Letting Go
by Rhiannon and AJ
Jennifer sat with her head on her father's shoulder, letting the rain fall
down on her. She was still very angry with him ... but ... seeing him sitting
at the back of the church ... when he should have been giving her away had
made her heart melt. She reached her other arm around her father and held him
tightly.
Jed wrapped his arms around his daughter, grateful to have her in his arms
once again. "I'm so proud of you... You were so beautiful standing up there
with Toby..."
"Thanks Dad," Jennifer replied quietly. She paused for a moment and then took
a deep breath, "Dad?"
"Yes, baby?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
Jennifer nodded, "Why?"
Jed took a deep breath, "I don't think I could ever give you an explanation
that would ever be good enough, Jenn."
"Try," was his daughter's response.
Jed nodded, "Your Mom was away so much ... and then I met Meredith ... and
she made up for the loneliness... And then I thought I was falling in love
with her... I bought into this fantasy... And that's all it was... a
fantasy... And I paid a high price... I lost the most important person in my
life... I lost my best friend, my daughters ... my granddaughters ... and
I've deserved it all..."
Jennifer could feel the tears beginning to form in her own eyes as she
listened to her father.
"But... I had thirty-two wonderful years with your mother. And I've got the
memories of those years ... and now, that's what's important."
"Do you love her?"
"Your mother?"
"Yes."
"So much it hurts."
Jennifer nodded, "I'm glad you came, Dad."
"Me too, baby."
"I'm sorry I was so mean to you..." Jennifer trailed off. "And... I'm sorry I
cut you out of Marrah and my life."
"It's okay," Jed said, kissing the top of her head. "I deserved all of it ...
and much, much more."
"Daddy?" Jennifer said, using the name she reserved for special occasions.
"Would you come back inside, please?"
"Jenn... I don't think that would be a good idea..." Jed began.
"Please, Daddy?" Jennifer asked, quietly. "I still haven't danced with my
father ... it's my wedding day, after all. Aren't fathers and daughters
supposed to dance together?"
"Yeah..." Jed replied, his eyes filling with tears. "They are indeed."
"Then come back in..."
"I'm all wet."
"So, what? So am I."
Jed smiled for the first time in a long time, "Okay ... let's go."
As they walked back inside, Jennifer turned to her father, "I love you Daddy."
"And I love you, my girl."
TBC…