Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>???
I spent the morning cleaning the house until it looked practically new while people buzzed around in the kitchen. Mom was doing most of the cooking, but Olivia had insisted on helping.
When Olivia saw me, she wrapped me in a crushing hug and asked me when I got so grown up. I just laughed nervously at the comment.
It reminded me a little too much of what Elio had said to me, and I was trying really hard to keep myself from thinking about that.
By the time guests started to arrive, the smell of food was driving me crazy. I couldn’t wait to eat.
Gio arrived early with a few very nice bottles of wine under his arms.
The last people to arrive were Tallon, Natalia, and their son. Tallon apologized profusely and explained that his son had been difficult when getting ready.
We all laughed when the boy scoffed and loudly informed everyone that Tallon was the one who took forever to do his hair.
It was hard to believe that he was only eight years old. He had his father’s serious expression and his mother’s biting humor. He was going to be something when he grew up. That was obvious.
Elio was making himself very helpful as the food was brought out to the table. He was smiling sweetly at my mom as he carried out the enormous turkey for her and set it at the head of the table for Gio to carve.
I felt my cheeks flush and I looked away. Everyone was too busy chatting loudly and laughing to notice how awkward I was being, thankfully.
Elio sat down in the chair across from me as Gio stood to carve the turkey. He looked around the table and smiled broadly.
“We have a lot to be thankful for this year,” he said proudly. “I’m thankful that each of you are here with us today. Now let’s dig in while the food is still hot,” he said.
A cheer went up around the table.
Gio was surprisingly good with the carving knife, and in no time at all, serving dishes were being passed around the table. Everyone was heaping their plates with food and complimenting the women who had spent all week preparing the feast.
I was aware that I was taking more food than I could reasonably eat, but I couldn’t help it. Each dish that was handed to me looked and smelled so great that I just had to take a little bit of everything.
“Caterina, how have you been?” Natalia asked.
She was sitting next to Elio with her son sitting on her other side.
“I’m doing well,” I said. “It took some time to get used to being away from home, but I actually like it now.”
“That’s great,” she replied. “That first taste of independence can be intimidating, but it’s exciting too. You finally get to do things your own way.”
“It’s awesome!” I answered. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s so worth it. I really enjoy the work too, honestly. I love learning new things and challenging myself to look at things in a different way than I’m used to.”
“You sound like your father,” Tallon said fondly.
I felt my smile freeze in place.
Mom laughed. “You have no idea how similar they are,” she replied. “Sometimes when she talks, all I can hear is Vinny.”
My eyes stung as tears welled up. I stood and muttered, “Excuse me.”
I rushed out of the dining room and down the hallway.
I only made it halfway down the hall before I collapsed against the wall and sobbed. My legs felt unsteady, and I was having trouble breathing. It took all of my effort to make it to my room, and even then, I couldn’t even take the time to close the door. I just fell against the wall and cried.
I was so frustrated with myself. It had been years since Dad died, but I still couldn’t control my emotions whenever people talked about him. I knew I shouldn’t be reduced to tears like that so easily. I felt ridiculous and dramatic.
It just felt so wrong to talk about him so casually. There was nothing wrong with it, but any mention of him brought back the memory of his death.
I could still see the heartbroken look in my mom’s eyes when she told me he was gone. It felt like the entire universe had stopped turning. I felt sick to my stomach.
I put my hand over my mouth in an attempt to stifle my crying. I didn’t want anyone to hear me. I was so embarrassed that I was losing it like that. I had ruined dinner. We were just having a good time and chatting, and I had to go and wreck everything by crying like a baby. I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration.
I thought about him every day. I knew I shouldn’t still be this sensitive at the mention of him.
I heard soft footsteps approaching and looked up to find Elio walking cautiously toward me. I groaned and put my hands over my face.
Just when I thought I couldn’t feel more embarrassed… he cautiously stepped into the room and looked at me in concern.
I took a shuddering breath and leaned my back against the wall for support. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I just wasn’t expecting Dad to be brought up. I wasn’t ready for it. I made everyone uncomfortable.”
“No,” he answered automatically. “It’s okay. We all understand. Tallon shouldn’t have said–”
“No!” I cut him off. “No, it’s not like that. I don’t want people to avoid talking about Dad. I don’t want him to be—”
A sob welled up in my chest and made it hard to speak.
Understanding dawned in Elio’s eyes, and he took a step closer to me and gently took my hands in his.
“You don’t want him to be forgotten,” he said softly.
I nodded, but I was crying too hard to speak.
He pulled me into his arms, and I collapsed against him. He held me up easily and rubbed my back as the sobs ripped through me.
I was so embarrassed that he was seeing me in this state, but I felt safe with him, and I needed to let it out. I didn’t know how long I cried on his shoulder, but when I finally calmed down and pulled away, there was a damp spot on his shirt.
I felt drained.
Elio didn’t release me as I stood straight. He reached up and wiped the tears from my face with the pad of his thumb.
“You are like your dad,” he said softly. “You’re smart and stubborn. He would be so proud of you. I know that I am.”
“You are?” I asked incredulously.
He smirked at my tone. “Don’t let it go to your head,” he teased. “But yeah, I am.”
My heart picked up speed and I twisted my fingers together nervously. “Thanks,” I muttered.
“Sure,” he replied. “Are you feeling alright now?”
I nodded. “Much better. Thanks for….”
I trailed off, not sure how to say what I wanted to express.
“Anytime you want me to hold you, all you have to do is ask,” he replied.
My head snapped up and our eyes met.
