“I’m happy for you,Jon. Really,” and even though he was no longer my father-in-law, and I nolonger needed his approval, hearing his praise felt pretty good.
“Thank you.” My gazeshifted toward the antique Steinway, standing proudly against the wall. “Andthank you so much for this. It’sgonnatake a whileto accept that it’sactually mine. I never thought I’dever own a piano, especially not one this gorgeous.” My fingers touched thekeys and I had to hold myself back from dancing around like a kid in a candystore.
“You’re welcome.” Hishand laid against my shoulder. “Listen. Don’t be such a stranger, okay? I wantto see those granddaughters of mine soon. And when tickets for the tour go onsale, you let me know. Alice and I want to be there to cheer you on.”
“Absolutely.” I noddedwith a smile, as my fiancée came running down the stairs.
“You guys got it allset up?” she asked, taking in the sight of the gleaming mahogany and the starkcontrast of black and white keys. “God, it’s beautiful,” she breathed.
Charles smiled kindlyat her. I wondered if it was weird for him, to acknowledge that hislate-daughter’s husband had moved on. That someone new was helping to raise herchildren. I wondered, but I knew I would never ask.
Tess returned thesmile, wrapping her arm around my waist. “Will you be staying for dinner?”
He shook his headpolitely. “No, I should be getting back before it gets too dark. But thank youfor the offer, Tessa. I do appreciate it.”
Then, Charles called upthe stairs to the girls, to announce that he was leaving. And not unlike astampede of gazelle, Lilly and Shelly ran down the stairs with Annabel not farbehind. They wrapped his legs in hugs and threw their heads back, expectingkisses, and with my arm absentmindedly traveling the width of Tess’s shoulders,I watched a relationship unveil that I wish Beth could’ve been alive towitness. To see that her parents weren’t as bad as she had thought, and thatthey were more understanding and supportive than either of us had realized. Butit was better late than never, and I was glad to watch it unfold now.
“Love you, Grampa,”Annabel crooned affectionately. “Goodnight.”
“I love you, too,” Bobreplied. “I love all three of you little princesses. Night-night.” And with asmile and a nod toward Tess and me, he saw himself out.
***
Later that night, Devin came over totake a lookat the piano.
“Damn, dude,” hewhispered, his voice full of awe and amazement. “That is one sweet instrument.”
“I know, right,” Iagreed, sitting at the bench.
Tess came into theliving room with beers clenched between her fingers. She handed a bottle toDevin and laid a hand on my shoulder. “Baby, you should play something,” shepractically demanded before turning to take a seat on the couch.
“You called Daddy ababy,” Shelly teased, giggling wildly.
“What’s wrong withthat?” Devin asked her, his dark brows furrowing as he leaned against the wallbeside the piano. “I call Kylie baby all the time.”
“Daddy’s not ababy,” she insisted, and Lilly andAnnabel giggled along with her.
“Okay, okay,” Tessrelented, laughing. “Then, what doyouthink I should call him?”
Shelly took a moment tothink about it, pursing her lips and tapping a finger to her chin. Then, withthe spark of an idea, she declared, “Darling.”
Lilly laughed as shenodded. “But she’sgottasay it like,dah-ling. Like Cruella.”
“Are you calling meCruella?” Tess laughed animatedly, eyeswidening.
“Nah, you’re more likethe wicked stepmother,” Devin chimed in, pointing the neck of his bottle towardher.
“Oh, my God, don’tencourage them,” Tess groaned, rolling her eyes. “Okay,dah-ling, will you please play something so your children will stoppicking on me?”
I chuckled. “Okay,Cruella.” I winked and she threw her head back against the couch, disturbingHarriett from her slumber. “But only because you asked so nicely.”
Theysay lightning doesn’t strike,
Theexact same place twice.
Atleast that’s what I thought,
Forthe first part of my life.
