Our life together

chapter 15

What could the surprise be? I mean it can't even be for my birthday cause that isn't until next year. I haven't said that I want anything either so honestly I have no clue what and why he is surprising me but I mean it's always fun to get surprises, isn't it? When I get down stairs I find my dad on the sofa having breakfast and watching TV, something I barely see him do. I get myself some breakfast and orange juice and sit next to him. He's watching this early morning talk show. Honestly, it's the first time I'm up early and watching TV so I don't even know how the TV programs are in the morning.

 "Ian told me you invited him to dinner tonight." I tell my dad as I clean up our plates. 

 "Yes, him and a few other colleagues." He says while checking his phone 

 "Please don't tell me you guys are going to talk about work the entire night. Cause then I rather not come." I just said that to be dramatic but of course if Ian's going to be there I'm going to be there. 

 "No honey, it's just a dinner." Because someone woke me up so early I decided to be productive and take advantage of my free time so I cleaned my room and made my homework. By the time I was finished it was around 12:30 pm. I made a tuna sandwich for lunch and watched this new series called The Punisher. By now it's 4:30 pm so I should start getting ready for tonight. I choose this black body-con dress which ends mid thigh. I don't want to wear too much makeup so I just did a natural look with glossy lips and my hair in high ponytail. By the time I get done it's around 5 in the afternoon. So I go downstairs and find a few people working on the food and getting things ready. I'm guessing it's going to be kinda a big thing if my dad actually hired people to work. I go outside to the backyard where they have decorated it beautifully with lights and other decors. There's a big long table that for sure is prepared for at least 30 guests. And he said a few colleagues. I go up to my dad's room and he is getting dressed.

 "It's looking beautiful downstairs." I say as I choose something else for my dad to wear.

 "Thanks honey." He kisses my forehead.

 "And by the way you're not wearing that, look wear this it looks better and roll up the sleeves to make it look casual."

 I hand him the shirt and go back downstairs. People started to show up and I went to say 'hello' but the person that I'm looking forward to hasn't showed up yet. Most of my dad's colleagues have known me since I was small so they all ask how I'm doing and if I'm dating and all that. It's basically like a family reunion but a little less awkward. Finally he arrived and I get this huge stupid smile on my face when he winks and smiles at me.

 "It took you long enough Mr. Cooper." I give him a hug and a kiss on the cheeks.

 "Well miss Hart, I had to look good for a very special someone." He slowly looks at me from top to bottom and licks his lips. He pulls me closer with one hand and gently squeezes my ass.

 "You look hot in this black dress."

"Well thank you sir." I say and walk to the backyard. Eventually everyone arrived and it was time to eat. We sat down at the table my dad at the beginning and Ian and I in the middle. There was this woman sitting across from us that couldn't keep her eyes off of him and turns out they knew each other. They ended up talking a little until the food came. I think Ian realized that I got annoyed and he placed his hand on my thigh and stopped talking to her.

 "Did you have a good day at work?" I ask as I take a sip of my lemonade.

 "Yeah, just a little tired because I had some meetings. But finally seeing you has made it a lot more better." He whispers the last part for me to hear and I blush a little. 

 "What about yours?" He squeezes my thigh a little and I told him about my day.

 "How long do you know each other?" The woman across of us interferes our conversation who clearly wants Ian to talk to her again but this time I answer her.

 "Well ever since he and my dad have been friends but actually we really got to know each other when I had to stay at his house because my dad has a business trip." I say with the nicest voice possible and a smile. Ian chuckled a little cause he knew what I was doing. She smiles back and doesn't bother us for the rest of the night. My dad was enjoying himself, haven't seen him this happy in a while. I'm happy for him. I look at Ian and he's enjoying his food, his hand still on my thighs I take it and place it mine. 

 "So what's the surprise?"

"So eager, aren't you," he smirks at me

" don't worry I'll tell you in a bit, I didn't forget." Suddenly my dad stands up and says: 

 "can I have everyone's attention please." Everyone stops talking and look at him.

 "I just wanted to thank everyone for coming tonight, you all mean a lot to me, I invited you guys because I have an announcement to make." I look at Ian and see if he knows anything about this but he is as clueless as I am. 

 "As you all know ever since Amelia has passed away things have been a little difficult for both me and Rose. It wasn't easy but you guys were there for us and I have an amazing daughter who pretty much kept me sane." He looks at me and I give him a smile.

 "And now for the past few months I've met someone who makes me feel like my old self again. Let me introduce you guys to this incredible woman, Jennifer please stand up honey." The woman sitting next to him stands up and he gives her a kiss.

 Everyone started clapping and cheering for them. I didn't know what to feel. He's dating? I mean of course I'm happy for him. It's just strange to see him with someone else besides my mom and I wish he had told me before. But I mean if he's happy, I'm happy. By 11 everyone had left and it was just me, Ian, my dad and Jennifer. I had a chance to meet her and she's really nice, you can clearly see that she really likes my dad. We all were sitting by the pool when finally Ian started talking about what I hope is the surprise he mentioned earlier. 

 "So Robert I wanted to ask you something." He said taking a sip of his wine. Is he going to ask my dad to be with me? Has he gone mad? What kind of sick surprise is this? Does he want to get killed? I give him a look and he ignores it. My dad looks at him and nods.

 "So in a few weeks I have to go on a business trip in Orlando and was wondering if Rose can come a long then you don't have to worry about her having to stay someplace else." He says and I stopped freaking out. He wants me to go on a business trip with him? What kind of surprise is that? I mean I don't want to sound ungrateful but if I go with him to this business trip he'll probably be stuck in meetings and we can barely see each other. But hey any time that I can spend with him I'm grateful for.

 "Yeah sure, if she doesn't mind she can go." My dad says to him and they both looked at me. 

"Yeah I don't mind." 

 "Well then it's settled, Rose will be going with you guys. How long is your trip?"

 "Probably a week." Ian says. It was getting late and Jennifer had to go back home so my dad walked her out .which left me and Ian alone.

 "So now that you can come, here's the real surprise." He takes this envelope out of his pocket and gives it to me. It has a big Mickey Mouse on it and has Walt Disney written under it. I look at him and give him a huge smile. 

"Open it" he persists. I open the envelope and find different kinds of VIP passes and a reservation for a 7 night stay at the Disney World resort suites. 

 "Are you for real?"

 "Of course babe, I know how much you love Disney World." 

 "Thank you, thank you, and thank you so much." I give him a huge hug and a kiss on the lips. 

" But I thought you had a business trip?" I ask. 

 "Yeah it is but only for a day, I took a few days to spend it with my baby girl and spoil her a little." He kisses my temple and pulls me closer to him. At around 1:30am he left our house. He and my dad started talking about all kinds of things and they didn't even realize the time. I was also sitting with them but when those two start talking I almost never understand what they are saying. 

 "So you guys are going to Disney." He says more like a statement than he's asks. 

 "Yeah Ian just told me, how did you know." I look at him a little confused.

 "I know that the business he has to involve with some people working there so I figured that's where u guys are staying." 

 "Well yeah you figured correctly." I smile at him. 

 "She seems nice, I like her. I can see that she really makes you happy."

 "She does." He gets this shy smile. 

"you know I was wondering if maybe we can go together to Disney, then you guys can get to know each other much better." Well I was hoping to get someone else a little better I thought to myself but I just said: 

" yeah that would be fun, but you should ask Ian first." And here I thought I could finally spend some alone time with him and actually go out with him in public and not have to worry about anyone knowing us.