Chapter Nine
Bush – "Letting the Cables Sleep"
You in the dark, you in the pain
You on the run, living a hell
Living your ghost, living your end
Never seem to get in the place that I belong
Don't wanna lose the time
Lose the time to come
Whatever you say it's alright
Whatever you do it's all good
Whatever you say it's alright
Silence is not the way
We need to talk about it
If heaven is on the way
If heaven is on the way
You in the sea, on a decline
Breaking the waves
Watching the lights go down
Letting the cables sleep
Whatever you say it's alright
Whatever you do it's all good
Whatever you say it's alright
Silence is not the way
We need to talk about it
If heaven is on the way
We'll wrap the world around it
If heaven is on the way
If heaven is on the way
I'm a stranger in this town
I'm a stranger in this town
Donna and Josh had called all three girls in to school absent for the fourth day in a row. They just could not concentrate on school at all with such a huge blow to their world. Donna and Josh had tried to teach their girls all their lives how to be caring, compassionate individuals, and it shone through now like it never had before. The girls never left Ella's side (unless she needed to be alone) and were so in tune with what she needed and wanted. Audrey showed a gentleness that rarely peeked its head out, and Katie showed once more how incredibly benevolent she could be. Donna and Josh had been proud of their daughters before, but they had never felt more pride than they did that week after Carol Parker's death.
In contrast to The Lymans' kind-heartedness, John Parker had selfishly hopped on a flight back to California, too afraid, or perhaps too egocentric to talk to Ella. The Lymans all thought Ella was better off for it. John had been a dark force hovering over her all her life until he finally left. It hurt her immeasurably to be abandoned because even though he'd hurt her, he was still her father and she loved him. But now that she knew better, Ella knew what a rat bastard he was and knew her life was largely better with his absence.
They took her to the beach that day near sunset. Ella had always loved the beach ever since she was a little girl. The Lymans and Parkers had taken all three girls to the beach for the first time when they were all about four years old. Ella's enthusiasm over the new environment was insatiable. She marveled at the feel of the fine wet grain under her tiny delicate feet. Now at the age of sixteen and practically orphaned, Ella gazed out over the vast space of reds and purples as she let the cool salty water spill over her bare legs. Breathing in the sweet sea air, she let the ocean work its magic, soothing her soul as her hair gently blew in the soft breeze. The four Lymans stood back, giving her the space she needed.
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.
The words of her mother's favorite song suddenly began to sing to her. Ella missed her mother desperately, but knew that she'd want her to continue her life to the fullest. The door had shut now on her childhood with her mother, and now a new one had opened in her new life with the Lymans. Now she had to dance. Ella missed her mother – she'd always miss her mother. But she had to get back to her life, as normally as possible, and start to enjoy her friends and family again. It's what her mother would have wanted and would have expected. It's why she sent Ella to live with the Lymans last year. She knew Ella wasn't happy at the time and needed to figure herself out. Ella knew her mother would have wanted her to live with the Lymans, even if it wasn't in her Will.
A single tear fell from Ella's eyes as she took a deep breath in and sighed out, hugging herself tightly. She had to take care of herself and keep herself strong.
She felt a hand on her shoulder shortly after. Audrey.
"Are you okay?" Audrey gently asked her.
Ella wordlessly nodded and wiped the tear away. "I will be."
Later, the Lymans and Ella walked down the beach, shoes in hand as they let their feet dip into the water occasionally. They walked silently, letting the ocean speak for itself, hoping it would offer any sort of comfort to their Ella. As they walked, all five slowly started to notice some soft music coming from a tiny seaside restaurant nearby, a band playing a sad, but hopeful song.
In the arms of the angel, fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
The restaurant seemed to call to them. It seemed to know they were coming and were playing exactly the right song to reel them in, the lyrics mirroring their situation.
"Hungry?" Josh questioned the four women walking with him.
The consensus seemed to be that they all were, so they all headed into the restaurant and were seated quickly. They requested to be outside where the band was playing. The family of five ordered drinks and small talked while they waited. Soon, a more upbeat song came on, perfectly timed.
The summer it was heavy and sweet
You and I on a crowded street
There was music everywhere, I can see us there
In a happy little foreign town
When the world was upside down
Half a world away, far, far away
I remember, you were laughing
We were so in love, we were so in love
And the band played
Songs that we had never heard
But we danced anyway
We never understood the words,
We just sang, oh
La la la la la la la la la la la
Donna made the first move and got up with a smirk on her face like she had a plan. She held out her hand to Ella who took it, smiling, telling her it was okay. They started swinging each other exuberantly, giggling the entire time. Ella was finally smiling. After watching for about a verse, Josh got off his chair and forced both his daughters up to dance. Josh was never much of a dancer, which made the occasion that much more special. He wasn't that great either, making the four women laugh at his questionable moves. As the song finished, they got a modest round of applause from their small but supportive crowd. A charming little family they were, now complete with three daughters.
John Parker wasn't returning the phone calls that Josh and Donna and their lawyer left on his answering machine. The Lymans were ready to move along with the foster family process, but John just seemed to avoid it out of spite. If he couldn't have his daughter, no one could, apparently.
"We do have another option." Lymans' lawyer, Mrs. Phillips, said to them a few days later. "She could apply for a legal emancipation from her father. If we set up a court date and he doesn't show up…"
"Which he probably wouldn't." Josh interjected.
"The judge would most likely lean towards awarding it to her. She would have to get a job to show she has a source of income, but then Ella could live wherever she chooses."
The lawyer went on to explain all the legal fine print to Josh and Donna, but emancipation seemed to be the best solution to their problem. They would talk to Ella about it later that night.
The girls had finally since gone back to school. In their small, tight-knit school, all the students were aware of what had happened and were very supportive of Ella. The Lymans had kept the emancipation hush-hush, so no one knew about that yet, but they knew Ella was living with Audrey and Katie.
Audrey had just finished her fifth period class and made her way to her locker to retrieve her books for the rest of the day. She turned the combination and as she opened the door, she noticed a small piece of white paper, folded up, sitting at the bottom of her locker. She slowly picked it up, not knowing what it could be. Had Galen written her a nasty note? She unwrapped the note and began to read intently.
Hair glowing in the moonlight,
Face shining like the sun
This beauty you bring to my sight
I know I cannot run
Presence – that of a good friend,
Is what you represent to me
Happiness forever – without end
When together we may be
Raindrops falling in a flowing creek,
Flowing like my being – to you
Thine company is what I seek,
These feelings I cannot undo
So, let me be brief,
As I should have from the start
Feelings – vast like a reef,
So that I may have your heart
Audrey Lyman – please grace me with your presence at the prom with me – Sincerely, Edward Groves
The prom? Oh, God, she'd totally forgotten about the prom amidst all the grief and drama lately. Ed Groves? Special Ed? She was sure that he detested her. Audrey was always so mean to him in Yearbook class. Audrey had been the primary layout director with Ed under her. She ordered him around all the time and gave him so much crap. How could he like her? When Audrey had been forced to quit yearbook for a while, it had been Ed that had taken over in her absence. When Audrey returned, she had been less than discreet in pointing out any sort of mistake to him. She shrugged her shoulders, tucking the note into her backpack, a little excited that someone had been secretly admiring her.
When the Lymans talked to Ella that night, she was over the moon at the prospect of emancipation from her father. There was a chance that he would come and protest it, but Josh and Donna assured her that they would testify against his fitness as a parent. They'd seen enough over the years that any judge would be able to see his inability very easily. Unanimously, the three of them decided to proceed with the emancipation. They set the date for April 29th.
The three girls were still doing almost everything together, even after almost two weeks since Carol's death. Tonight, the three gathered in Katie's room to do their homework. Katie and Audrey had been trying to help Ella as much as they could with her school work. Ella was smart, but was in all regular education classes. She was known for doing just enough to get by in her classes, but the Lymans had made it quite clear that once things returned to normal, they'd have the same expectations grade wise of her as they had for their own daughters. They'd, of course, eased up a little bit since their revelation with Katie, but they were all perfectly capable of all A's and B's. The workload, however, was just intimidating and tedious for Ella.
"So, Ed Groves asked me out to the prom today." Audrey confessed to the others. They tried hard not to let the conversation turn to non-subject-specific, but it often did not work.
They both looked up from their notepads and textbooks in surprise.
"Are you shitting me?" Ella asked.
Audrey smiled and shook her head no, beaming with amusement.
"He left me a note in my locker today. Wanna see it?" She asked, reaching into her backpack already.
"Hell, yes!" Ella exclaimed. Audrey quickly handed the note over to Ella, and Katie soon scooted over to read it over her friend's shoulder. Smiling, then almost crying, then smiling again, they read it through.
"Audrey, that is so sweet." Katie told her sister. "You should totally go with him."
"That's so romantic. Especially after ass-clown." Ella agreed.
"Do you think so?" Audrey asked, smiling. She'd really been leaning towards it. But prom was only a few weeks away and she needed to get her dress, and her shoes and everything.
"Yes!" They both said firmly at the same time.
"Okay. I'll tell him yes tomorrow. Do you guys have dates?"
"Tons of people have asked me, I think out of pity. I want to go, but I don't know who with." Ella said. She'd dreamed of the prom ever since she was a little girl. This is not how she pictured her prom night and date selection to go. She was well-liked at school, but everyone just seemed to be overly nice to her since her mother passed away. It was great that everyone was being so kind and supportive, but she wanted her prom night to be special, not a pity date from someone.
"Has Eric Braley asked you?" Audrey inquired, throwing out the first suitable boy she could think of. Eric was a good guy and he'd liked Ella for a long time.
"Yeah. He asked me two days ago. I said I'd think about it."
"You should let him take you." Katie told her. "He's really sweet."
"Okay." She agreed. He would do. "Now, what about you, Katie?"
Katie looked down, embarrassed. She'd never really dated at all in her life, something that her dad had appreciated very much. All three girls thought for a few moments about who would be suitable.
"Chandler Thomas!" Audrey and Ella both came up with his name at the same time.
"Chandler?" Katie repeated in curiosity. "Why would he want to go out with me?"
"You're not going out, you're just going to the prom." Audrey said.
"You say it like it's going to be a baseball game. The prom is a big deal."
"Exactly. So you need to have a suitable date. Chandler's liked you for a little while too. I can tell."
"How can you tell?" Katie whined, not believing her sister was an expert matchmaker.
"He stares at you in government class sometimes." Audrey informed her, matter-of-factly, grinning from ear to ear.
"He does?"
"Oh yeah." Audrey nodded enthusiastically. "Either that, or he's thoroughly pondering the fine inner-workings of the U.S. government and happens to be staring at your head."
The three girls giggled and tried to get back to concentrating on their homework.
April 29th came sooner than everyone thought. The Lymans left one message on Mr. Parker's answering machine, hoping that he wouldn't show up. They'd notified him once, and that was all that was required. As of that morning, they had not heard anything from him and assumed he wasn't coming.
The new family of five went to court that morning, clad in formal clothing to make a good appearance. The judge knew who Josh and Donna were, of course, so that would also work in their favor. The sat patiently before the judge as he began the proceeding. They assumed everything was a go, until John Groves suddenly walked into the courtroom.
They all looked back to see John, dressed in a business suit, with a saddened look on his face. John was unpredictable, so they didn't know what his appearance would entail. Would he try to take Ella back? Was he vengeful towards the Lymans? John didn't look at anyone as he took a seat at the opposite table as the Lymans.
"Mr. Parker?" The judge asked.
"Yes, your honor. Sorry I'm late. I came from California."
"Thank you for joining us." The judge continued. "We are here today to discuss the legal emancipation of Miss Eleanor Anne Parker, daughter of John Theodore Parker and the late Carol May Parker. If it is determined that it is in Eleanor's best interest to be removed from the guardianship of Mr. Parker, she will be emancipated and will be allowed to live wherever she chooses, providing she seeks employment. Ella, would you like to say anything?"
"Yes, your honor." Ella spoke up, looking older and mature in a sensible skirt and long-sleeved top. She'd prepared some less-than-complimentary remarks about her father, not anticipating he'd be in the room to hear it.
"God, Ella, don't lose your strength now." Josh whispered so only his wife heard him.
She took a deep breath and cleared her throat nervously as she approached the witness stand. Ella avoided making eye contact with her father and instead focused on the Lymans. She could feel her father's eyes drilling into her, making her nervous. Why did he have to come? Why was he here? What was he going to say?
"Your honor, I request emancipation from my father, John Theodore Parker of California. Up until a few weeks ago, I resided with my mother, Carol May Parker, my entire life. Growing up, my father also lived with us up until I was thirteen years old. During these years, my father continuously abused my mother and me both physically and emotionally." Ella had to stop, getting teared up. She looked at Donna, who gave her a reassuring nod, giving her the strength to continue.
"He…he has scarred me emotionally and physically for life by bea…beating me, calling me names, and putting me down continuously."
Ella swallowed again, still focusing on Josh and Donna.
"Since the age of three, I have been blessed, however, to have a family by the name of the Lymans in my life. I met Kaitlyn and Audrey Lyman as a three-year-old in preschool and soon became very attached and loved by them and their parents, Joshua and Donnatella Lyman." Ella's voice was now strong and proud, telling of all the Lymans had done for her life. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father scratch his head uncomfortably.
"Over the years, they have loved me, counseled me, and saved me from my home situation several times. Last year, they even invited me into their home to stay for two months. When my mother died three weeks ago, they were the first to open their home once again to me and provide me love and support in my time of grief. My father was on the other side of the country in California while all this was happening. I hadn't seen him for two years and had only talked to him three times in that period of time. I have being staying with the Lymans for three weeks now, and they have provided me with a loving home, one that I could never find while under the guardianship of my father. Your honor," She turned to the judge, "I request emancipation from my father based on past documented abuse and his physical and emotional distance from me. I have a secure job at Bob's Quality Shoes in the local mall, meeting the requirements of employment. If emancipated, I would choose to live with the Lyman family, under their agreement, until the age of eighteen. Thank you, your honor." Ella took a deep breath and stepped down from the stand and walked back to her seat, never looking at her dad.
The four Lymans smiled at her proudly as she joined them. It wasn't official yet, but they felt that she had just officially joined their family. Josh gave her a supportive pat on the back
"Thank you, Eleanor." The judge said. "Mr. Parker, is there anything you would like to say to the court?"
Five pairs of eyes shot over to the man sitting on the other side of the room. John didn't look at them.
"Yes your honor." He requested, rubbing his nose with his finger nervously. John walked up to the stand, looking less than the powerful man Ella had always imagined him to be. Her father had always intimated her as a little girl, but now he was nothing more than a cowering imbecile.
"I'll be quick. I don't want to delay…anything." He looked down at the Lymans. "I just wanted to say that I believe I cannot provide a loving home for my daughter, Eleanor Anne Parker. For a while now, I have realized that I am not fit to be considered her father. All the things she just said are, unfortunately, true. I have a temper, and yes, I have a problem with my anger. Eleanor and her mother have been on the receiving end of this for quite a while now. I never meant any harm to either of them, but know there are certain things I cannot seem to control. Eleanor should be in a home where she is…where she is not in fear of being abused and where she can blossom into the beautiful young lady she is becoming. I believe in my heart that the Lyman family can provide that for my daughter. Your honor, with your agreement, I wish for my daughter to be emancipated from me by her choice, and to be allowed to live with the Lyman family." John now had tears in his eyes. "Thank you, your honor."
Donna had to put her hand up to her mouth during John's speech to keep from crying. Amidst all of his anger and selfishness, John had sometimes shown a tenderness towards Ella and Carol. They were his wife and daughter, and he loved them, but he had a problem. Donna knew it took a lot for him to admit this; he had always been an arrogant, stubborn man. Donna felt a certain amount of admiration towards John for doing this.
Josh looked over at Ella, who was sitting next to him. She was crying now too, moved by her father's words. He'd finally admitted it. Josh gently stroked her shoulder and then kissed her on the head.
The judge took in a deep breath.
"Well, it seems as though all parties are in agreement. I have spoken with the Lymans and they have agreed to take Ella into their home. If there are no other statements, I will announce my decision."
The judge waited for any refutement for about ten seconds. It felt like the longest ten seconds ever to all parties involved.
"Okay. I hereby recommend that Eleanor Anne Parker be legally emancipated from her father, John Theodore Parker. We'll get the paperwork going, and Ella will be free to live with the Lymans, as she has indicated. Court adjourned."
Ella and the Lymans all stood together and they all started hugging their new daughter and sister, though it had felt like this for the longest time. John lingered nearby, wanting to talk to Ella one last time before he left her again.
Ella turned around, sensing he was still nearby.
"Ella, are you okay to do this?" Josh whispered. Ella nodded and started to walk towards her father, who was tearful.
She took him into her arms, and the audience couldn't help but notice that it seemed Ella was the adult in the situation. John's body language was defeated and heartbroken.
"Thank you, dad." She told him.
"I love you."
"I know, dad." Ella sniffled. "I know you've always loved me. And I'll always love you, but this is the best thing for me."
"I know. I'm so sorry about your mother." He confessed.
"Thank you, dad." She whispered.
John looked up from his daughter's arms to catch Josh's eye. They exchanged an expression only dads know. Both men were her fathers now. John had her past, and Josh now had her future. John trusted Josh to finish raising her the way he never could. Silently, John conveyed this message to Josh.
The Lymans took Ella out to celebrate that night to a restaurant. They all toasted to their new family, though they'd felt like family for years. The spirits were high, five people reconnected and thankful to have each other. Katie loved the sentiment the evening was bringing. It was one of trust, honesty and renewed hope. She decided tonight would be the right time to talk to her parents about what she'd been experiencing in therapy and about her use of Ritalin.
Audrey and Ella were in Audrey's room goofing around a little bit, so Katie thought it the right time to go confront her parents in the living room. Her mother had her head rested on her dad's shoulder, holding hands, as they watched the television. They looked peaceful and serene and relaxed. She didn't want to upset their mood, but Katie was aching to get this off her chest.
"Mom? Dad?" She called them gently from the corner of the room, standing with her hands clasped in front of her. Both of them immediately turned their heads to see her.
"Do you need something, baby?" Donna asked her daughter. Katie approached the opposite couch and took a seat. Based on her body language, Josh and Donna knew what she was going to say was important to her, so they both sat up, ready to pay close attention.
"Yeah. I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Okay." Josh told her. "We're all ears."
"Well, it's about my whole life, really." Katie began. "It's about what Dr. Hampton and I have been talking about in therapy."
"We're glad you're ready to talk, sweetheart, go ahead." Donna urged her on. Katie had confessed to her she was ready to talk a couple weeks ago right before Ella's mother passed away. After that, the timing just didn't seem right. All their attention had been focused on comforting Ella. Donna had recently been feeling guilty about it. Her daughter had needed her, and she'd been busy with something else. This is exactly what she felt she needed to be working on – being emotionally available to Katie. Donna was relieved that she'd finally come to her and Josh.
"Well, we kind of talked about the expectations you have of me." She paused and looked down. "You know, they're pretty high. And it can get kind of overwhelming sometimes." Katie looked back up at them, concern painted on their faces.
"How long have you felt like this?" Josh asked her.
"I don't know. All my life. Ever since I started school, I guess."
That stabbed them both in the heart. They thought they'd given her a normal, care-free childhood, but apparently they hadn't.
"Do you remember a specific instance, or has it just always been there?" Donna asked.
"Well, it's really always been there, because you're both pretty powerful and important people, but I do remember one particular instance."
Katie went on to explain the instance she had described to her therapist that very first session, when she felt it wasn't okay to get anything less than an A.
Donna rubbed the tops of her legs nervously and Josh ran a hand through his hair.
"Wow." Josh said, not knowing what to say.
Donna got up to go sit next to her daughter and put an arm around her, kissing her gently on the head.
"You've been keeping this in all these years?" Donna asked, feeling more guilty than ever.
Katie nodded, looking back at her mother.
"I'm so sorry, baby. We had no idea. We didn't mean to put all that pressure on you. Your father and I just want you to succeed, but I know we can be a little overwhelming sometimes."
"It's okay." She told her mother. "I know you just want me to be my best. And now that all this has happened with Ella, I actually feel kind of thankful. I have two parents who love me and who push me to succeed. She never had that. Ella's great and everything, but she just doesn't expect that much from herself, you know? She settles for less than she deserves sometimes."
Josh got up and joined his wife and daughter on the other couch, sitting beside Katie.
"But now she's got a whole family who cares about her and wants her to do her best. She's lucky to have you. I know it's what her mom would have wanted. Carol did her very best, but it's hard being a single mom, you know. Especially having an abusive history." Josh told his daughter.
"I know. I'm not trying to say Carol didn't do a good job, but, you know, John kind of screwed it up. Ella's a bit of a loose cannon."
"Yeah." Josh agreed. He was stroking her hair gently now. "We'll all help her with that, though, won't we?"
"Yeah."
"Good girl." Josh cleared his throat. "Well, I think next year we should maybe cut back on those AP classes. Two is way too much. Why don't you just choose one for your schedule."
"I think that sounds like a very good idea." Donna agreed.
"And Katie," Josh said again, "You can go wherever you want for college. I hope mom and I weren't pressuring you to try to get into Harvard or even the Ivy League. It's really your decision, so don't let us talk yourself out of anything, okay?" He winked at her and Donna patted Katie's knee in agreement with her husband.
"Okay. Thanks guys." She said. "Oh, and one more thing."
"What is it?" Donna asked.
"I…uh." She stammered. This would be hard for them to hear. "I used Ritalin again a few weeks back right after Ella's mom died. Audrey caught me and flushed them down the toilet and said she wouldn't tell, but I needed to be honest with you. I haven't used it since then."
Josh and Donna's hearts dropped for a second, but then their trust in their daughter was once again reestablished. She'd come clean with them, and now she'd gone weeks without it. She'd be fine.
"Thank you for being honest with us, sweetheart." Donna said for both of them. "You're very strong for being able to admit it and to get help."
"Thanks." She smiled uncomfortably. "Well, I better get back to my homework." Katie announced.
"Alright, sweetheart. I love you." Josh told her as he kissed her head one last time. His wife followed suit and then Katie left the room.
Josh and Donna both sighed heavily once their daughter was gone and leaned back, exhausted, on the back of the couch.
"I can't believe she hasn't told us all these years." Josh said, perfectly in sync with Donna's thoughts.
"But I'm glad she finally did." Donna said, taking her husband's hand in hers.
"Yeah." Josh brought their hands up and he kissed the back of Donna's. "She'll be fine. But we'll still keep a close eye on her, huh?"
"Yeah." They snuggled back together on the couch, still holding hands and leaning against one another.
One week later, Katie, Audrey, and Ella were nervously and excitedly getting ready to go to the prom. They'd been dreaming of this all their lives and had to make sure every single thing was perfect. Curlers, mascara, powder, jewelry, and other assorted items cluttered the girls' vanity center. The girls were poofs of pink, green, and blue in their beautiful evening gowns as they anxiously moved about the tiny area, occasionally bumping into one another. Donna was among them, trying to fix this and that. Josh just stayed away – this was definitely female territory.
"Mom, this piece of hair will not stay put!" Katie complained. "I need more bobby pins!"
"I'm trying, honey, just be patient." Donna pleaded as she fiddled with her daughter's hair. The mood was exciting, but her daughters' three stomachs were tied in knots.
"Katie, you said I'd get to wear those earrings tonight!" Audrey complained, seeing the pair of dangling diamond earrings that belonged to her mother on her sister's ears.
"Mom said I could use them."
"Mom!" Audrey questioned her mother, putting her hands on her hips. The ugly look on her face was so ironic as she stood looking the most beautiful Donna had ever seen her.
"Audrey, do not raise your voice. We agreed that Katie could wear the earrings and you would get the necklace."
"But they're a set!"
"And so are you two. You can share."
Audrey let out a frustrated sigh and stamped her feet angrily twice.
"Take a chill pill!" Ella said cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood back up. She'd never had real sisters before, and couldn't understand how they could fight at a time like this. Well, yeah she could. It was Audrey and Katie.
"Sorry." Katie said as she examined her face carefully in the mirror. "No pimples! Woo hoo!" She exclaimed.
Audrey hadn't quite been so lucky. Donna was now delicately and meticulously applying concealer to a spot that had appeared the night before, despite the unwavering attention Audrey had paid to her skin the past week.
"Shut up." Audrey scowled, but then smiled in amusement at the irony. "The one frickin' night…" She complained. Audrey made her sisters and mother giggle too and they were soon in peals of laughter, accentuated by the nervousness undoubtedly filling the room.
Donna stepped out of the vanity center and closed the door behind her. Josh had been waiting in the living room all by himself the entire time, listening to some of the things that were happening in the other room. He wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but he wanted to know any small thread of what was going on with his daughters. They'd spoken of nothing but the prom for weeks now. Donna had taken them dress shopping a couple of weeks ago. He'd gotten the bill for that – no new clothes for them for four months. Recently, he'd heard the four women giggling uncontrollably in the other room. The girls were now all gathered in Katie's room, posing for one another from what he could hear.
"Are you ready?" Donna asked him, beaming. They'd never looked so beautiful and knew it would probably bring Josh to tears.
Josh breathed out heavily, the sigh only a father who knew he was about to instinctively be brought to tears at the sight of his little girls all donned up in their prom dresses.
"As ready as I'll ever be." He told Donna as he stood up and clasped his hands together behind him. Donna smiled – he was so adorable.
She leaned back a little to call them. "Girls! Come show dad your dresses!"
Josh took another deep breath in as he waited. Seconds later, first Audrey emerged in a beautiful light blue gown, poofed out at the bottom 'just like Cinderella,' as she'd excitedly described to him days before. Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun, with wisps of curly hair delicately framing her face. Breathtaking was an understatement.
Katie was next, dressed in a stunning light green gown. The strapless top had a gorgeous lace fronting with a few sparkles here and there, and the bottom was elegant and long with a small train, not poofed out like her sister's. Her normally curly hair had been straightened and the top had been pulled back with a butterfly clip as the rest fell delicately to her shoulders. She wore Donna's diamond necklace and it complimented her well.
Finally, Ella emerged in a pale pink dress. She looked amazing. The long bottom of the dress came to meet a ribbed strappy top, the fabrics meeting just below her bosom. Her light brown hair was pulled up similarly to Audrey's, but she also had a silver headband to hold it back.
Josh could feel his eyes well up with tears at the sight of his two daughters, and now, practically, his third. He nervously rubbed the end of his nose, but knew he couldn't hide his emotions. Josh felt it was all too cliché. A father crying at the sight of his daughters dressed in their best. What would he do at their weddings? How do people do this?
"You all look so beautiful." He managed to get out, looking at each of them in the eyes, slightly disfigured as he looked on beneath his own tears. They were affected by his response, and quickly walked over to hug him and laugh at his amazement.
"Daddy, we're just going to the prom." Katie told him. "It's not like we're getting married."
"But you will be." He sniffled. "This is just the beginning. You're all so grown up now."
Donna watched from a few feet away, Josh surrounded by the three girls, all embracing him at once. She snapped a quick picture, which broke up the emotion and reminded them all of what was just ahead.
"Okay, enough mooshy stuff." Donna told them. "Girls, dry your eyes so your mascara doesn't run. We need to take pictures."
The girls all smiled and got tissues to dab their moist eyes. The next ten minutes were devoted to picture-taking. Each girl by herself, the twins together, all three together, Donna with each girl, Josh with each girl, and goofy shots.
The giddiness was broken up by the doorbell. All five sets of eyes turned to the door. Looking out the window, they could see that all three dates had arrived at the same time. They had planned it this way so that Josh wouldn't have to see the girls off three separate times – he couldn't handle that.
"Dad, go get the door and be civil." Audrey told Josh. Josh gave his daughter a warning look, smiling.
Josh came back into the room seconds later after introducing himself and shaking their hands. Three tux-clad, handsome young men followed nervously behind him. When they saw the girls, their eyes lit up with how beautiful they looked. After the introduction of Donna, each boy went to the girl he was taking.
Josh and Donna watched the boys intently as they gave the girls their corsages and as the girls reciprocated. Josh watched Ed closely, now even more protective of Audrey after what she'd been through with Galen. He was being so gentle and attentive to her. Josh could tell he was really nervous. He probably wasn't helping.
"How are you feeling?" Ed asked Audrey.
"I'm wearing a dress, how do you think I feel?" Audrey joked. She was never one to wear dresses or skirts ever, not even to church. Ed laughed a little more than he needed to, anxiously, and then ran a hand through his hair. After his laughter had died down, he shoved both hands in his pants pocket and waited. Josh kind of liked this kid, but he didn't quite know why yet.
"Okay, well, we need to get going." Audrey announced, looking over at her parents.
"If you must." Josh said, smiling at her.
"We must." She affirmed, smiling back.
The six teenagers slowly exited the house at the front door to the limo the boys had collectively rented. Ed held the door open for his date and the rest of the party and finally got in himself. He still looked really nervous.
Donna took Josh into her arms as they stood in the middle of the living room, now uncharacteristically quiet in the normally boisterous household of three teenage girls.
"Well, they're off." Donna said.
"Yep, they're off."
"Are you okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be okay?" He asked, a little insulted and still emotional.
"Your little girls just went to the prom!"
"Don't remind me." He said, letting her go and plopping himself down on the couch. Donna joined him and they both put their feet up on the coffee table. "I'll just pretend they went to Chuck E. Cheese."
"Whatever works for you, baby cakes." Donna said.
"Baby cakes?" He grinned.
"Mmmmhmmm." She smiled at him, resting her head on his shoulder as they cuddled. "So, what do you want to do?"
"I don't know." He said, honestly. "Wanna watch a movie?"
Donna laughed, surprised by his answer. "Is that the best thing you can think of to do when all three of them are gone?"
"Anything else is merely background when I'm with you, Donna." He told her, and kissed her on the temple, pulling her a little closer.
"I love you, Josh." She told him.
"I love you too." Josh whispered. They sat there and cuddled together for a long time, slowly drifting off into sleep. The slumber of two parents anxiously awaiting the return of their three daughters.
THE END!