The Wrong Way Back To You

Ch. 12

Andrew came around the house. "Hey buddy, GiGi wants you. She wants to show you who everyone is. If that is okay with you Allie."

"Yeah, it's fine."

"Unless you want to be the one to make the introductions."

"It's fine that Lisa does it. I would prefer her to do it. I really don't want to face any of them at the moment."

"Is it ok if I go?"

"Of coarse. Mind your manners please."

As Dominic ran off the porch and around back, her dad took his place. "Are you okay?"

"I could kill Steve right now if he was here," she half-heartedly laughed. "Dad, I made such a huge mess out of things. I don't know what to do at this point."

"You knew it was going to come out sooner or later."

"I was hoping for the later. How bad is it out there? Do they all hate me more than they did?"

"They never hated you."

"Really? Yuo can honestly sit there and tell me that Randy did not hate me? Did you totally block out everything that he has said to me? I know that Jake did. And now I throw a son at him."

"I am not excusing what you did but he did not put you in the best spot and you did what you thought was best. You have been through so much in your life and it hurts me that you have had to deal with this all but you have done amazing. And you are an amazing mother to that little boy. I have never been more proud of you. Every time I look at him I see what a great job you have done. You will have to give Jake some time. I am sure that he will come around."

"I don't want him to feel obligated to be in Dominic's life. We are doing okay. I amn not wanting anything from him. I am not after his money."

"I think that maybe this is a conversation that you and Jake need to have privately. This needs to be discussed between the two of you without any outside interference. The only thing that matters is what you guys agree to."

"I don't even know if he wants to talk to me."

"Trust me. I know he does. I think that I am going to take the crew away from here for a bit. Maybe it will give you and Jake time to sit and talk through things. I am not saying that every little detail needs to be resolved and every issue addressed, but you two do need to talk."

" I know. I just don't know what to say to him."

"You will figure it out. Just tell him the truth. The truth from here on out. No more secrets, no more hiding. I will leave you alone for a bit. You did what was right, Allie. Steve would be proud of you."

"Thanks, Dad." Allie sat on the porch not wanting to go back and face any of them. She was content with sitting alone on the porch with her thoughts. She did not want to answer a million questions, she did not want all the judging eyes on her right now. She just wanted to be alone. "Well, Steve you got what you wanted. He knows now. I hope you are happy. I don't know how things are going to turn out. But I told him. I can only hope that he loves him half as much as you did. God, I wish you were here. I would not be having to deal with any of this. We would be at home, curled up on the couch watching a movie that Dominic picked for the hundredth time." Tears started pouring down her face. "I don't know if I can do this without you."

She sat there just letting the tears flow. The one person that she could always count on to give her advice and be by her side was no longer there. Nothing she could do would bring him back. She wanted him to tell her it would be okay. She needed to feel safe in his arms.

"Allie? Can we talk?"

Allie looked up and saw Charlie standing in front of her. "Yeah," she said wiping the tears from her face. "I owe you guys an apology. I -"

"You do not owe us anything" Charlie sat down next to Allie. "I want to apologize for our son being such an ass. You did what you had to do. I am just glad we know now and we are hoping that you will allow us to be apart of his life, no matter what Jake does."

"Of coarse. I really am sorry for everything."

"I just want you to listen to me for a minute."

"Ok."

"I do not condone what my son did or what you did. What happened between you two is between you. It has taken me a while to come to terms with that. When all of this went down and you two basically broke up, I saw a side of my son that I never want to see again. He was not himself for the longest time. It really changed him. I was so mad at you and never wanted you to step foot on this property again. They didn't tell me you were coming here and when I saw you get out of your car, I instantly felt all the rage I had buried. Then I saw your son and I knew the minute I saw him there was more to the story. Now, I know part of the story. I wish I could thank Steve for what he did for my grandson, and I am sorry that you had to go through losing him. I could not imagine Amy not being by my side. All that I ask is please do not shut us out now that the truth is out. Please let us be here for Dominic and for you whatever you may need."

"I promise you that I will not shut you out. You are his Grandpa no matter what."

"Yeah, I'm a grandpa now."