Sequel to Dear Nick. This story continues where Dear Nick left off, in the epilogue. If you haven't read Dear Nick, read it to see how they began. Their love is deep & pure, having been perfect since they finally got on the same page. Now, their per...
I couldn't imagine how Nick would react to seeing his father in the flesh, because he's had so many different emotions, regarding this man, over the years that I've known him. When he was a little boy, he would talk about his dad like he knew him. He would tell people stories about what his dad did for a living or why he wasn't in Nick's life. As Nick got older, the stories stopped & when he was in junior high, he would avoid the subject of his father, whenever he could. If someone brought up his father or asked about him, Nick would change the subject pretty quickly. In high school, Nick would talk negatively about his dad, calling him a deadbeat or a loser, whenever his dad was brought up in conversation.
I never tried to assume why his dad wasn't around nor did I try to convince Nick that his dad was anything other than what Nick said he was. I never wanted to argue with him or make him mad at me. As an adult, Nick didn't discuss his dad until after he became a father himself & even then, it still wasn't favorable.
When Nick came back to me, I told him about his father, visiting me & Evan & he seemed indifferent about it. He accepted the fact that his father was in his son's life, but he didn't seem overly thrilled or even interested in having a relationship with him. Now, I was watching my husband face his father, a man he has never met in his entire life, but was the reason for his very existence. I didn't know if I should jump in between them & try to smooth things over or if I should just see what happens. I decided to wait, before I interjected myself into their encounter.
"What are you doing here?" Nick asked, through gritted teeth. I had a feeling if Evan hadn't been a foot away, Nick would have spoke in an angrier tone.
"I wanted to stop by & see my grandson & I thought we should meet."
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"You know, Demi was nice enough to let you into Evan's life while I was away, but now I'm back & I don't need you in my life." Nick's tone was getting angrier & when I glanced at Evan his eyes were wide as he stared at Nick.
I stood up, quickly & put my hand on Nick's arm. "Nick, please let him explain. I think you will be happy he stopped by, when he tells you what he just told me." Nick turned his head, to look at me & the disappointment I saw in his expression broke my heart. He felt like I was choosing his dad over him & I didn't want that. "If I thought he was going to hurt you or Evan, I'd be helping you show him to the door. Just trust me. Hear him out, please." I said, hoping I was convincing him that I wasn't choosing anyone over him.
Nick let out a breath, through his nose & looked at his father again. "Fine. I'll listen to what you have to say."
Rick breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
"You can thank Demi."
"Thank you, Demi." Rick said to me.
"It's the least I can do, Rick. Nick, do you want to eat while Rick talks?" I asked, Nick, in the most chipper voice, ever. Nick probably knew I was over exaggerating my chipperness, but he also probably didn't care.
