Now And Always.(Sequel to Acceptance)

An end to a beginning.

       Ryan tried to keep on a blank facade as he waited for his father to be brought in. He and Quinn had discussed about this after the birth their babies. Now, he was here to visit his father since his old man had been asking to see him via his mother.
  He jolted when the door was opened and  his father was escorted into the room by a police officer.
His father was a handsome man.  No doubt,  girls would have gotten foolish over him during his prime. Now,  he looked drained and older than his age.
He was dressed in the uniform meant for prisoners and was handcuffed.
Ryan looked on through the glass partition as his father took his seat and grabbed the telephone handset ,  before placing it against his left ear.
Ryan mirrored his actions and waited in baited breaths for his father's voice .

" You look different ", the older man began.

Ryan nodded. " It's  been five years. change is inevitable ".

The man smiled. " I hear you are a father now".
Ryan's brows furrowed. " I am".

His father chuckled dryly. " I'm glad to hear that I have grand kids. Your mother never seem to stop talking about them whenever she have the time to visit", he said in a sad tone.
 
Ryan had nothing to say to that.

" I bet they would hate to know about the old man who nearly killed their father", he added with a throaty laugh which didn't reach his eyes.

Ryan swallowed a heavy lump. " I'm happy dad. I have a loving husband and beautiful kids I wouldn't trade for anything.".

" I know, Ryan. I've always known. Perhaps that was why I wanted you to   follow my path. Get married to a wife you don't love and raise up kids in a loveless and cruel marriage". He paused to swallow. " I shouldn't have forced you to become who you aren't. I hope you lead a good life,  Ryan. Be a better man than your old man. That would be the only way I can forgive myself".

Ryan blinked back the tears and nodded. " Thanks and I forgive you".

The old man smiled a genuine smile. " I'd like to see my kids someday,  you know. They are biologicallly yours right? "

" Does it matter?. Kids are little  angelic beings. It  doesn't matter if they are biologically mine or not. As long as I love them and raise them well".

" You are right. Wish I had a father like you. Life would have been so much different ".
" it isn't too late", Ryan assured with a smile. "
The old man chuckled. " yeah. Heard your mother is getting married again to an English man"
Ryan was grateful for the change of topic.

" Yeah. I was surprised when she showed me the invitation card. We are flying over there for the wedding. As long as she is happy,  I'm happy ".

The police officer interrupted them, telling them that they had three more minutes.

"I'm happy for her too", he replied.
Ryan nodded.
After some few other conversations,  the officer told them their time was up.
When Ryan watched his father leave with a genuine smile on his face, he felt light and free.

•~~~~•
  
     
   " As a matter of fact,Drew Cunningham asked me to the junior/senior prom. It's two weeks from now. Which means I would need a new dress and probably a pair of new shoes", the fourteen years old girl announced.

Immediately,  Quinn got angry at his daughter. Moving his gaze from his laptop,  he studied her,  really studied  her.
She was tall and beautiful
with the beginnings of a shapely body, which she emphasized now with a blue tight jeans and floral blouse. Sometimes, He wondered if this person was the same little girl that jumped into his arms and was eager to go anywhere with him.