Chapter 54

‘Dad?’

Melvin turned around and faced his daughter..

Bette looked him in the eye and her surprised looking face changed into a big smile

‘Daddy!’

He opened his arms and Bette ran into him. She tightened her grip like it would be the last change to do.. while she only went away for a weekend..

‘I’ll miss you daddy..’

‘I’ll miss you too baby, take care of yourself huh’

A smile on his face told her that he had another thing on his mind..

But nothing came out..

‘Dad?? Do you have to say something?’

He looked her in the eye and said: ‘yeah.. uhh.. take care of Tina’

Bette was taken back by this.. for the second time in a few minutes a big smile came up on her face.. and she gave him a big kiss on his cheek.

For a few minutes they held each other in their arms before they released..

Bette let go of his hand and walked away.. towards Tina.. her head down..

She turned around one more time and said: ‘Thank you daddy, We’ll take good care of each other! Bye!’

Tina stroke Bette’s back and asked if she was okay.. Bette sighed and said that if felt strange to fly away from her dad.. like she left him.. like her mother did..

Tina heard Bette quietly sobbing and took her in her arms. She whispered: ‘shh it’s okay.. it will be alright.. we are back by Monday.. it’s just a holiday..’

Bette: yeah

Tina: and by the way.. I do not want sad people on my birthday party.. you hear me.. (smirking)

Tina released Bette and shouted: ‘Bye Melvin! I’ll take good care of your daughter!’

Bette watched her girl shouting to her dad and suddenly a burst of happiness come over her.. Her dad would be here waiting for her, while she was away with the most precious person in her life.. her sweetie..

She smiled and waved to her dad for the last time. They turned around and saw Peter and Vivienne walking up to them, tickets in their hands and a smile on their face..