Chapter 6
805 Words
Craig's POV
We finally managed to get dressed and we even succeeded in keeping our hands to ourselves. Mostly.
Once we were both ready, I took Vicky's hand and we descended the stairs together.
Both Vicky's mom and my dad were sitting at the kitchen table and when they saw us strolling in together, hand in hand, huge grins overtook their faces.
"Oh my. My daughter dearest, you are absolutely glowing today you know?"
I turned just in time to see her blush, but she still had a sweet smile on her face that gave me confidence that everything would work out between us.
My dad came over to us and gave my shoulder a squeeze and a soft smile. "It's really good to have you here son. You have no idea how much I missed you."
Then he moved to hug Vicky and, sadly, I had to drop her hand so she could return the hug.
"I knew you'd come around and see things in more than just black and white. And I'm glad I was right. You two couldn't be more perfect for one another. Just wait and you will see." He let her go with a final squeeze and a kiss on her cheek.
Next, her mother came forward and hugged me tight.
"Thank you for making my baby happy. You have no idea how much I missed seeing her smile for real and not that fake smile she was giving me to make me feel better." She whispered so only I could hear her.
Then she moved to Vicky and hugged her as well. But this time her words were a bit louder.
"It's so good to see you happy sweetheart. Please promise me you won't allow others to manipulate your life again. Never again."
She was looking at her mother in shock.
"Why didn't you say you knew? I was trying to protect you. You had enough on your plate when it started and then you met Ron and he made you happy. I just didn't want to rain on your parade."
She looked at her daugher with sadness in her eyes.
"Oh honey. Even a blind person could feel how miserable you were ever since your father was murdered. Each and every night you had nightmares. A few times I tried to console you, but nothing helped. So I am ashamed to admit it, but I gave up. And with pain in my heart, I listened to your screams of agony each night."
When I looked at my dad I could see the pain written in his eyes as well. And I knew he witnessed Vicky's nightmares himself.
I pulled her tight into my arms and held her there. I don't know if I was trying to calm myself down or her. Probably both of us.
"I am so so sorry for putting you both through this. I really thought I could handle it, but I was so stupid."
They both tushed us and squeezed us into a hug at Vicky's words.
"Don't you ever dare feel sorry for feeling things, and even less for fighting. You are the strongest person I know. And I'm so glad you chose my boy here because even though he's⁴ just as strong as you are, you both need a shoulder to lean on, and someone to get through the storms with you." My father told her, but it was meant for both of us.
Just like Vicky, I thought I hid my pain well. But guess I was wrong.
I offered my dad a genuine smile and hoped he knew how much it meant to me for him to understand that my behaviour sometimes wasn't just throwing tantrums but came from my inner pain.
"So you two don't mind at all that we are together?" Asked Vicky with slight shock in her voice. I guess she is too used to rejection, so this must be a new feeling for her.
Our parents looked at one another and smiled lovingly.
"Now, why would we stand in the way of young love?"
"Whoa, whoa! No one mentioned love. We just met and..."
I'm not an evil man, but I had to shut her up and stop her nervous rambling. So I kissed her.
Once we finally came up for air, our parents were nowhere to be seen.
"What was that for?" Vicky asked, a bit dazed from our kiss.
I shrugged my shoulders and gave her the honest truth.
"I had to stop you before you gave yourself a panic attack."
She looked at me for a moment and then she burst out laughing. A full on belly laugh. It was the best sound I have ever heard.
And I made a promise to myself, I'll try to hear it as much as possible.
- Writer
