Note: You can change font size, font face, and turn on dark mode by clicking the "A" icon tab in the Story Info Box.
You can temporarily switch back to a Classic Literotica® experience during our ongoing public Beta testing. Please consider leaving feedback on issues you experience or suggest improvements.
Click hereDavid told me later he was so proud of Allie's response and that it was a major contribution to the bond that put their damaged marital relationship back together. Allie had stood up, looked at Michael, Lilith and Peter and said simply, "Then I choose my father. Let's go David." And they'd walked out. When Allie called Peter later to ask why he'd done what he did, he simply said that he was more interested in continuing in Michael's good graces and enjoying the benefits than reconnecting with a man who'd scarcely been a part of his life. If it meant losing his sister, well she'd made her choice, not him. Allie told us the story at dinner a couple of days later. The four younger children were in the family room, but Bobby was still at the table. I've never been so proud of my son as I was at that moment. After Allie told us what happened, Bobby stood up, walked around the table, put his arms around Allie and said, "Well, if he doesn't want to be your brother anymore, I'll be your brother instead. He's a fool. You can be my big sister from now on." It won't surprise you to find that there wasn't a dry eye at the table.
Michael and Lilith did try to make trouble for David and Allie at the hospital, at which point David called his father and asked for his help. David played the recording of his conversation with Lilith for Bruce, who became incandescently angry. When he calmed down, he scheduled a meeting with Michael and Lilith in his capacity as a hospital board member. In what he later described as a frank and somewhat profane conversation with the two of them, he told them that if he heard even a hint of any further actions to derail David's or Allie's careers, he'd play the tape David had made for the board and he'd pursue civil and criminal actions against the two of them. They were not to contact Allie or David again unless and until Allie or David first reached out to them. So far, neither has and they show no interest in doing so in the future.
It's ironic that Allie's relationship with her birth parents has turned one hundred eighty degrees. When she was young, she gave up love for wealth. Now that she's older, she's given up wealth for love. She's told me repeatedly that the second choice was the best one she's ever made other than marrying David and having her children. And she's done all she can to show me that she means it by her actions, not just her words.
I won't say that I'd have chosen the path my life followed. In a perfect world, Lilith would have been a faithful and loving wife. I would have seen my children grow up, been there for all their milestones, like plays, concerts, sporting events, graduations, weddings and childbirths. Peter would still be part of my life. By the same token, Bobby's father wouldn't have abandoned him and Anna and Anna and he and their children would be living happily ever after together. Anna's parents wouldn't have abandoned her, never to contact her again. In a perfect world, the church wouldn't have given Lilith her annulment because marriage is supposed to be forever.
But it's not a perfect world. And I am grateful for what the imperfections of this world have given me. I have Anna, Bobby, Leah and Rachel. Allie has come back to me and brought David, Davy and Amanda with her. I've found a friend in Bruce. And I've learned how to forgive. All in all, even if I wouldn't have chosen the path of life I've walked, and the route to where I am today has been hard painful, I'm blessed and loved. And I can't ask for anymore than that.
- COMMENTS
AngelRider5 days agoSadly, the storyline with the Catholic Church is quite realistic. My mother was a high school teacher. Two of her colleagues were living together, one was married when they started dating. He was married for over 20 years with adult children when he filed for divorce. A few years later he petitioned for an annulment which was granted. It was disgusting. This was more than 30 years ago now.
Jalibar626 days agoWould have like to see Allie move to reverse the adoption. And some karmic retribution for Michael, Lilith, Peter, and the bishop who fast-tracked the annulment. Not at Jacob's hands; he's not that kind of man, but just... maybe the universe could intervene.
oldpantythief8 days agoWhat a story, lots of ups and downs, bad characters and good characters, hurt and forgiveness. This had all the makings of a Hallmark production except that they would have both families holding hands and singing kumbaya or something as ridiculous. The fact that Peter an ass and still didn't want anything to do with his 'poor' birth father is far more believable that the Hallmark version. The one part that actually got to me was when Bobby came around the table, gave Allie a hug and told her he'd be her brother. Smart young man that evidently learned a lot from his father. Nothing wrong with being a carpenter, we would probably still be living in mud huts if there weren't carpenters and other trades people. I hope the author has more stories in the works because he's doing a fantastic job writing them and I'm looking forward to any new ones he posts. This is another five star story BTW.
other2other114 days agoI’ve read this a couple of times now, I love the emotion that is displayed throughout the stages of this story. I wish that something untoward would happen to the cheaters and peter, but real life often lets the guilty get away with stuff like this.
Micheal and Lilith almost need the Dr. A ST treatment…
A great story and a great read!
UpperNorthLeft18 days agoLovely and enjoyable story with characters that are very easy to like or hate. The story was well-told. The mechanics of the shifting POV could use some work. Jacob’s sudden omiscience in handing off the POV with “I’ll let David explain.” is an awkward example. Overall very nicely done though. 5*
Starwolf1961about 1 month agoA well written story can evoke emotions. I HATE Michael and Lilith....SO well written it is! Thanks and what the Bear said goes for me too.
LT56linebackerabout 1 month agoIndustrial meat tenderizer, huh?? Wow, I thought I was heartless. 7 stars, the bear liked it and approves. The only caveat I have is the wo miscreant slut/assholes are still walking around upright. Obviously, not in Texas, or New Jersey. Seriously, I like it, and the M/C got a nice upgrade. And the fact that his daughter's father-in-law is a no-nonsense, high-powered attorney, and appears to love his daughter-in-law no end, Is a plus. It makes up for the bitch and bastard walking away more or less untouched. The fact that their children and grandchildren are just 'adornments' to their lives is the reason. All in All, the Bear liked it- a lot. Thanks, a lot.
The BEAR
Anonymousabout 1 month agoThat was Beautiful and Grammatically satisfying. I was pleased by the reconciliation with the daughter and her family (there were tears involved). The only improvement would be the ex wife and her current husband making the aqaintance of an industrial meat tenderizer (I'm a vengeful sort) , Thank you for a very good read.
Anonymousabout 2 months agostill legally michaels child... should of sorted that out would of made forgiveness easier for that 2*
Anonymousabout 2 months agoSorry. But these are extremly shallow characters. Jacob, good. Lilith, bad. And so on. This is not romantic at all.
Anonymousabout 2 months agoLaphroaig53 is maturing as an author before our very eyes. He first posted not quite 10 weeks ago.
Those of us with a few decades or more of experience can testify to the veracity of his basic plot and characters for we have seen it in real life.
I like the fact that this story carries powerful life lessons and encourages moral thinking. The explanations about forgiveness were excellent. The only little divergence was Anna's question about what Allie had done to earn forgiveness. I am sure that the good priest would have explained it to Bobby, forgiveness is not earned, it is a free gift from a loving heart. Bobby did exactly that when he asked Allie to be his big sister.
I for one, and I bet there are many more, look forward to the author's next offering. He really has a gift!
The Hoary Cleric
P.S. Of Course it is a 5!
Anonymousabout 2 months agoWhile many of my fellow commenters have taken issue (and not incorrectly so) with Michael's million dollar donation to the local Church, and the church's acceptance thereof, I wish to posit an additional explanation.
That is to say, although Laphroaig did not explicitly state such to be the case, I find myself unable to dismiss the possibility that Michael had, shall we say, "contacts" or "business associates" who went around to tell the priest, "Nice church ya got here ... be a real shame if somethin' was to *happen* to it, if you know what I mean." The sum of money would then be proffered, and the priest told, "There's a good lad ... now either you get that annulment fast-tracked, as in right damn *now*, or else this'll all be a pile of smoking rubble the day after tomorrow."
I can neither confirm nor deny that this was the intention laid out in the story, but it's my own addition of a layer to Michael's character or lack thereof.
And good on Bruce. Had I been Bruce, I might have taken a different tack. "If you leave David and Allie alone, I might or might *not* play this tape for the board, but if you fuck up, the deal's off. Either way, I own your sorry asses and will until I or you die "
Finally, the kids. Peter needs his head pulled out of his ass and soon, except that as long as Michael and Lilith keep financially decently off and with clean noses, I can't see him having any incentive to do so. As to Allie ... none of you are wrong in saying that she doesn't deserve forgiveness. She doesn't ... as indeed none of us do for grievous offenses. That's what makes it so wonderful, however , when Allie, or any of us, is granted it from those we wrong. With David close at hand to keep her mindful and accountable, she ought to do fairly well.
And that's be
jaykaythreeabout 2 months agoHere's a lot to unpack ... but here goes.
• Laphroaig didn't mention this outright, but I read between some lines, and therefore began surmising that the priest who took Michael's million dollar gift may have taken it not merely from greed, but because Michael may have had ... well ... "close personal friends," if you will. The kind of "friends" who would have done homework and due diligence, learned his family ties, and therefore threatened not him, but someone close to his heart. "Nice family your brother has ... be a shame if something were to *happen* to them, if you catch my meaning. Yeah, that's what I thought ... now you get your holy-Joe ass with the program and get that annulment fast tracked as in right now, or that pretty niece of yours might get in an *accident*, see?" The priest might have have been willing to suffer offenses done to himself, but would likewise have turned an eye to grievous offenses to perceive that he could save those he loved. I can't.confirm or deny any of this, but it's only my take on it.
• Bruce -- good on you, brother. I, however, would have taken a different take, in that I would have said, "Keep your noses clean, and I *might* not play this tape before the board. It's gonna depend on how you comport yourselves from now on, in all things and not just this." Leave that sword of Damocles hanging over their heads .. make it unmistakably clear that Bruce owns them and will until the end of time. One of two things will happen: either Michael and Lilith will become the most upright and law-abiding citizen their state has ever seen yet, or ever will see for the next two hundred years, or they'll crack under the strain, let Bruce play the tape, and take their chances in the court system.
• Peter -- as long as he has M & L's money and good graces, as long as the two of them keep their noses clean and and can keep him on the gravy train, he will see no need for his head to be pulled out of his ass (and as with Allie, it will take an outside force to do so). Life sometimes sucks that way, but such is life.
• Allie -- David was the kick in the pants she needed. As long as he's there to keep her accountable, to keep her on the straight path, she might yet turn out okay.
• The title, "Forgiveness Is A Choice," is true. Jacob didn't have to extend it, but it's far better to see that much of his family restored to him, over and above the family he now has with Anna. And yes, Jacob is going to keep that flicker alive for Peter ... he wouldn't be a father if he didn't. Again, only my opinion.
And that's my TED talk ... thank you for coming to it.
