Ava hung back, letting them talk for a few minutes, hoping against all hope this would go well. William made a point to look both of them in the eye as he shook their hands and apologised for his previous attitude towards homosexuals, then offered his gratitude for inviting him into their home despite it.
As Ruben led William into the kitchen, Chris waited for Ava and leaned down so he was whispering in her ear. “I can see where you get those eyes from. Fuck, your dad’s cute.”
She slapped his chest and tried to hide her smile but failed. Chris was trying to settle her nerves. Let bygones be bygones. It was brave of her dad to show up in a place where he might not have been warmly received. He was trying to make amends, and the gesture was noticed.
She hadn’t asked the boys to be there but they were. Like tigers protecting and watching over their cub as they made room for him at the kitchen table and sat down.
Ava sat a little straighter in her seat. “I want to help.”
“OK,” her dad replied. “OK, good.”
“You sound relieved?” Ava asked.
“I am. I was worried I had lost my only chance with you by making decisions for you. The same way we did when we went to him in the first place. I hope this means I haven’t. And I’m grateful. You can make a huge difference here. Save others from what you went through.”
“What if we don’t win?”
“We will. I have faith. The jury will see what he’s done. I know it. They can’t deny us.”
“Oh yes, they can. You’d be surprised. He’s a well-known and respected doctor, I bet he’ll have plenty of people willing to defend him.” Ruben muttered.
“He may, but I think Ava’s courage can make a difference. She’s pretty respected herself these days.”
“Now that Ava is attached to it, it will blow up even more.” Chris replied. “That could be good. It could also be bad.”
“It might sound naive but let’s not forget we have right on our side.”
Her father was right. It did sound naive but she replied, “Let’s hope that’s enough.” There was a huge chunk of silence after that, only broken when Ava looked from man to man, finally settling on her father.
“Thank you, though, for doing this. Facing this risk. I mean, when he finds out you’re involved, he could press charges for the assault.”
“I’m prepared for that. I only wish I could’ve done more. I wish I...” William cut himself off, seeminging to really consider his words and looked at her boys. “I need to thank the two of you, here and now. From the bottom of my heart, for taking care of Ava when I should’ve. You were better fathers to her than I was. I’ll be forever grateful to both of you.”
“It’s been our pleasure,” Chris replied as he reached over and squeezed her hand. “She’s been a blessing.”
“And I want you all to know I don’t plan on interfering. I’m not trying to break up your family. I know I have no right to demand anything. I just hope Ava and I can get back to where we once were.”
“So do I,” Ava replied gently, “but it’s going to take time.”
“I understand,” William nodded. “Well, that’s it from me. I’ll be in touch before the trial, but you know you can call me anytime.”
William shook hands with the boys, and there was a brief moment where he almost shook Ava’s. He looked like he wanted to hug her or kiss her but was holding himself back. Trying not to push her. It tugged at her heart, and despite all of her talk of time, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around his waist. His breath hitched, then he sighed and pulled her closer as he pressed a quick kiss to the top of her head. Breaking apart, they both avoided making eye contact.
“Well um, I’ll just...” he said as he nodded and turned toward the door.
“Dad,” Ava said, keeping her gaze down for a minute, wondering how he would respond to her question, but looking up to ask it anyway. “Did you want to come and watch me train sometime?”
He gave her that warm smile she remembered from when he would tuck her in long after her mother had demanded she go to bed.
“Absolutely.”
29
“Please tell me you’re kidding,”Veronica said, her phone pressed hard against her face.
“Nope,” Max replied. The joy in his voice was hard to stomach and impossible to mistake. “They called me. Her trainers. I’ve also got written confirmation via email. It’s legitimate. She’s answered your challenge.”
“What challenge? It wasn’t a fucking challenge! All I said was a rematch would only ever happen if she wanted it.”