Daddy's Little Girl
Walking into the elegant restaurant, Ethan led Theresa to the podium. "Two under Winthrop." The hostess looked on the list and nodded.
"Right this way." Ethan and Theresa followed close behind. The hostess set them up at a table for two. "Someone will be right with you. Enjoy your meal."
"Thank you." Ethan helped Theresa into her seat, then he sat as well. "You look beautiful by the way. Did I mention that yet?"
Theresa laughed. "Yes you did about twenty times, and thank you." The waiter came and took their order. They shared a wonderful dinner. They talked about anything and everything. After their meals, they decided to head home. Theresa went to use the restroom while Ethan paid the bill. Ethan was taking one last sip of his water when he heard Theresa behind him. "Look who I found in the bathroom."
Ethan turned and smiled when he saw his daughter. "Jane. What are you doing here?" They shared a hug.
"Hi daddy. I am here with Shawn." Ethan felt a shiver at the sound of his name. "What are you two doing?"
"Your father wanted to go out tonight for dinner. Now we are heading home. Jane please come over tomorrow and visit."
"Yeah, of course. I wanted to talk to you about wedding details." Ethan did not like the word wedding at the moment.
"Great! We will see you tomorrow. Tell Shawn we said hi." Theresa hugged Jane then Ethan hugged her too.
"Bye sweetie. We love you."
"I love you too. Bye." Jane headed back to her table. Theresa turned to Ethan who was still staring at the spot where Jane departed from.
"He is a nice guy for her." Ethan looked at Theresa.
"I know. Are you ready to go?" Theresa nodded and grabbed Ethan's hand. They headed out of the restaurant and went home.
Later that night Ethan was laying on the bed looking up at the ceiling. His thoughts were on his daughter. So much has changed in the last two days he was in shock. Ethan glanced over to the dresser and saw a picture of his family. His smile was so bright that day. Theresa's smile was matching his. Jane was in Theresa's arms and Ethan Martin was in Ethan's. His son was married, but that just didn't bother him as much as Jane getting married. Maybe he was being selfish, but he was just a protective dad looking over his only daughter. Ethan thought back to all the nights he use to tuck Jane into bed. He always read her a nighttime story. Jane loved them. Now she was all grown up and planning on getting married soon. Life has changed.
Downstairs, Theresa was on the phone with Jane. "Mom, are you sure dad is ok?"
"Yes honey, why do you ask?"
"He just seems to hate Shawn. I love dad, but I also love Shawn."
"Oh Jane. Your father just realizes that he is getting older. He doesn't hate Shawn. Your father is just in shock from the engagement. He will be fine."
"I hope you are right. I will talk to you later mom. I love you. Tell daddy I said goodnight."
"I will tell him. Love you too." They both hung up. Theresa looked around the house making sure everything was shut off before she headed up to bed. Theresa walked into the bedroom and she noticed Ethan staring up at the ceiling. "What is so interesting up there?" She laid next to him. Ethan wrapped his arms around her.
"Just thinking. Who was on the phone?" He kissed her forehead.
"Jane. She thinks you don't like Shawn. Is that true?"
"What? Why would she say that?" Theresa sat up.
"Let me think about that. You haven't congratulated them on their engagement yet. You have been distant since the barbeque. Do I need to continue?" Theresa was standing away from Ethan at this point. He sat on the edge of the bed.
"I'm sorry." He didn't know what else to say.
"Ethan don't apologize to me. Jane is the one who you need to apologize to. You didn't act this way when Ethan Martin got married."
"I know, but that was different." Theresa through her hands up in the air.
"How was that different? Please explain."
"She is our baby. Our little girl. I have always been there for her. Now I feel...I just..." Ethan looked down to the ground. Theresa noticed he was having trouble saying what he needed to. She sat next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "I feel she doesn't need me anymore. I know Shawn can take care of her. I really respect him. I think I am just going crazy."
"Yeah. You are , but I still love you." They both laughed. "Trust me. She still needs you. She will always need you, but she needs Shawn too." Ethan looked over to Theresa and smiled at her.
"I love you so much. How did I get so lucky?"
"No. I am the lucky one." Ethan laughed then slowly leaned in for a soft kiss. They laid back on the bed and spent the evening as two souls combined as one.
End of chapter 2...