Someone To Watch Over You

Chapter 20

The well kept, lush green course sprawled out in front me as I glance through the window of this posh Country Club. This exclusive place would have had my dad salivating, trying to figure out how to join. But I'm not with my dad. Instead, I'm sitting across a table, having breakfast with Cat's father.

It hits me how far my life has expanded in these last few months by simply letting a girl stay at my apartment. Now I'm part of a family again. Her family. I get a chance to start my own family, become a husband, a father. It's all happening so fast. I would have expected to feel scared by it, but I welcome the change.

I've been alone for years. Yes, I had William, but even he had become distant after Aiden's death. I've missed this, this feeling of belonging somewhere.

"Enjoying your omelet, Alex?" Mr. Fischer asks breaking into my thoughts and I smile.

"Very much. Everything here is delicious. Especially the coffee," I tell him, finishing up and pushing my plate away. "I have to say, I'm rather eager to get out there. It's been a long time since I've played on a full private course. I may be a little rusty, so I hope I don't disappoint you."

"Are you kidding me?" Mr. Fischer let out a hardy chuckle. "For years I've wanted to bring my son to this course. Hoping we could bond somehow, but the harder I pushed, the more he pulled away. He loathes the idea and then you come along. Finally, I can proudly play a round of golf with my son and not have to feel bad because you genuinely want to be here."

My stomach does a nervous flip when he calls me son. When Cat and I marry I guess I will become his son... well son-in-law, but that technicality didn't really seem to matter to either of us at the moment since in a way we are both getting what we want.

I really want to bond with Cat's dad. I want his approval. I want him to know I plan to be the best husband for his little girl, the best father to that child she's carrying, even though I know it's not mine. I don't care. We're a family.

"Well, I'm all set if you are."

Mr. Fischer's smile broadens. "Come on. I'll rent you a set of clubs, the best this place as to offer since you're no stranger to the game."

"Okay, but only if you let me pay for breakfast."

"You son, have yourself a deal. I'll see you out front."

I can't stop grinning as I pay the bill with a generous tip and head outside to where Mr. Fischer is waiting in a golf cart. He placed both of our golf club bags in the back, I notice as I climb in next to him.

"This is going to be fun," Mr. Fischer states, rubbing his hands together with glee before turning on the engine and moving us along to the first hole.

"I figured we'd work out the Executive Course first before we try our hand at the Championship Course. You know... give you a chance to warm up. We can always come back another time."

"Sounds good to me," I tell Mr. Fischer, already excited by the thought that he's already planning another time to play before we even start our first round.

He lets me play through first. I check out the clubs in the bag. It had all the standards: drivers, putter, sand wedge, and then I'd seen the hybrid. It's been a while since I played and I knew this would be my best bet, needing to get some loft on the ball but not knowing the correct weighted driver to use, having never played this course before.

I take two practice swings and then I knew I was ready. I play the ball in the middle of my stance, keeping my weight centered. I hit the ball on the descent, focusing on finishing high with all my weight on my left leg. I set the ball sailing. It felt good.