“Sky, I told you, now or never!” Tim hissed.
“I know! But i can’t Tim, I’m afraid...” I said, tears welled up in my eyes.
“God, damn...Look, he’s now packing his stuff for the tour and you only have three more hours to explain everything!”
“Why don’t we postpone it till after he comes back?” i suggested.
“NO WAY SKY!!! You’re gonna do this, whether you like it or not, i don’t care! You have no other chance than this. Haven’t you realized that he’s the happiest man alive since he heard he’s gonna be dad again?!”
“And grandad.” I added.
“My God! Tim i can’t do this-“
“BUT YOU HAVE TO!” he cried. He sighed and slumped down on my bed right next to me and held my hand. “Look, i know it’s not easy but we both know that you have to do this Skylar. Wouldn’t you want him to see your navel when he comes back, would you?”
I just looked down, couldn’t have the urge to speak.
“I don’t believe you.” He said unbelivably when he understood my answer.
“I can’t do it Tim, i can’t! Why don’t you at least once try to understand me?! I’m not that strong or brave to do that. Besides, he’ll kill me!!” i yelled.
Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me outside my room and towards to my dad’s room. I tried so hard to rescue my arm but he was five times stronger than me.
He knocked on his door, then poked his head inside. Without releasing my wrist, he kept talking with my dad, asking him if he had some free time to talk about an important situation. And as expected, he did have. I groaned inwardly while Tim dragged me inside the room. Vanessa was also there, helping my dad packing his stuff.
“What do you two wanna talk about? I guess it’s something important.”
“Well, actually Uncle Nicky, Skylar has something to tell, or call it confess...” Tim told, throwing the ball at me.
“In fact dad, there’s some important stuff Tim needs to explain to ya, y’know what i mean.” I continued throwing the ball back at him, added with an evil look of mine.
“Alright, what do you BOTH wanna explain to me?” my dad was getting impatient which also meaned getting angry.
“Hey Vanessa, let’s leave father and daughter alone.” Tim said. “y’know private things.” He winked at me and with Vanessa, he left us alone in the room.
I had lost. There we go.
My dad took my hand and ushered me towards his bed, we sat down next to each other. He squeezed my hand between his’ and spoke sweetly:
“What’s the real deal you want to explain darlin’?” For the last time i looked deep into his baby blue eyes because i was sure they’d turn into ice pieces after i opened my mouth.
“To be honest dad, I didn’t really wanna explain it to ya but...but in one way or another, you’re gonna learn this.” I sighed and looked at his face. He’d focused on my words, and he was studying my face carefully. The expression on his face gave me the creeps.
“I want it to be short and quick.” I continued. “Dad, i’m pregnant.”
After i unfolded my secret, i closed my eyes waiting for his not-gonna-be-so-good respond.
“You’re looking a lot like your mother day by day.” He said almost in a whisper.
Being astonished, i opened my eyes and looked at him uncomprehendingly. Where were the yellings? Insulting words? What about the furious looks? And...he was talking about my mother!
I didn’t say anything hoping he’d continue.
“She was the most beautiful girl i’ve ever seen in my life...she was everything i wished for; talented, beautiful, clever, sweet, funny, romantic, everything...you have her face with every detail...eyes, nose, mouth...” he was examining my face with his fingers. His face had beamed with past happy memories.
“I’ve never wanted it to happen like that....but did i have a chance? I was at first mad at her for leaving us like this. It made me completely mad, i even wanted to get rid of you. But what i did really want was to make her face this situation and whether she liked it or not that you were her child also. I couldn’t believe she was the same woman i once fell in love with. After all we’d been through together, she had the heart to leave us all alone...” his hands collapsed on his laps and he took a deep sigh. Tears had welled up in his eyes.
But...wasn’t my mother just a one-night-stand? Then...was it all a lie? And what was the truth?
“Dad, please tell me the truth...” i started numbly. “Who’s my mother and where’s she right now?”
Timidly, he looked at me, taking another deep sigh.
“I guess it’s time for you to learn who she is.” He stopped and held my hand as he never wanted to let me go. He was pleading with his eyes.
“It’s so hard for me to unfold a secret kept hidden for so long. What i learned is that you can’t keep something hidden for a long time...” he took another deep breath. “Her name’s Elizabeth Petterson, and..she must be 34 i guess...” his voice cracked.
“Have you ever seen her?” i asked and he shook his head as a no.
“I haven’t seen her for 17 years. I’d seen her once in the street, you were just one years old. When she realized who i was, she quickly changed her way. I tried to follow her but i lost her. Since then, i’ve been having a never-lasting wrath towards her. That’s why i’ve never wanted you to know a person as heartless as her.” A cold thrill went down my spine. He was mentioning his old love as heartless. Wasn’t it a drama?
“Uncle Brian had once told me that she was just a one-night-stand....” i started.
“No, no she wasn’t. It was just a lie. To keep you away from discovering her. We’d been togehter like...for 7 months or something....” he told.
“How did you meet?” I asked getting excited. I was pleased to learn more about my father’s youth, apart from what i read in articles.
He let out a small laugh before speaking.
“It was December 15th. I was just 16 and Eliza was Brent’s girlfriend’s best friend. I’d just got back from touring Europe and to be two couples, Brent’s girlfriend had invited her. She was soo cute with her sparklng baby blue eyes and dark brown hair...we also had got along really well. At the end of the night i asked her out and we started dating. What i had first liked about her was that she’d not fainted or screamed when she learned who i was. I was delighted, cuz those days we were really popular in Europe and every girl i tried make a conversation with would want to go out with me or sleep with me. They were looking for popularity with me. But Elizabeth was very different than any other girl. But our love lasted in 7 months. She got pregnant and left me...also you.” Tears had welled up in his eyes again. I felt a sudden urge to solace him. I held his hand and sqeezed it.
“I’m here for you dad. I’ll never leave you alone.”
He looked at me with inquistive eyes. I needed to add:
“Also, you’re not that old to be alone, you have friends, Vanessa, me and you’re gonna have a child soon.”
“You too.” He said softly.
I looked down. What was i supposed to say right now? Luckily he continued.
“You may probably be wondering why i didn’t shout at you or ground you...How can i? Since this was something happened to me also.” I just nodded.
“Now it’s my turn to ask questions.” He said half smiling. “Does Chris know that you’re pregnant?”
“Yeah, in fact he had discovered it first. I was always throwing up in the mornings and stuff...” i explained.
“And i didn’t realize it...What kind of dad i am?” he asked himself. “I’m so sorry darlin’ for not taking enough care of you. And now I won’t be able to help my daughter when she needs me the most.” He told forlornly.
“Dad...this is your job, you have to go and don’t worry, Chris can take care of me and also Vanessa.”
“That’s why this morning he mentioned working...” my dad thought outloud.
“He doesn’t want you to think it’s all his fault. He wants to show you that he truly loves me and will always be with me no matter what.” I told proudly.
“Will you marry him?”
This question shocked me a bit. I’d never really thought about marriage and still I was sure we were both too young for it. Maybe after I finished college and started working...
When i explained these thoughts to him, it didn’t take me long to notice the sparkles in his eyes.
“You’re one clever young lady and I’m so proud of you.” He said and kissed my forehead. After that, he added:
“Can’t wait to take my grandchild in my arms.”
Hugging each other tightly, I thought how everything had changed. We were closer than before, and nothing would ever change it.