With Landon and Lily trailing close behind, I carried the pies and Jessica carried our baby. Thanksgiving was once again upon us. In the year that had passed since the dessert debacle, Jessica mastered the art of baking the pecan-laden pies.

When we walked through the door, my father straightened his posture. “Scott’s got the soup, and Jess has my granddaughter.”

“It’s not soup this time,” Jess said.

He waved his hand in my direction. “I don’t give a shit about that,” he said. “I need to see Charlee.”

Jess took the sleeping baby from the car seat and carried her to my father. After laying her in his waiting arms, she took a step back.

He scowled at her. “Go sit down. This isn’t my first rodeo, you know.”

He held her in his arms, rocking back and forth in the recliner that had all but become his home. He gazed at her with admiring eyes. A smile formed on his weathered face.

“A long time ago, in San Diego, California, your daddy was born,” he said. “He was half your size. He was born three months early. He only weighed three pounds and three ounces. They told us he wasn’t going to live. Ended up he was a fighter, just like his daddy.”

He looked at Jess and grinned. “She’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

The big kids arrived after dinner. The two boys ate a second meal, complaining the one they had previously wasn’t quite enough to satisfy their appetites. While Erin held the baby and talked with Jess, the boys and I went outside and enjoyed the late fall sunshine.

Landon and Derek wandered into the center of the large yard and began playing catch.

Alec stood at my side, seeming reluctant to join them. After a few moments, he broke the silence.

“You ready to do this all over again?”

“Fatherhood?” I asked.

With his eyes still fixed on Landon and Derek, he nodded. “Raising kids again.”

“I’m pretty excited about it, really,” I said.

He looked at me, but he didn’t speak. He didn’t seem upset, nor was his face wearing an odd look. He did, however, seem willing to listen. I saw it as an opportunity. An opportunity I needed to take advantage of.

“You know, Son, I did what I did because I had to, not because I wanted to. I did my best to teach you and your brother right from wrong. To run toward the smoke and flames instead of running away from it. To help those incapable of helping themselves. To stand up when everyone else is afraid to. That old man in the recliner taught me the same thing. His father taught him. Your great-grandfather fought his way out of the trenches in World War I in a battle that may have played a part in changing that war. Imagine if he hadn’t. What’s right doesn’t become wrong when the risk associated with standing up for it is great. I stood up for what was right. In doing so, I took the risk of losing my family and my freedom. I lost. When I lost, I lost you. I regret losing you, but I don’t regret standing up.”

I paused, exhaled a breath through my teeth, and looked at him. “I hope that makes sense.”

He gave a sharp nod. “I’m proud of you, Pop.”

Hearing him say that made me much prouder of him than he ever could have been of me. Sadly, he day turned into night, with Charlee being the point of interest for all who were in attendance. When it came time for everyone to leave, hugs were given.

Once again, Alec somehow managed to forget Jess.

With a wave of his hand as he backed out of the door. At the last moment, he acknowledged her. “See you at Christmas, Jess.”

With Charlee cradled in her arms, she waved in return. “See you at Christmas.”

I could have easily either asked Alec to hug Jess or I could have demanded it, playing the I’m your father, and you’re my son, therefore you’ll do as I say card.

Alec may not have always agreed with the decisions I made as a father, but he respected me. Respect is a two-way street. In the biker world, there’s belief. To get respect, it must be given.

I was respecting Alec’s decision. In time, all I could do was hope that he’d see the love Jess and I had for one another. In seeing it, I further hoped he’d realize she was an asset in my life, and in turn, in his.

No differently than his sister had.

As he drove away, I gave a mental nod. With it, came respect.