“I have no idea if I’m doing this right,” I tell her honestly.
“Oh, baby,” she starts. “There isn’t a right or wrong way to do anything when it comes to what the heart wants. Everyone has to learn that the hard way. Your father and I had to, just like everyone else.”
I look up at her words and I feel my brows pull in.
“Don’t look at me like that.” She reaches up and pushes against the skin between my eyes until I relax my gaze. “I talked to Izzy the other night, that’s your freebie.” She winks, letting me in on her secret to knowing why I’m here before I could tell her. “Dani fills her in often on how Megan is doing. I don’t think it’s lost on you that Izzy and Axel have a soft spot for Megan and Molly. They call them their M&M’s,” she smiles.
M&M’s, I smile. So fitting.
“Every step of the way, baby boy. What I haven’t seen for myself, is when you two are in a room together, I’ve heard bits and pieces through Izzy—who got them from Dani.”
I look back down to my glass. Damn Dani and her big mouth.
“You know your father had his hands full when he met me,” she says and I look back up, meeting her sad eyes.
What is this?
“I didn’t make it easy, honey. I could kick myself now for all the trouble I was in the beginning. Really made him work for it and all because I was scared. I don’t know what’s holding her back, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to guess. Fear is a powerful thing, but honey she’s also got a lot of loss on her shoulders. All I can tell you is that you’re one hundred and fifty percent your father’s son and I have no doubt in my mind that you feeling this way, means you know what you want. Nothing and I mean nothing, honey, stands in the way of a Beckett man when he’s found that.”
I laugh, the sound coming out flat.
“Not sure that she wants that Beckett determination barking at her door, Mom.”
“Then I have no doubt in my mind that you, being your father’s son, will make her change her way of thinking there.”
“I’m trying. God, I’m trying.”
She smiles, reaches out and pulls my hand from my glass. “Tell me what’s going on. Let’s talk game plan, honey.”
I give her a smile, matching the one on her face, and proceed to tell her everything that’s been going on for the last year. Starting with the feelings I had when I first met Megan. When I started spending time with Molly. How I knew she would be mine long before I confirmed that feeling. And finally how I’ve been trying to bring Megan back to herself. When I finish talking she has tears in her eyes.
“You’ve always felt deeply, son. I have to say, hearing how you talk about her and her daughter makes me feel nothing but pride.”
I open my mouth, but before I can get a word out, I hear the back door open.
“Wildcat, get your man some water. Damn it’s hot out there. I haven’t been this sweaty since—” My dad’s words die on his lips when he turns to see me sitting with my mom. His gaze, never missing a thing, takes in the serious vibes floating around before he—thankfully—can finish his sentence. “What’s wrong?”
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Beck baby.” She gives my hand a squeeze, drawing my attention from my father, back to her. “You never give up, baby boy. Never. What you’re feeling, that’s all going to be worth it in the end. If you need me you know I’m here. I love you.”
She stands, gives me a kiss on the top of my head and moves to my father. His head tips down but his knowing eyes never leave mine. He gives her a kiss, turning his eyes to hers. I watch just as fascinated as I was when I was a kid and they would have one of their silent moments. They don’t speak, words never needed with them. Her hand comes up and caresses his cheek and he turns his head to kiss her palm. Her skin instantly filling with goose bumps and I know, if I could see her face, she would have that soft look and her eyes would be full of love.
He waits for her to fill a glass of water, taking it from her offering hand, before giving her another kiss and walking the few steps that separated the doorway and the kitchen table.
“Call me later, baby,” she tells me and I give her a nod.
I watch her walk through the arch that takes her from the kitchen and to the stairs that lead up to the second floor before I turn and look at my father.
“I knew this day would come.”
“Did you now?” I ask, pulling my glass up and draining the last of my drink.
“Always knew it would, I just hope I know how to steer you right, son.”
“At this point, I’m not sure there’s a right or wrong way to go.”
He smiles, his brown eyes so similar to my own give nothing away as he settles into his chair, leaning back and taking another sip of his water.
“Mom fill you in?”
“She filled me in enough. What does she mean about the apple not falling far from the tree?”