Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
It was my parents.
I stopped in my tracks and stared at them. Their heads were ducked close together as they had a conversation, but they went silent as soon as my father noticed me and brought it to my mother’s attention.
They stopped talking and stared at me. We were locked in our opposing positions for several long moments as both sides seemed to try to figure out what to say and do next. Then suddenly they were apologizing, asking my forgiveness and telling me how much they wanted to be in their grandbaby’s life.
I had to admit, I was surprised by what they were saying. My parents weren’t exactly known for saying they were sorry or ever admitting they did anything wrong.
“Thank you for apologizing,” I said. “I just want to be very clear. Derek and I want you to be a part of Nicola’s life, but you will only be able to if you accept that trying to treat me as a business asset instead of a daughter was wrong and will never be okay. You can’t treat me that way or expect me to behave how you want me to just because it’s what you think is good for the family.”
“We understand,” my mother said, nodding. “We’re so sorry.”
With that, I invited them to stand by the nursery window and asked the nurses to bring the baby’s isolette close so they could see her. They cooed and gushed, and I knew it was the right thing to do to accept their apology and let them back into my life.
Our relationship wasn’t going to be fixed right away. I still hadn’t fully released the negative feelings toward them, even if I was trying, and trust was going to be an issue for a long time. But we were going to work it out. That was what family did. And in the end, that was what we all were now.