Tides

Chapter 39 - Two Dates

LUNA

I try to read an old gossip magazine while my family and I wait at the hospital. Mom and River have been already for about three hours in surgery. Anthony sits to my left and plays with his phone. Skye and Joan sit together to my right, and she has her head on his shoulder. My brother kisses her head from time to time and I find the gesture sweet.

Dad has scolded Dax already three times for punching his thighs. Lottie hands Dax a cup of coffee, and he gives her a grateful smile. Lottie's neighbor is babysitting Henri and Boy, and I feel grateful she is here to support my brother who I'm still not sure is fine with the new family situation.

Alberto has chewed all of his nails by now. I can only imagine how stressed he must feel. Mom comes to Sea Glass Beach on vacation to see her boys compete in a surfing festival and ends up as an organ donor to a son she didn't know she had. It all sounds like a drunken tale at the Beach Club, and still, it happened for real.

Dad sits next to Maggie and holds her hand. I stare at the intimate way in which he rubs her hand with his thumb. He looks at her oddly as they talk in whispers. No way...

"Skye, look at Dad. Look at his hand," I whisper in Skye's ear.

My brother turns his attention to our dad and his eyebrows shoot up.

"I'm not imagining that, right?" I whisper again and he shakes his head.

Dax looks at us, and Skye motions with his head to Dad. My brother's mouth falls open. He then turns to Lottie and says something in her ear.

"You are morons if you think I'm not noticing what you are doing," Dad looks at us three. "In case you are wondering, your Mom, Alberto and Jax know. We also told River this morning," he kisses Maggie's hand.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Dax asks in an upset tone.

"Because it wasn't the right moment," Dad shrugs.

"So, you can spill to people I'm getting married. Solve it with a shrug and an 'oops', but you can't tell us you are dating Maggie. Now, that makes sense."

"It's the way it is Dax. Take it or leave it," Dad looks intensely at Dax. I feel uncomfortable.

Dax curses and the other people in the waiting room turn their attention to us. My brother looks tense and glares at Dad. Lottie grabs his hand and makes him walk away with her. Skye is eternally in a bad humor, but when Dax gets angry, he needs a long time to chill. I hope Lottie can deal with him.

"I'm sorry," Maggie blushes deeply. "I don't want to upset anyone. Ash has been a significant support and I miss the company of a man. It feels good to share time with your father after so many years as a widow."

River told me that after his dad passed away, Maggie dedicated herself to him and her job as an interior designer. She didn't date, even though he told her many times she should. What surprises me is that she picked my dad. He is a handsome and caring man, but too much like Skye, short tempered and with a foul mouth.

"It's all right, Maggie," I say. "You don't need to apologize. I'm happy you have found each other," she gives me a grateful smile.

"Didn't you say, and often, that you didn't want to marry again?" Skye teases Dad.

"Dudes, chill! We have been out on two dates. Who the hell is talking about marriage at this point?" Dad looks flustered and Maggie smiles at him.

"I think you should get married," Alberto begins. "You are getting old Ash. You need someone to keep you company."

Alberto is a man of a few words, but whenever he talks, they are meaningful.

"You too? Is this a conspiracy against me?" Dad groans.