Tight

“What do you mean?” Roman asked, the confusion clear in his voice.

“Your father was my brother’s best friend and being together put quite the strain on everyone.” Abigail looked at us now, her smile sweet, understanding. I felt the stress leave me, knowing that his mother and father were okay with us, that they understood.

“But looks like your dad might be having a little harder time trying to understand it all,” Roman’s father said and gestured toward where my father had left.

I glanced at Roman and gave him a sympathetic look before turning and following my father.

I found my father out on the front porch, leaning against the railing, his big body hunched slightly as he took on a relaxed pose. “Dad…” I wasn’t sure what to say, how to make him see that this was fine, that everything was okay.

He turned and looked at me, his expression hard to read.

“I’m happy,” I said, not sure what else to say. “I’m really happy and it’s because of Roman.” He turned and faced me then, exhaling loud enough I could hear it.

“He’s family, Kennedy.”

I shook my head. “He’s family by marriage. Nothing more.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly not liking that I’d said that, but it was the truth.

“He’s got a reputation, Kennedy.”

“That’s all it is. A reputation. People talk, Dad.” He walked up to me and placed his hands on my shoulders, his look speaking loud and clear. “I love him, Dad,” I whispered. “Can’t you see that?”

“I can see that,” he said after a few seconds, and pulled me in for a hug. “I just don’t want you getting hurt.”

I was shaking my head before he finished

We stood there in silence, the sound of the birds chirping filling the air and the color of the sky changing as dusk settled over the sky. But as the seconds moved by, I felt this peace and understanding surround us, felt it in the way he held me.

He pulled back and smiled down at me. “I’m glad you’re happy. That’s all I really want, Kennedy, even if I can’t deny that it’s strange you’ve found that with Roman.”

I smiled. “It can’t be as weird as you having another kid when I’m twenty,” I teased.

He groaned but was smiling. “You’re okay with that, with the baby?”

“Not like I have a choice.” I chuckled after I spoke. “But yes, I’m happy. I’m excited if I’m being honest.”

“I’m glad. That makes me real glad, sweetheart.”

The front door opened, and I looked over my shoulder to see Roman standing on the other side.

No one said anything for long moments, and I felt the tension rise, squeezing me, causing beads of sweat to form between my breasts. I hated feeling this way, hated that we were in this position where our family was divided, where my father felt he couldn’t understand and be happy about this.

“Victor,” Roman said and stepped outside fully. “I love your daughter.” The silence stretched for a moment. “And I have no plans on giving her up, not for anything or anyone, not even if you don’t approve.”

My dad looked between the two of us and exhaled again. “You realize how insane this is, right?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think it’s insane at all, Dad. I don’t think telling our loved ones that Roman and I care about each other is crazy at all.” I felt tears fill my eyes, hating that I couldn’t control my emotions, especially right now. I wanted to be strong, needed to be.

And as my father stared at me, I could see this softening in his gaze, this acceptance that wasn’t said in words.

“Dad, I love him. We love each other.”

“Sweetheart,” he said softly and smiled at me. “You know I just want you to be happy, right?”

I nodded.

And then my heart seemed to stop when my dad walked up to Roman. I held my breath as I thought about what he would say, how this would play out. And then everything became surreal when my father pulled him in for a hug.

“You make my daughter happy and that’s all that matters.” My dad pulled back and looked at Roman. “Just don’t hurt her so I don’t have to hurt you.” He grinned and Roman chuckled, but I could hear the seriousness in my father’s voice.

“I’d never do anything to hurt Kennedy.” Roman looked at me. “I love her.”

After a moment, my dad left us alone, and Roman immediately came up to me and pulled me in for an embrace.

“This is so crazy, right?” I said softly as we looked off into the horizon.

“Yeah, but then again I thought us being together would be seen as crazy.”

I wrapped my arm around his waist and rested my head on his chest.

A moment of silence stretched out, but it wasn’t uncomfortable or tense. It was perfect.