30. Robert

Chapter thirty

Robert

"So, you're leaving tomorrow?"

I hold the phone tighter to my ear to make out the muffled sound of my father on the other line.

"Yes. I told you, Robert, that we were going be moving in the next month."

I look at the calendar. Sure, he did, but after what happened with Sara and all of the changes, I kind of forgot.

"I see."

"Are you free tonight? I know Mom's tired, but we'd love to see you before we disappear halfway across the world."

I look at the schedule for the day. I planned on going to the sanctuary to check on May and Sara, but I could always go another night.

"I am. Is it okay if I bring someone?"

Silence follows. I bite my lip, praying that Dad doesn't get upset.

"Sure. We'll see you tonight."

We agree to meet at an Italian restaurant near the office. I immediately text Sara, saying that plans have changed, and we are going to see my parents if that is okay. She says that it's fine, but I know she's probably just as annoyed as I am about the change.

Granted, I probably should've seen them before they left ages ago. I had some big changes, however. It's not like I expected Sara to agree to come back into my life or for me to be able to step in and fix the financial mess with the sanctuary.

The collectors are off their backs, but the money didn't go through right away due to a couple of accounts being frozen. My accountant was just worried my account got hacked, but I assured her that wasn't the case. Luckily, the financial confusion fixed itself immediately.

I sigh and rub my temples. As much as I don't want to see my parents, I must, and probably hear all their negativity again.

At five on the dot, I drive over to Sara's, and her roommate opens the door.

"Oh, it's you."

"Hey. Is Sara here and ready?" I ask.

"Let me take a look," she says, closing the door for a moment. "Hey Sara, your boyfriend's here!"

Footsteps patter as Sara approaches the door, grinning. A black dress with leggings frames her body. A gold cross-body bag sits across her shoulder, little pearl earrings decorate her ears, and she slips her black heels on to finish off the total look.

"Hey there. You look amazing," I say, taking in her beauty. Her curves look even more alluring with the simple, sophisticated black dress.

"Thanks. Katie helped me pick it out."

I look over, seeing her roommate. She smiles, extending her hand.

"Katie. Yeh, I know. You're the Cassanova that my friend's head over heels for."

"Indeed, I am," I chuckle.

"Good to meet you on better terms. Sorry for getting a little uppity the last time."

"It's not a big deal, and I totally understand why."

"Anyway," she says, looking at Sara. "I think you two should get out of here. You're going to dinner."

"Yeah, and you know how my parents are," I remark to Sara.

"Sure do," Sara says, rolling her eyes. "Not what I wanted to do tonight, but I get it. They're leaving the country tomorrow."

"Yep. Gotta rip the Band-Aid off now, rather than later."

"Oh, trust me, the sooner, the better," Katie says. "I know how parents are."

"As lovely as they can be," I say sarcastically.

Katie laughs and rests her hand on Sara's shoulder. "Good luck tonight, chicka. I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Thanks, Katie. I'll text you when I'm on my way home."

We walk out, and as the door closes, Sara sighs.

"I'm glad that she's finally warming up to you, even if it's a little bit."

"I am too," I admit. "I thought she hated me."

Sara shakes her head. "No, she just heard about what you did, and she was a little salty. But she's a romantic, so that little bit of disdain is just her being jealous."

"Good to know. I thought I was in bad with her for the count."

"Nah," Sara scoffs. "She's just like that."

"Anyway, ready to go?"

"Please."

As the restaurant valet parks the car, we step out and head inside. My heart races as we approach the table where my parents sit. Mom looks up, eyes wide with surprise.

"Oh, hi there, Robert. And . . . Sandy, right?"

"Sara."

"Right. Sorry."

"Good to see you again," Dad says gruffly, extending his hand. Sara takes it and shakes it.

"Pleasure's all mine, sir."

He nods, looking away. I sigh, sitting at the table. The server, thankfully, breaks the awkward silence by getting our drink orders. But as he leaves, my father looks at me.

"So, you're going through with this?" he queries.

"What do you mean?"

Dad gestures to Sara, almost like she's some sideshow attraction. "Her. You know she's quite young for you—"

"Dad, please," I encourage. "Enough of that. I know you're upset about this, but I'm happy," I admit. "And I'm not going to sit here tonight and hear either of you disparage Sara. She's sitting right beside you. Get it?"

It feels good to finally utter those words. I'm sure they don't want to see this and would prefer Lily or someone else who's a part of their clique. But they can deal.

Mom looks over at Sara, eyeing her outfit. "Nice outfit."

"Thanks. I wanted to wear something special for tonight."

"I see. I like it," she compliments.

My father clears his throat, still annoyed by my decisions.

"Dad, I get it. You think that Sara is not the right choice for me, but I won't sit here and argue with you again."

Dad rubs his salt and pepper hair, sighing as he looks away.

"It's not that, it's—"

"You're upset that I chose someone else, not part of our income bracket."

"Well, just a little bit—"

"She's not going to run off with your money, is she?"

So here it goes. I sit there, affronted by my mom's words. How dare they assume something like that? But instead of opening up a major argument, I stifle back a laugh and shake my head.

"No, she's not," I insist. "In fact, she hasn't even asked me for a Rebecca of her own since we started dating." I look at Sara apologetically.

"I see," my father utters. He totally doesn't get my joke, but, oh well.

The server returns to take our food orders, again reducing the tension for a bit. I reach for Sara's hand and grip it.

"I'm sorry," I mouth to her. She shakes it off, smiling. At least one of us is dealing with this well.

As the server leaves, my father looks over at Sara curiously. "What about you, Sara? Do you want to be here?" he asks, almost pointedly.

She nods, smiling. "Yes, I do," she admits. "I do want this. In fact, if it weren't for Robert's pursuit, I don't think I ever would have dated him."

He nods slowly.

"I see."

"No, I don't think you understand at all, Mr. Harrington." Sara cuts in. "When I say Robert's pursuit, I'm not talking about him making money. I'm talking about all the kindnesses he pays to both friends and strangers."

"Dad, really," I reply, holding Sara against me. She smells like strawberries and cherries, and I indulge in the scent. I smile, something that still feels foreign, but it's right here. "I am happy. This is the first time I've truly felt happy."

"But what about the future—"

"You're one to talk, Dad."

My father stiffens the second he hears that. Bingo. I knew those words would be ammo one day, and I just had to wait for the right time.

"Robert, that was a long time—"

"And you, as well, married out of love. You loved Mom despite her being a club dancer. Your parents hated it, but you still pursued her, didn't you?"

He looks away, caught in his own mess.

"Sure, but—"

"So, you've got no room to talk. You two married based on love. None of the family showed up, but you still did it. That said, I think we all know what to do here."

He shrugs. Mom reaches for Dad's hand, touching it.

"He's right, dear. We should support him and be kind," she says gently.

"I suppose."

I sigh. He's always been this stubborn. "Dad, I get that you're stubborn. Please at least try to accept what's happening. I get it's not what you want, but this is what I want."

He looks up, the vulnerability in his eyes, clear as day. He nods, realizing that there's no way out of this. Even if he tries to fight this, he's never going to win.

"I suppose you're right, Robert. I'm sorry, and I guess I'll try to be more open about this however I can."

"I appreciate it. Now, after you acknowledge that and truly welcome Sara at our table, we can get off this subject and try to have a nice dinner. This is your last night here." And they do.

The conversation dissipates, replaced by small talk. Sara gushes about her desires and her dreams. To my surprise, Mom and Dad actually listen. Dad seems fully invested in her ideas and dreams, especially in the sanctuary.

"Wow, that's impressive!" he clamors.

"Thanks. It's a work in progress, but I'm excited. I start vet school again in a few weeks, so I'm excited about that."

"That's good! Wonderful to hear," Mom adds.

Dinner continues, and by the end of it, Sara's telling Mom and Dad everything. When it's time to leave, we get up and go outside. Mom and Dad look at both of us when we get there, nodding with approval.

"Well, son, I'm proud of you."

"I am too, Robert. Looks like you have found the one for you," Mom adds.

The words warm my heart as I smile. "Thank you. I'm excited to see where this goes for both Sara and me."

"Of course. And please keep in touch with us, as will we," says Dad as he moves toward the door.

"Of course!"

We say our goodbyes, and after the valet gives them their car, and they drive off into the distance, I sigh.

"That went better than expected."

"Sure did, that is, after you stood up for me so amazingly," I hear Sara say in my ear.

"Sara, if nothing else, they didn't tell you to disappear, so I'm taking this as a win," I say with a grin.

Sara giggles, turning to me. "Oh, trust me, you're going to have to do a lot to keep me away."

"Not that I want to," I reply, "Actually, I'm amazed at their turnaround, Sara. And I owe that to them seeing you for who you really are."

I hug her tightly, her warm body a welcome feeling. After all this time, it feels like life's finally settling down.

I did the impossible. I got my parent's agreement and support. There's that if nothing else, and I can't complain. After all this time, I expect I can live my own life without having the eye of judgment on me.

I look forward to the future with the woman I care about in my arms.