Ghost Of You (Michael Berzatto X Black!OC X Eventual Richie Jerimovich)

7. But Daddy, I Love Him

2007-Chicago, Illinois

Angie anxiously tapped her foot as she stood in front of the house she once couldn't bear to be in. She rung the bell and waited for the large door to swing open. Eventually, it did. She was met with a shocked face.

"Angelina?"

"Hi, Dad."

"What're you doing here?"

"Can I come in?"

He nodded and stepped aside. She looked around the house that she had grew up in. It now felt foreign to her. He grabbed her a glass of water and the two sat on the couch.

"It's been a long time." He sounded sad about it, as if he wasn't the cause.

"Yeah. It has been." She nodded.

"What brings you by?"

"I need Mom's dress."

"Her dress?"

"Her wedding dress. I'm getting married next week."

"Wow. My little girl." He chuckled. "Who's the lucky man?"

"Natalie's brother, Michael."

"The one who works at that sandwich shop?"

"He owns it, actually. I work there too."

"Why?"

"I like working there."

"No. Why him? He's a broke restauranteur."

"I love Michael. He is the love of my life and I wanna marry him."

"He's not good enough for you."

"He's perfect, Dad."

"Angie, I just want what's best for you."

"You kicked me out. How could you want what's best for me?"

"I wanted you to succeed. You needed a push."

"Just get me my mother's dress." She whispered.

He sighed and went upstairs to look for it. She raised her hand and quickly wiped her tears. After a while, he came back down and handed her a dress bag.

"I just want you to be happy, Angie."

"I am happy."

She held the bag tightly and headed out the door, slamming it on her way out.

🤍

'Tick, tock. Tick, tock.'

Michael stared at his watch. He could feel his hands clamming up as he ran one of them through his hair. He twirled the cigarette in his other hand, looking around the backyard he used to play in.

"Talk to me, cousin." Richie said as he blew out cigarette smoke.

"I feel like I don't know what I'm doing."

"You're not backing out, are you?"

"What? No. 'Course not."

"You better fucking not."

"She's too good for me."

"I coulda told you that."

"What if she realizes it one day and she leaves me?" He took a puff of his own cigarette.

"Angie would never. She loves you. Ya hear me?"

"I know. But what if..." He hesitated. "What if I let her down? What if I end up like my old man?"