Love Under Construction

40. They're Depending On Me

Spencer's POV

"No, Pops! This can't be a M James exclusive. We're not announcing it until it's safe. So you need to relax." I say as I jog through the neighborhood.

"Is Liv having any cravings?" He asks.

"A little bit," I answer as I think about her constantly crunching ice during our ride back home from San Francisco. "Some ice."

"Ha! That's what your mom would always eat when she was pregnant with you." He reminisces excitedly.

"Oh yeah?" I question as I kick it into high gear in effort to improve my three mile running time.

"Yeah! And let me tell you, when those hormones kick in, you'll be ducking for cover." He adds as I try to catch my breath.

"It ain't the cravings I'm worried about, dad! I'm just scared." I admit and he goes silent for a few seconds. "I'm already feeling the pressure of having a family depend on me. I mean, Liv is already spending the money I signed on to make from this movie. She wants a house before our baby is born."

"That's natural. I mean, it's hard being a parent and husband. You wonder, all of the time, if you're doing it right." He agrees and I smile at his honesty.

"And I'm going to be honest, you'll be wrong most of the time because there's better always a better way to handle your relationship with your wife and kid. But we—- I mean you just have to keep working at it." He advises. "I mean, look at us! I didn't get it right with you or your siblings and your mom— it was plenty of days, I felt like I was doing more harm in you and their lives than good and—"

"—-And yet I wouldn't want fatherly advice from anybody else!" I cut him off and I can tell by his hesitation that he's choked up.

"You don't know how happy that makes me, son!"

"I don't know but life just seems to be in my favor, dad! I swear it still doesn't seem real some days!" I tell him, truthfully, as I sit down on the bench near my the building entrance. "You and I are the best of friends. My future wife is everything I've ever wanted in life. I really can't wait until we get to say 'I do'. And don't even let me get started on the fact that my first child will be here soon."

"And don't forget, that table read is tomorrow.—-Bravo, my boy!" My dad says genuinely and I smile. "Speaking of table read, tell me more about this next film you'll be working on."

"This young guy named Tigo is the director. And I'm set play a detective. It's like a murder mystery." I explain. "And with my baby on the way, this film couldn't come at a better time. Liv has her eyes set on this million dollar house in Chino Hills.—- Which means this project and all of the movies to come means a lot."

"A million dollars?" He asks in shock.

"Apparently she has quite a bit in a savings account her parents started back when she was working as a child." I admit. "But I told her that she shouldn't have to put the entire down payment down. And I wouldn't be okay if she did. So she agreed to let the money I have coming, be used as part of the down payment."

"Sounds like you two have big plans!" My dad says excitedly.

"We do!"

"I know you're looking for some big pep talk, but you already have all of the tools you need to be a provider son. Just make sure with every decision you make, you're putting your wife and child first." I nod as I digest what he's saying. "That's the advice I wish my father had time to give me."

My phone beeps and I look to see Olivia's name.

"That's my lady. I'll talk to you later, dad." I tell him before we hang up.