His voice cracks, every word heavier than the last. “I never even got the chance to change a damn diaper.”
“I know,” Sara says, tears in her own eyes now. “But Claire didn’t keep her from you out of malice. She didn’t know how to tell you. And she told Jaqueline about you. She never once hid who you were.”
Jaxon looks up, blinking back another wave. “What do you mean?”
“She knows you. Not in the way a daughter knows a father—but through stories. Claire told her everything. Who you are. What you do. Where you live. That this house... this island... it was home to a version of her mom that was happy. Really happy.”
He closes his eyes, breathing through the weight of it all. “What about Travis?”
“Jaq always knew he was her stepdad. He left not long after Claire got sick. Couldn’t handle it, I guess. But Claire never tried to replace you. You were always her real father—even if you didn’t know it.”
Sara gives him a minute. Then she nods toward the living room. “Why don’t you go speak to her?”
It takes everything in him to stand.
But he does.
They walk to the couch where Jaqueline sits, her tiny legs curled beneath her, tablet in hand.
“Jaq, this is Jaxon,” Sara says gently.
The girl looks up with shy, curious eyes. Then she smiles.
“Hey, Dad.”
Jaxon freezes. The word hits him harder than any punch he’s ever taken. “Dad,” he repeats, his voice breaking on the single syllable. “Wow. That’s… that’s going to take some getting used to.”
“I like your house,” Jaqueline says with a small shrug. “Mommy always said it was pretty.”
He laughs softly, kneeling beside her. “Thank you, sweetheart. I’m so sorry… for everything.”
She nods, looking back at her tablet. “It’s okay. At least I have Aunt Sara.”
“You’re lucky,” he says, glancing toward Sara. “She’s awesome.”
“What are you playing?” he asks, trying to steady himself.
“She’s been glued to that game for a month,” Sara replies, smiling.
Jaxon’s head jerks toward her. “Wait. How long have you had her?”
Sara hesitates. “Since Claire passed. It took a while to get everything sorted through court.”
His brows knit together. “What do you mean—sorted?”
“I couldn’t bring her here until the paperwork was final. Claire left instructions. She wanted joint custody—me and you.”
Jaxon stares at her like she’s speaking another language. “Joint custody? With a man who didn’t even know she existed?”
“Well… I may or may not have forged your signature on her birth certificate.”
He blinks.
“You what?”
“Relax. It was the only way to follow her wishes. And technically, you’re her legal guardian now.”
He slumps back on the couch, one hand running down his face. “Jesus Christ…”
