I take a deep breath as I stand outside of the familiar house, my nerves getting the best of me. I could just get back in the truck and drive home, say I was sick or something, right? No Faith, you can't do that. I groan at myself and take another deep breath. "It's okay, you've got this. It's going to be fine. They're his kids, and they're important to him." I reassure myself before knocking on the door, instantly regretting it.
I hear laughter come from the other side before the door opens. I look to a teen boy with brown hair. He looks up at me and smiles, "Faith?" he asks, and I nod, "Dad's been talking about you all day." He says as he lets me in.
I chuckle, "You must be Kenny. It's nice to meet you." I tell him as I go to shake his head. He reaches in and gives me a hug and I hug him back even though I'm taken off guard. We both hear loud walking coming from around the corner, and Opie shows up, grinning at the two of us as we converse in small talk.
"You made it." He tells me, happy to see me. "I wasn't sure if you'd make it." He tells me as he walks over to us. "Kenny, can you get some plates and cups ready for dinner?" He asks his son and the boy nods, walking off to the kitchen. "I didn't want to rush you, and if this is too much then you can go back home, I j-"
"It's fine, I'm fine, Ope." I tell him, smiling at him and kissing him gently. "Thanks for looking out though." He nods and pulls me into his side, pressing a kiss on my head. "Where's Ellie?"
Ope looks down the hallway, "In her room, you know, typical 14-year-old girl shit." He says, "Let's put your bag in my room and then we can eat, yeah?"
I nod and follow him down the hallway, analyzing the house. A few photos of Donna and the kids are laid out through the home and I feel a pain in my heart, but shake it away, knowing that she was a good mother and her children miss her dearly. Ope opens the door to his bedroom and I chuckle as I walk in, looking at the awfully boring room. "Jesus, are you sure you live here?" I ask him as I look at the bare walls.
"Hey, I have my TV and that's all I need." He tells me, taking offense to my joke. I roll my eyes and let out a laugh as I set my bag on the bed.
Opie takes a seat on his bed and keeps his eyes on my, analyzing my body and then my face. "Thanks for coming, it means a lot to me and the kids." He tells me, his eyes light and genuine. I nod, "When Lyla and I got divorced, she just left and didn't bother trying to stay in the kids' lives. They didn't really adjust well to that." He admits, and I feel my heart sting; these poor kids. "They just can't seem to catch a break." He says with a sad chuckle. "I wish I could give them more."
I walk over to him and run a hand through his long hair, pressing my lips to his forehead. "They have a great father who loves them unconditionally. I have that in common with them. I know how it feels, and if I can help at all, I will." I reassure the man and he nods, pulling me close.
"I don't know how I got so lucky."
I smile, "We both did." I tell him before walking towards the door, "But I'm starving, and I want to meet your daughter, so can you please call her for dinner?" I ask the man and he nods, standing up and calling out Ellie's name before walking to the kitchen with me.
---
I watch as the two girls bond over hair, fashion and whatever else. Faith and Ellie are laughing with each other as they continue talking about whatever they're discussing. I watch happily, hoping that something, someone will be stable in their lives. "Ellie seems really happy, Dad." Kenny tells me as he looks over to his sister laughing with the redhead.
"Yeah, she does, doesn't she?" I ask my son and he nods as we both watch the two.
"I haven't seen her that happy since mom was around." He admits. "I never thought I'd see her that happy again." I nod, agreeing with him. I didn't think the kids and I would come through with Donna's death. It destroyed them, and it nearly killed me. I was an awful father during it and didn't act as a support system for the longest time. "She seems really nice, Dad. I like her."
