His adoration for my mother hadn’t diminished over the years. Their love was a constant, steady light—a beacon for me and an example I wanted to live by. They still looked at each other with love and lit up when the other would enter a room. My father fussed over my mom, constantly bringing her gifts of soft shawls or fuzzy socks to keep her warm. Every floor in the house had been redone with radiant heating—he couldn’t bear to see her cold. She watched over him zealously, accepting his need to care for her easily, knowing how much it meant to him. She made him smile, even on the darkest days, and reminded him, more than once, life and family came first.
The same lesson she drummed into our heads.
I touched his hand. “You okay, Dad?”
He smiled. “Of course.”
“You look tired. I’m getting married today. You should be happy.” He’d seemed fine when I went up to bed last night. “You’re finally getting rid of me. All that is left is Chloe and you’ll have the place to yourself again.”
He sighed and flipped his hand over, encasing mine. “Forgive my moroseness, my girl. It hit me after you went to bed, it would be the last night I had you under my roof. Still mine to look after. As of today, Brayden will be the one who cares for you.” I was shocked to see the glimmer of tears in his eyes. “Your home will be with him.”
“Daddy,” I whispered, the childish word slipping out.
“I walked the house all night, thinking—remembering. The day you were born and we brought you home. I was terrified. You were so small and helpless, and you needed me so much. I was so sure I would mess it up. But your mother told me I was being ridiculous, and as usual, she was right. I learned all of it. The diapers, the feedings, the tricks of surviving on no sleep and endless parades up and down the halls when you wouldn’t settle.” He paused. “I used to snuggle you right here—” he patted his shoulder “—in the crook on my neck and hum and walk. Sometimes it was the only thing that soothed you.”
I squeezed his fingers.
“I watched you grow from a baby into this incredible young woman sitting in front of me, Addi. I cheered every accomplishment and success, even though I knew each one was a step that took you further away from me.” He shook his head. “I am so incredibly proud of you—of the person you are, the businesswoman you’ve become.” His voice caught. “I’ll miss having you here.”
“You didn’t get this emotional when Thomas moved out.” My brother had gone to university in BC, studying to become a marine biologist. He was still in school, working on his master’s and had plans to pursue his PhD. He came home on occasion, hardly looking like the baby brother who had left when he was eighteen. My parents flew out regularly to see him, and we kept in contact via text and phone.
He smiled, lifting a shoulder. “That was different. You’re my baby girl. My firstborn.”
“And Chloe is still here,” I reminded him. My younger sister eschewed anything to do with the business world. Her love was animals, and she was in school to become a veterinarian assistant. She lived at home; although her hours were so crazy, I rarely saw her anymore.
He smiled. “Not for much longer, I think. She graduates soon and has her eye on a clinic in Burlington. She’s getting ready to fly on her own, as she should be. I’ll suffer then too.” He paused. “All my children—gone from my house. It’s too fast.”
I was out of my chair in a second. My dad caught me and pulled me into his lap, hugging me. It was rare for him to be this emotional. I snuggled my head onto his shoulder, feeling the strength of his embrace and the warmth of his love surround me.
“It’s been a long time since you sat on my lap,” he chuckled.
“I think I used to fit better.”
He held me closer. “You fit perfectly.” He kissed my head. “I want you to be happy, Addi. It’s all I ever wanted for you.”
“Brayden makes me happy, Dad. He loves me so much.” I plucked at the sleeve of his heavy sweatshirt. “I love him. He gets me.”
“I know,” he sighed, resting his chin on my head. “That is the only reason I can do this. You two were always meant for each other.” I felt the press of his lips on my forehead. “Forgive your old dad, Addi. Today is a happy day, and I’m thrilled. Brayden is going to take good care of my little girl, and you’re going to have a wonderful life together.” He hugged me again and released me. I slid to my chair, wiping my eyes.