feel like taking a run?���
���Absolutely just give me two minutes.���
I went inside and Dad followed me.
���How���s everything with Harper?��� He yelled from the living area.
���Good.���
���No more issues from the other day?���
���No I think that���s over.���
���Will you be doing that again?���
���You mean taking care of a situation if it arises?���
���Maddox������
���Yes Dad. I absolutely will do it again if need be. Harper knows this.���
���Could you at least let me know?���
���Maybe.���
I walked out and he followed me. ���I need for you to let me be there for you Maddox.���
We started running up the driveway towards the road.
���Dad you���ve done the same thing.���
���I also learned to talk about things with Emma. Give her a heads up and let her in on what is going on. Collin Abraham taught me that.���
I didn���t say anything as we ran faster.
When we got to the road I looked at him. ���He needed to know who I was.���
���Meaning?���
���That I will protect was is mine. You taught me that.���
He didn���t reply.
We ran in silence for about twenty minutes before we slowed down at the end of the wooded country road.
���Look Maddox. You���re my son. I may be new to all this but I can promise you that I am learning as I go. Emma gets pissed, well emotional, when I make decisions that make her uncomfortable but she trusts me more now than ever. I can promise you that the more trust you have in a relationship the deeper your love for one another grows. Life is much easier that way. Much more enjoyable as well.���
���I���m trying. Learning something new every day.���
We started jogging again.
���Maddox please stop shutting me out. I not only want but I need to know you���re alright.���
���Dad I���m fine.���
���Then tell me why you needed to be there.���
���He needed to be told who I was.���
���Maddox that���s not difficult to figure out.���
���He needed to know the hype isn���t bullshit. That I did not fear him or any man and that I would always protect what was mine.���
Dad didn���t say much as he ran harder.
When we got to the top of the driveway he stopped and looked at me.
���Your mine to protect as well������
���Dad I���m not a child.���
���You���re my child Maddox! I may not have been able to protect you back then but I will do whatever the fuck I can now. This bullshit, whatever it is that���s been going on between the two of us, stops now! I don���t give a fuck how old you are. One or one hundred. You are mine. So I���m done tip toeing and I���m done thinking that you blame me for what happened to you and that���s why������
���I don���t blame you! Jesus Dad I just want her to know I can take care of her. That regardless of my past I can actually be what she deserves. That I���m not a fucking child!���
���She saw that with her own eyes Maddox; she knows you would do anything to protect her.���
We were now walking down the hill and he was pissed. I���d never really seen him upset or angry at me before today but I finally realized just how harsh I was being to him.
���It was never my intention to hurt your feelings. I���m a man now I assumed that ������
���You���ll always be my son Maddox. I have a lot to make up for.���
���You���ve given me everything I could ever dream of and then some.���
���Fine. But damnit talk to me.���
I heard pain in his voice. ���Okay.���
���Okay?��� He looked at me suspiciously.
���What���s this tradition that says I can���t see her dress?���
���Supposed to be bad luck.���
���Okay then tell me what���s expected out of a groom. I want her to have everything and anything she wants.���
Dad and I arrived at the camp and I now knew what the many traditions were.
���Would you like to go out for breakfast?���
���Sounds good.���
We sat at a little restaurant in town at a booth. It was interesting to have everyone look at us and see them whispering but not approach us.
The waitress walked up to the table and smiled.
���Well good morning.���
���Good morning.��� Dad gave his stage smile.
She smiled back and looked at me. ���How���s my girl?���
���Pardon me?���
���Harper. How is she?���
���She���s well thank you.���
���She���s a wonderful girl.���
���I agree.���
I felt Dad kick me under the table and I looked at him.
���What?���
She looked back and forth between us and smiled. ���That family means a lot to us around here. Their part of this community, a cherished part. I suppose if all the gossip is true that means you���ll be part of it as well?���
���Harper and I will be married and hope to live here.���
���Good well than welcome.��� She looked at Dad. ���And you are Emma Fields husband?���
���Emma Hines yes.���
���And London������
���Of course London.��� Dad smiled and she laughed.
���Well than to both of you. What can I get you for breakfast?���
After eating a very large very enjoyable meal���in public Dad and I sat in the car and both laughed.
���It���ll be nice here yes?���
���Seems like a great place to lay down roots.���
���Hey Dad I wanna tell you something but only if you can keep it from Emma until tomorrow night.���
He looked at me curiously and then his jaw dropped.
���Yeah Harper and I������
���No. Don���t she���ll be upset if I don���t tell her so just stop right there.���
He sat back in his seat and closed his eyes and then smiled and shook his head.
���Great place to lay down roots.���
���So I can���t tell you?���
���No.��� He laughed. ���And I can���t tell you how happy I am for you. Or ask how she���s dealing with this, how you are feeling. But damn!���
���I won���t tell you that I���m ecstatic and that she is happy as well. Or that even though this was far from planned it���s a great blessing.���
���And I can���t tell you that I am going to take Tessa up on her offer to buy land and build real fucking close to you. Or that even though I���m only thirty four years old������
���Nice try. You���ll be thirty six on October 31st.���
We both laughed as he pulled out onto the road.
��
���Shall we drive around and look at the Abraham land?���
���I���d like that. Dad, where���s Clive?���
He looked at me and tried not to smile. ���I won���t tell you he���s tailing Tomas and Surge.���
���Will it be like this always?���
���Will you be comfortable otherwise? I mean when you have children someday will you feel comfortable not having someone?���
���No.���
I sent Harper a text
- I miss you sweetness���MH
- She doesn���t miss you. She���s having a great time trying on dresses. Too bad you can see them. The lingerie is next���Ava
���You checking in on Harper?���
���I was trying too. Got Ava instead.���
Dad chuckled. ���How do you feel about her?���
���When I first met her I thought she was wild. At Harpers��� prom she certainly wasn���t my favorite person. But she brought Harper to me in New Jersey and then she attacked some bitch a few days ago defending Harper. I actually like her a lot now. She always seems to be able to brighten Harpers moods.���
���Moods?���
���Well lately but I think.��� I stopped and looked at him. ���I think I���ll tell you tomorrow.���
Dad laughed and my phone started going crazy alerting me of messages. All from Harper or should I say Harpers phone.
���Everything alright?���
���Yes. Ava is sending pictures.���
I felt my face burn and Dad looked at me inquisitively.
���Apparently the store had a lot of lingerie.���
���Really?��� Dad pulled into the driveway and looked over at my phone.
The first was a halter type lace nighty that tied around her neck. I���m pretty sure if on a woman the neckline would be just above the navel. I also knew a woman like Harper would have no coverage whatsoever. The next picture I opened had the back view there was a heart shape cut out. And not a small cut out, Harpers fine ass would be completely exposed. Dad and I both gave an appreciative groan.
The next was a halter top bra with a plaid pleated skirt that was short enough to completely expose the red patch of red fabric that had an A plus on it.
���Naughty schoolgirl.��� Dad chuckled.
The next was a back shot of black leather looking material that appeared to be just straps of material with gaps large enough between them to leave little to nothing to the imagination.
���Not my thing.���
I looked at Dad and he tried very hard to act as if he felt the same way but the smug ass grin started creeping up the side of his mouth.
The next was a red number that had the cups open except for a ribbon that tied into a large bow that would cover the breast area. With matching thongs of course.
���This would be nice in blue.���
���Fuck that Emma is amazing in red bows.���
I looked at him and he laughed. ���TMI Maddox?���
���Yeah.���
���Well then you won���t like me asking for you to message me that photo?���
���I���ll pretend I didn���t hear that.���
As soon as I forward it on he was texting Emma I assume.
The next was a teddy with ruffle detail, trim and rhinestones. Harper never wore anything glamorous except for prom. She didn���t need too but I would love to see her in that sexy little number.
A white tulle lace baby doll with long sheer sleeves was next. It tied at the waist and was floor length. It would be the perfect bridal night attire. I would love her in a thong with garter belts. No bra and heels. Her belly would be showing by then and that was truly one of the sexiest things in the world to me.
The last was a pale blue flowing sheer teddy. It was adorned in ribbons and lace-up front. Attached were matching blue garter belts.
There were more. I didn���t care though. I loved the pale blue one.
Dad���s phone vibrated and he looked at it and smiled and looked back at me. ���You like that one huh?���
���Yes. Could you possible send it on to Mom? Don���t tell her it���s for me.���
���Will do but she���ll know. Red and Black are Emma���s color. Red, black, and bows.���
���Yeah, yeah, yeah alright.���
He parked in front of Switzerland and I started getting out.
���What are you going to do the rest of the day?���
I looked at him and laughed. ���Weren���t we supposed to go look at land?���
���Oh shit it totally slipped my mind. Get back in here boy and let���s go.���
We returned two hours later and Dad had narrowed it down to two pieces of land just down the road. We drove around a bit more and found a wooded lot with a for sale sign on it. Dad called the name on the sign and the relator had actually met us there in fifteen minutes. We walked the land. It was thirty acres of beautiful trees and ten more in the cleared lot next to it that was also for sale. Dad asked whose land connected and the answer was a very welcome surprise.
���Well Mr. Hines it���s your son���s future in-laws land. The Abraham estate is connected.���
Dad shook his hand and asked that he gave him three days to talk to his wife. He promised to get back to him either way. When we got in the car Dad looked over at the realtor and motioned him over.
He rolled down his window.
���How much?���
���They���re asking five thousand an acre. Technically its farm land.���
���Call them now and ask if they���ll take four. I���d like the other lot as well.���
���Give me five minutes.���
He walked away and Dad rolled up the window and looked at me.
���Emma gonna be upset about this?���
���If she doesn���t want to build here it���s fine. Maybe you and Harper would like too. Or London and Lexington. Or all of you for that matter. If not, no one builds behind Tessa���s home. Perimeter secured.���
The relator returned.
���Forty five hundred an acre was his counter offer.���
Dad reached across the car and opened the glove box and grabbed his check book.
���One hundred and eighty thousand they pay closing costs.���
���I���m sure that will be acceptable.���
Dad wrote a check. ���They get this after the offer is accepted. The landowners will be listed as my children. I want this to happen immediately. I will text you the legal names and tax information. You can send me the name of a local attorney who will get this done immediately.���
They shook hands as Dad handed him the check and the relator walked away with a little more pep to his step.
���You just laid down roots.���
���In farm country.���
���We���ll have to get you a tractor.���
���You���ll need one as well then.���
���Dad I���m gonna make that tractor sexy.���
We both laughed as we pulled back onto the road. Dad cringed when he heard the mud spitting off the tires and hitting his new SUV.
���We also need to get some black top down as well.���
It was quiet but only for a moment.
���Maddox what have you decided about your future?���
���I really haven���t thought much about it. I know I���m done with Burning Souls.���
���
Will you join me?���
���I love music but I don���t want it to make her uncomfortable. Tours can be grueling and honestly I don���t wish to be away from her or my children���when we decide to have them.���
���I���m not away from Emma or you all often.���
���You���re semi-retired.���
���Have you checked the Billboard top artist lists at the end of the year?���
���No. I was absolutely not paying any attention to that back in December or January.���
���Burning Souls was number fifteen in record sales for the year.���
���That���s pretty damn cool.���
���The Brody Hines Band was five.���
I looked at him a little shocked and he laughed.
���I am not retired Maddox. I���m selective.���
���Is that what they call it?���
���Hey it seems to be working for me. It would work for you as well. I have an American tour fifteen cities all scheduled around the girls school schedule this winter and spring. That works out to me being away from home for just over thirty days. Mini vacations we like to call them. All have family friendly activities near where we perform. London actually helped pick them while you were in Switzerland. This summer we have seven in Europe. That���s it. I planned to write and record in the fall and until after the holidays. Maddox, I make enough money in royalties to never work again.���
���Then why do you?���
���I love it. It���s part of me. I want you with me.���
���I���ll have to look at Harpers schedule.���
���You can go to school as well.���
���Dad have you ever done benefit concerts?���
���I���ve been involved in many yes.���
���I���d like to plan some.���
���So you���re in?��� The excitement in his voice mirrored that inside of me.