New Beginnings by E. L. Todd

lump in my throat.
    “But you have to promise me something, and you have to keep that promise even after I’m in the ground.”
    My eyes watered just thinking about it. “What?”
    He gave me a firm look. “Don’t ever let that happen again.” He didn’t look away or back down. “I mean it, Mike. The world can be cold and forgiving. It will chew you up and spit you back out like you’re worthless, but don’t ever give into it. Rise above it and be strong. You have a kid on the way. Everything has to change, Mike. You have to be the wall that kid needs. If something bad happens, you can’t just fall apart. No more being weak.”
    I couldn’t look at him anymore. “It won’t happen again, Dad.”
    “Promise me. Even if Cassandra leaves you for someone else or does something unspeakable, promise me you won’t behave that way again. I’m not always going to be there to help you, Mike.”
    I closed my eyes for a moment, hating myself for the way I acted when Cassandra broke my heart. I became a man I despised. Before, I used to be that way because I didn’t know what else to do. But that time, I did it on purpose. I purposely sunk that low. I said and did unspeakable things. I wasn’t an honorable man like my father was. I brought him shame. My dad was a mountain you could never move. I needed to be the same way.
    “Promise me,” he said louder.
    “I promise,” I whispered.
    “And you better keep it.”
    “I will.”
    “Because you got two other people to think about now.”
    “I know, Dad.”
    He patted my shoulder. “And maybe more someday.”
    “I hope so.”
    He opened the door and got out. “Goodnight.”
    “Night.”
    “And Mike?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I’m very proud of you.” He gave me a serious look before he shut the door and walked back into the house.
    I took a deep breath then drove back home, thinking about everything my father said long and hard. I was going to be a dad. And I promised myself I would be the best father I could be—just like him.

8
    Sean
    I picked up a few pregnancy tests on my way home from work. I’d been working my ass off to knock up my wife but nothing had happened yet. I didn’t mind having sex with her all the time, but I wanted to have sex with her while she was pregnant. Now, that was hot.
    I came home and kissed my wife like I always did.
    “How was work?” she asked.
    I shrugged. “Whatever.” I opened the bag. “I got you a few pregnancy tests.”
    “I just had my period not too long ago.”
    “Just take one. It doesn’t hurt, right?”
    She gave me a firm look. “Sean, it’ll happen. Don’t stress about it.”
    “I’m not stressing,” I said. “I just want to make sure.”
    She took the bag and placed it on the counter. “I’ll take one in a little while.”
    “Take one now,” I said impatiently.
    She glared at me. “I can’t pee on command.”
    “Actually, you can. Everyone can.”
    “Well, I don’t have to pee right now.” She took a pan out of the oven and set it on the table.
    “What’s for dinner?” I asked.
    “Eggplant parmesan.”
    Scarlet made three vegetarian meals a week so my dad’s cholesterol wouldn’t go up. He was fairly healthy, but Scarlet was a stickler for that sort of thing.
    I looked at my watch. “Time for a quickie before dinner?”
    “It can wait.”
    I growled.
    “Don’t growl at me.” She had a playful smile on her lips.
    I grabbed her hip and pressed my mouth to her ear. I growled again.
    She tried to squirm out of my grasp but didn’t put up much of a fight. I liked playing games with her. She pretended to hate it but I knew she secretly loved it. “Stop.”
    I growled again. “You’re mine later. I’m going to eat you alive.”
    My dad came into the kitchen wearing a suit and tie.
    “Aren’t you a little dressed up for dinner?” I teased.
    “Actually, I won’t be joining you.” He fixed his Rolex. “But save me some for later.” He headed to the door.
    Where was my dad going?