Before the Ever Green (BTEG #1) ✔️

Chapter 38

Allison is letting us sleep over at her house. She says she has a lot more to teach us, but I think she just likes the company. Who wouldn't? I know if I had been living alone for years, I would want to keep company as long as possible. Why would you want to push people away, when you've been living alone for so long?
"If you need anything, just tell me. I am in the door to the right." Allison says, showing us to our rooms. She has 2 spare rooms. Jaeger and Brittany are in the one with 2 twin beds. I am in the one with a queen sized bed. "Good night."
"Good night." We all say in unison.
I close the door, and try to find the light switch. When I do, I flip in back and forth, but the light won't turn on. Great. I try and stumble my way to my bed. When I finally find it, I pull back the covers, and slip inside. I lay my head on the pillow, and close my eyes, only to be blinded by the light of something I can't see. I put my hand over my eyes, and try to look at where the light is coming from. The end of my bed. It is a blue and white light. I can't tell what it is though. It is too bright. I sit up more, so my back is against the headboard. The light is dimming, slowly. When it is no longer too bright for me to look at, I move my hand from my face, clasping my hands together in my lap.
It's a man.
Maybe 40. I don't recognize him. Maybe I should. Why is her here? I can hear him take a deep breathe, as his glowing self looks at me. I am not sure how to explain the look, but it somehow makes me calmer. Not so weirded that there is a glowing man looking at me, in bed.
"Who are you?" I ask. His expression changes, but he still looks kind.
He doesn't say anything. Can he speak? Is he a ghost? Hologram? He has blonde hair, and green eyes. He looks so familiar. I feel like I should know who he is. Why don't I know?
He takes a breathe, "My name is Derek Ember," he says it so slow
"Dad?"
He nods.
"How are you-" I can't even get the words out. I am seeing my dad for the first time. I am meeting the person who gave me my genes, and I can't touch him. Hug him. I can only speak, and I can barely do that.
"I have been watching over you since the day you were born." He tells me, " I don't know how I am or was able to, but I have. You have grown up so fast. And, I have missed all those moments. But, I have seen every last one. Addilyn-you are so special."
"Dad-how did you die?" He looks shocked by the question. And, I don't even know why I asked it. Of all the questions I could be asking.
"Um...I was..." He is struggling. He doesn't want to tell me.
"Please, just tell me. I can handle it."
"Your mother-" he's still hesitating, "When I met your mother, I just knew. We were what the town was talking about. The two magical lovers. Well, once the town found out that your mother had powers. So, we were together forever, and one day wee were talking. Your mother wanted a child. I could care less, I just wanted to be with her. So, in the end, we found that when 2 magical people are together, one dies. You and her together...over took me."
"Mom and baby me...killed you." It's not a question, but it is.
He nods, "But I would do it over again."
"Then...why does the town hate her? What did she do?"
"Exactly that. They don't know the real story. Everyone thinks that she killed me with a knife or gun. No one knows the real story. Maribella never wanted to tell the town the truth. Not that they would believe her."
It is so much to take in, and "Oh," is all I can manage to slip through my lips, which will only part slightly. I am looking at my father, trying to tsk win every tiny wrinkle. Every atom. Every color. Everything.
"Why?" He looks confused, "Why can't two magical people be together?"
"The two powers fight. Collide. They are at a constant raging war. They won't stop, no matter how much the two people want it to, and that's what happened. It took a week after we connected. Then, it happen, and I was dead. She was pregnant, and you were bouncing around in her belly."
"Is that why I get sick? Because of the 'raging war'," I ask
"What?" I am surprised he doesn't know, I am about to tell him about my monthly illness, "No, no." He is laughing, "Ask Allison, tomorrow, when you get it." I think back in my head, it is tomorrow.
"Ok." I am hesitant
"Oh, my sweet girl. I wish I could stay here forever."
"I wish you could, too. How come you never visited me, before?"
"I couldn't. It wasn't possible. And, I am not sure how it is possible now, but I am pretty sure it is a once in a life time kind of thing, sweetie."
I don't want him to go. I want a dad. I want to know my dad. "Who do I trust?" I have to know, and it's pretty clear he knows so much more than me. He has seen so much more. He can tell me who to trust. Who is on my side, who will help me.
"It s up to you."
"What if I make the wrong choice?" I most probably will.
"Trust yourself, Addilyn."
"How?" All this time, I have wanted someone to let me cry in their shoulder. Someone I can call daddy, and have love me, even when I mess up, big time. He is here, but he's not. And, he is going to leave me. Daddy, that is who I need. I will mess up. I don't trust myself. I don't know how to. "How do I know?"
"You just do, Addilyn. You have to trust. Trust in anything you need. Trust. That's all you need right now, dear. I will be your angel. I will watch over you, but I can't change anything. It's all up to you." He takes a deep breathe, "Did you know I chose your name? Maybe someday you will learn what it means."
Maybe. But, there are a lot of things I need to learn. What my name means, is not one of them.
"Bye, daddy." I can see him drifting away. And, though I have only known him for 5 minutes, I can feel a tear roll down my face. One after another. I curl my legs into my chest. I lost him. And, I just found him, too.