Between us

Chapter 18

"Are you okay? You don't look too good." Ryder asked after he came out of the shower. He had shaved his beard and he looks so much younger.

I looked at him and sighed. "I guess so." 

"That's not an answer, Charlie." He said and shot me the 'stare'. 

I sighed again and slipped under the covers, not answering him. It has been a week since we came to visit his family and I really enjoy it here, it's just recently that I felt like something is off. 

"I'm okay, Ryder. It's just that, what if Dominic shows up again?" I then asked with a concerned look on my face. 

"Hey, don't worry about that asshole, he won't ever come near you or our baby, I promise." He said and also sat on the bed and gave me a tight hug. 

"I love you Ryder." I said and kissed him on the cheek. "And you look very handsome without your beard, even though I prefer you with it." I then added and that dimple pitted in his cheek. 

"I love you too, Charlie. And to be honest, I miss my beard already." He chuckled and just then my phone rang. My heart stopped when I saw who it was. 

It was Hawk Summers. Ryder saw the tension on my face and gave my hand a supportive squeeze. 

"Hello?" I answered with a heavy heart. 

"Charlie dear?" A soft familiar voice asked unsure, and I held my breath. 

"Nana?" I asked and a tear rolled across my cheek. 

"Oh, my dear, I've missed you so much!" Nana said on the other side. "Sorry I couldn't make it to your wedding." 

"I've missed you terribly, Nana. And it's okay, Nana, really. Your blessing was more important to us." I replied and wiped my tears away. 

"You're probably wondering why I'm calling, dear." She began and took a deep breath. I then realized that this is something serious. "Your father wants you to come back to San Fransisco." 

Okay, uh, what?! 

I wanted to protest but Nana's next words stunned me. 

"Your father is dying, Charlie." 

"W-What....how?" I stuttered and Ryder immediately came forward with concern. 

"He has lung cancer, Charlie. He's had it for two years now." Nana began and the phone dropped from my hand. It felt as if all the oxygen was sucked out of the room. I stood up and went to the bathroom to wash my face. I couldn't hear or see anything anymore. All I heard was Ryder's muffled voice coming closer and then I sat down on the floor while stroking my belly. 

Ryder came inside and squatted so that our faces are the same level. "Deep breaths, love." I complied and he stroked my cheek gently. "Do you want to go see him?"

That was the big question. Did I want to go see Hawk? Did I really want to see the man that made my entire childhood a living hell? 

"Yes." It was barely a whisper and he smiled and pulled me up. 

"We leave tomorrow then." He said and took out his phone to make a call. After he instructed something angrily into the phone, he switched it off and pulled me in for a hug. "Everything is arranged for tomorrow." 

"I'm so glad that I wasn't on the receiving end of that call." I dryly remarked and he chuckled. 

"I'll do anything for you, love. No matter the price." 

"Good."

                                                                                      ~~~~~~~