Promises (TP 6)

90 - Dr. Deb

Gabby waited outside his door. He had showered and dressed after he woke all three kids.

She pouted. "Why do I have to go?"

"Because it's important to me."

"I already know you're going to tell us you're getting married. I'm not blind. I know you want to."

She was right, but not until Tessa was ready. Hannah was the key.

"Not until your sister feels better about it. I need your help. I hope you'll always be on my side."

"Dad, you know I love you."

"I know, Gabs." He hoped his news didn't change her feelings.

Kevin dragged his feet. "Do it for me. I love you, son."

No one spoke in the car. When he parked, Hannah said, "I think it's good you two finally have to come."

She led the way. "Sit here and wait."

Patrick saw Gabby roll her eyes. They could read the sign. When the door opened, a teen boy with a face full of acne left. Gabby looked at her hands. Did she know him?

Deb stood in the doorway. "Come in."

Hannah said, "This is Gabby and Kevin. You know my Dad."

Deb nodded. "Nice to meet you two. I know you've been through a lot of changes lately. How do you feel?"

Kevin studied his Nikes. Gabby looked at Patrick, and he nodded to encourage her.

"It's different. Especially now they are staying with us because of the cast."

"Cast?" Deb looked surprised.

Patrick said, "Tessa broke her ankle. She and her girls are staying with us." It surprised him she didn't know. Rita did.

"So how is that going, Hannah?"

"How do you think? The only ones who are happy are him and his new family."

Patrick didn't react.

Deb said, "Gabby and Kevin, is that how you feel?"

Gabby said, "Not really. At least Dad is happy. He pretended, but I knew he was lonely."

Kevin said, "He's still my Dad. We surf even when they're over."

Deb nodded. "How do you feel about Tessa?"

Kevin said, "She's okay. She's not mean or anything, but I don't want a mother."

"I didn't want a mother either when I was your age. After my mother died, my father found a woman he cared about. I accepted her as my friend."

Gabby asked, "Did they get married?"

"They did."

Kevin asked, "Dad, are you going to get married?"

"We haven't talked about it yet. Mostly because Tessa is concerned about Hannah." He looked at his oldest daughter. "You lash out at her and her hurt is for you. She cares about you."

Hannah crinkled her nose. "No, she doesn't."

"She does. I know you're not nice to her, but she refuses to tell me. She doesn't want to cause you and I to be at odds."

Deb shifted the focus. "It can't be easy with younger children in the house."

Kevin surprised Patrick. "They aren't so bad. At least, I'm not the youngest."

Gabby said, "They love Kevin."

Patrick said, "Gabs, they love you too. They started off leary of Hannah, but they are warming up to her."