Here you go! Enjoy. 🙂
Droman entered the large wooden doors into the sitting room, where a young man sat by the fire. Droman started. “Still here?” He said with surprise.
The young man rose to face him. “Yes. And where is Talice?”
“Asleep. Poor thing. She was completely exhausted.”
“Yes, poor thing is right. What were you thinking, driving her to act that way? Did you think you could really just ask her such a personal question like that and expect her to give an immediate answer? Without reacting? Really sir. If I may be so bold-”
“That’s enough. I know what I did was wrong without you barging in acting like you’re her father. In fact, last I checked, I was. Now, don’t you think you’ve been away from your own bed long enough?” Droman gestured to the door.
The man nodded curtly, rose, and bidding goodnight, departed.
Droman sighed, dropping into an armchair. He put his hand to his head and remained motionless, thinking to himself.
How long he had sat like that, he didn’t know. After a time, he heard a soft step at the doorway. Raising his head, he beheld his daughter, still in her purple gown.
“I thought you were sleeping,” He said softly, rising from his chair.
“I was, but I woke to the call of nature, then remembered I hadn’t said goodbye to- well, you know who.”
“So you came down to see if he was still here?”
She smiled “No, I actually came down to make sure he was gone. I wanted to talk to you.”
“What about?”
She sighed. “I want to talk about tonight. I wanted to apologize for my reaction this evening. I know I should have been more mature. Please forgive me.”
“Darling, I should be the one apologizing. I should not have spoken to you in that way.”
“No, I understand now. I shouldn’t have been that impulsive and opinionated. We should have thought about it first. He- Michael – should not have responded to you in that way either. I am going to tell him not to return. If he can’t respect your word, I can’t respect him.”
“Thank you for taking initiative with that dear. I would have told you that same thing, but it appears I have taught you well.”
Droman took his daughter in his arms and pressed her to his chest.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, papa.”
He released her and looked her over.
“I can’t believe my little girl is all grown up. I am sorry you haven’t had a mother these last few years. I know I cannot replace her tender love. Now, dear girl, let us go to our poor neglected beds.”
Talice laughed.
“I agree. See you tomorrow.”
Thus saying, the parted ways and went to bed.