Janet's POV

Her eyes seemed to glint with mystery as she glanced with a faraway look. I never imagined I would be seeing her again, only this time on a larger scale. The picture had a green and beige tint to it making it appear old and torn. But it did nothing to diminish her beauty.

"What was her name"? I asked rather than demanded as I stepped closer towards her. She was everything that I wasn't. Beautiful and delicate, and yet I stood here ashamed I had been the child she had birthed.

"Rosie. Rosie Bethany White. Janet, I know this may...seem overwhelming. But if...if you ever want to know more about her... I am more than happy to tell you what I know". He spoke softly as he slowly came to stand next to me.

All I could do was stare. Afraid that if I were to ever look away she might disappear. " Why do you have her picture? You told me that you and she broke up" I said glancing at him now. I narrowed my eyes a bit as he seemed to avoid eye contact with me.

He then slowly sat down on the large bed, patting the space next to him. "It's a long story," he said sheepishly and I hesitantly sit down next to him. He combed a hand through his peppered gray hair and sighed deeply.

"I loved your mother with everything in me. We were young and in love and despite the odds against us we fought hard to be together. She came from a rich family and was raised by only her mother. Her father had died from a house fire some years ago. But her mother...her mother was strict, she would barely let me see her and when she did, bruises and scars covered her body.

Her mother didn't believe I was the right man for her because at the time I had nothing to my name. But she threatened to disown your mother if she didn't leave me. So I decided to leave and never see your mother again. But I never would have thought for a second that she would have been pregnant".

Silent tears ran down his face as he glanced at me with despair. " You have to believe me, Janet. I loved your mother...but she never told me she was pregnant". He grabbed my hand gently squeezing it lightly, with pleading eyes.

My entire life I hadn't imagined sitting across a man who was my father. I never allowed myself to even think about this moment. And yet he here was, pleading his case to me. His eyes held so much sincerity. I would have been a fool to not believe him.

But a part of me wanted to be angry. A part of me wanted to punish him and tell him good riddance. I had already planned my life before he decided he wanted to be a father to me after so many years. I was content with it being just Ms. Freckles and me as it had been for so many years.

"I don't know what to say," I said finally speaking up. Tears continued to leak from his eyes as he looked towards the ground.

"I know this must be overwhelming. You must think of me as....a deadbeat father. Janet I know I haven't been there for you. All I ask is that you allow me...to be the father I wasn't for you for so many years". His voice cracked with sorrow as he looked me in the eye.

I needed to make a decision. But what was the right one? Do I stick to my plan or do I allow myself a family I never knew I could have? I bit my lip in frustration, gnawing on it repeatedly. A headache arose as I gently rubbed my temples.

"I will need some time. To...think this over" I say still rubbing my temples. This had been one overwhelming night and we hadn't even had dimmer yet.

He nods his head frantically. "Yes, of course, take all the time you need. There is absolutely no rush" he assured me patting my hand gently. With deep sighs, we make our way back downstairs to have a delicious rotisserie chicken dinner.

It hasn't been all that awkward. They were inviting and gentle and a part of me was scared that this moment wouldn't last long. There would be some misfortune along the way.

Trouble followed me everywhere.