Fated Mate

“Merilee.” He had a wide grin on his face, his voice sounded relieved, like he had finally found what he was looking for. She stayed quiet and just stared at him, half expecting he would disappear, or she would wake up from a cruel dream.

Ash tried to turn her whole body around to face her father, but she wouldn’t dislodge. He kissed her head, pushing it slightly; he did this till he reached her ear. He kissed it then whispered in her ear with his silky soft voice, “Mi amor, he’s real. You are not imaging him, neither are you dreaming.” He tugged at her hand at the front of his shirt. “Touch him, and feel that he is real.”

She didn’t do anything, she just stared at him, and then he did something with his face. She recognized it immediately! It was his impatient face. He always did that when he was trying to be patient with one of them, except for one person.

“You never dared to do that with Mom.” She was surprised by her own voice. She couldn’t believe she just called him out.

He laughed, he looked more like her dad now than he did ten seconds ago, but there was a flash of pain in his face. “It’s called self-preservation, sweetheart.” He took a step closer. She leaned into Ash.

She hadn’t noticed he had managed to pry her fingers open, she clamped down on his thumb, pulling and holding it tight against her.

“You are still as stubborn as you ever were…my mini-mar.”

She gasped. She looked up at Ash, confused. It was getting too real. She needed him to tell her what to do. He looked into her eyes, and without a word, he extended his arm, forcing hers to go with his. She tried to pull back but he wouldn’t budge. He stopped, pausing where their hands had reached and kept them there, it was like tagging on a statue! He kept his eyes fixed on hers. They were warm and reassuring.

“You used to hold on to me like that whenever I took you to the office. You kept saying that my boss was big and scary, you wouldn’t dare look at him, let alone let him touch you!” He laughed. “I thought you would get me fired!”

She turned and looked at him, the memory flashed into her mind as if it had happened days and not years ago. Ash started stretching again. She didn’t stop him. He placed the back of her hand into her dad’s open hand. He knew she wouldn’t let go so he didn’t try to pull his thumb out of her fist.

The feel of her father’s hand made her heart race, she felt lightheaded. He was real. It wasn’t a dream or her imagination on hyper drive.

“Lee, are you okay?” Ash asked as he moved closer to her dad. She nodded, moving with him. “Breathe, mi amor.” She hadn’t noticed she was holding her breath. She let go of the air and took a deep breath. “That’s good, now, let go of my thumb and take your father’s hand.” He maintained his silky soft voice as he gave her instructions.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

She held on for a few more seconds before she let go and placed her hand in her dad’s, but she kept her other hand tight on Ash’s back.

Her dad’s hand felt warm, familiar, safe. She knew it was her childhood memories taking over now. She automatically let go of Ash and wrapped her arms around her dad’s neck, hugging him tight. She was sobbing hard. “Daddy!” His arms wrapped around her, his head buried in her hair.

“Shh. Don’t cry. My baby! You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hold you in my arms!” He pulled back and looked at her. “Let me get an up close look at you. You look just like your mother.”

She smiled, the universe had done something right for her at last; it gave her father back! He pulled her to the couch; she turned and looked at Ash.

“Don’t worry he’s not going anywhere!” There was a hint of annoyance in her dad’s voice, she couldn’t help but laugh.

“You are going to have to like him, remember I’m eighteen.” Ash smiled, moving closer to stand behind the couch, he looked happy seeing her relaxed and so happy.

“And you love him.” He sat her down, the annoyance in his voice lighter.

“Yes.” She turned and faced Ash with a beaming smile on her face. He smiled back, it wasn’t his normal smile, it was crooked, but his face spoke volumes, his eyes in earnest. “I love you too, more than my own life.” His singing voice caressed her with his words; she could feel herself melt inside.

The effects he had on her weren’t any less with her father around. She should be happier having her dad back after so many years, it should have been the epitome of her life, but she couldn’t help but be happier having Ash stand by her through all her crazy moments. A father back from the dead was the craziest. Ash was her rock, her safe haven, and a part of her she couldn’t and wouldn’t live without.

“He’s lucky I left my shot gun at home,” Dave feigned disapproval. As silly as it might have seemed, she was happy they were acting out the years he had missed.

The rest had moved closer, they stood behind Ash watching them. Ann’s eyes were red, and Maria was wiping away the fresh tears.

****

Lee and Dave talked about her, her life and his; catching up on the years they had missed. They talked about her mother, Alice, and Jayson and cried over them. She felt relaxed comfortable like he had never disappeared. They were in their own little bubble.

She caught the scent of lasagna. Maria was cooking. They had moved to the kitchen to give the two of them some privacy. Joe, Ann, and Billy were seated at the table talking and laughing. Ash sat closer facing their direction with his eyes on them, she smiled at him, and he smiled back, she was glad he made her-in his own gentle way-talk to her dad. She felt like life was finally going great for her.

“Dad, I want to introduce you to my family.” She shifted on the couch and looked at the group in the kitchen.