by Unknown
“I don’t think I can. I hoping my dad will stop by and tell me why he’s here, and how long he’s going staying. And I’d imagine Grams will have us over for dinner.”
“Another time then,” I sulked.
“Thank you for the offer, though.” She took my spoon and placed it on the cookie sheet holding our breakfast on our laps. “If my dad wasn’t in town, I would definitely come.”
Grabbing and placing the cookie sheet on the floor, I snuggled Haley into me. “The next time you come over, we’ll hang your Christmas sock along with baby’s.”
“I have a sock at your house?”
“Yes, I asked mom to knit you and the baby each one to match mine.”
“Oh, Bentley.” She leaned over and kissed me.
“Well, I better get going, so I’m not late for the meeting.” I was also hoping to get a few minutes alone with Travis before the meeting.
“Do you think he’s going to take it? I mean do you think Travis will leave and go play for the Redhawks? It’s so far away.”
“I don’t know, to be honest with you. They offered him a pretty sweet deal.”
“What about Whitney?”
“That is up to them to decide,” I said sitting up, getting off the bed.
“Did you know Maggie offered Whitney a buy-in to the diner?”
I turned my heard to her in surprise, “No. Travis hasn’t said anything.”
“Maybe she hasn’t told him. She did tell Maggie she would have to think about it. Please don’t say anything, I’d hate to stir the pot.”
I leaned over and kissed her mouth, “I’ll keep your secret, I promise.”
Haley and I were walking out of her bedroom when a knock sounded on the door. “It must be my dad.”
“Go answer it; I’m going to go to the bathroom then head out.”
She kissed me, “Okay.”
Opening the drawers in the bathroom, I found a new toothbrush and used it, along with some of Haley’s deodorant. “I don’t smell all that bad,” I shrugged, as I unlocked the bathroom door and ran smack into Haley’s dad. “Good morning, Ben, how are you today?”
“Did you sleep here last night, Bentley?”
Still unsure what he thought of me, I decided to play it on the safe side. “I did, but I slept on the couch. Haley and I had some things to discuss and it got to be quite late.”
“I see.”
“Well, I hate to run, but I have a meeting with Travis and a scout. I’ll see you later?”
“You can bet on that.” Ben stepped aside, allowing me to go around him.
“Later, Haley,” I called out.
“Bye, Bentley, and thanks for bringing me home.”
“Not a problem. Call me later?”
“Will do.”
A deep breath rushed out as I closed the front door behind me. Ben is the only man in this world that scares me, but then again, if I had a daughter, I’d probably be the same way, or worse.
ONCE THE FRONT door closed after Bentley, I set my dad’s coffee in front of him then sat down. “So are you going to tell me what you’re doing here, Dad?”
“I wanted to surprise my little girl.”
“You did, but that doesn’t answer my question.”
“You are pretty good at this detective work, are you sure you don’t want to trade in your teaching license for something else?”
“Dad,” I challenged.
“I retired,” he stated simply.
“You w-what?” I stuttered in total shock.
“I quit my job and retired. I was hoping to move back here and help Ma and Pa run the farm.”
“Again, what?” I couldn’t manage to keep my mouth from hanging open.
“Haley, ever since you told me you were pregnant with my first, and maybe only grandchild, it gave me lots to think about. How I was a crap father for putting my work and needs before yours, and pawning you off on my parents. What I did to you wasn’t fair, Haley, and I know that. I will never be able to make it up to you, but I thought this time around, I could be here.” Dad placed his hands on mine, “I want to be here.”
“What are you talking about? You’ve been a great father, and you didn’t pawn me off on anyone.”
“I did, and I know I did. I have been an excellent father from a materialistic standpoint, but that’s all, Haley.”
“Dad, I disagree. Any time I needed you, you are there. Every phone call I made to you, you’d answer, even when you were knee deep in a meeting. I have never once not felt loved by you.”
“Thank you,” he said, hanging his head.
“I’m just telling you the truth, Dad.”
Dad and I sat at the table drinking our coffees as we digested what was just said.
“How did it go with Maggie after everyone left?”
“Good. There was some crying, smiling, laughing and a good slap to my face—which I completely deserved—but most importantly, there was understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness.”
“She missed you,” I said softly.
“Haley, I have missed her every day since I left.”
“Why did you leave her, or never came back for her?”
I wanted Daddy to answer this question more for me than him. I was still trying to understand why Bentley left, and why I couldn’t stop running it through my mind over, and over, again.
“We just wanted different things. I didn’t want to be stuck in a small town my whole life. When I finally realized it didn’t matter where I was, and that it was always Maggie keeping me here, in my head it was too late to come back. Then I met your mom, and well, you know the rest of the story.”
“After mom left, why didn’t you come back and fight for Maggie to take you back?”
“My pride. I let my pride get in the way.”
I let my dad sit there in his own thoughts and got up for a glass of apple juice. When I sat back down, my dad began to speak again, “Bentley, is more of a man than I am.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He came back for you, Haley. He came back and has been fighting for you. He’s not letting time get from you both.
“I’m afraid,” I confessed. “It killed me when he left. What will happen to me when he leaves again? Only then I’ll have a baby to remind me of him every day.”
“Then you do what I did. Thank him every day for the child he blessed you with and carry on with life.”
“Is it really that simple? Were you happy?”
“Simple, no. Every day was a struggle, but a struggle I could to declare a win over every night as long as you were happy. I have never been so content as I was the moment you were placed in my arms, and I have been ever since.”
I walked over to him and hugged him tight. “I love you, Dad.”
“Does this mean you will give Bentley another chance, a fair chance?”
I smiled, “I think so.”
“Then my work here is done. I’m going to get going and go see my parents. I’m assuming I’ll see you there later?”
“Yes, you know Grams is preparing your favorite meal as we speak, right?”
“I know,” he replied rubbing his stomach.
I walked Dad to the door as he asked, “Does my room still look the same?”
“It does, but Grams got me new bedding. Why? Are you staying there?”
“For a bit, to get my bearings back and to give Maggie some time.”
“I think we all need some time, Dad.”
He kissed the top of my head, “Just don’t take too much time, Haley. It’s goes faster than you can blink.”
AFTER ATTENDING MIDNIGHT church service with my dad, grandparents, Maggie, Bentley and his family, I decided to spend the night at my own house, to everyone’s displeasure.
I just wanted to wake up at home alone, sit in front of my tree with a glass of eggnog and thank God for my blessings. I wanted the quiet for me and the baby before the day turned hectic.
Waking up in my own bed Christmas morni
ng was everything I hoped it would be, quiet and peaceful. I stretched and walked into the living room to turn on the tree and Christmas music before walking to the kitchen and gathering the items for my eggnog. I sat on the couch, pulling the afghan around me while watched the lights twinkle.
A short time later, “Ho! Ho! Ho!” sounded from the front door, and laughed. Knowing it was my dad I swung the door open to find him standing on my porch wearing a Santa suit.
“Where did you get that?” I laughed.
“What, this old thing? It was in the back of my closet.” He pulled the beard down and kissed my cheek before walking in. I was just about to close the door when he hollered, “You might not want to close that door.”
“Why?”
“What kind of Santa would I be if I didn’t deliver gifts on Christmas Day?”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, a little giddy at the thought of presents and surprises just for me.
“Yes he did,” laughed Maggie from behind me.
“What are you doing here?” I exclaimed.
“Bringing you breakfast.”
She handed over the white box and I immediately inhaled deeply, “Mmmm, cinnamon buns.”
“Only the best this county has ever seen,” my dad said while gathering Maggie in his arms.
I stood in the open doorway, taking in the view before me, “I gather you two worked things out?”
“Does this bother you?” Maggie asked, concerned. She tried stepping away, only to be pulled back into my dad’s arms.
“No, Maggie, I think it’s about time.” I smiled then teased, “Or shall I call you Mom?”
“Let’s just go one day at a time,” Maggie declared.
“I was kidding.”
“I wasn’t,” my dad huffed before walking into the kitchen. I looked at Maggie with an eyebrow up? “Does anyone want coffee?” Maggie and I heard from the kitchen.
“I better go help your dad.” Maggie scurried into the kitchen.
“Excuse me, miss?”
I screamed before turning back to the front door. “Holy shit! You scared me.”
“Sorry ma’am. Are you Haley Wells?”
“Yes, why?”
He hands me over a clipboard and pen. “Please sign at the bottom.”
In the kitchen, I see my dad with a huge smile on his face and Maggie tucked under his arm. Instantly suspicious, I narrow my eyes at him, “What did you do?”
“You’ll see.”
When I handed the delivery form back over to the man he asked, “Where would you like everything?”
“Depends on what you are bringing in,” I said warily.
He looked down at the form and began reading off items, “A crib, dresser, changing table, baby swing, high chair, and a rocking chair.”
I looked over to Dad and Maggie with tears in my eyes, “You didn’t!”
“I can’t take all the blame. Maggie showed me which ones you were looking at on-line.”
“How? I mean it’s Christmas Day!”
“Money talks,” he stated cryptically while Maggie showed the men to the nursery.
I ran into my dad’s arms. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.” He pulled a small box from his pocket and laid it in my hand.
“What’s this?” I asked turning the box around.
“Open it and find out.”
It was a beautiful diamond bracelet with the word mom in graved in it. “It’s beautiful.” I put it on and watched it sparkle in the light. “Thank you.”
“Merry Christmas, baby girl.”
Maggie came back into the living room. “They are just about finished. Haley, why don’t you get dressed, and we can all go over to your grandparents to open presents.”
“Not before I have a cinnamon bun and look at everything Dad bought.”
I grabbed three plates from the cupboard and poured two more glasses of eggnog.
“YOU GUYS SPOILED me,” I said to everyone in the room with tears in my eyes.
“It’s nothing, just a small token of how much we love you,” Grams said walking over.
“I don’t know how I deserved a family like you guys, but I sure am blessed.”
After Grams hugged me, Papa wanted his turn, “I love you, Haley. You make this old man very proud and very happy.”
I hugged him tighter as the tears came. “I love you so much Papa.”
Maggie and I cleaned up the living room while Papa and Dad did the chores, and Grams got her baking together to take over to the Knights for Christmas dinner.
“Did you have a good morning?” Maggie asked.
“Overwhelming was more like it,” I puffed sitting down on the couch and looking at all the gifts I received.
“I would think the same thing in your shoes,” she laughed sitting beside me.
“What did my dad get you for Christmas?” I asked shyly, looking at her ring finger.
“I don’t know, he said I’ll get it tonight when we’re alone.”
“You sound nervous.”
“I am. Your dad wants to move at warp speed, and it scares the hell out me.”
“My dad has always gone after what he wants.”
“But he’s just come back into my life.”
“I guess it’s up to you if you want to jump in, or not.” I patted her knee, “The question is do you think my dad is worth drowning over?” I left Maggie in the living room to think things over while I helped Grams load the car.
“Are you beautiful ladies ready to go?” Papa asked walking up.
“I think so,” Grams replied.
“Hey, I didn’t get to see what Papa got you for Christmas,” I said to Grams.
Dad stopped behind papa, “Hales, there’s a reason why I was at Maggie’s house so early.” He winked at Grams.
Grams slapped Dad as Papa laughed, “I missed you, son.”
“I missed you, too, Pop.”
THIS MORNING FELT so slow without Haley around. I watched as my brother repeatedly kept stopping under the missile toe so Whitney had to keep kissing him.
“Stop, Travis. I’m tired of kissing you,” Whitney whined.
“No, you’re not, you love my lips.” He kissed her back.
“I do,” she confessed as she leaned in and kissed him again.
Rolling my eyes, I went to help mom in the kitchen.
“What has you looking so glum, son?” Mom asked.
“I’d just hoped Haley would have been here by now. It’s our first Christmas together.”
“When I talked to Maggie earlier she said Haley had quite an active morning.”
“Is she all right?”
“Yes, dear, she’s fine. Her father just surprised her with all the baby furniture she could ever possibly need.”
“Oh.”
“Does that bother you?” Mom put down her spoon and faced me.
“That she got them as a gift, no. But isn’t that something the parents are supposed to pick out together?”
“I suppose so, but usually that happens when the parents are living in the same house.”
“How do I know the furniture he picked out is safe for my baby?”
“Bentley, do you honestly think Ben would pick unsafe anything for his grandchild?”
“No, I guess not.”
“Then what’s the real issue here?”
“It just feels like one more thing being taken away from me.”
“It’s not like Haley went behind your back and did it. It was a gift she knew nothing about until this morning.”
“I know.”
“When she tells you, please act happy.”
“I will, and I am happy for her.”
“Let me get the turkey in the oven. Go find your father and then let’s open presents.”
“Okay, Mom.” I kissed her cheek before finding Dad out in the barn.
“What are you doing out here?” I asked Dad, noticing him fiddling with something.
“
Trying to figure out how this thing works.”
“What is it?”
“I bought your mom a new camera. She’s always saying she wants one, but never buys herself one because they are so much money.”
“How much?”
“Four hundred.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah, but I guess this thing also video tapes. I thought it would be a good gift for when the baby comes.”
“I think she’ll love it, Dad. It’s probably the best gift you’ve given her in a long time. Anyways, I’m supposed to come and get you. Mom says it’s time to open presents.”
“Is Whitney here yet?” Dad asked putting the camera away.
“Yeah, she and Travis are busy kissing under the missile toe.” I rolled my eyes.
“What do you think Whitney will do if he goes to Seattle?”
“I don’t know. They are pretty close.”
“Do you think she will get pregnant to keep him here?”
“No dad, I don’t. She loves Travis too much to let that happen.”
“It was just a thought.”
“A thought any parent would have, Dad.”
“Let’s go in before your mom finds us out here playing with her gift.”
I STOPPED IN the doorway when I saw Whitney standing by the tree with tears in her eyes and her hands over her mouth.
“Whitney, baby, I wanted this moment to be with the people you love the most, but I can’t wait any longer. I’ve loved you since our first official date, and I can’t imagine my life without you in it. You are my best friend…”
“Travis…”
“Please let me finish. This is not an engagement ring, but one day that will happen. This ring in my hand is a promise; a promise to always put you first, and always be there for you. No matter where life leads us after high school, I want to do it together. Whitney, will you be my other half in life after high school?”
Choking back the tears Whitney spoke softly, “You’re leaving, aren’t you? You made your decision, haven’t you? You are leaving for Seattle.”