Over ninety minutes to Boston, Patrick vacillated between excitement to see his kids and the memories of the two weeks without them. For two years, those two weeks were the loneliest of his life, but he hid it from everyone. Kristi never bought it, and neither did sensitive Gabby. The year before, he had to push her into the security line. Two weeks before, she had gone willing knowing he wouldn't be alone.
The time he spent with Tessa and the little girls exceeded his expectations. He wanted to make a home with her and their son and their children. Hannah was an obstacle. What if she refused to accept Tessa?
His head spun in circles of what ifs. Would Tessa give up on him? Would he lose his daughter? Could they be a family? Did he love Tessa? What if Tessa got sick? Could he risk love to lose it again?
Thankfully, the entrance to Logan Airport saved him from himself. His goodbye to Tessa and some unexpected Sunday traffic made him late. His phone rang, and he answered hands-free.
"Dad. Where are you?" Hannah asked.
"I'm just approaching arrivals now, Sweetie."
He saw his three children on the sidewalk and his heart lurched. He missed them. He missed seeing their faces. Their resemblance to Erica brought him comfort. Whatever feelings he had for Tessa, he still loved his wife.
The minute he walked around his car, Gabby threw herself into his arms.
"I missed you, Gabs." He fought tears as he whispered in her ear.
"Did she take care of you so you weren't lonely?"
"I wasn't lonely."
He let go of her and pulled Kevin in for a quick hug. "Hey Kev. I missed you, son."
He felt a stab of guilt because he had been celebrating the news of another son. Kevin had been his only son and probably didn't imagine that could change.
Hannah stood back and waited for her turn. "Sweetie." He reached out and she entered his embrace. "I love you, sweetie."
"Did you miss me?" She pouted.
"Tons, but I told myself to get used to it. You're going to college. Come on guys, pile in before we get yelled at."
There was a pecking order, and Hannah always rode shotgun. The younger two had their own sides in the back. His car wasn't big enough for his future family. Erica's old car had the third row. Except to pick up his family for graduation, he hadn't driven her car any place other than the lube shop and for its yearly inspection since she was in the passenger seat.
Once he was on the road, he said, "Tell me everything, guys."
After a pregnant pause, Gabby said, "It was fun. Lola was glad to see us."
He was afraid of his mother-in-law's influence. Still, his voice was cheerful. "Did she spoil you?"
Kevin complained. "She wouldn't let us eat out. I need fries. Can we have the seafood shack for dinner?"
"Yeah, okay. Kev, did you surf?"
"Once, but everyone was busy and when we were at Lola's there was no way, I was surfing."
At first, his mother-in-law thought he was just a surf dude and hated him. Just after she realized he wasn't useless, he took her daughter away. They were never close. He had a warmer greeting from Tessa's mother the first time they met, than he'd ever had from Lola.
He looked in the rearview mirror. "Gabby, how was Lola?"
"She was fine. She grilled us about Tessa and Ryder."
YOU ARE READING
Promises (TP 6)
عاطفية(Complete)Patrick Bennett promised his wife lots of things before she died. He lied when he agreed to look for love. Two years later, he is ready to start dating, but dating with three teenagers is not easy. Tessa Simon has spent six years sweeping...
