Chapter 11 - THE FATHER WHO SHOWED UP
Adrian became a father one ordinary day at a time.
He attended Sofia's pediatric appointments when invited.
Learned how to change diapers.
Prepared bottles.
Read bedtime stories.
And discovered that seven-month-old babies eventually became toddlers with strong opinions.
Sofia's first word for him was not Daddy.
It was “Da.”
He cried anyway.
At her first birthday party, Elena watched Adrian kneel beside the cake.
Sofia smeared frosting across his cheek.
He laughed.
Elena smiled.
For a moment, she remembered the man she'd married.
The man who used to make her laugh.
The man who once brought her flowers for no reason.
But she also remembered the loneliness.
The missed appointments.
The nights she'd cried herself to sleep.
She refused to forget those things simply because Adrian was becoming a better father.
After the party, he approached her.
“Thank you for letting me come.”
Elena nodded.
“She's your daughter.”
He smiled.
“I know.”
Then he hesitated.
“Elena, can I ask you something?”
She looked at him.
“What?”
“Are you happy?”
The question surprised her.
She considered it.
Then smiled.
“I'm getting there.”
Adrian nodded.
“Good.”
He didn't ask whether she missed him.
May you like
Didn't ask whether she wanted him back.
And somehow, that restraint made her trust him a little more.
