Frozen Heart

Chapter 39 ~ "Is That Really So Wrong?"

Grace

I was glad my dad was home, but my life as a double agent was getting increasingly complicated. Genuinely, had he come home on time, it would have been much better timing. Nik needed loads of support right now and I couldn't give him any of it because I wanted to spend time with my dad.

I hadn't had Christmas with him and these three weeks were some of the only time I would get with him. I had to make it count, but at the same time, I had to tell him the truth. He had to know that I had a boyfriend who was getting quite serious. 

We'd had a really good weekend, me, mom and dad, we did all sorts of fun things and spent loads of time together. The only way I'd been able to make sure I could have mine and Nik's date was by lying again and telling my dad that it was one of my friend's birthdays. We only had a brief lunch date, Nik didn't complain but I wanted more after such a difficult week.

Today was Tuesday and I finally felt like dad had been home enough days to settle in and get comfortable for me to tell him the truth. I was waiting for him to come back from dropping my uncle Charlie's tools off. We'd borrowed them to move in and hang up our pictures, but dad had finally helped us hang up the last of them yesterday.

Mom had gone back to work and I was planning on having a one-on-one conversation and just being very open about it. I'd have a hard decision to make if my father wouldn't accept it. I loved Nik and I knew I'd stay with him, but it would be so difficult to go against my father and do something he didn't like.

But we'd come this far, there was no stopping now. I had plans for my future with Nik, a life I wanted to live. I'd have to pray my dad would simply get over it eventually and let me be happy.

Nik had had a horrible day today, apparently he and Alex had arranged a meeting with Sasha and her mom to discuss her possibly coming home. He called me on his way home to get changed for his coaching practice and from what I understood, it was pretty heavy.

It would have been nice to see him outside of school, but with my dad home and Nik's family a mess there wasn't much chance. It made me pretty sad.

But the good news of the day was that Sasha had agreed to come home which Nik mentioned in his phone call.

"She was so sure of what she needed." He said, sounding impressed. "She's asked that we all start going to therapy." He mumbled.

"Really?" I asked. "Well good, I think it'll be a chance to work through all of it." I suggested and he sighed.

"I know I just.......I don't want to talk about my feelings with a stranger and especially not with my dad." He grumbled and I nodded, understanding his concern and point of stress.

"I know it seems like it's going to be horrible." I whispered. "It won't be easy." I reminded him. "But, it is going to make a world of difference to you." 

We talked for a while longer until he told me he really needed to run and I let him go, knowing he had a pretty important commitment to the younger team he coached. 

I sat in the living room, looking at the picture of Nik and I and I smiled. One day soon this would all end and I'd have my guy, we'd be perfect and happy and nothing would be in our way.

I hear the front door open and I turn off my phone watching my father walk through the door. I smile excited to see him, it was still surreal to have him home. 

"Hey dad." I say and he nods, taking off his coat and shoes. "How was Charlie?" I ask.

"Charlie......he was good." He says quietly and I nod, wondering why he seemed so serious.