I nod, lowering into a chair and motioning to the one next to me for Chance. Thankfully, he sits down too before I answer my nosy daughter, “It is.”
She’s smiling now, beaming in fact. “I knew it.” She aims her smile at her husband. “You said they were just friends, but I knew it was more.”
Daniel chuckles but doesn’t argue. “You called it.”
Her eyes meet mine. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Pain slices through me, thinking about keeping any secrets from her. That was always the deal. I didn’t lie to her, and she didn’t lie to me. We told each other everything the other one wanted to know. I answer her honestly, “I was afraid. I’m sorry, LeAnn. It’s all kind of new, and I was afraid you wouldn’t understand.”
She looks a little hurt, and I want to take that away from her, but lying to her isn’t the way to go. “I just want you happy, Dad.”
Emotion clogs my throat as I nod and take Chance’s hand. “He makes me very happy.”
She’s smiling brightly now. “Smitten. I told you,” she says triumphantly, and I chuckle as Chance squeezes my hand.
“Do you have any questions?” I ask her.
“Nope. Don’t need to know anything about my father’s sex life.”
“I meant about us, not se—” I cut myself off and huff. “LeAnn.”
She’s grinning widely now, always knowing how to get to me. I shake my head at her, and she laughs. “You said you’re happy.” I nod. “Is it a relationship? Like a real one? Not a hookup?”
Leave it to my daughter to get right to it. “Yes,” I answer at the same time Chance does. And then I confirm again, “It’s a very real relationship. I’m in love with him and asked him to move in with me.”
Her eyes go watery, but she’s still smiling. “Wow. That’s pretty damn serious, Dad.”
I nod. “Yes, it is.” I clear my throat, hating the awkwardness surrounding us, but I need her to know. “LeAnn, I loved your mother very much. It wasn’t . . .” I clear my throat again. “It wasn’t fake or anything like that. I wasn’t using her to cover . . .” I wave my hand trying to get my point across as she struggles to follow, and Chance smiles quietly to himself.
“Dad, I know,” she says with a laugh. “I know you and Mom weren’t happy at all toward the end, but I remember a time when you were in love.”
“You do?” I ask hopefully, and she nods.
“I do.” It’s her turn to clear her throat, and I notice a blush that has me slightly worried about what she’s about to ask. “So you’re . . . bisexual then?”
Oh.
I nod in affirmation. “Yes. I think so. I um . . .” This is so damn weird. I clear my throat for the hundredth time. “I’ve only been interested in two people in my life, but I’m attracted to men and women.”
“Okay,” she says with a quick, sure nod. “And you’re in love with Chance.”
That’s an easy answer. “Yes.”
“But you didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear about it through the gossip mill. No one was staring at me even harder than normal in town.”
I wince because I know what she’s getting at.
“This fucking town,” she says, full of fury.
“LeAnn—” I start, but she’s interrupting me again, all fired up.
“No. It’s not fair. You’re so happy. Happier than I’ve ever seen you, and you what,”—she stands up, gesturing wildly,—“you’re just gonna hide him away like some secret? All because of this damn town that’s taken more than enough from you?”
I stand up and face my daughter. “No.”
“No?” She quirks an eyebrow and folds her arms, looking much like she did when she was a young kid throwing a tantrum, but her feelings are valid.
“No. I’m going to find a way to not hide him. I promise.”
Chance stands up now, looking a little weary. “Not until you’re ready.” His eyes meet LeAnn’s, and his tone is gentle. “It needs to be when he feels comfortable with it. This town isn’t easy.”
“Oh, I know,” LeAnn says, tossing her hands up and then letting them drop to her sides. “You shouldn’t have to hide who you love though.” Her glassy eyes meet mine, full of tears. “You deserve so much more than this. Please don’t hide.”
I pull her to me and hug her, not used to seeing her tear up often. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not going to. I want to tell the world.” I squeeze her to me. “Are you okay?”
She sniffles and hugs me back. “I’m fine. I just want you to be happy, and I’ve seen you happy lately. I really love it.”
“Okay.” I hug her, meeting Daniel’s eyes, silently asking him for help.
“LeAnn.” His voice is gentle. “Maybe you should tell him.”
She sniffles, and I stiffen, worry crawling its way through my entire system. “What’s wrong? Are you sick? Is that why you’re here early?”
She pulls back enough to pat me on the shoulder. “I’m fine, Dad. Just pregnant.”
Chance’s eyes widen, and I think I might pass out. Or maybe have a heart attack. Goddammit. Leave it to me to finally be happy and then have a damn heart attack on Thanksgiving.
“Dad?”
“Babe?” I hear Chance’s voice as he rubs small circles on my back.
“Pregnant?” I ask and feel like the wind has been knocked out of me.
LeAnn tips her chin up and looks me in the eyes, strong and stubborn as ever. “Yes, Dad. I want this. It’s what I want. It was planned.”
“Planned?” I feel weak, and luckily Chance helps me back to my seat just as LeAnn takes her spot at the table again.
“Yes. We want kids.” She takes Daniel’s hand. “Lots and lots of kids.”
My eyes shift to my son-in-law. “You want this too?”
He nods. “I would have been fine waiting a few more years while she finished college.” I know I would have been on board with that plan. But then he softly sighs and shakes his head at his wife, his eyes full of love and respect. “But she wanted this. I’ll do everything I can to make sure she finishes college, but she wants to be a mom, and I can’t take that away from her.”
I look back at my daughter. “You’re young.”
She nods, expecting that, I’m sure. “I am, and I know Mom had me at a young age . . .” I start to say something, but she shakes her head and continues, “But I’m not Mom. I want this so damn badly. I want to start our family and have lots of kids. I want to raise them in our cute little college town and bring them here for visits. I want it all, Dad. And I can have it, so I’m going for it.”
Goddamn, she’s brave. Far braver than I’ve ever been.
It’s inspiring.
It’s amazing.
I hold my hand out to her, and she immediately places hers in my grasp. “I love you, LeAnn. And all I want for you is to be happy and healthy.”
“The baby is doing great, and so am I.”
I smile at that and squeeze her hand. “Okay then. Congratulations.”