Eve POV

It's two days before thanksgiving and Harry has been working late the past few nights. He says it's to make sure he doesn't fall behind, but I don't know.

It's Tuesday afternoon and I'm at home. I took a sick day off because I don't feel well. I can use this time to rest and relax. I feel like I'm getting a cold, which I don't want to get, especially now.

Harry told me he'll be home around two to check on me. I told him he didn't have to but he insisted on coming by.

I lay down in bed and close my eyes.

Harry POV

I sit at the diner with Eve's father who invited me out for lunch. He said he wants to get to know me better. I didn't argue or deny his offer to go out for lunch. This is the kindest he's acted towards me.

"Is Eve at work?" Her father asks me.

"No, she's at home. She took a sick day off because she didn't feel well. Around two I was going to check on her," I explain briefly.

"She always gets sick around this time, and she becomes real stubborn about it," I smile at his words and stir my coffee with a spoon. "So, how's it going with being in a relationship with my daughter?" His voice lowers and his light brown eyes stare at me.

"Good," I say. "You've raised a wonderful daughter." I compliment.

"Thank you," Her Father's eyes stare at me.
"Is your relationship with your Mom good?" Patrick asks me.

"No," I say. "It's complicated." Eve's Father nods and sips his coffee.

"Has Eve met your family?"

"She has," I say. "Twice," I add.

"That's good," He murmurs. "Sorry if I seem like a hard ass sometimes, it's a mixture between me being protective of my daughter and my inner marine," Her father says to me.

"No, you're fine." I say. "I would act the same if my daughter was still alive and got into boys when she's older," I find myself blurting out.

Patrick's eyes stare at me and his head tilts. "You had a daughter?"

"I did," I answer. "And a wife," I say.

"They both passed?" He asks timidly.

"Yeah." I say with a small sigh.

"May I ask how old was your daughter?"

"She was three, turning four in two months," I reply. I sip my coffee and look back to Eve's dad who has softer eyes.

"It's always hard losing a child," Patrick says. At least he can relate to me since he lost his wife and son. "How long ago has it been since their passing?"

"Seven years now," I answer.

It made seven years in September. I wasn't with Eve then, we were on our break. So, on that day I just spent it all in bed reliving that night where my family died.

Elena's birthday is at the end of the month. She would've been ten, which makes me sad. I missed so many big moments with her.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Eve's Dad says to me.

"Yours too," I say. He smiles weakly and stares down at his coffee. "May I ask what Eve was like as a child?" I've always wanted to know what she was like as a little kid or even as a child.

"Of course," This topic makes him seem happy. "She was very caring, like she is now. When Eve was nine, she brought home this stray cat that was all starved looking and weak. She bathed her, fed her, and put a towel around the cat to stay warm. I came back home from work and saw Eve on the couch with this cat. All she said to me was, 'she needs a home'.

I couldn't afford a pet at the time, I couldn't even afford raising all of my children. If I had the money I would've kept the cat, but i didn't. The next day we went to an animal shelter and told them we found this cat and they took him in. Eve visited the cat everyday. After work she'd ask me to go to the shelter to see Mittens, that's what she named her. I didn't argue, it was the least I can do. Then one day Mitten's wasn't there anymore. She got adopted. Eve wasn't sad or anything, she just smiled and said 'she has a home now'."

Her father has a smile on his mouth while telling me the story. "She's always had that instinct about her to care. That's why I think one day she'll make an amazing Mom."

I smile weakly and glance to my lap. "Do you know why she always likes to help people or animals?" I ask her Father.

"Her Mom, I believe. They used to do a lot of volunteering together. One was at a Foster Centre not to far from here. Every Monday and Friday Eve and her Mom would be there hanging out with the kids and helping the staff. Then every Thanksgiving in the afternoon they'd go to a shelter for homeless people and feed them."

"She still volunteers at the Foster Centre," I inform her Dad. "And she told me that in the afternoon on Thanksgiving she'd be at a shelter giving homeless people food," I add.

Her Father smiles to himself and stirs his coffee. "It's good to know she still does that after all these years,"

"Were her and her Mom close?" I ask.

"Very," Patrick replies. "I never saw them apart. They'd always be cooking together or watching TV, even cleaning. They also did like crafts and tea parties. So when she died, I was worried about Eve. She didn't understand that her Mom died until she asked me why she hasn't been home in a few days. Then I explained to her why and she cried."

"Were you in the Marines at the time Eve's Mom passed?"

"I was. I went in when Eve was four and I was supposed to stop when she was ten; then I got the call and everything changed. My son, Charlie was the one who found her. He was also the one who died."

"Was it because he found her?" I ask.

"I don't know. He didn't leave a note or even show any signs that he was sad. I was surprised and heart broken that I lost my son. He was more of the dorky side. Daren was into sports and so was Ethan. Mason played sports but not for the school, but he was mostly into hanging out with friends around town and what not. Charlie was into school and video games. He was also amazing at playing the piano. He was home a lot so he and Eve would hangout most of the time. So, they were close."

"Now it seems like Mason and Eve are close," I observe.

"Mason is more sensitive out of Daren and Ethan. So after Charlie died he didn't want Eve to become upset or think about how he died so he would always be home when Eve would get out of school. He did the girly things with her so the three of us didn't have to. I still had my nails painted every once and a while but Mason was the one who played barbies with her, baked, that sort of stuff.

All my sons are amazing, even though in their father and I have to say it, I do mean it. They did anything to make their sister smile and that is always something that makes me look back at our hard times and smile," Patrick stops speaking and drinks the remaining of his coffee.

"What's your wife's name?" I ask.

"Wendy," Patrick tells me with a soft grin.

We continue talking about Eve and her childhood and he soon asks me about how I grew up. I explain to him that I was born in England and moved here when I was a kid and ever since then my life has been okay. I've made friends easily, one of them is Liam who is still my best friend, and I was fortunate enough to not worry about bills or anything.

Talking to Eve's Dad was nice, after he opened up a bit. I was surprised that he acted kind towards me at all if I'm being honest.

When the bill came we both reached for the check. We argued for a bit, I of course wanted to pay. Patrick said that he wanted to pay and we went back and forth for a while.

I eventually gave up and let him pay, but I'm payed the tip because I at least can do that.

Currently we're walking to the parking lot. We stop by my BMW and Patrick's stares at my car. "Wow, you got a nice car," He compliments.

"Thanks," I say.

"Way to show up in style," Patrick chuckles. "Uh, I just want to say something about Eve which you should know. She can become very pushy about things. One of them is family. You seem to not really be involved with your family, which personally I understand. I hated my Mom and didn't get a long well with my sister. Then my wife on the other hand loved her family.

She had like five brothers and always wanted to be around them. Every Sunday she would go to dinner at her Moms house to be around her brothers and parents. I didn't understand because I didn't even want to see my family once a month. So, Eve doesn't understand that not everyone has a family that like each other. Just don't let it all stir in you. Be honest with her saying you don't want to go to a dinner your sister is hosting and what not. Doing it for my daughter won't make you happy and that will cause issues, coming from experience." Eve's Dad tells me.

"You don't like your Mom?" I ask.

"Yeah," He says in a sigh. "Wendy got pregnant with Daren when we were around 19? 20? And uh, my Mom kicked me out for being irresponsible and knocking my girlfriend up. I resented my Mom for that and ever since I didn't get a long with her."

"Did you still go to college?"

"I dropped out so I and support at the time my girlfriend, and my son. That wasn't my best choice, but I had to do what I had to do. I made sure Wendy still went to college though so we can have some form of money when we're older. Then when she died I didn't have that money that stabilised our family, you know? I went to the marines because that would give us money when I'm out and benefits so Wendy didn't have to work so hard."

"Did you find jobs easily?"

"No," Patrick tells me. "My buddy Seth hooked me up some times by letting me work at his autoshop,"

My head tilts. "The shop up by uh upstate New York? Kind of in the middle?" I ask.

"Yeah," Eve's Dad nods.

"My Uncle owns the shop," I mention.

"How about that, small world. Did you ever work there?"

"When I was fifteen to around twenty, yeah."

"Hm, maybe we worked together at some point,"

"Maybe," I say.

I didn't know how similar Patrick's past was to mine. This is all weird to me, I didn't expect him to understand what I went through.

"Anyways, I'll let you get back to your busy life," Patrick says while running his hand over his head.

"I'll be getting home to check on Eve," I say.

"Tell her I hope she feels better then," I nod with a gentle smile.

"Thanks for lunch," I say.

"Thanks for going. I'm surprised you said yes considering I've been a jackass to you," He chuckles causing me to grin.

"I understand why you were," I say honestly. "You thought John was some different guy that should be with Eve,"

"Still, I should've accepted it better. I just didn't want Eve to settle for anyone, you know?" My answer is a nod. "John's still in jail right?"

"Yeah. He has four years," I reply.

"Only four?"

"Most are for breaking and entering, and stalking."

"Not for any of the stuff he did to Eve?" Patrick asks.

"One, and that was spousal abuse. That was the only thing Eve could prove that John did to her," I explain.

"Oh," He seems disappointed.

"I'm worried when the four years are up, Eve will become more anxious again," I admit.

"Maybe he'll finally get the hint that she doesn't want him," Patrick says. He lets out a sigh. "Thank you for uh, you know, caring about her the way she should be cared for. I don't think most guys would go through the stalker ex boyfriend and what not for their girlfriend." He says with soft eyes.

"You don't need to thank me. It wasn't a struggle to do," I say honestly.

Her dad just nods with a gentle grin. "Did you want kids?" I find myself asking.

"Yes, and no. I didn't know if I'd be a good Dad because I didn't have one, he left when I was around three. And babies never liked me, I never liked them. But uh, you don't want kids until you find the person you want then with, and I did." Patrick tells me with a soft smile.

We soon finish our conversation after a few minutes, and go our own ways.

I get into my car and check my phone. It's 1:45 now. I should make it home by 2.

***

When I walk into the house, it's silent. Doug greets me by jumping on my legs and panting. I kneel down and pet his head and rub behind his ears.

After a while I go to our bedroom and see Eve cuddled into a ball sleeping. I smile at her and walk over to my dresser to take out some clothes to wear. I change into sweatpants and a white tee shirt, then I climb into bed.

I look at Eve who looks peaceful. I stroke her cheek with my thumb and kiss her forehead. I pull the blankets up to her shoulders and adjust her pillow.

Her sleeping self moves closer towards me and her head presses against my chest. I smile down at my girlfriend and wrap my arms around her. I murmur I love you against her skin and close my eyes. I soon fall asleep.

***

When I wake up the room is dark. Her body is still pressed against mine.

"Good morning," I hear Eve murmur.

"Good morning," I say in a chuckle. "Do you know what time it is?"

"Six," She answers.

"Jesus," I murmur. "How long have you been up?"

"A few minutes," My girlfriend says in a yawn. "How was your day?"

"Good. I went out to lunch with your Dad. He said he hopes you feel better."

She stares at me with confused eyes. "You hung out with my Dad?"

"Yeah, he asked me to go to lunch with him," I say.

"Was he mean again?" She asks.

"No, he was nice," I admit. "I think he likes me,"

She smiles tiredly and presses her head against my chest. "Good," Eve says. "He's finally come around,"

I run my fingers through her hair. "How are you feeling?"

"Eh," She admits. "I feel gross,"

"You look beautiful though," Eve nudges me causing a smile to appear on my lips. "I'm going to make you some soup,"

"I don't need soup,"

"Yes you do. Chicken noodle soup always helps," I hum. I kiss the top of her head and Eve's eyes glance up at me.

"I love you,"

"I love you too," I peck her lips. I get out of bed a few moments later to make her soup.

A://N

Longer chapterrrr

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~lauren