This Time Forever by Adrienne Williams Page B

“Okay, Dad,” Kayla said, What time do you want us to be here?”  Kayla had started referring to Elliott as “Dad” recently.  It was quite unexpected.   He had picked her up at the University one day for lunch.  While they were enjoying a slice of pizza, Elliott was telling her that while Mikhail seemed to be a very nice young man with a good future ahead of him, that he didn’t want her to get too serious too fast.   She asked him quietly, “Do you think you and Mom got too serious too fast?”  He was taken aback by her question.  He thought about it before he answered her.  “We were so young and things were a little different then.   I don’t think we got too serious too fast.”  Kayla could see that Elliott was uncomfortable with her question so she said, “Well, Dad, don’t worry.  I’m not looking to settle down like that any time soon.”  They both realized what she had just called him.  They didn’t make a big deal of it, but they knew it was a big deal and they felt good about it.  Matthew had not gone as far as referring to Elliott as “Dad,” rather he stuck with calling him “Elliott.”  Matthew had let his guard down quite a bit.  He no longer felt that Elliott was there to hurt Renee, and actually was starting to figure out that Elliott still had feelings for her.  Lena and Ben had helped Matt to understand things a little better, and that sometimes things are not always so cut and dry.   A major breakthrough in their relationship came when Matt challenged Elliott to a game of basketball.  Matt teased him about being pretty good for an old man.  Elliott laughed and told him that old school would always have the upper hand on new school.  When the game was over, Matt asked “So when you came here, you just wanted to see E and meet Liza, and then hook up with Mom?”   Elliott replied, “Yes, I did want to see E and meet his family.  I did not come here to hook up with your mother.   I did want to see her and see how she was doing, see if she was happy.  I would never do anything to hurt her.”  Matt reminded him of how he had yelled at her that day in his office.   “Yeah, I have regretted doing that practically since it happened.  But you have to understand.  I was shocked and hurt.  I had no clue as to why she would do that to me because I loved her so much.   After your grandmother told me what happened, I understood why she did it.”   They sat on the hardwood floor at the gym in silence for a bit longer before Matt stood up and extended his hand to Elliott to help him up.  “Still love her.  You said you loved her, but you still love her.”  They were both standing now.   Elliott didn’t answer.   There was no need.
     
    Elliott had called Dennis prior to going for his visit.   When they pulled into the driveway, Dennis and Sharon were already coming out of the house to greet them.  First, they hugged and kissed Matt and Kayla, and then Dennis gave Elliott firm handshake and introduced him to Sharon.  “It’s been way too long, Mr. St. Claire.  It’s really good to see you again.”   Dennis agreed and said, “This is my wife, Sharon.”  Sharon smiled warmly at Elliott.  “It’s nice to meet you.  I’ve heard so much about you.”  There was a moment of uncomfortable silence until Matt said, “Sharon, did you make lemon squares.”  Matt had always loved Sharon’s lemon squares and when she knew that he was coming to visit, she always made sure to have plenty on hand.  “Of course.  In the refrigerator on the bottom shelf.”  Matt made a beeline to the kitchen to grab one of the delicious squares.  Meanwhile, Dennis said to Kayla, “You get prettier and prettier every time I see you.  How’s school treating you?”  They chatted for a while her final classes and her on-campus job.  Dennis said “You’re a real smart girl, Kayla, just like Renee.”  Sharon said, “We’re just so proud of you and