Episode 582: Big Girl

He reached out and placed a large hand on her shoulder, his touch as strong and consoling as that hurt little girl had always dreamed a father’s touch would be.

She ripped away from him.

She wasn’t a little girl. She had grown up. Without him. Calvin Baird wasn’t her family. Sebastian Marques was. "You’re right; my life is none of your business. I won’t stand by and listen to you insult Sebastian." She folded her arms and glared and glared at her father.

He didn’t shrink away. He didn’t go anywhere. He just looked sad. And concerned for her. He looked so much like a dad should.

"You don’t know Sebastian," she said, her voice softening.

"Enlighten me, then, please, Ava. I know I’m here way too late in the game. I wasn’t there when you scraped your knees or when you lost Mary… your mom. It’s hard for you to think of me as your dad. But I can’t stop thinking of you as my daughter. I can’t stop wondering if you’re okay, wanting to protect my little girl from anything or anyone that might hurt you."

He waited for her to say something but it was a long struggle to form words when his were striking such a chord. Calvin nodded. He leaned in almost as if he might drop a parting kiss on her forehead, only to turn away. "If you ever need anything, big or small, don’t hesitate, there won’t be any lectures, just a hug or…"

He was one step from walking out the door.

"Sebastian has been selfish and careless and not there when I’ve needed him," Ava quietly, urgently admitted.

Her father returned to her. She saw in his expression a war between the relief of her confiding in him, and the distress over what she’d just said. "You’re not improving my opinion on the guy. You know, I have plenty of room in my house if you-"

"He is those things, he’s capable of hurting me without really understanding what he’s doing until after it’s done. That’s one side of his story. It’s true, but there are other truths, good ones. Reasons I’ve grown to love and trust him. Like how he risked me hating him forever and he went to look for you, because he thought I needed my dad. And I don’t know," she hugged her sides nervously, "maybe he was right."

Episode 583: Somebody To Love