Snowflakes and Second chances

HOT CHOCOLATE

“I'm really, really sorry dad, you didn't deserve any of it.” I say once I'm seated, and he has poured me a steaming mug of hot chocolate of my own.

“You were going through a phase, Sweet Pea, it happens to everyone. I'm just happy that you're back now, and just in time for the miracle of the holidays.” He says heartily, but I don't have anything to say to that as unlike my dad who was a huge fan of winter, the snow and all the holidays that came with it, I couldn't say the same.

“I was wrong to not listen to you. You were always right, and I was just too stupid to see it, but I've learnt my lesson, I'm getting divorced dad.” I drop the news on him cradling the warm cup in hand as I try to gauge his reaction the voice in my head nagging at me for refusing to tell him everything in details.

“If I may ask Hun, why though?” He replies, although I can see him trying to hold back the smile on his face and I laugh.

“I'm not saying the news doesn't please me, I'm just attempting to understand what prompted the long-awaited decision dear.” He adds joining me in laughter as take a big sip of my drink, clearing my throat.

“It's no mystery that you don't like Jacob, and I don't blame you at all. Looking at it now, I don't even know what I saw in him anymore.” I admit and he just shrugs.

“I didn't just dislike Jacob for the sake of it darling. It broke my heart to see you lose so much of yourself being with him and I didn't know what to do. It is a known fact that a person in love can be very stubborn, but I must say it's on an entirely different level in our family.” He replies with a chuckle, refilling his cup with more hot chocolate.

“In less than a month, everything should've been clarified and our marriage officially nullified.” I say, and he hums in reply.

“You're welcome to stay as long as you need, in fact I'd love for you to stay throughout the holidays with us at least, there's no rush at work right? I've missed having both of my kids around.” Dad says softly, and I smile at him, a sad look on my face.

“I'll put people in charge until I'm ready to go back, so nothing at work will be affected. I'd really like to stay too dad, but how do I get across to Julian? I'm afraid my presence will ruin the season for him.” Dad sighs at my statement.

“Your brother is just… angry. But I know beneath all the pain, he loves you so much and is happy you're here too. You're my kids, and it bothers me to see you guys falling apart, but I know both of you will be able to work through it, you always have.” He assures me and I nod in thought.

“Why didn't you tell me you had fallen ill after I left dad?” I ask that had been bugging me, and he averts his eyes, looking away guiltily.

“You were so adamant on leaving Amelia, and I was so proud of all the big dreams you were chasing to the city, although I disliked the person you were doing them with. Me telling you that I was unwell might've seemed like a ploy to get you to stay back, remember we weren't in much of an agreement then.” I feel like an even more shitty daughter as he explains, the memory of all the harsh things I had said before leaving in the back of my mind.

“I'm sorry for making you feel like some stupid dream was more important than my family… What was it anyway? Doesn't sound like a regular cold.” From the way he begins to nervously tap is foot at my question, I can tell he's about to deviate from the truth.

“Nothing for you to bother about, I'm completely hale and hearty and regular cold or not, it's going to take a lot to shake this old man.” Seeing he wasn't going to tell me the truth for some reason, I don't push further as we laugh, but I make a mental note to find out why he was hiding information concerning what was wrong with him.

“The wind is picking up, why don't we head inside?” I suggest standing up as I go to help him up from his seat too.

“Mandy tells me just how much your brother has gotten obsessed with pies now, might just be a good idea to pop one in the oven and drop in on them tomorrow, no? I, for one, have missed your infamous baking a lot.” He says as we walk inside, and I smile at the idea.

Later that night, I lay in bed awake unable to grasp any sleep which was funny seeing as I was exhausted even before I settled in bed but now with my head buried between fluffy pillows, and cocooned in the warm heat of my blanket, I couldn't get any shut-eye.

An hour more of groaning, tossing and turning later, I give up and hop out of bed pulling on a pair of baggy sweatpants over my PJ pants and a warm winter wool jacket over my sweatshirt.

I slip into my socks, boots and grab my gloves and phone before making my way towards the window of my bedroom.

A giggle escapes me at the memory of what I was about to do, and I slid the window open softly, careful not to make too much noise and wake my dad because I didn't even know why and where I was sneaking off to by 2 am.

Leg over the windowsill and an expertly practiced use of the tree close by, I'm landing gracefully on the floor.

I look around the quiet neighborhood, stuffing my hands into my pocket before I start walking and after a few seconds of just taking in the decorations people had begun to put up in their front yards, door frames and around the house, I begin to feel like I'm being followed.

Theft, banditry, or anything of the sort was on the low or almost non-existent in our town, so I hadn't thought much about it and that's until I pick up pace and so does the footsteps behind me.

Trying to take out my phone now would slow me down so I do the next logical thing that comes to mind, without looking back, I take off and start running the footsteps fast behind me.