Disclaimer: I do not own Blood Ties or any of its characters. They are Tanya Huff's creations.

Characters thoughts in italics

Thanks to my beta, Lena, for helping me with the dialogue and mannerisms. You always help me stay true to the characters no matter what situations I throw them into.

Chapter 4

The next to last day for Stanley Nelson to be in Toronto had finally arrived and his daughter still hadn't called. His flight was leaving early tomorrow morning so stopping past her office wasn't even an option.

Maybe she's chosen to write me off. I wouldn't blame her. If that's her decision, I'll just have to live with it. At least I tried.

His cell started ringing.

"Hello."

"Stanley, I've decided to hear what you've have to say. Meet me at my office around one o'clock."

"Thanks for giving me a chance to explain things. I'll see you then."

Before he could say anything else, she hung up.

Stanley paused outside Vicki's office. He inhaled deeply a couple of times before stepping inside.

A young woman with black hair and heavy eye makeup was sitting at the desk. She glanced from her laptop. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, I am here to see Vicki."

The girl's blue eyes slowly measured him. "She's expecting you. You can go in."

He slowly walked in Vicki's office. Her assistant trailed behind him. "Vicki, I'm going to lunch. I'll be back in about an hour. Good luck."

"Thanks. I'll see you later."

Coreen shut the door.

Vicki was sitting at her desk with her arms crossed. He sat in a chair facing her.

"So. Let's hear it."

He studied the floor for a moment before returning his gaze to his daughter's face. Finally mustering enough courage he spoke. "It took me years to kick my addiction to alcohol. So many years went by before I finally got my act together."

His daughter's eyes narrowed. "Once you finally got clean why didn't you come back?"

"I met someone while I was in Alcoholics Anonymous. We ended up getting married and starting a family."

"I guess I didn't quite fit into your new family then. Nice to hear."

"It wasn't that. I just didn't know how to fix things with you. I have thought about you over the years."

"You thought about me. Well, I guess that's something. I'm so glad that you let me know how much you cared by sending me all those birthday cards over the years. Oh, wait you didn't. So is that it?"

"No, I also wanted to say that I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. That I didn't acknowledge your birthdays. I know we may never have a close relationship but I was hoping we could at least be friends. I'll take that."

"Let me get this straight. You blow into town, hit me with this bombshell and then say you want to be friends. You've gotta be kidding me. Does your wife and kids know about me?"

"Yes, I've told them about you. In fact, it was my wife who encouraged me to reach out to you. There is only one kid." He smiled. "Her name is Lyssa. She's eager to meet you. I know I've given you a lot to think about. My flight leaves tomorrow but I can postpone it if you want me to."

Vicki rose from her chair. Her voice rose slightly. "Why would I want you to do that? You show up after all these years with this lame excuse as to why you never came back into my life. Expecting me to welcome you with open arms. I'm not wired that way. I said I would hear you out and I have. I can't promise you anything more."

"Okay, Vicki. I won't push. Thanks for listening to me. You have my number. I do love you, Vicki. I know my actions haven't shown that but I do."

"How dare you even say that after all these years? Get the hell out of my office!" She opened the door.

Her father slowly rose from the chair. His head hung low. His shoulders slumped. He walked past Vicki without saying another word.

After she slammed the door behind him, she called Coreen and told her to take the rest of the day off. As soon as the call disconnected, she collapsed in sobs while grabbing a bottle of rum.

Several hours later

Vicki was throwing back glasses of rum when Henry walked into her office. "I'm guessing your meeting with your father didn't go so well."

The private investigator raised her glass. "You got that right."

Henry sat next to her on the futon. "I'm sorry it didn't work out."

"Well, that's life."

"True but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with."

"My father did say that he loved me. I guess that's some consolation."

"What else did he say?"

"Are you ready for this? He has another family. I have a sister."

"That had to be a shock."

"It definitely was. It would almost be funny if it wasn't my life. I feel like I'm stuck in a bad soap opera."

Henry grabbed her hand to prevent her from taking another drink. "Drinking yourself into oblivion isn't going to help you deal with this situation."

"It will at least numb the pain for awhile."

"Let me take you home," the vampire pleaded.

"I'll call a cab."

"I won't let you go home alone in this state."

"You won't let me. I don't respond well to demands."

"I'm not demanding you do anything. I'm just concerned."

"Well I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

Vicki rose from the futon and swayed. "Then again, maybe I will take your offer of a ride."

Henry grabbed her jacket while keeping his other arm around her to keep her steady. They slowly walked from Vicki's office to his Jaguar. As soon as Henry settled Vicki into the passenger's seat, she passed out.