Chapter 140 - Doubts

"Drink up Newt!" said Delia, "I promise this is the last one you need to drink. You are doing very well."

Newt was astounded at the change he could feel immediately after drinking the nasty 'medicine' that Dee made him drink. He knew it wasn't mere medicine but some sort of magical potion because the reaction was instantaneous, but he didn't push her for any explanations. He would soon be meeting his daughter and her husband and that was more than enough to try and wrap his head around.

"Have you heard from Delia?" asked Newt. It was hard for Newt to say the words 'his daughter'. It didn't seem real.

"Yes, they have everything taken care of at home and will be here in two days."

"Two days. It seems like an eternity. But I have been thinking. All of this supernatural stuff....you said ghosts are real."

"Yes," said Delia suspiciously. She knew where he was heading and didn't want to get his hopes up.

"Is there a way to contact Adele?" Niall looked up shocked.

Dee replied softly, "Newt, if there were don't you think we would have already done that?"

"Hell! I don't know. I am just an ignorant human!!! he spat out. "I didn't even know magic really existed and now that I have seen it with my owns eyes, I have to believe it does. Then you tell me ghosts are real. I just want to let Adele know we tried to find her! That I have never stopped loving her!"

"It's not that simple. There is a process but only a very powerful sorceress can conjure the spells and incantations that allow for it. Plus, we have to find where her ghost lives. Talk to your daughter and her genie when they get here. If Niall and I had that power, we would have done it already. Get some rest Newt."

Then the couple turned around and walked out not wanting to continue that conversation.

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"Good morning," said Delia cheerfully as she went to see about Newt. "It's meet your daughter day!"

"I am nervous Dee," admitted Newt.

"Of course you are. Go ahead and get ready. They won't be here until late this afternoon. After you get dressed come over. I will fix us breakfast when you are done."

This time when Newt bathed, his thoughts were on his daughter. What would she think of him? Would she think him a coward? Asking to be put to sleep because he couldn't deal with the pain any longer. It was physically impossible for him to go on. She would blame him for not looking. And he was human. Would she hold that against him?

By the time he got out of the bath he was a mess. He didn't want to see anyone or eat anything. He just sat in his little room brooding.

There was knock on the door. Newt sighed, "Come in."

Dee immediately noticed how his mood had changed. She walked over to him and asked if he was okay.

"I am perfect Dee," he said sarcasm dripping from his words, "I am about to meet my - my daughter," why was it so hard for him to say daughter? "whom I don't deserve."

"Why do you say that Newt?"

Tears began to fall freely. He hadn't cried yet over discovering his beautiful wife was dead. And now he had the opportunity to meet the child that SHE raised alone without him. He was terrified.

"Newt, sweetheart, it's okay. This is a happy day," said Delia while wiping his tears away all while her heart was breaking seeing him in so much pain that she was partially responsible for.

Dee pulled Newt to her to comfort him. "If you're worried your daughter blames you for anything, you are wrong. She is very excited to meet you." Dee continued to hold him as he sobbed into her shoulder until he finally pulled himself together.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," said Newt.

"I am glad you let me. I promise, things are going to be okay. Now let's go get breakfast with Niall before he gets cranky."

Newt composed himself and went with Dee to the kitchen where breakfast was already waiting. "It's a good thing you got down here when you did or I would have eaten it all!" laughed Niall obviously in a good mood because Delia was coming today. Everyone began to eat in silence each lost in their own thoughts about how today might change their lives.

Uncomfortable with the silence, Newt said, "Dee, these are excellent. Thank you," then more somberly added, "and thank you both for not giving up on Adele and our child."

Dee looked down at her plate and whispered, "Newt, we did give up. After 100 years we had to stop looking. We knew Adele was....gone...." she had to compose herself before continuing, "I told you, it was Cordell, Delia's husband who found us.Thank him."

Niall, trying to change the subject said, "So what is the plan for this evening Dee?"

"I am going to prepare a dinner and we can get acquainted while we eat. Then Niall and I will leave the three of you alone so you can get to know each other. We will go upstairs and stay out of your way. We have fixed the room next to yours as a guest room where Delia and Cordell will stay during their visit. That way you are close to each other if you want to talk longer."

Upon hearing the plans, Newt got butterflies in his stomach again and after thanking Dee once more for breakfast went back up to his room to wait and think about what he could possibly say to Delia, his daughter, no, Adele's daughter. He had no hand in her upbringing. He was simply a sperm donor. But he loved her even though he never knew her - and that was going to change today - today he would meet the child that was a result of the love that he had shared with his Adele so many years ago. He thought he was going to be sick.

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Delia and Cordell arrived right on time at the Thorns home. "Cordell, this is amazing. Look at all of the plants and the ponds. Their home is built right in the trees. Why didn't you tell me how wonderful this place was."

"Delia, honestly, I wasn't concerned about it. But now that you mention it, it is - uh - woodsy. Are we going to stand here talking or are you going to ring the bell?"

"Sorry, I guess I was stalling. What if...."

Cordell put a finger over her lips so she couldn't finish her sentence. "Enough with your silly doubts. Delia, this is your family. Niall and Dee already adore you."

Newt heard voices outside. His stomach felt like it hit the floor. He sneaked out onto the balcony and peeked over the railing. He got a lump in his throat as he watched the couple talking. He felt like a peeping tom, but couldn't help himself. If that was his daughter, she rivaled her mother's beauty and the man next to her, he obviously cared about her. You could just tell by how he interacted with her. He had to turn away as tears once again burned his eyes and threatened to fall. He went back inside before they could discover him. He didn't know if he had the courage to meet her or not.

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