Second Chances

Chapter 22

When we were done with things around the house, we lazed around the house after we've had our breakfast. 

Later that day, i decided to take my bath as Tasha was getting dressed, we are planning on going to the hospital to visit my dad. I also have an ulterior motive as well, even though i know he would still come home with me, i wanted to have the discussion on a neutral ground.

His office or yours is not considered neutral ground.

Shut it!

I dressed as well in jeans and a stripped cowl neck top, with long sleeves it reached the tip of my fingers, then i put on sneakers.

"I see you're going for casual today" she stated when i finished dressing.

"So are you, and i'm sure you don't expect me to put on pants or a shirt for a casual visit" i told her "Besides, i'm sure you know that we're not working, we are simply visiting today"

"You look good by the way" she stated "Someone will be happy to see you" she said wiggling her brows

"Thanks, but i don't know what you're talking about" i said and she laughed as we made our way outside.

.......................................

We got to the hospital  lot faster than i thought we would, I have been trying to prepare myself for the 'face-to-face discussion', i still haven't made a decision yet, and I'm not close to making one either, but will see how the confrontation goes.

I parked the car and got out, we both made our way inside and we split to go our separate ways. I made my way to the room where he is, and remembered him hugging me. Will it be awkward seeing him again after that?

Just go with the flow.

Even my subconscious is telling me  what to do now. i thought as i shake my head.

I stopped at the door, i took a deep breath and let it out again. I moved to open the door, but it opened and my eyes connected with those amazing eyes. He jerked at the unexpected sight of me.

"Hey" i said as i forced myself to smile.

"Hi" He stepped out and closed the door as those piercing eyes questioned me silently from under furrowed brow "i didn't know you were coming in today" 

"Yeah, i just came in to see him" i replied gesturing to the door.

"Oh" he said and I see something pass across his face but it's there and gone before I can identify what it was.

"And i was thinking i would talk to you about....." i trailed off.

He simply raised his brows for me to continue what i was gonna say.

"Uhmm" i closed my eyes finding it difficult to continue.

"About?" gesturing me to continue.

"The conversation we had on the phone earlier" i sighed still with my eyes closed.

"What about it?" he asked.

"Seriously?" i asked as i opened my eyes "You know what conversation talking about"

"I'm not talking about that" he rolled his eyes "I meant what about it, what do you want to talk about? Be specific"

"I just want to know......." I started but was cut off as someone opened the door. We turned at the same time to face Drew. He looked a little worried when he saw the expression on my face.

"Hey guys" he looked at Nick then at me "Is everything okay?" he asked as he tried to keep the worry off his face.

"Yeah, it's fine" Nick answered.

"Yeah, it's not what you think" I told him hoping he'll stop worrying "It's about something else entirely".

"Oh, okay" he said as he walked up to me and hugged me. I'm guessing what he simply needs is an anchor, someone to keep him from thinking about what is going on.

I looked at nick and he seems to understand what i mean to say, he nodded and walked away.

"It's fine, everything is going to be alright" I told him as i put my arms around him "Nothing is going to happen to him. You'll see"

"How can you be so sure" he sighed "He just looks so weak, I've never seen him like that before"

"I know because the man in that room is a stubborn ass man" I told him as i pulled back to see his face "And he won't let this stop him or keep him down"

"Yeah, i guess you're right" He smiled finally "If his stubbornness is anything like yours"

"Hey" i smacked him upside the head.

"Come on" he said as he rubbed his head where i smacked him. "Lets go in, he's kinda expecting you"

"Me?" I stopped surprised.

"Of course you, why are you surprised?" he said " Did you think the hug and apology was a fluke? That it was brought out because he's about to die or that he's glad he didn't die?"

"No no, it's not that, it's just that he specifically asked of me? He called my name, specifically"

"You're starting to sound like a broken record, come on" he said as he pulled me inside.

When we got inside, i saw him sitting up with Carol feeding him one of the healthy food he was supposed to take. I saw the expression on his face as he gazed at Carol, it was soft and loving, it was there and then it was gone the moment he saw us come in. I never thought that this man is capable of any emotion.

"Ashley" he said as he reached out his hands for me to take. I didn't disappoint as i take his hand in mine before sitting beside him, the other side where i suspected Drew was sitting before he came outside.

"How are you feeling?" i said treading lightly as i had no idea what could happen next.

'I'm much better, but the doctor said I'll still be here for a while before i can be discharged" 

"Yes, its standard procedure. You still have to go through a lot of tests and checkups to see how you respond to the new heart. And you have to be under supervision for some time" I stopped when i realized how i was speaking to him "Sorry" I said sheepishly not meeting his eyes.

"It's fine, i guess it's second nature to you now" he said as he put his hand on my chin to lift my face to meet his smiling one. I could see he was trying to keep the smile on his face.

"Yeah, i guess"

"I'm really sorry dear. I didn't mean to treat you the way i did" he said sounding regretful "I would really love it if we could start all over again. I was given a second chance to right all the wrongs I've ever done to you, would you let me make it up to you?" he dropped his hand looking at me with different emotions in his eyes, guilt, sadness, regret, hope and others i refuse to name.

I was speechless, on one hand i wanted to believe him and on the other i flashed back to what he had done to me. I looked at Carol then at Drew, both looking at me hopefully, i want this so bad, to have a father-daughter relationship with him but I'm being pessimistic about all this, he might revert back to the person he was when i least expect it.

I sighed and gave him my answer.