Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 8 - Daddy's Surprise

"I will Daddy, I promise, really thank you." Anna's father knew she was sincere for she was honest about her gifts since she got so many of them from him. He liked to know what worked for her and what didn't. Again, Anna felt guilty knowing he would make the perfect husband for someone. She just didn't feel there was a woman good enough for him.

"The other gift in the bag was your mother's." Colin said softly.

Anna opened the small pink box tied with black satin ribbon and pulled out the small black velvet bag from inside it. Once Anna saw what was in the bag her breath caught in her throat and she choked on her shock for a moment. It didn't seem she could get enough wetness in her mouth this morning to talk. Anna got enough control of herself to bite her tongue so as not to cry. Anna couldn't believe her father was letting her have such a treasure right before she turned eighteen. She figured he would give it to her when she was around thirty. Anna felt overwhelmed and truly grateful.

"It's the fourth and final piece." Anna said in barely a whisper.

"Yes Anna, it is." Colin smiled.

"It's breathtaking Daddy." Anna said as she held out her hand to examine the vintage diamond studded dragonfly ring that her mother had worn on a few photo shoots and some home pictures.

"I had given your mother the whole set over a few years' time, beginning on the day of our wedding. You already have the barrette and pin. The necklace around your neck has the most diamonds along the tail and in the eyes of the dragonfly. It is the biggest piece because the pure gold legs wrap around the vial of wishes but this one was more expensive." Colin said as he raised an eyebrow to remind her to take care of the set for she wore the necklace daily. He glanced at her neck and saw she was wearing it now.

"Since you got the necklace when you graduated this last summer and seem to love it, I thought you were old enough to wear the ring she wore all the time. She wore the whole set on New Year's to start each year strong with all four pieces." Colin said. Lucy saw his eyes glistened when she slipped the ring on her wedding finger, which fit perfectly.

"Oh, Daddy, thank you." Anna got up and hugged her father, wiping away a tear that had fallen on her check. When she sat down, she noticed her father's eyes had become red and a bit wet as though he didn't seem to want to let the tears go. He shook it off and sipped his tea before he responded.

"You're welcome my Dragonfly Princess." Colin said. Anna giggled that he had referred to her online column nickname, showing that he did pay attention.

"Dad, why did you order Christine to take Christmas down so soon?" Anna asked watching her father as she replaced the perfume bottle in its box. Colin stared at Anna for a moment. Anna saw he was struggling to tell her something important by the way his tongue was rolling over his teeth, so she waited quietly. Colin smiled, knowing Anna could wait for as long as she had to until she broke him down to answer.

"I actually want to discuss those changes I mentioned with you Anna. I'm finally going to tell you where we are going next week to celebrate your birthday early. Well, it will seem like a vacation for you, but I am actually going to have surgery and recuperate there." Colin watched Anna swallow.

"Where Daddy, and what are you having surgery on?" Anna asked concerned, conflicting emotions were making her heart race, but she finally started to admit he looked older and tired.

"It's really embarrassing Anna, I don't want to talk about it. I'll tell you right before, but it is going to take me some time to tell you without blushing." Colin said focusing on his movements of getting situated.

"Are you ok now?" Anna asked as she dropped her fork back on the plate making a sharp binging sound, losing interest in the rest of her brownie.

"Yes, I was just a bit weak and tired, but am much stronger now that I've left my hectic schedule. I wanted to spend some extra time at home to recoup and relax a little bit while I finalize details." Colin said as he avoided looking directly in Anna's eyes. She saw the color fill his cheeks while he busied himself with cleaning up crumbs around his plate. Anna then knew whatever surgery he needed had to do with whatever his pants hid. She didn't want to know because she liked thinking he didn't have man parts just like a Ken doll. There was something else going on though, Anna thought. Something didn't feel right.