As a result, I sympathize with the older man because this is obviously a huge shock. Yet, he’s overdoing it. As he sits on the couch, I can practically see the steam coming from his ears and his face looks red and mottled, like a kettle about to blow off its top.
“So tell me how your trio started,” Cyrus begins in a gravelly voice.
I look over at Bart and he nods slightly.
“I don’t know if you really need to know, Cyrus,” I say in a reasonable voice. “What good would it do? It’s enough that we love your daughter, and that nothing terrible has happened. If anything, this is a boon because Alyssa’s the recipient of two men’s love and not one.”
Cyrus lets out a rude snort.
“Please. Stop with the double the love bullshit. Now how the fuck did this start?”
“Daddy,” Alyssa begins, but the older man makes a cutting motion with his hand.
“Stop, and just tell me,” he snarls.
I shrug while exchanging another glance with Bart. Okay fine, if this guy has a heart attack, well at least we tried.
“I know this is a lot to handle for you right now, but a few months ago, Alyssa and I went to a party at Bart’s place. My buddy is a stand-up dude with his own business also in the woodworking space. We met, we jived, and things took off from there. We’ve been together for a few months now, actually.”
Cyrus’s eyes close and he pinches the bridge of his nose as if he’s in pain. Then his eyes fly open and he glares at his daughter.
“Did they force you?” he asks in a tight tone. “Be honest with me.”
Alyssa gasps, her eyes round.
“No, of course not! I’m a grown woman, Daddy. If anything I wanted to be with Bart and Liam, and initiated things. Well, not exactly initiate, but I was definitely into it from the very beginning. Nothing was forced on me at all.”
Cyrus pinches the bridge of his nose again as if a massive migraine is pounding in the back of his skull. But then his shoulders slump and he seems to shrink on the couch.
“Fine,” he says in an even tone before looking at us again. “It is what it is.”
Bart nods and fixes the older man with a look. “Your daughter is an amazing young woman, Mr. North, and you should be proud of her. She works hard at school, she’s funny, she’s kind, and she’s absolutely beautiful inside and out. Liam and I are in love with Alyssa, and to be honest, she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us. We only want to make her happy.”
Cyrus shoots his daughter an eagle-eyed look.
“And you’re happy with them?” he asks in a sharp tone. Alyssa nods with tears in her eyes.
“Yes, Daddy,” she whispers in a quiet voice. “I love Liam and Bart so much, and I’ve never been so happy before. You know that love comes in many forms, and I realize this isn’t a conventional relationship, but I adore these two men, and they love me too. Please, I’m asking for your understanding, okay? You don’t have to support our relationship, but at least don’t denounce it.”
Cyrus sighs again, sinking even further into the couch and shakes his head ruefully.
“You’re right, honey. I guess I had a knee-jerk reaction which was decidedly uncool, and I shouldn’t have flown off the handle like I did. You are a grown woman and I trust you to make the best decisions for yourself, and that means that if this is what you want, then this is what I want too. Your happiness means everything to me, Lissy, and I do support you.”
A big fat teardrop rolls down our girlfriend’s cheek. “Thank you, Dad,” she says in a small tone. “I appreciate it.”
The older man grabs his jacket and gets up to leave, but then he stops with another rueful smile.
“You know, it wouldn’t be fair of me to not support this relationship because I’m on my fourth marriage. A lot of people would look at that and say that a fourth marriage is already completely unconventional, not to mention ill-fated.”
My girlfriend’s eyes dance.
“And don’t forget that Josie is half your age too,” she chides. “Plus, you used to be married to her mom Marilyn, so you’re actually her former stepfather.”
I hear Bart let out a snort of disbelief on the other side, but shoot him a warning glance so that he stays mum. Obviously, Alyssa and her dad are on a roll here, and I want them to part on the best of terms.
“You’re right,” Cyrus sighs while struggling into his jacket. “You know what, honey? Forget everything I said because I’m hardly one to be preaching morals and values. If anything, I’m the one living on the edge so go to it,” he says with a wink. “You young people enjoy yourselves and I’ll be sure to drop the holier than thou attitude.”