Be My Forever [COMPLETE]

Chapter 103

"Hey baby. Sorry I couldn't make it back today. Work is kicking my ass. Tell Valerie and Claire that I miss them and I love them. I can't wait until I come back home. I should be back in a week or so. I love you." Toby left a voicemail on my phone at two in the morning. I wanted to call him back, but I assumed he would be busy.

I went downstairs, and found Daniel with Valerie and Claire. It still startled me seeing him alive. "Good morning." I said, trying my best not to act bothered. "Good morning, Spencer." He said. Everything felt so awkward. He disappeared from our lives for three years.

What do you say to a person who you thought was dead?

"Toby called last night. He said he'd be home in a week or so."

"Did you tell him?"

"No. That's not something you can just tell someone over the phone."

Daniel got up, and I helped the girls onto their chairs so they could eat breakfast. I started cooking their eggs, and Daniel spoke.

"I know it seems like I don't like you, Spencer, but that's only because I know your family. Your parents are nothing but trouble."

"You may know my family but you don't know me."

"Oh please, you're all the same. You, your parents, your kids-"

"Just stop!" I yelled, not even caring that the girls could hear, "those are your grandchildren. They are your son's children. You can talk about me like that, you can talk about my parents like that, but don't ever talk about my kids like that."

Daniel was taken back.

"I don't want you in my house. But, you're staying here until Toby comes home. He'd never forgive me if I knew that you were alive and never told him."

Daniel didn't know what to say.

"And for the record, Valerie and Claire are the sweetest, smartest, most beautiful little girls in the world. Maybe you should get to know your own granddaughters before judging them so quickly."

And with that, Daniel made his way back upstairs.

-:-

"What was grandpa saying?" Valerie asked. I knew she heard everything Daniel and I argued about. I knew she pretended not to hear, but we were in the same room. She heard everything.

"Nothing important. Just know that I love you and your sister more than anything in this world. Don't ever forget that, and don't let anyone tell you different, alright?"

Valerie nodded. "Okay. I love you too, mommy."

Claire, who was fast asleep in my arms, didn't budge when I kissed her forehead. There was a knock at the door, and I carefully put down my younger daughter and answered it.

There, at the front door, was Toby.

"Hey! I thought you weren't going to be back until next week!" I said, hugging him.

"Daddy!" Valerie exclaimed, forgetting about her sleeping sister and getting up to hug her father.

"Hey, Val!" He said, picking up our oldest daughter and kissing her cheek, "I lied," he said to me, "I wanted to surprise you."

"Well, you certainly did surprise me," I said, nervous. I thought I was going to have a whole week to tell Toby about his father. I was hoping I would have time to prepare.

Toby kissed me, then attempted to make his way upstairs. I stopped him.

"Wait, no!" I said, "Don't go upstairs."

Toby looked confused. "Spencer, I need to put my stuff away."

"Toby, there's something I need to tell you. It's about your dad."