Crazy House

Chapter 18:Edmond Côme Leclerc

XxREAD THE Q/N AT THE END OF THE CHAPTERxX

Chapter 18:Edmond Côme Leclerc

I’ve never met my dad before. My mom’s alway told me he ran off before I was born. She’s never said anything else about him, and I’ve never found a picture of him. I don’t even know his name.

The crazy thing is when I walk into the living room, I instantly know, that without a doubt, this man in my father. He’s tall, probably 6’5, he has wide broad shoulders, his eyes, like mine are blue, and his hair is brown, with not a touch of grey, though I’m sure he’s probably in his forties, or late thirties.

“Ariel,” he says in a deep voice watching me as I enter the room, with Roman trailing behind me.

I don’t say anything  I just walk closer to him, and when I’m right by him, he pulls me into a hug without any warning. The hug isn’t awkward, like I thought it would be, and I find myself wrapping my arms around him, and leaning into him.

I know that anyone else would be freaking out right about now, and debating if this man is really their father. But, I just know, that this is my father.

He pulls back a little, but he still holds onto me, as he looks at me face, “You look so much like me.” He says before pulling me back into the hug.

Roman and I sit on the loveseat and my dad sits in the recliner. Roman’s arm is wrapped on the back of the couch behind me, and my dad glances at it for a second before he starts talking.

“Ariel, I know you’re wondering why I’m here, so I’m going to tell you this before I tell you anything else. I didn’t know until about a month ago that you were even alive.” He says and my heart starts to beat quickly.

How could he have not know I was alive?

He had to have known I was born.

“What?” I ask leaning a little further. I feel Roman place his hand on my shoulder, gently, in a soothing matter. It only makes me think about what happened the other night, and I push that out of my mind, focusing on my father.

“Your mom and I we broken up before you were born, and she never told me that she was pregnant.” He says running a hand through his hair, “If my math is right, she was only a month pregnant when we broke up, but I’m sure she already knew.” He tells me meeting my eyes, “I never knew you existed.”

“How did you find me?” I ask him squirming in my seat.

“The news,” He says, “I saw your mom on TV, she was doing an interview about her missing daughter.” He tells me, “I was just about to change the station when they showed your picture.” He tells me and there’s strong emotion in his face, “I knew then that you were my daughter.” He confesses, “So I had my private investigator find you.”

His private investigator?

He has to have a lot of money.

“What’s your name?” Roman asks and when I look at him he has a curious expression on his face.

My dad sits up straighter in his seat, “Edmond Côme Leclerc,” He says and there’s a hint of an accent in his voice when he says his name.

“You wouldn’t happen to own Leclerc Enterprise, would you?”

My dad gives a faint smile, “Maybe. That’s not important though.”

“How old are you?” I ask him leaning forward on my elbows.

“40, on the dot.” He says.

I begin to do the math in my head, “You were 23, when I was conceived. Do I have other siblings? Do you have a wife? My grandparents, are they still alive?” I start rattling off questions and he looks a bit overwhelmed.

“One question at a time,” He says giving me a smile, “I do have a wife, her name is Laurel. We don’t have any children, so no you don’t have any siblings. My mother is still alive, unfortunately my father passed a couple of years ago.”

“Your accent, what is it?” I ask him wondering about our roots.

“French, my parents were both born and raised in France, but they moved to America when I was about ten.” He tells me, “We still visit a lot to see the rest of the family.” He tells me, and it’s no wonder his accent is very faint, he’s been here for thirty years.

I can’t believe I’m french.

“Can I meet my grandmother?” I ask him, and I feel stupid for asking.

“Of course,” He says and a look passes over his face, “That reminds me, Ariel you’re still a minor, technically your mother still has custody of you.” He says and I can’t tell where he’s going with this, “You can’t stay here.”

-----

Q/N:

Before y'all start jumping into conclusions, don't be angry at her father. You'll find out why, next chapter.

I'm going back to school this week, from my self made medical leave ('bout 4 weeks) don't judge me. So here's the plan, I'll try to update at least once or twice during the week. I'll try to make the chapters about 4 pages. I'll also update once or twice on the weekend. OH, and I'll make a deal with y'all. Check out @QuiteQuilliant. If we get, let's say 15 fans, then I'll update that same day. Fair enough, also check out our website, there should be a link on my page.