It's Better This Way(48)

“What do you mean by ‘baby steps’?” He cocked his head to one side and seemed genuinely curious.

“How about starting with a birthday card signed by both of you. Perhaps a short note from Laura alone. Introduce her a little at a time, instead of forcing the girls into a relationship with her. I know you regret that dreadful scene at the lake.”

“Do Hillary and Marie?”

“That’s not for me to say. Ask them yourself. Frankly, I’m uncomfortable standing between you and the girls. I needed two days to think this through before I was comfortable enough to suggest we meet. This isn’t a role I’m happy with, or even one I want.”

    Her words were met with a tense silence.

“Once I learned Hillary and Blake were engaged,” Julia continued, “it seemed the perfect opportunity for healing between you and the girls. Why is it always one step forward and two back with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t be obtuse. I couldn’t have been more pleased to learn you’d apologized to Hillary. She badly needed to hear you regretted that day as much as she did. We both know you spoke in the heat of the moment.”

“You weren’t there. You didn’t hear the horrible names your daughters called the woman who was soon to be my wife.”

He thought rubbing in the fact that Laura was his wife now, and not Julia, would hurt her. But now the jab ricocheted off her. Still, she didn’t miss the fact that he referred to Hillary and Marie as her daughters.

One step forward, three and four back. Would he never learn?

“You’re right, I wasn’t with them that day. I’m grateful not to have been part of that horrible, embarrassing scene. Even if it did take nearly six years, you were honest enough to take the first step toward reconciliation when you sought out Hillary.”

“It wasn’t easy.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t. Really, Eddie, was it necessary to call Marie and tell her you wanted nothing to do with the wedding?”

He let her words soak in for a few awkward moments. His eyes filled with remorse as he admitted, “You’re probably right. I was angry…I should have cooled down first. I guess this is what you mean by taking two steps back?”

    She arched her brows because that was answer enough.

He shrugged it off. “All right, I’ll admit it wasn’t my smartest move.”

She agreed. Rubbing it in wouldn’t help, so she kept her mouth closed. “Now to the reason I asked to see you. As I mentioned earlier, Marie thought it would be a good idea if I told Hillary what you’d done for her. She believes hearing it from me would help her understand this was your way of apologizing.”

“I can’t say I disagree. I suppose, deep down, I want Hillary to know I will always love her. If letting her have the wedding dress she wants relays the message, then all the better.”

“Excellent, because I’ve decided not to tell her.”

Eddie’s mouth thinned before it sagged open. “What are you getting at? Why not?”

“Because, Eddie, I feel you need to do it yourself.”

“What? I can’t. You and I both know Hillary won’t talk to me.”

“You found a way around her stubborn pride before; do it again. This is your daughter; she’s hurting the same way you are. You’re the only one who can take this pain away. I didn’t say it would be easy, but what I do know is that you both desperately need this. It’s slowly eating you up, and Hillary isn’t doing much better. She needs her father, and she wants a relationship with you. Not you and Laura. You. Once she believes that you love her, then maybe she’ll open her heart to Laura.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Perhaps not, but I know my daughters. Marie’s already halfway there, and if given the chance she’d run to you with open arms.” Their youngest was by far the most forgiving. Hillary took after her father and was quick to anger and struggled with forgiveness, unwilling to let go of past hurts.

    Silence hung over them as Eddie mulled over her words.

“Will you talk to Hillary?” she asked gently.

His gaze connected with hers. “You won’t do it for me?”

His question caused her to emit a short laugh. “No. That was a joke, right?”

“No.” His shoulders trembled with a deep sigh.

“Eddie?” Julia wasn’t about to let him off lightly.

“Okay. I’ll think about it.”

This was all he was willing to give her. Julia had no choice; she had to accept his decision. “Don’t wait long, Eddie.” If he dallied, it could well be too late, and he’d forever lose both his daughters.

Standing, he looked ready to leave before he paused. “You still seeing Laura’s ex?”

“Yes, Heath and I do well together.”

He snorted as if thoroughly amused, and then shook his head as if he found it hard to believe. “You know Laura and I think this is all a bunch of bull.”

She ignored the jab. “As I mentioned before, Heath and I share a lot in common.” Biting her tongue was difficult. How badly she wanted to remind him they had both been betrayed by the one person they loved and trusted most in the world.