Chapter 75
Chelsea nervously fiddled with her bag as she stood outside the professor’s office while Kevin leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. He had tagged along not wanting to waste a second with her and to help calm her down.
“Miss Whitlock, Professor Bly is ready for you,” came the voice of the secretary from the door of the office.
Chelsea jumped and Kevin shook his head. “Calm down, Chels,” he said as he pushed himself upright. “You’re ready for this.”
“Are you going to wait for me?”
“I can’t, sweetheart. I have my meeting with your dad at three and I still have to get there. I’ll meet you at the hotel and we’ll get some dinner.” Kevin saw the uneasiness and he moved to her, put his hands on the side of her face, and made her look at him. “Chelsea, everything will be okay. Take a deep breath, and go in there. You’ll be fine!”
“But….”
Stopping her with a kiss, Kevin held on to her for a long minute. “Go show them what you know and text me when you’re done.”
Chelsea gave him a smile, “Thank you.”
“See you at the hotel.”
Chelsea gave Kevin another quick kiss and headed inside.
“Miss Whitlock, this exam will cover all your classes and when you are done, that’s it,” explained Professor Bly. “You have five hours to complete the exam.”
With that, Chelsea looked over the test booklet and settled in to complete it. All thoughts of Kevin, Alex, and her father were pushed out of her mind so that she could focus on the goal she had set for herself when Annie was born.
Five hours later, Chelsea set her pen down, closed the booklet, and handed it to Professor Bly. “How long before I can find out the results?”
“Tomorrow. Call around mid-morning.” Looking at his favorite student, the professor said, “You’ve worked hard, Chelsea. Relax. I’m sure you did fine.”
“Thank you.”
Chelsea was exhausted and her head ached. All she wanted to do was go back to the hotel, get something to eat, get a hot shower, and curl up in her bed. She wanted Alex to hold her but she’d insisted he stay on tour.
Stepping into the almost deserted hallway, she dug through her purse searching for her phone. She had to let Kevin know she was done and she needed a cab. She was so preoccupied that she missed the two men standing near the front entrance.
Kevin stepped to her and took her hands. “No need to text me, baby. I’m here.”
Startled, Chelsea looked up into his eyes and felt the tears spring forth. “How did you know I was still here?”
“You hadn’t sent me a text,” grinned Kevin knowing she was exhausted.
Chelsea blushed. “How long have you been waiting for me?”
“An hour, I guess. Now, close your eyes.”
Chelsea looked at him, “Kevin, you’re good but not THAT good.”
“You made a wish about two weeks ago. Don’t underestimate me. Now close your eyes.”
Closing her eyes, Chelsea said, “Okay!”
Kevin moved behind her, put his arms around her, and whispered, “Open them now.”
Chelsea opened her eyes and in front of her stood her father. “Daddy?”
He gave her a tentative smile, “You’re still calling me ‘daddy’?”
Kevin whispered, “Go hug him.”
For seven years, Chelsea had wanted nothing more than to go to her father, to hug him, and to smell his cologne. She really didn’t need Kevin’s prompt. She rushed to her father who took her into his arms gladly.
Major Whitlock’s tears fell into her hair as he held the child who’d become a woman seven years ago. He’d never stopped loving her and he’d punished himself for turning his back on her. Now, having her in his arms was more than he’d ever hoped for.
“I’m so sorry, Daddy. I’m sorry for disappointing you!” she cried.
“Oh baby girl…. You haven’t really disappointed me. You have become a fine lady, all on your own. I’m the one who did the disappointing. I should never had judged you because of one mistake…one that I’d made too. Can you find it in your heart to forgive a stubborn old marine?”
Chelsea looked up at her father with a wet smile. “Stubborn marine…yes. Old, no. Daddy, I love you and yes, I can forgive you.”
He hugged her tight again as he said, “We have a lot to talk about. You know what today is, don’t you?”
“It’s the day I walked out.” Chelsea pulled back and looked at her father. “Daddy, I did some things I’m not proud of but…”
“Stop, baby girl. We can talk about it later. Right now, I’d like to take you and Kevin to dinner. We have a wedding to discuss. Do you still like seafood?”
“Yes sir.”
“Kevin, what’s your taste?”
“Whatever Chelsea wants will be fine with me, Major Whitlock.”
“Tell you what. Croc’s has a little of everything. We can go there and enjoy the ocean view and fresh air while we eat.’
“Sounds wonderful,” beamed Chelsea. “Daddy, Kevin and I will meet you there.”
“I’m riding with your dad,” smirked Kevin.
With his arm around his daughter, Major Whitlock led the way back out to the parking lot. As they walked, Chelsea told them about the exam. Her headache and exhaustion had vanished the second she’d seen her father and realized that Kevin had given her one of her biggest wishes.
