When you realise

25. Fatherly Advice

"Muffin" I looked up and standing right in front of me was Hunter's dad

"Hi Nathan" I said as he engulfed me in a big hug

"I told you before to call me dad, I don't care how stupid my son is you will always be like a daughter to me" he said to me.

I smiled slightly; I could actually picture him telling Hunter how stupid he was.

"You will have no choice hopefully, once you marry my son you will officially be my daughter" he finished.

"Um ... no ... not .... Um" I'm completely lost for words.

"Don't break an old man's heart muffin, now have brunch with me, I just had to run some errands for the old bat and I always stop in here to get her a vanilla slice on the way home, they are her favourite, I've got to keep her happy. It will be a shame when Bella sells this place, it really is a treasure in this big city" he said while looking around like he was remininising.

"It smells amazing in here" I said while taking a deep breath to savour the smells.

"Wait until you eat something, it will just melt in your mouth" He said as we took a step forward in the line, my mouth started to water as the display case came into view.

We took another step forward and I spotted the profiteroles, an absolute weakness of mine. Yep, mind made up, profiterole and coffee frap for brunch, we got to the front of the line.

"Good morning Nathan, how are you today, would you like the usual vanilla slice today?" the young girl behind the counter asked cheerily

"Good Morning Brooke, I will have the vanilla slice to take away, but I'm actually going to have brunch with my daughter in law this morning, this beautiful lady is going to marry my son and make me the happiest old man alive" he said while putting his arm around my shoulders

"No, Nathan, were not" I tried to get out

"Ssshh Muffin, it will happen one day" he said and winked at me, I just shook my head, he is relentless.

"So, Brooke, I will have a cappuccino and a caramel slice and whatever this beauty standing next to me wants" he directed at the young girl.

He gave me a look telling me not to argue with him "Fine I will have a profiterole and a coffee frap please, and I am not going to marry your son Nathan" I said with finality while looking directly at him.

He handed over the money to the young girl, "We will sit just over there Brooke and just ignore her, she is delusional, that wedding will take place" he said with a smile.

The young girl behind the counter giggled at the scene and handed him his change.

I just shook my head at him but couldn't help to return his smile, I have always had a soft spot for Nathan, he has always made me feel special. I followed him over the table in the corner and took a seat opposite him.

"So has my son manned up and contacted you yet, have you seen him?" absolutely no beating around the bush, straight to the point, it is a quality in people that I absolutely love and hate at the same time.

I looked down at my hands and started playing with my fingers to distract me from looking at him "I saw him yesterday" I quietly replied, not going into further details.

"and" he asked.

I finally looked up at him, he was looking at me with the gentlest eyes ever, I wonder if all fathers have the ability to put you at ease with just a look. "well, we spoke, he called last night, he said he will call tonight".

"you know that boy has been an emotional wreck since you left, he learnt that day that not only did he lose you, that he was actually in love with you, he was just too stupid and set in his own mind to realise it sooner" he told me.