The Way We Were

The Way We Family Reunion PTV

"Sweetpea?"

Marcy yawned. It was early morning on the second full day of the reunion and she hadn't seen her father since the day they'd arrived. "Hi, Daddy."

"Good morning."

"Good morning." She shifted the phone.

"How are you?"

"Daddy, you woke me up."

"Oh."

"How are you?"

"I am- um... good."

"Daddy?"

"Yes, Sweetpea?"

"She got to you, didn't she?"

"Who?"

"It's okay. She's the love of your life. I understand." She looked over to Mal sleep-singing with a pile of children atop him.

"You are a good daughter. You are a good woman. You are a good person."

She said nothing at first. "Thank you, Daddy."

"I know it's hard. I have no idea what you've been through, the hurt you've been caused. But you must forgive your mother. For you."

"Daddy,-"

"I'm not saying this so I won't feel guilty for whatever happens between us moving forward-"

"You're not?"

"No." He stopped. "No. I don't want hate and bitterness for you. I want you only to know love."

She blinked a few times before swallowing. "I'll talk to her but I'm not making any promises."

"That's all I ask."

W.W.W.

Marcy knocked on the door for the second time, hoping it was her last.

Rose opened immediately. "Come in."

Marcy wanted to say no but she didn't want everyone in her business. So she went inside.

Rose offered her a seat on the sitting furniture. She sat herself and looked over her baby.

Marcy had lost her baby fat but had grown woman curves. Her face was still round and chubby but her jaw was clearly defined. Her hair was nearly to her knees and in its natural myriad of colors with blonde at the tips.

She'd grown to 5'3 and had more of a fashion sense. Her hands had slimmed some but they were still short and fat. Her feet had stayed the same. She had a glow about her, her skin less butter and more gold.

Her eyes were still wide beneath her long bangs but her innocence was long gone...

Rose gulped. "Would you like refreshments?"

"No." Marcy stared at her, noticing her appearance as well. Her mother still had her hourglass figure but her middle was a bit plumper, her hair was lighter so it was not the dark chestnut she usually dyed it but her natural sanded wood in a bob and she was paler.

Rose breathed deeply. "I'm sure you're wondering why you're here-"

"Daddy can't tell you no."

Rose didn't know what to say to that at first. "Maybe that's true? I wasn't a good wife."

Marcy just stared at her, unmoved one bit.

"I was an awful mother." If Rose was waiting on Marcy to contradict that statement, she would have waited for eternity. "I wasn't there for you-"