Who We Are
Chapter 38
It's just a moment of change.
All we are is everything that's right.
I walked a minute in your shoes
Some perspective on these words
Before I write them down.
"Come on baby girl walk to daddy." Nathan said. With a smile on his face. Looking up at the now 2-year-old Deb who they had been teaching to walk for days now. But she had her mother's spirit and her father's stubbornness. And they had been videotaping her trying to capture the moment and yet it still hadn't happened. This time Haley had the camera on Deborah and Nathan watching their bond and connection unfold right in front of her eyes. She was blown away by how Nathan had taken to becoming a father. For herself becoming a mother was something she had dreamed of since she was a child herself the want and desire for it to become a reality only intensified when she met and fell in love with Nathan all those years ago.
Haley's smile only growing as she saw Deb once again get up and begin to take slow careful steps. Nathan had grabbed his basketball that had been on the floor by the arm chair lifting it up and bringing it in front of Deborah's face.
The young girl smiled up at her father. And walked her arms out stretched. Looking up at Nathan with this look in her eyes that caused Haley's heart to swell.
"That's it baby girl. Walk to daddy. Look at you. I'm so proud. I love you so much." Nathan said. Putting down the basketball and lifting up the toddler in his arms. "My favorite girl." Nathan said. Hugging her tightly.
As the toddler laughed her voice filling the room. Her tiny hands on her father's face. Locking eyes with him.
"Daddy!" Deborah exclaimed happily.
….
"We made a snow whole snow family. A momma, daddy, and daughter. And the fort is going to their house." Deborah said. While she ran into the living room. From the kitchen in her white polka dot socks. Her hair in two pony tails. Her sweater decorated with snowflakes. Paired with her black leggings.
She settled in between her parents on the couch. The fire place warming up the room. Mugs off hot chocolate in front of them on the coffee tables. Besides that, a large bowl of popcorn.
It was Deb's turn to pick the movie and she had chosen a favorite of hers.
The Wizard of Oz. Her eyes were glued to screen as the movie began to unfold. She clutched tightly to her father. Nathan looked over at her.
"What's wrong.?" Nathan asked. Noticing the sudden shift in mood in his daughter.
"She's going to get blown away by the tornado. And no one is going to notice that she's gone. She doesn't have a momma or a daddy her only friend is the doggy before she meets everyone else later. The witch is mean and scary." Deb said. Looking back at her father.
"Don't worry she'll be okay. Me and momma will always protect you. No matter what. From mean witches, and anything else. We love you more than you will ever imagine." Nathan said. Looking to Her.
"Even more than basketball." Deb said.
"Yes. It's because of you. That our world has all this color inside it. Before you everything was in black and white. Once you were born. It was life we turned a new page of a brand-new story." Nathan said.
And with that Deborah was reassured. Nathan brought over the bowl of popcorn and Haley brought up the drinks.
The family watched the movie together and enjoyed a quiet evening indoors. Hours later the movie ended. The popcorn bowl was empty and the glasses were empty sitting side by side on the table in front of them.
Nathan looked over at Haley. Who had fallen asleep beside him. The couple had already put Deb to bed for the night.
Nathan doing his usual routine of checking for monsters in her bedroom. Checking under the bed and in the closet. Then Haley and her sing together. After that there is hugs and goodnight kisses.
Now they had decided to enjoy some alone time. Talking and taking comfort in the arms of each other.
Nathan put a blanket over her. Leaning over kissing her cheek getting up as he turned out the lights and headed out the front door.
Getting into his car. As he drove around town. Eventually stopping at the River court. Sitting down on one of the benches.
This time of year, was a huge reminder for him. Of everything he had but even more so of all that he had lost.
His grief burying him deeper into a darkness he couldn't let go of.
Reaching into his jacket pocket and getting out a bottle of alcohol he had hidden. Opening it and bringing it to his lips as he drank the entire contents of the bottle. The liquid burning his throat as he put the cap back on and headed down to the beach.
Avoiding names and faces as he headed straight for the bar.
…
Author's Note: Thank you all my readers. Your feedback is what I look forward to reading. Let me know your thoughts on the chapter. Review!