Silently Falling

Chapter Nineteen (Edited 10/9/2020)

Halfway to 1k votes! Thank you guys for being so dedicated to this story and loving it as much as you do, it means a lot :)

10/9/2020 - You finally get to meet Mr. Winters :) Originally, I had a bonus chapter about him coming home that I have since lost. I recall his name being something with a C, but since I can't find that chapter nor can I fully remember, I basically have re-written his character. 

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I wasn't able to get much sleep last night. After West left, thoughts swirled around my head all night and I only got an hour or two of shut eye. Some of it is partly due to the anxiety I feel towards my dad coming home this morning. 

A knock at the door spikes that anxiety as I quickly glance out the window of my bedroom and see an Uber drive off. Marcus Winters is home. 

Getting out of bed, I go downstairs and try to calm my pounding heart. I haven't seen my dad in over two weeks, and last time he was home it was only for a few days. 

The sound of the door unlocking fills my ears as I jump down the final step, noting that Toby and Gray are still passed out on the couch where West dropped them last night. Seconds later, dad walks inside with a small luggage bag. He first notices Toby and Gray in the living room, and I see him pause for a second or two as he takes in the sight. Then, he chuckles with a small head shake and fully comes inside, closing the door behind him.

He then glances my way and almost instantly a huge smile breaks out on his face. He's never been one to smile with his teeth, since when he grew up his family didn't have the money to provide him braces, but his close-mouthed smiles have always been enough to convey his happiness. 

He sets his luggage down as he smiles at me, opening his arms as I hesitantly walk closer.

"There's my girl."

"Hi dad." 

And even though I harbor resentment for the way he's chosen to raise me and Toby, I can't hide the warmth in my heart from seeing him. I go into his open arms and revel in the familiar feeling of his fatherly hug. He holds me for a few moments, squeezing me tight before we pull apart. 

"I missed you, sweetheart," he signs. 

My face melts into a warm smile when he signs his greeting back. A part of me was worried he would have forgotten a lot of ASL with how long he's been away and how little he and I have FaceTimed. 

"You too, dad." 

"So, do I dare ask why those two are passed out on the couch?" He asks as he picks up his luggage.

I chuckle, "Let's just say that they had a fun night."

Dad chuckles, "Well come on, have you had breakfast?"

I shake my head and he starts on his way to the kitchen.

"There's this amazing bagel place down the road from my apartment in New York. I was spending so much money there every morning that I ended up perfecting their breakfast bagel to make for myself, come on I'll make it for you."  

His mention of New York turns my mood a little sour and the sweet feelings of him coming home begin to disperse as I remember that he's never here. This is his first time home this month. I eye the stairs, debating just going back to my room, but West's final words to me last night flash across my mind.