Tired toffee eyes met my nervous ones, a forgotten lukewarm cup of coffee in between my hands. My father glanced over to his left, where my brother sat, his light hair clipped extremely short.
My father looked heavier then he had when I last saw him, his gray beard now with a dash of white in it. Still, he had some type of life that was clear in his relaxed features that I envied. My father cleared his throat as he played with the napkin in his lap before he looked back up at me.
"Were you followed?" My father spoke crisply.
The first words out of my father's mouth besides pleasantries only concerned his safety and my brother's.
I sighed and shook my head before I brought the mug of coffee to my lips. I tried to stop my hands from shaking too much and Ares placed a hand full of reassurance on my right leg.
"She doesn't know I'm here or where I'm currently staying," I said dryly, "I would, as I know you would, prefer to keep it that way."
My father nodded and looked back down to his lap, clearly lost for words. What could he say to his daughter that he had abandoned all those years ago?
"It's good to see you, Cash," my brother finally spoke up, a certain affection in his tone.
I turned my attention to him and flashed him a smile, "How have you been, Jeff? Finally graduated?"
Jeff shook his head with a sad sort of smile, "Nah, I dropped out. Being an architect wasn't really what I wanted to do, ya know? I'm going to a trade school instead, to be a carpenter."
"Somewhat aligned with your old passion," I noted.
"Oh yeah," Jeff piped up, "I got myself a girlfriend! She's absolutely wonderful."
"You?" I teased, "you managed to get a girlfriend?"
Jeff smiled and jutted his head towards Ares, "I see you got a partner of your own."
My face flushed as I glanced towards Ares, who too had a redness on his cheeks, "Uh, we're not, uh-"
"Official," Ares cut off with a smirk, "still been debating about it and how to say it."
My mouth fell open as I stared at him and he cheerily returned a smile. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the top of my nose as if it was the most normal thing in the world and I froze. Jeff's laughter brought me back to reality and I turned back to my brother as I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. We conversed more and caught up for a few more minuted before I saw movement from my father.
My father sighed and brought the attention onto him, "I know I haven't been the best father Cashlin."
He sighed again and pinched the bridge of his nose, "And I have no guarantees I will make up for my past mistakes. But I am willing to take you into my house. It's the least I can do, kid. I'm sorry for everything I've done, I know you may not forgive me, but just know I am truly apologetic."
I nodded and glanced at Ares before I took a moment to gather my thoughts and form an intelligent sentence.
"When can I move in?" I mused.
My father's eyes widened but he smiled all the same.
