novelraw Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Cherry
Before my mom passed away, we’d spent some of the happiest weekends there, enjoying the glass sculptures and lush gardens illuminated by lights in the dusk. Bittersweet memories of my mom and dad’s smiling faces as they wandered around the place occupied me. Feeling nostalgic, I wondered about revisiting those artworks while I was visiting. Maybe my dad or Bert would be up for coming with me. I wondered if I could use the place as inspiration for a new range of designs next summer. The exhibition’s bright color palette amidst the amber lights had always reminded me of summer blending into fall. I mused about coming back to Seattle for photo shoots with my next clothing line, but my stomach somersaulted.
I remembered the text from Bert I’d received during my stopover in London while waiting for my connecting flight. I scooped my phone out of my handbag and opened his text:
I didn’t want to overwhelm you when I visited you, but I need to give you the heads up before you get to Starsmoon. Dylan’s got a fiancé now. He’s engaged to Lucy, who’s the Bloodmoon Alpha’s daughter. They’re getting married in a few months.
As much as I missed things about Seattle, I didn’t think it was a good idea for me to come back too often. Not since I already felt my stomach knotting at the thought of seeing Dylan with his new mate. At first, I’d been annoyed Bert hadn’t told me in Berlin, but I realized that if I’d known, I’d have struggled even more to come back. My friend knew me well. He’d kept me in the dark to try to protect me from how it would make me feel. I just needed to get through this trip, I reminded myself. That was all.
I glanced at the next text Bert had sent me:
I’ll be over to pick you up this afternoon when you get in. The old Alpha and Luna want to see you this evening. I’ve made up the spare room at my place for you to stay the night. See you soon!
I knew the time frame was tight. With the stopover in London, it had taken me twenty-four hours to get here. At least with Berlin being nine hours ahead, I’d arrived in time for the new Alpha’s Ceremony tomorrow. And I guessed it made sense for me to stay at Bert’s to be around for the ceremony, but my stomach cramped at the thought of staying at Starsmoon again. And at the thought of seeing the old Alpha and Luna.
My dad’s house was near Horizon View Park, and when the cab finally pulled up, I climbed out of the back and gazed at the green space I’d spent so much time in. My chest twanged as I felt Fern’s absence, and imagined sharing the sights and places that had meant so much to me growing up with her.
As the driver deposited my case on the sidewalk, I thanked him and trundled up to the gate of my childhood home. My head was chock-a-block with childhood memories and experiences. As my dad appeared in the doorway of the house, my eyes teared up.
He bounded down the path and cried, “Here’s my baby girl.” Before wrapping me in his arms.
Taking my case from me, he carried it with ease up the garden path. I admired how well he looked, pleased that he seemed as strong as the last time I’d seen him a couple of years ago.
I was majorly jet-lagged and didn’t have time for sleep, so my dad put on a strong pot of coffee instead. I hurriedly freshened up a little in the bathroom, putting on a clean dress, a moonstone-hued midi from my spring range, then dragged a brush through my hair.
With coffee, my dad and I sat outside on the veranda. “So, how’s work, Darling?” he asked.
I smiled. “It’s good, thanks, Dad. I’m looking forward to getting my fall collection out. With the interns I’ve got helping, I should make Milan’s fashion show.”
My dad nodded, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Of course, you’ll make the show. I always tell my colleagues there ain’t no one with a better work ethic than my little girl.”
I heard the pride in his voice. Yet, I knew he thought I was a workaholic. He’d tried to encourage me over the years to focus on my personal life, but I always steered the conversation away from it. Too anxious about coming close to the topic of… Fern.
“I’d love for you to come out and visit me in Berlin soon,” I said, sipping my coffee in an attempt to seem more casual about the proposal.
Surprise slackened my dad’s wide features. “What’s brought this on? I know you’ve had to come back for the naming of the new Alpha, but you’ve never asked me to Berlin before.”
I appreciated my dad’s tact in not referring to Dylan by name but reminded myself I was going to have to grow tougher skin. Soon. I will be seeing him tomorrow.
“I’m more settled in Berlin now,” I explained, “than I was in the first few years. And work’s finally starting to calm down.” I added, “I mean, it will be once I hire someone to cover weekends at the store.”
My dad’s lips twitched beneath his bushy beard. “It’s good to hear you’re starting to slow down, love.”
I nodded, taking a sip of my drink. “I am; I need to. I mean, I know the whole work-life balance is important, but if it were only me, it wouldn’t be such a big deal.” I realized I’d started waffling. The jetlag was catching up with me, and I tried to explain more clearly, “I’d like you to come to visit and see what you think of the city. To consider if it’s somewhere you could, maybe, relocate to.”
When my father’s jaw slackened, and he stared at me, I knew he was thrown by my request. I knew I’d started this conversation the wrong way around. I should have opened by telling him about Fern. About why I wanted my dad there with me in Berlin.