Fan Fiction
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Family Dinner
Even though Kit had described this repentant persona occupying her father’s body Bette hadn’t accepted his catharsis on face value, but she had to trust that this broken and desperate plea couldn’t come from a man who was faking it.
Bette stood up and pulled her father into a tight embrace. They were both shedding tears that rolled down their cheeks and wetted the other’s neck. After a few seconds, Bette pulled away. Sensing that Kit and Tina had witnessed the exchange she looked over towards the doorway to find them standing there. Kit had her arm around Tina’s shoulder as the crying mother couldn’t believe that she’d just heard Melvin Porter ask to be in her baby’s life.
Bette moved away from her father as he watched her walk over to Tina. Not knowing what to expect, he stood quietly and waited. Bette took Tina by the hand and walked back to where her father was standing. Kit stayed at the kitchen door not wanting to intrude.
Bette was emotional after hearing her father’s self-recrimination, but she wasn’t torn between loyalties as in the past. She wanted Tina to know that she wouldn’t break her promise or allow her father to manipulate her ever again.
Putting one arm around Tina’s shoulder and the other across her pregnant tummy protectively the couple stood in front of Melvin. Bette looked him directly in the eye so there was no mistaken that he understood the stakes of what he was asking.
“I love you Daddy, and I would welcome the chance to work on our relationship, but right now Tina and our baby are my priority. If you sincerely want to be a part of our daughter’s life, then you need to make amends with Tina first and make sure she’s comfortable with opening that door. I made a promise to my wife; nothing and no one will ever come between us or hurt our daughter. That includes you Daddy. I appreciate that you’ve made mistakes and have regrets and I’m believing that your intentions are pure, but your bigotry in the past has left some deep wounds that will take time to heal. Tina, and I don’t need your approval or your blessings to live our lives; and all our baby needs is unconditional love. If you can live with that, then we have a chance to be a family again.”
Bette was very clear that any misstep, no matter how small would not be tolerated. Her promise to Tina would always win out. If her father made one disparaging remark or showed any disdain for their relationship as he’d done for the past 10 years Bette would cut all ties. He would die a lonely old man and rot in hell before she would allow him to hurt her family again.
Melvin moved his gaze from Bette and looked Tina in eye. “You have my word” he said with the conviction of a changed man. He’d made so many mistakes that there wasn’t enough time left in his life to make up for everything, but he certainly meant to focus on the people that meant the most to him; his family.
Melvin couldn’t completely reconcile with the idea of same-sex relationships, but he had two choices. Either accept his daughter’s family as his own and become the father that Bette and Kit deserved or allow his bigotry to further the rift between them. He chose unconditional love and the familial ties that he’d missed for most of his daughters’ lives. He would not die a lonely miserable old man full of regrets.
Kit joined the others as they shared a family hug. Bette and Kit welcomed this change in their father, and Tina was a bonus daughter that he never expected. He closed his eyes and prayed in a silent prayer to God that he’d live long enough to meet his grand-daughter when Tina felt another kick from the baby.
She reached out and took Melvin’s hand. “Do you want to say hello to your granddaughter?” she asked before covering his hand with hers, Bette’s and Kit’s and placing it on her stomach.
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Zhenya says
Hi! Welcom back!
Yeah, i definitely interesting but i think i need re-read previous chapter before comment this.
BAT2012 says
Zhenya. Thank you for the welcome. It has been a long time since I have updated so appreciate you reading again. I look forward to your comments
Bibi28 says
Welcome back Bat2012,
It has been a long while, but i am very happy you came back!
Good for Melvin to make amends and admit he wasn’t a good father.
I am proud of Bette that she is so commited to Tina and her daughter and told Melvin not to mess up, because her prority is to her family.
Looking forward to the next chapter,!
BAT2012 says
Hi Bibi28 thank you for the warm welcome back. I really appreciate you sticking with the story. I’m working on the next chapter so the wait won’t be so long. Bette definitely has her priorities straight this time, and Melvin knows this is his last chance to do the right thing, so I think we will see more positive family dynamics going forward.
SassyGran says
Welcome back BAT!
Nice Chapter, enjoyed it and look forward to another post soon!
SG
BAT2012 says
Hi SassyGran – thank you for the welcome and being such a loyal reader all these years. I am working on the next chapter, so will try to post next week.
majicspider60 says
Welcome back, Bat! I went back to catch up to the present post. Please continue to the completion of this story. You are one of my favorite authors on this site. I heartily welcome you home!
BAT2012 says
majicspider60 – Thank you. Really appreciate the kind words and welcome back. It’s been a couple of years since I started this story but I hope to finish it in the next few weeks. Thanks for reading it again.
Zhenya says
For me main question – what would Melvin’s behavior was towards Tina if he didn’t dying?
BAT2012 says
Zhenya, that is a great question. I have been giving it a lot of thought, and hope I can answer it before the story ends. Thanks for reading and commenting.
izzie says
So glad to see an update of this story.
I’ve re read the whole thing and although there is no drama at all I find it very endearing.
Thank you . Already waiting for next chapter !
BAT2012 says
Izzie, thank you for reading and commenting. True this is not about the drama. I just wanted to explore a relational story of change and forgiveness. Next chapter is in the works.
Dainty says
Hello Bat2012, have gone back to the beginning and have really enjoyed the story. It was great to read again. Melvin is a changed man and it is so lovely to see. Thank you. Welcome back with the new chapters, feels like a new story. I actually started with Ch. 12, then went back to the begining.