That evening Donna insisted Olivia and Emily come by for dessert out on the point. She’d asked Ted to come, too, and she was going to tell them the truth. Strangely, she wasn’t nervous about it. She just wanted everyone to know. But her daughter and granddaughter first. Well, she’d told Barry, of course. And she was glad to have him with her when she told the girls.
Ted showed up early, laughing. “Sorry, I got impatient.”
“Come outside with me and have a beer while Donna fusses in the kitchen,” Barry said. “The girls will be here soon.” Barry grabbed two beers from the fridge, and the men headed outside.
She cut some pieces of the chocolate cake she’d brought home from the cafe. She could always depend on Evelyn to make the perfect dessert. She peered outside and saw that Olivia and Emily had come in the back way and stood out there with Barry and Ted.
Ted, who was staring at both of them with a silly grin on his face. It made her smile just watching him. Her father. He’d be a fabulous grandfather and great-grandfather. As soon as she broke the news.
She headed out with a tray of iced tea and cake. Emily started to reach for a piece of cake. “Evelyn’s, right? She’s the best.”
“I first wanted to talk to you and Olivia.” Donna set down the tray.
Olivia and Emily looked at her questioningly. “Mom, is everything okay?” A worried look crossed Olivia’s face.
“I have some news. It affects both of you. Good news. Don’t worry.” She glanced over at Ted and saw him nervously run his hands down the side of his slacks. She took in a deep breath. “I found out something. Something I’m happy about. I hope you will be, too. You see—” She held out her hand for Ted, and he came over and took it in his. “I found out that Ted is my father.”
Olivia’s and Emily’s mouths dropped open.
“And I’m very happy about it, too,” Ted added, his voice shaking the tiniest bit. “Hopefully you can be, too. I know it changes what you’ve known about your family.”
“But now Ted is our family, too.” She waited for the girls to say something.
“So, Grandmother had…” Olivia started, then paused, her eyes full of disbelief.
“An affair. Yes. It’s a long story. And I’m not judging her. I hope you won’t either.”
“And Ted… he’s your father?” Emily’s brows lifted. “Wow. Great-grandfather—oh, I guess he’s not now—Nelson never liked me, anyway. So I’m cool with this.”
“I, for one, can’t wait to get to know you.”
Olivia broke into a smile and approached Ted. “Welcome to the family.” She threw her arms around him and gave him a hug. Emily hurried over and did the same.
Tears pricked the corners of Donna’s eyes at the sight of the three of them holding each other. Ted held out an arm, and she joined their group hug.
A family.
They finally all stepped back, and it was clear that Ted was fighting back tears. “I’m so incredibly happy. So blessed. I never thought I’d have a child, much less a whole family.”
“Just remember you said that,” Emily teased. “We’re kind of a handful, you know.”
Ted didn’t look worried. He looked extremely happy. She glanced over at Barry and he sent her a warm, delighted smile.
Things were different now, but in so many ways, still the same. A feeling of peace swept through her as she watched Olivia, Emily, and Ted talking and laughing. Emily asked Ted about a million questions, and he good-naturedly answered each one.
Barry walked over and took her hand in his, squeezing it tightly. Family was a mercurial thing. It could change with a wedding, or a death, or… by finding out who you really were.
Ted went over to Patricia’s suite the next day and knocked on her door. She didn’t answer, of course. He knocked again.
“I know you’re in there,” he called. “I’m not leaving until you open the door.”
Still no answer.
“Patricia. Open up.” He spoke even louder, knowing that if he was loud enough, she’d have to open the door because she wouldn’t want other people in the hallway to hear him. “We need to talk.”
He finally heard stirrings inside and the lock clicking open. She opened the door a tiny sliver. “Go away. And be quiet. People will hear you.”
“No, we need to talk. Let me in.” He didn’t lower his voice at all.
She stared at him for a few moments, then stepped away from the door. He entered her suite and closed the door behind him.
“I don’t know what you want to talk about. I asked you not to do this. Not to… change everything.”
“I had to know. Donna wanted to know. And we told Olivia and Emily last night.”
“You didn’t.”
“Of course, we did. They’re my family now, too. And I couldn’t be more pleased.”
Patricia shook her head and stepped away from him. “This is all wrong. But probably what I deserve for having an affair with you. That was wrong. This is wrong.” She shook her head.
“I admit. The affair was wrong. It was. You were married, even if Nelson was cheating on you all the time. That didn’t make it right. And I was married, even though Bianca had said she was divorcing me.” He walked over closer to her. “But I’m glad it happened. I’m glad we had Donna. You’ve given me something that I never dreamed I’d have. A daughter. And Olivia and Emily. I’m so incredibly happy.”
“The whole town will be talking.”
“Probably. For a while. Then they’ll find something else to talk about and soon it will just be a fact of life, not some big news.”
“It was supposed to be my secret. No one would ever know.” Real pain was etched across her face and a haunted look clung to her eyes.
His heart ached for her pain. It was clear she was struggling and there was nothing he could do for her. He reached out and took her hands. “Sometimes secrets have a way of coming out into the open like this one. I know it will be hard for you. I know that. And I’m sorry you’ll have to go through that.”
“I don’t think I can.” She shook her head.
“You’re stronger than you think. And I think you should come to Donna’s brunch on Sunday. She said she asked you… but only if you’re okay with all of this. Come to brunch with me. I’ll be there with you. For you. I promise it will all be fine. You just need to accept the truth and find a way to make peace with it.”
“I’m not sure I can.” She stared down at their hands.
“Only you can make that decision, Patricia. But I have every faith in you. I always have. You’re a remarkable woman. You’ll find a way to make peace. And we’ll both enjoy our family.” He paused, then plunged on, knowing he might be pushing his luck. “Also… I’d still like to… to date you. To get back to being friends again. I’ve missed you.”
He slowly searched her face, but it gave him no answer. He let go of her hands and started for the door. “I’ll knock on your door at noon on Sunday. If you answer, we’ll go to brunch together. We’ll start over. Try again. If you don’t answer… well, I’ll know your decision and I’ll go alone.”