Chapter 44: Making Plans

Martin arrived at Jordan's office around noon with the intention of taking Angel to lunch. Things were much different now than they had been several weeks ago. A lot had happened since then. "Hey Pop, let me get my things," Angel said when she saw him and she stood up and began gathering her belongings and then turned to Connie, "I'll be back soon."

"Take your time honey," Connie smiled. "I might complain because I have to fill in for you while you're gone, but I understand." Connie had finally accepted Angel and grown quite fond of her.

Martin pulled his truck to a stop outside the same diner they had eaten in last time. Angel couldn't help but think what a creature of habit her father was. After the show they put on last time, Angel wasn't sure she wanted to be seen at this diner ever again, but as Martin walked around to open the truck door, she realized she had no choice.

Tina was there to wait on them as she had been the last time they were there and when she saw them enter the diner she smiled. "Come right this way," and she led them to a nearby booth. "What can I get you to start with?" She asked as she handed each of them a menu.

"Do you serve tea?" Angel asked hopefully.

Tina laughed, "I wish darlin' but we aren't that sophisticated here. I can bring you a cup of coffee if you like."

"Sounds good," Angel said.

"I'll have coffee too," Martin sighed.

"Are you planning on having your usual today?" Tina asked Martin.

Martin nodded, "Yes, I'll take a cheeseburger and some fries."

"Do you know what you might like sweetie?" Tina asked, turning toward Angel.

"I would like a salad," Angel said scanning the menu. "Do you offer any sort of salad?" Angel was perplexed.

"Yes we do," Tina winked, "I'll have the cook prepare a nice cob salad for you. What dressing would you like?"

"Vinaigrette I guess," Angel said.

"Coming right up," Tina said, and smiled over at Martin, "You ought to take a cue from your daughter Martin, and eat something healthy for once."

"Ehh," Martin said, "I enjoy my food served with as much grease as possible. Lettuce is for rabbits."

Tina shook her head and returned shortly with their coffee. Angel looked around the diner uneasily because despite how "normal" they were acting this time people were still staring at them. "How about if I pick the restaurant we eat at next time?" Angel asked shyly.

Martin could tell she was uncomfortable, "Just ignore them, I always eat here," Martin said and then the corners of his mouth curved up slightly, "But next time I'll make an exception and you can pick the restaurant."

Angel sipped her coffee, "Why did you want to have lunch with me? Is something on your mind?"

Martin laughed at her directness. "You always were one to get right to the point," he chuckled, "Just like your sister Rori."

Angel looked down embarrassed at his words and Martin reached over and patted her hand, "I'm glad you're that way." Then he looked deeply into her eyes, "The truth is I wanted to talk to you about Mia."

Angel was a bit alarmed, "Why?"

Martin took a deep breath and paused as Tina brought out their food. His cheeseburger was indeed very juicy and Angel was quite pleased with the look of her salad. "How are you ever going to put any meat on your bones eating nothing but that rabbit food?" Martin asked her.

Angel shook her head, "I wasn't planning on putting any meat on my bones."

"Well you could use a little meat, you're nothing but skin and bones for God's sake," Martin shook his head as he splashed ketchup and mustard on his burger.

"That grease is going to clog your arteries," Angel pointed out.

"I'm an old man and I just want to enjoy my food," Martin grumbled, "Stop ruining it for me."

Angel immediately dropped the subject of Martin's impending heart attack. "Why did you want to talk about Mia?" Angel asked as she took a bite of her salad.

"I think she's doing well right now," Martin said, "There's no need for her to go live with you. Your mother and I can continue to take care of her."

Angel was stunned that he would suggest Mia would want to live with her, "Yeah, she seems just fine where she is."

"I mean," Martin cleared his throat, "You have your own life to get used to."

Angel realized he was attempting to tell her that Mia should stay with him and Claudia and she couldn't agree more. "Pop," Angel said looking down at the table, "I wouldn't have any idea how to be a mother. Mia is much better off living with you and Mama."

Martin breathed a sigh of relief. "We've taken care of her for a long time. She's like a daughter to us instead of a granddaughter."

"Well I was hoping you would continue to take care of her," Angel said with wide eyes. "I would like a relationship with her, but she belongs with you and Ma, not with me."

Martin breathed a sigh of relief. "I really love her you know."

"I know that Papa," Angel smiled. Angel had her own life to live now and she couldn't imagine becoming a full-time mother for Mia, not in the true sense of the word. "I support you and Ma keeping her until she is grown. I'm relieved you want to. I wouldn't know what to do with her, honestly."

Martin nodded, "I'm sure you will make a fine mother to another child someday, but you're barely getting your sea legs now and I think you need some time to adjust. Hopefully you can have other babies someday in the future."

Angel looked down, "No, I won't ever be able to have any more babies Pop," she said quietly. "Ethan made sure of that."

Martin's blood pressure began rising. He took his daughter's hand in his and looked deeply into her eyes, "It will be alright Angel. You'll see. I'm sorry about what he did to you."

Angel wished the subject hadn't come up. Her eyes began to well up with tears and she began to worry they were going to put on another show for the customers in the diner. "Yeah, it's OK Pop," Angel said as she took the handkerchief her father offered and wiped away her tears, "At least I'm back now and away from Ethan."

"A lot of things have happened to you and they are not OK, but I know you're going to keep move forward and leave the past in the past," Martin smiled warmly at her.

Angel nodded.

"Mia will always be your child," Martin said, "But maybe I can finish raising her and do it right this time."

Angel laughed, "You did it right the first three times. I was just a little too stubborn is all."

"I wonder where you got that from," Martin teased, "I bet it was your mother."

Angel laughed despite herself.

Martin grew serious and shook his head, "No you weren't too stubborn," he sighed, "You were a perfect child. I don't ever want you to take all the blame for what happened. I was at fault more than you were. I was the adult and I should have known better. I was much too harsh. I was pigheaded and stubborn and the bottom line is that I wasn't there for you when you needed me most and for that I'm truly sorry Angel."

Angel was sobbing by this time and couldn't seem to stop. Tina came by to check on them and smiled warmly at Angel, "More coffee hon?" Angel nodded and watched as Tina filled her cup.

"Just ask Tina," Martin smiled up as Tina filled his cup with more coffee, "I can be very pigheaded."

Tina scoffed, "Talk about an understatement," and she winked at Angel with affection. Angel managed to smile at Tina, despite her tears. "Is he being mean sweetie?" Tina looked at Martin sideways, "You just let me know if he is and I'll arrange for him to be thrown out."

"Ha!" Martin scoffed, "You wouldn't dare!"

Angel smiled up at Tina, "He's actually being very nice to me and that's the problem. I'm not sure how to handle it."

Tina grinned, "Glad to hear it."

Martin shook his head. "Throw me out."

Tina shrugged playfully as she walked away. She and Martin had a very good relationship and it warmed her heart to see him with his daughter. She knew this time Angel's tears weren't the result of anguish; they were tears of joy.