บท 491: Let's Go Home

Rachel was crying too. Joy could feel her tears on her shirt but didn't care about that in the slightest. 

She wasn't sure how long she experienced the most perfect hug in the world before Rachel switched her target to a very taken aback Derek. "Dad!" 

He didn't seem to know what to do with his arms. "I'm not—Joy, a little help here?"

Joy's heart sunk. She had wondered how to break this gently and the time had come sooner than expected. Of course Rachel would expect the man she brought with her to be her dad. 

"Baby, this is Derek. Your dad got sick and passed away not long after I lost you," she said gently. 

Rachel blinked up at her uncomprehendingly. "Dad's gone?"

"Yes. I'm so sorry."

"Is he your husband then?"

Derek's face was bright red by this point. Rachel hadn't quite processed that Paul was gone because she was still hugging him. 

"No, he's my roommate. And my best friend," Joy explained.