"Please calm down, Julianna, I'm new at being a father and was only looking out for what would be the best thing for you," replied Tom.
"I want you in my life, Father, but if you won't give us your blessing then I don't know that that will be possible! I love AJ more than I thought it was possible to love anyone, and I would like to share our lives and love with you, but if you continue to disapprove then that won't happen!" she turned her head into AJ's shoulder and cried for all the things that would never be.
"Julianna, I love you and only want what's best for you. If it's AJ, then you have my blessing," said Tom, going to his daughter and placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Why should I believe you? You have been against us from the start!" she said, not lifting her head.
"AJ, my friend, will you accept my blessing?" he asked sticking out his hand.
Nodding AJ replied, "Thanks, Tom, it means a lot to me," he reached out and took his friend's hand and they shook hands. "I promise you that I'll love her and take good care of her."
"I know you will. I'm just an old fool. I found my daughter and was afraid of losing her to a man my
age," sighed Tom.
"You aren't losing me, silly!" she told him. "If AJ and I are married, then you can spend more time with both of us!"
"Still think this sounds like such a good idea, AJ?" teased Tom.
"Well I knew there would be drawbacks, and I guess you're one of them," AJ laughed.
"Drawbacks to marrying me?" Julianna asked, hurt.
"Don't be hurt, darling, we're only teasing each other," replied AJ.
"After all the conflict, how could I know that?" she sighed, finding the couch and sitting down, Shakey sensing her sadness came over to her and laid his head in her lap.
Going over and kneeling beside her AJ said, "Darling, I'm sorry for hurting you, but Tom and I have known each of for years and it's easy for us to revert into teasing each other," he explained. "Please forgive me, my love."
"I'm sorry too, it's just that I haven't known either of you very long and it is hard to tell when you are teasing if I can't see facial expressions," she explained.
"You get around so easy, it's hard to remember you're blind, my love. I will work on being more careful with your feelings," he said, taking her hand and kissing each fingertip and her palm. "Now say you forgive me and give me a kiss."
"Ummm, no!" she told him defiantly, just to see what he would do.
Smiling he sucked her finger into his mouth and then pulled it out slowing, "Now will you forgive me?"
"Nope!" she said just a bit breathlessly.
Leaning up he traced the shell of her ear with his tongue and then sucked her lobe inside his mouth while he caressed the nape of her neck. When he pulled away he asked, "Please forgive me now, Julianna."
She sighed in pleasure and told him softly, "I think I'll wait until we can be alone to forgive you, my love!"
"Isn't that just the sweetest sight, Tom?" Adele sighed.
"Please, Adele, I'm still trying to get used to this, don't ask too much of me right now."
"You could just close your eyes and pretend you were blind, Father!" Julianna teased him.
"Now you're catching on to how we joke around with each other," laughed her father.
Julianna sighed, "Who was joking?!"
"So I'm not perfect. I'm the only father you have. I love you, Julianna, and would do anything for you."
"I love you too, dad! And just for the record, I was joking!" she giggled.
"My beautiful daughter, I don't deserve you, but I thank the Lord that I have you. Thank you for your love and for allowing me the chance to be your father," he replied, all choked up.
"Ah it was nothing! All I had to choose from was you or AJ, and I would rather have him in my bed!" After the shocked pause at her comment, she added, "By the way that was another joke." She squeezed AJ's hand though to tell him that it wasn't really!
"I'll let you make that up to me later, darling," grinned AJ.
"I promise I will!" she winked at him.
To be continued…
