Chapter 22: Part 22: Her Father

Alison

"Dad, this is Dean Ozeata, the guy who helped me when I fainted," Alison gestured to Dean, " And Dean this is my father."

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Walker." Dean gave his hand for Leo to shake.

"What is this anyone who helps Alison is family, and call me Leo. Mr Walker is just too formal."

Leo stepped forward and pulled Dean into a hug and patted Dean's back twice before releasing him.

"So how was the ride here? was there a lot of traffic?" he looked over to Alison.

"It was okay, we left school before most people left work so we got ahead of the traffic."

"Ahh well, that's good news. Derek called in saying they would be a few minutes late due to the traffic, they left until 4:30."

Alison looked at Dean smiling to find him hiding a smile of his own.

"So dad how has Alex been doing? I heard he is helping out at the company."

Leo immediately smiled brightly while Alex scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Well, Alison I will have you know your brother is doing great he has already begun to make a name for himself, I am very proud of him."

"I'm happy for you Alex," Alison smiled the way only a proud sister could.

"Okay, guys enough about me how about we head over to the living room and relax while we wait for the others to arrive."

Alex ushered everyone to the living room and pulled Alison to his side then began to walk a bit slower so the others couldn't hear them.

"Alison you wouldn't believe what he did."

"What did he do?"

"He decided that he would open a position to be my assistant, but for college students so they can gain experience, pay, and credit hours."

"That sounds like a great idea. Why are you upset?"

"Guess who he hired."

"I don't know your enemy," Alison sniffled a laugh.

"Haha very funny. He hired Olivia!"

Alison stopped in her tracks with a huge smile, "Wait, what? As in your Olivia?"

"She isn't my Olivia but yes, he hired Liv and gave her a desk in my office."

"See this is why dad is the best."

"Why?"

"Because he knows what's best for you."

"How so?"

"Is she efficient? Is she a hard worker?"

"Yes and you know she is."

"Exactly and everyone knows you two were meant to be together. You guys have always made a great team. He is just giving you a little push and showing you once again how great she is for you, in more ways than one."

Alison smiled and walked ahead leaving Alex whisper yelling at her to get back. She walked up to her father and hugged him from behind. He turned around and smiled down at her.

"What's this for my shining star?"

"Just to remind you that you are the best," then she whispered into his ear, "great idea hiring Olivia."

"Oh, that of course I couldn't let him not see how good she is for him. Let's just hope he builds up enough courage to take her on a date because if he doesn't do it within a week I'm going to have a serious conversation with him."

"Good thing you know us so well," she got on her toes and kissed his cheek.

"What kind of father would I be if I didn't." he smiled down at her.

once they reached the living room they all took a seat and as they sat down the doorbell rang.

"It can't be Derek as yet perhaps it's Olivia?" Leo smiled and looked at Alex, " Why don't you answer the door son?"

"Sure dad."

Alison smiled again because as she said before her dad was the best.

Dean

As Alexander ushered them to the living room he noticed that he and Alison were having a hushed conversation and every so often Alex would smile and scratch the back of his head. Meanwhile, he had a conversation of his own.

"So Dean tell me, what are you majoring in at the Arts Academy?"

"Oh, I'm a singer and songwriter major."

"So is Alison, so tell me where are you from?"

"I'm from Copperstone."

"Isn't that a flight away?"

"Well, yes it is."

"I hope you don't mind me asking but why fly all the way out here for school? Wasn't there one closer to home?"

"It's okay, and um all the schools in Copperstone are like regular high school that doesn't offer music classes and I have gotten as far as I could with music lessons from the local music store so my mother sat me down one night and asked if this was really what I wanted to do with my life and I did so she told me she heard about the Arts Academy and that if I really wanted to do this I should audition."

"So your entire family moved over here for you?"

"Oh no my older sister is at college, and my mother stayed in Copperstone because she has an excellent position at work that she can't get just anywhere."

"Ah okay so you are staying in the dorms at the academy?"

"Yes, I am."

"Well, I'm guessing you miss having a home-cooked meal." Leo smiled at Dean.

"You have no idea," Dean laughed.

"Well don't worry as soon as everyone arrives we will begin eating."

"Sounds great."

"Listen Dean I wanted to thank you for helping Alison. She is my little girl and even though she doesn't tell me I know she has had it a bit difficult at the academy, Derek tells me that she had no friends or acquaintances to talk to there. I am glad that you have made an effort to get to know her and I hope one day you two become great friends."

"It was nothing, I just did what I would do for anyone, and I hope Alison accepts me as a friend someday soon."

Leo smiled and as he was about to say something else Alison was hugging him from behind.

As Dean watched them interact he couldn't help but smile. Alison was gorgeous, her smile literally left him in awe she was practically glowing with joy. After watching how she interacted with her family, he could easily see why they were so protective of her.

As they entered the household he noticed that she was smiling none stop. It was clear as day that her family was the most important thing in life for her. He also noticed as Alexander entered the room with a tall brunette, Alison jumped to her feet and rushed over to Alexander's guest, and embraced her in a big hug.

"Olivia, how are you? It's been forever since I've seen you."

Olivia laughed, "I'm great and how are you I heard from a little bird that you sang in front of a crowd."

For the first time that night, Alison glared at her brother. "To be fair I didn't know I was singing for a crowd and when I did I fainted."

"Which brings us to the other reason we are here," Leo interrupted, "Olivia dear this is Dean Ozeata, he is the boy who helped Alison when she fainted."

Dean stood up and walked over to introduce himself.

"Hello Dean I am Olivia Alexander's best friend since we were kids."

"Nice to meet you, Olivia."

The bell rang once again, "Well that must be Derek and his aunt," Leo left to open the door.

As everyone waited for him to return with the last guests they took their seats and began chatting among themselves, Alexander with Olivia and Alison with Dean.

"So tell me is this what it's always like?"

"What do you mean?"

"You always smiling and your dad being so friendly."

"Dad is in a grateful mood if not he would have been more intimidating but for me yes this is what it is like being home."

"Well then I hope the rest of my stay is as welcoming."

"It most likely will."

Leo then came back with Professor Smoak and Ms Johnson.

Leo clapped then smiled, "Well it seems like everyone is here so let's head into the dining room and begin our meals.