Human

35.

                  

I knew in my heart that I needed to go after him, but I just couldn't do it.

I've been lied to by too many people and for way too long. I'm so sick and tired of being deceived by the people I care about, and Derrek should have known that.

Walking into the house was more awkward than I would have previously anticipated. All the drama with Derrek had momentarily distracted me from the fact that my birth father had showed up. I haven't even had time to process it really. I walked into the house to see Charles and Wes standing uncomfortably in the hallway, waiting for us.

As we moved toward them I noticed Charles's eyes drop down to mine and Garrett's interlocked hands.

Cue even more awkwardness.

This just keeps getting better the more I think about it. Charles probably thinks I am some kind of crazy homewrecker. A few days ago Garrett was pretty much engaged to Carrianne, and now he is holding hands with Charles's other daughter. I hastily let go of Garrett's hand even though it was obviously too late to not be seen.

Garrett walked passed me and up the hall to meet Wes at the door of the study, but Charles hung back waiting for me.

When I got close he surprised me by stepping into the middle of the hall, preventing me from passing by him. "I, um..." He said as he looked down on me. I noticed for the first time how incredibly tall he was. He must at the least be 6'3. "I thought we should, I guess, formally meet." He muttered awkwardly, then extended his hand to me. "I'm Charles Montclair, Carrianne's father...Your father."

"Yeah, I know." I replied shaking his large warm hand once then dropping it.

I stared up into his eyes. I was struck by how similar they were to my own. Charles was a very handsome man. Tall, broad shouldered, kind eyes, and a perfect white smile. I thought to myself again how it was so easy to picture him with my mother. Mr. Perfect.

"I had a feeling you might have." He chuckled lightly. "I just wanted to say something of it." He glanced at the floor, what I am beginning to notice is his nervous habit, then he looked back to my eyes. "It's very nice to finally meet you Cadence. I've waited a long time for this moment, however, I did picture it under different circumstances. You look so much like your mother, it's uncanny."

I smiled. "Yeah, I've heard that a bunch."

"I'm sure you have." He said, returning the grin. "Shall we join the others?" He stepped aside so that we could both walk down to the study together.

I joined Garrett on the couch, and Charles took the chair by the desk, where Wes was sitting leaning back in his own chair. "Pleasure to see you again, Wesley." Charles said nodding his head in Wes's direction.

"Ah, yes." Wes replied. "You as well."

Garrett put his arm around my shoulders and rubbed my back soothingly while the two men caught up with each other. Wes explained how he had become involved with me and why he had advised me against reaching out. I had been afraid that Charles might get angry about that, but he said he completely understood and that he was grateful to Wes for everything he had done so far to try and help me. They carried on a little small talk for a while longer, and then Wes put his work face back on. "So, I do believe there are some things that I am sure Cadence would love to know." Wes prompted Charles.

Charles smiled and nodded to Wes and then turned his head to look at me. "What would you like to know first?" He asked.

Garrett squeezed my shoulder reassuringly and I chewed my lip while trying to sort out the thousands of questions in my head. "I guess the obvious question." I told him. "How long have you known about me?"