chapter three

Ronnie's POV

Firstly, I am glad to be alive because for a minute there I was sure I was walking towards the light. Gosh! My dad would have been devastated if I didn’t wake up, I’m the only one he has after all. Poor dad, I wonder what he went through all because of me. Losing my mom was traumatic enough. He pretty much died that day. Anyway, I am so glad I left the hospital. There is just something about that place that makes you feel worse than you actually are. Maybe the hospital is somehow alive and likes to keep people sick or something. That can explain why it is so eerie. It can be a cool conspiracy theory, right?

For the first time in forever I slept in my big, warm and soft bed. I wasn’t hearing any beeping or smelling any medication. I was home and I missed it so much. I woke up early and decided to walk around a bit and stretch my legs. Everything in the house seemed the same except for a new shelf in the corner of the study. That wasn’t there the last time I was here. I went closer and scanned through the books. It was filled with books based on politics. I knew just then that this was my dad’s shelf. Why was it here? I guess he finally decided to bring his work home. Walking down stairs I was hit by the aroma of bacon and French toast. I couldn't resist and headed straight to the kitchen. I found my dad cooking. It was so weird to see him not in his work clothes and making breakfast? Usually Peter was the one who greeted me with breakfast. What is paps up to? He looked so serious and focused as though he was solving a very complicated problem. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Good morning, baby girl" my dad said looking up from what he was doing. He was trying to make a pretty pattern on the plate using fruits. Ten points for effort.

"Good morning, paps" I replied with a smile. Where is everyone? Even when I walked around I didn’t meet anyone. I wanted to go check outside when dad called.

"Breakfast is served. Grab a stool and enjoy" he said as he got a plate for himself. The meal was amazing I couldn't help but moan. Paps immediately turned to me.

"What was that?" My he glared and I chuckled.

"This is so good paps. How come I never knew you could cook." I kept mumbling and making more sounds whilst my dad stared at me with amazement and concern. A smile played on his lips as he listened. I kept talking about the hospital and the people that I met. “There was this really mean nurse that always gave me the stink eye when I commanded her around. She hated me but that only fuelled my need to make her suffer. Like father like daughter, right dad? Muwahahahahahahahaha!” I looked back at him with my devious smile expecting him to laugh with me when I noticed a tear slid down his cheek. A frown immediately formed on my lips. "Dad is something wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

"No dear, nothing is wrong. Everything is perfectly fine" he quickly said wiping off the tears that had run free. "It’s just that, I'm sorry that I had been so busy and never had time for you. I'm the only one you have left and instead of me being there I occupied myself with work-"

"Hush dad!" I cut him off, " You're here now so let's make the best of it."

“No, I need to say this. Please just listen to me, it might be too much but I need you to hear it. I know that it was hard for you too. I know that you suffered too. I know that your mom’s shortcomings and death broke you too. I was a coward. I wasn’t there for you when you needed it. I didn’t lend you my shoulder to cry on or hug you to sleep every night. I wasn’t the father that you grew up with and loved during that time. Instead, I was a mere shadow or ghost. I let other people fill in the gap that I was supposed to and for that I apologize. I wasn’t there when you went for therapy, or when you where in hospital after trying to harm yourself. I wasn’t there even on the day of the accident. I was never there.” I was already sobbing by the time. Why was he saying all this now? I have been trying to move past this but he just had to bring it up. “I know you want to act like it never happened but it did. I was a terrible dad and I will own it. You have every right to hate me, hit me and curse me because I deserve it.”

“No paps, don’t say that. Yes, in the beginning I did resent you for leaving me but I don’t now. I needed you and you disappeared from my life. Yes, that was terrible but I don’t blame you. If I was you just maybe I’d have done the same.”

“Really?”

“No!” I joked causing him to chuckle. “You might have left but I wasn’t alone. I had Peter who lent me a shoulder to cry on. I had Foxy who listened to my every need and took the role of a mother. Hazel was my distraction and my source of joy. Then there was Andy, he was all and more in one. He even took your role and hugged me to sleep every night.” I smiled as I reminisced despite still having tears rolling down my cheeks.

“It seems you didn’t really need me after all.” Paps sighed wiping off the last of his tears. “but I’m still staying. I will be with you and never leave you ever again. I want to be your father again despite you being all grown up and independent. Will you let me?”

“Duhhh! Like you had to ask. I missed you and I want to stay with me.” We hugged and it just felt right. I had missed this. “Anyway, let’s start afresh by finishing breakfast and maybe we can hang out later.”

"You're right" he smiled.

"I'm always right" I said with a smirk.

"Are you now?" He asked with a questioning gaze that earned him a punch in the shoulder.

"How dare you doubt me!" I said in putting my hand over my heart. Then the door bell rung and I ran to door.

"What do you want to watch?" I asked Andy as he walked in the room with the popcorn. He scrunched up his face in thought. He looked really cute when he did that. He also looked cute in these little turquoise shorts he was wearing.

"Anything. You choose" he said with a small smile. With that I looked at him with a mischievous grin. I was really hoping he'd say that. "What's with the face Ro? What are you up to?" He asked folding his arms.

"Come here" I patted on the space right next to me. When he sat the movie began. Halfway through the movie Andy and I both slept. He was leaning on my shoulder whilst I was leaning on his head. We both woke up to the smell coming from the kitchen.

We both rushed to the kitchen and helped ourselves the food that was prepared by my dad. He gave us both smiles before he continued to rinse the dishes. "How was the movie?" Dad asked

"Oh, uhm I slept" apologized Andy

"It was okay" I lied. I couldn't even remember what the movie was about. What was I thinking putting such a lame movie? I act dumb sometimes.

"So how did it end?" Andy asked with a smirk. I knew he asked deliberately. He could always tell when I'm lying after all. I gave him a glare before I replied.

"Uhm..." I started. "So, the guy... the main dude...he uhm saves the princess and they run away together."

"Really?" My dad questioned, "Weren't you watching an action movie?" He stopped what he was doing and turned faced me with furrowed eyebrows. I looked over at Andy and he mouthed 'busted'. Well there goes my trail of lies. I looked back at my dad with a guilty smile and we all broke out laughing.

It has been three weeks since I left the hospital. I feel as good as new, well not exactly. School has opened and everyone is busy. Dad had a few errands to run today so I was all alone in this big house. Since I am not allowed to go to school and I have run out of things to do at home. I am so bored. I wanted to text Andy to come over but he's at school. I need something to do. Anything. Right on queue I heard the door close. I guess I’m not alone anymore.

After a few minutes the door of my room slightly opened. "Ronnie, you in here?" I dad called out.

"Yup" I signed.

"Where - what are you doing on the floor?" he asked whilst letting himself in.

"I'm enjoying the view from down here" I replied in a bored tone.

"How good is the view?"

"Dad. I was being sarcastic. I'm bored okay." I answered with frustration.

"I know dear but this is for your own good. You need to stay where I can keep an eye on you." I know he was right but a little freedom wouldn't hurt right? I just got an idea.

"Why don't you take me with you? That way I can at least be outside and you can still keep an eye on me." I said.

"Hmmmmmm, But the doctor said- "

"C'mon dad it's just one day. Please" I made my cutest pouty face and kept saying please until he agreed. "Yes!" I shouted triumphantly. I got my coat and we were on our way.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we walked out of the house.

“I first have to type and send an email to inform everyone to come back to work. Maybe then you’ll have some people to talk to around here. After that we can enjoy our hang out.”