Fatal Wounds

37

Valentina

"Hey dad," I smile when Theo and I spot his table in the restaurant we decided on for dinner.

We decided to go out to dinner tonight with dad, Brooke, and Brian. It's a rather fancy place so I pulled out a dress that isn't in my work clothes category.

"Sweetie," he acknowledges, standing to give me a hug, he pauses with wide eyes as he glances at the ring on my finger. "What is that?" The look in his eye throws me off, his voice sounds passive yet his eyes look sad. They burn a hole on the finger where the ring lays, I resist the urge to curl my fingers into my hand.

"A promise ring." I tell him with a small frown. Does the idea of me marrying Theo not sit right with him? Theo also notices and his body goes tense. I feel torn, I love Theo and plan on marrying him, but my dad is important to me if he has ill feelings towards Theo, I'd still be with him but dad not accepting him would be painful. 

"Oh," dad sighs. "Good. That's good. Vale."

There's an odd feeling that worms its way into my chest. I can't chase it away and it brings my mood down. "You... like Theo right?" I can't help but ask in a small voice. Theo's hand comes to rest on my back to give me a bit of comfort.

"What?" Dad rears back, "Yes of course I do. He's grown on me somehow."

"Then why...?" I bit the corner of my lip finding it hard to ask the question.

Dad holds my gaze a bit questioningly. "Why didn't you seem pleased with the fact that it may have been an engagement ring?"

I take a seat in the booth across from where he was sitting as I nervously wait for his answer. Theo sits right next to me, looking just as anxious and tense.

"Vale, honey," he looks at Theo and gives him a reassuring look, "I know how much you love him, I'd love it if it were an engagement ring but it did sting a little when I thought it was one without ever having a conversation with him about it beforehand."

I visibly see Theo's body release its tension as I sigh in relief. "Leo," Theo's hand lands on my knee, "I wouldn't do it without having your permission."

Dad cracks a smile full with relief, "That's a relief, Theo. I know at first I may have came off as a little protective of Valentina but I have grown a liking to you."

"A little?" Theo chokes out a small laugh. "You'd glare at me all the time."

Dad huffs out a small laugh, "you deserved it since I hadn't yet known you or your intentions." Dad sends him a small glare making me laugh, "All I'm saying is that it would've hurt if it had happened without at least a conversation between us."

"I want you to know that I would never do it without us talking." Theo says, "you're important to Valentina, important to me, not asking you is out of the of the question."

I'm positive Im looking at Theo as if he hung the moon and the stars, but I can't help it. My insides liquify filling me with a warmth that's incomprehensible.

Dad can't help dropping his glare, "thank you Theo."

"My deepest apologies for being late!" Brian's voice startles me as he and Brooke show up at the side of the table. Theo and I scoot further into the curved booth, Brian gets into the edge closer to Theo and dad gets up to let Brooke into the spot closer to me then takes his spot at the edge.

"Brooke!" I gush seeing her belly that's grown and protruding against her dress. "Did baby grow over night?"

She places a hand over her belly and lets out a laugh. "Yes she did."