Chapter 18 part 2 — Love On the Line

“Do you mean it Aba?” she asked apprehensively. Unsure weather to believe her father’s change of heart or be wary.

Sighing, her father moved over to one of the wicker chairs on the deck, gesturing her to join him.

Gingerly, Sarah lowered herself into a seat beside her father, all the while studying his face. Her father the tough lawyer seemed so conflicted at the moment… so fragile…. So… human. Sarah reached out her hand towards her father’s and gave it a soft squeeze.

Collecting his thoughts, he opened his mouth with purpose, downed the last of his whiskey, and began to speak;

“For the longest time, I wanted a son. I wanted a boy to teach to hunt, fish, to be my heir.” He answered sadly. “I saw you growing up, and in my heart, I knew you were never going to be the ideal son I had pictured. I thought you and that boy Ari being friends would toughen you up, he seemed a strong boyish kid.” He sighed looking over at Sarah. “I hoped he could influence you, maybe show you how a boy should act, But I don’t know…” he trailed off looking pensive.

“Aba, nobody could change me, or make me any different to how I am, it was gods will to make me a girl in here when I was born.” Sarah replied quietly touching her hand to her breast. “You and Ima could not have changed god’s will. You have been good parents, and I love you so, I just ask that you try to love your child still. I have not changed quite as much as you think.”

Peter looked across at his child. She was right. He was even thinking of her as a girl, which confused him, and saddened him, as though he was allowing his hope of a son vanish in a pronoun. She was right, she had never been his son, as much as he had wanted it. The child that sat next to him now was successful, happy, strong, and a credit to any parents. Would two daughters be so bad? It would cost more of course… but he had no choice in the matter. Glancing over Sarah, he saw the way she nervously chewed her lip, the way her mother did. The same beautiful hair, the same nose. This was no boy, no matter what she had been when she was born. This child before him was his baby girl. Realising this washed all conflict from Peter’s mind.

“Sarah.” He called softly, snapping her from her trance. “Yes, I meant it, now give your father a hug my daughter.”

Sarah jumped up and rushed to the arms of her father. His arms felt as strong as always. The same bear like grip that made her feel so secure. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks, not from pain or fear, but joy.

“Aba.” She sniffed quietly, not wanting to tear herself away from the embrace. “About Ari.”

“Yes little one?” her father began apprehensively.”

“Well.” Sarah replied quietly. “You may still have a son after all.”

Releasing her from the embrace, her father slumped down into his chair before looking up smiling at Sarah. “You do not need to further prove you are my daughter by spending every Sheqel I possess…” he smiled.

His face taking a serious edge, he gestured her to his lap.

Taking a position she had not been in since her infancy, Sarah slipped onto her father’s knee and wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggling into his shoulder.

“Does he love you?” he asked. “For this you? Or as David?”

Sarah shook her head. “No Aba, he loves me, we were good friends, the best of friends when I was David, but he dragged this out of me, he made me see myself, the me I had been hiding from him, and I realised he was more than my best friend. We are in love Aba, as man and woman. And he knows, and he still loves me. Now I realise why we were so close. It was not a friendship between two boys, but a childhood romance neither participant knew was going on. This is meant to be Aba. I hope you are not angry.. She trailed off.

Rocking his daughter gently, he sighed. “I could not ask for a better son in Ari Weismann. He will make you a good husband.” He whispered.

“Now tell your father. Why did you leave the army and not tell us? I thought you were happy… you enjoyed it no?

Sarah looked at her father for a moment. “I did not leave Aba… I am on leave….”

“So I take it my daughter is only my daughter while she is at home?” he asked with a confused expression. “As resistant as I was to the idea. I don’t think you give the impression of a son of Israel well….”

“My commanding officer wanted me to stay, and he fixed things with some politicians, its not publicised.” She began. “I know its not really with IDF policy, but as most people thought I was a girl anyway, they figured it was no harm leaving me. Especially as my err, unique skills, are hard to replace just because I wanted to use a different bathroom….” She grinned.

“That is courtroom logic my daughter.” He smiled. “Your commanding officer must think very highly of you. I know I do, especially now.” He replied softly.

“Well if that’s not a photo moment.” Beamed Eliana from the doorway.

Sarah snuggled into her father’s chest and grinned at her sister. “He has a knee spare.” She laughed.

“I think I am too old for that little one.” Smirked Eli “Come inside you two. There is much catching up to do.” She called as she turned to head back inside.

Hugging her father, Sarah felt content with life. The ache of fear in her tummy ebbed quietly away. She was home, she was free, and she was herself. Silently, she thanked god for his choice of parents.

After many hours of talking, and catching up, Sarah lay in her childhood bedroom staring at the ceiling. It may have been the room that David grew up in, that David cried and hated himself in, but now, to Sarah, it felt like peace.

From Alyssa: Short update to yesterday's chapter, It was too short, i felt too sick, and now i feel better after a good sleep, so heres part 2!
xxx Alyssa