Fascination

Part 27

René had convinced Céline to go home and let him work things out with Anne. It would be a difficult but totally necessary conversation.

- Anne ... Open, please. - He said slamming her bedroom door.

- I don't want to talk to you, Daddy. - She answered. By the voice, she was crying.

- Honey ... Please, I have to talk to you. I don't leave here until I open it.

She was silent. But on second thought, she deserved an explanation. She went to the door and unlocked it, but didn't open it, went back to the bed where she had been sitting. He leaned back against the pillows and dragged the blanket over her legs. He slowly opened the door and entered. He sat on the edge of the bed and faced her. But Anne was not looking at him. She looked at her own hands and wept silently. He could see she was hurt, too much.

- My love ...- he said softly. She still didn't face him.

- You know I love you more than anything in life. That I would do everything for you.... You are my greatest treasure. My greatest wealth ... And everything I do in life is for you.
- And get involved with my best friend too? - she hissed, staring at him with hurt, angry eyes.

- You have every reason to be angry. I understand you. - he continued calmly.

- But you understand what love is...

- Are you saying you love Céline?

- Yes. Anne ... When your mother died, I thought I was going crazy. I never planned to live it again with anyone. What happened between me and Céline was something totally unexpected. I don't even know how to explain it to you. I wanted her and so did she. It was something totally overwhelming. I don't know if you will understand ... And I understand that it must be something totally complicated for you. The only thing I can tell you, and I swears to you, is that I love her. It is not something at the moment, an adventure. I know it's for a lifetime. I'm being honest with you. I think you should give her a try. She is totally desolate. You didn't see how she got out of here. She loves you so much. The last thing she wanted was to hurt you. Talk to her, please. And if after all you can't forgive her, I swear, I won't ask you any more.

She now looked at him calmer. She was still hurt, but she was reflecting more on everything. She knew her father was not adventurous. It had always been a good example for her. And that her mother had been very happy with him. He had a right to live his life ... And Céline ... She loved that friend so much ... But in her mind she never imagined that this could happen to them. It was all too confusing. But she was no longer a child. She had to act sensibly.

- I promise to talk to her. It just can't be today. I'm very, very shocked by all this, daddy. But I want you to know that I love you too. Nothing will change that. And I know you deserve to be happy. I'm so happy myself... And I want it to reach you too.

He took her hands. The eyes were clouded with the contained tears.

- You are my sun. Nothing will change that. I don't want to and I never meant to hurt you. You know that Céline and I had planned to tell you everything soon. She didn't want to ruin your marriage, didn't know how you would react, so she wanted to leave it for later. But then it happened, what you know ... Honey ... I sincerely hope you understand that. I can tell you something I know that matters to you. I'm very happy. Like I never thought I'd be again. And I want that not to push us away. I wouldn't be pleased if that happened ... She smiled through her tears. She approached him and hugged him as she did when she was a little girl.

- Just give me a break. - she said when she let him. - I need to think about all this.

- Sure! As long as you need it. - He said smiling at her sweetly. - Well, I'll leave you now.

He returned to the office and immediately called Céline. He reassured her, making her more relieved.


It would take two days till the friends met for a long chat.


- Can I enter? - Anne asked, poking her head into her father's office. He looked up and smiled at her.

- Of course, my angel. - he said closing the book he read concentrated. She came in, approached her father, and kissed him lovingly on the cheek. Then she sat in the armchair across the table.

- I'm going to talk to her ... - she said. - Two days ago that everything happened ... I'm not a child anymore, I have to talk to her. I don't guarantee anything, but ... I need to hear her ...

He sighed slightly.

- I haven't been able to talk to her since then.

- What do you mean? - she was startled.

- I called to talk to her several times these two days, she just doesn't answer the phone. Someone at her house always says she's not home ... She's avoiding me.

- It's my fault ... I should have listened to her ...

- It's no one's fault. Anne, things don't always go our way. She must need some time alone, that's all. But if you go looking for her, I doubt she won't want to receive you.

- I'm going right now. - Are you sure you're ready for this? - Yes. - Anne ... Céline passed through a lot. Be kind to her. - What? A lot of things? What do you mean?

- I don't think I have a right to tell you that ... Talk to her.

- Okay.

It was late afternoon when Anne arrived at Céline's house. But she wasn't. Therése had told her that her daughter had gone for a walk. She said she was worried about her. She was a little depressed and had barely fed. Only that day had she finally left the room for a walk. Immediately Anne knew where she had gone. They always went there at the time of school. The lake near the forest.When she got there, she spotted her from far sitting on a rock by the lake. Her gaze was lost, so distracted that she did not see her approach.

- Always on the same rock right? - Anne said making her wake up from her thoughts.

Céline got up and went without reaction staring at her friend. They were silent for a few seconds. Anne smiled and opened her arms. She grinned back and ran to hug her friend. Céline cried and sobbed.

- I couldn't lose my favorite godmother on the eve of my wedding ... - Anne said smiling.

- Forgive me, Anne ...- Hey ... Let's talk. - Anne told her pulling her to sit on the rock again.

The two sat facing each other.

- Let me tell you something ... - Céline said looking her in the eye.

- I never meant to hurt you ... I'd rather die than make you suffer, Anne ... And I swear, if you want, I'll go back to France immediately and promise never to see René again ... And ...

- Céline ... Stop. I'd be very selfish if I asked you something like that ...

- But I...

- Let me talk ... - she interrupted her.

Céline was silent and looked at her intently.

- Céline ... I'm so in love ... So happy ... And I want this to happen to the people I love. And you are my sister ... You are my dear friend ... I would also rather die than hurt you.

Céline cried and smiled at the same time. They both looked like girls from high school. - Papa told me you wanted to wait to tell me everything after my wedding so I wouldn't suffer. How can I hate someone who loves me like this?

Céline had no reaction. - I was so scared sometimes ... I never told you that ... - Anne continued. - Papa was desperate for the loss of my mother ... I wanted him so badly to move on ... But I was afraid of that. During these two days I thought a lot. And in fact the conclusion is that God had given me a gift. There is nothing a daughter wants more than to see her father happy. And when that happiness includes someone else she loves, it's even better.She took her friend's hands and they both cried silently.

- I'm the one who has to apologize, Céline. I was aggressive and very misunderstood to you ... You just brought me good things ... In a way thanks to you I have today the love of my life. And I want you to be very happy with Papa.

- I ... I love René, Anne ... You have no idea what I went through when I had to leave Quebec...  And I appreciate so much for having you. If God gave you a gift, He gave me an even greater one. You and your father.

- What do you mean about had to leave Quebec? - Annie was curious now.


The two talked all that late afternoon. Céline told Anne everything that happened, including the abortion she had suffered. Anne, of course, was appalled. They really were like sisters. A union that nothing could separate. And it wouldn't be love to do that. And they stood there, watching the sunset ahead.


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