Page 133 of Burning for You

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I’m sorry this happened to you, Ro.”

“I’ll be fine, Dad.” I wipe Dad’s face—he’s still attempting to disguise his tears!

Albert then turns to Levi. “I’m sorry for what I said to you that night. I should’ve trusted my instincts. You are a good man, Levi.”

“Don’t mention it,” Levi says.

“Where’s Mom?”

“She’s coming tomorrow. She’s still with Auntie Rose, she just came out of surgery. She’s okay.” He then comes to Levi’s side. “Thanks for protecting and saving my daughter.”

“I’ll do anything for her,” Levi says. “Anything.”

Dad pats Levi on the shoulder. “Thank goodness. Because I really don’t know what to do with this crazy daughter of mine.” He smirks.

After our tears run dry and our laughs trail off, Levi looks at me.

I nod. “You can tell him.”

Levi says to Dad, “We’re expecting.”

I’ve never seen my dad burst out in tears. He hugs me again, and showers me with kisses like I was his two-year-old girl whom he hadn’t seen in years. “God, I can’t wait to tell your mom.” He looks at Levi. “I hope those tattoos aren’t hereditary.”

“I can assure you, no,” Levi says.

“Tattooed dads are just like other dads, only cooler,” I say. “And if our kid wants to follow suit, there’ll be nothing wrong, right?”

“I told Levi that night that his tattoos look incredible,” Dad says.

I raise an eyebrow.

Dad adds, “But please, one step at a time. A tattooed grandkid?” He shakes his head.

I kiss my dad and give him my honest daughter gaze, making up for the rebellious years I threw at him. Most of the time he was right, and I was too proud to agree with him.