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“Are you happy, dear?” he asks, concerned about her welfare. “Did Jean look after you well?”
It doesn’t surprise me that he remembers the case. Today, which is a good day, he’s remembering everything but then when he goes to sleep for the night, it’s like his mind resets and the next day won’t be so good.
“She did and I wanted to thank you personally for helping Kevin organize my care. I’m very grateful.” Arianna’s eyes turn watery, and I lay my hand over hers, which is rested on top of my dad’s.
“Arianna is amazing, Dad.”
“I’m a legal secretary,” she interjects, trying to hide her tears, sounding brighter than she looks.
“Are you Nathan’s secretary?” He shifts his attention to me and then back at Arianna, struggling to move his neck. “I hope you keep him on his toes, Arianna.”
“She does, Dad,” I assure him. Having her in the office again has been incredible. We work well together, she makes my life ten times easier, and hell, she just gets me and the job I do and never complains.
“Good,” is all he says, and while it’s slow, it’s firm.
“We’re getting married.” I rub my finger across the top of Arianna’s four-carat diamond solitaire.
She was adamant she wanted something smaller but there is no way I was having that; I don’t do anything by halves. The bigger the better. She’s mine and off limits, and I wanted to show the world who she belongs to.
“Well, now, this is a turn up for the books.” My dad chuckles before coughing a little. “Who is giving you away, dear?”
He knows that Arianna’s father is no longer around, and I hadn’t even thought about it.
“I was thinking Max could, if that would be okay with you?” She asks him for his approval.
“Now that is a good idea. I would, but you see I’m sort of stuck here now.” His voice trails off.
I suddenly feel like I can’t breathe. He’s a shadow of the man I once knew.
“Well, if we could wheel you down the aisle in this fancy chair of yours and bring the service to you, would you do it?” Arianna asks hopefully.
I swear to fuck I haven’t cried in a very long time, but I’m on the verge now.
My father smiles wider than the moon, and it sparks something in me—pride, relief, maybe even hope. If he can still smile despite everything, then I have no choice but to be strong.
“Do I have a suit, Nathaniel?” he asks, sounding determined.
“Yes, Dad.” He won’t have one that fits because he’s lost a lot of weight, but I’ll have someone here this afternoon to measure him if it makes Arianna happy.
“I know we set a date for next year, Nathan, but could we make it happen quicker?” Arianna questions, lifting her shoulders to her ears in excitement.
I just hope Dad has a good day for the day we set, but that’s something none of us have control over.
“In weeks or months?” I ask.
“Weeks,” she replies, sounding hopeful.
How the hell are we going to do that? Knowing her, she’ll have everything booked by sunset today.
I guess she senses that my dad might not have much time left either but that’s something I can’t even think about now, and I just want to focus on soaking up each day he has, whether those are good or bad.
She lets go of my dad’s hand then turns to me. “Let’s do it, Nathan.”
“Let’s do it,” I agree, feeling excitement bubbling in my chest.
Arianna leans closer and shocks me to my core when she whispers in my ear, “I forgot to take my contraceptive when we broke up and so when we reconciled we made something beautiful together, Nathan. A happy accident. I’m pregnant.”
I try my best to school my emotions but fail. “I’m going to be a dad.” I swallow hard, because I once believed that I was meant to live my life alone, choosing work above everything else, but now I know that’s not true. With unwavering belief, I know her family has been watching over her, guiding her to me since the beginning.
And now, she’s giving me a life I never dared to dream of; a family and a place that’s not just a penthouse, but a home, where we will grow, laugh, and love each other in the best way possible, because she taught me how.
My Arianna. My destiny.