"Sorry," I wiped away the tears. "I'm just... so overwhelmed."
"Alright, alright," she said gently. "Stop crying now. Leo, wave bye-bye to daddy."
"Ah ah!" Leo flailed his tiny hands.
"Goodbye, my son." I waved back. "Daddy will be there soon."
After the call ended, I continued staring at the darkened screen, lost in thought.
Three weeks later, the doctor finally cleared me for discharge.
"Noelle, shall we return to Niaube?" I asked from my wheelchair.
"Yes, Leo is still there."
"I can hardly wait to see him."
"Neither can I."
The car finally arrived.
Noelle helped me from the vehicle and pushed the wheelchair toward the small building. The instant the door opened—
"Ma...ma..."
A tiny figure came toddling over unsteadily. He could already walk.
"Leo!" Noelle knelt down and opened her arms wide.
Leo tumbled into her embrace, giggling with delight.
I sat in my wheelchair watching them, my chest filled with warmth.
"Leo," Noelle held him and turned toward me. "Look, this is daddy."
Leo looked at me, tilting his little head as he glanced between me and Noelle.
"Go ahead," Noelle encouraged softly. "That's your daddy."
Leo slowly extended his small hand. I carefully lifted him onto my lap.
His body was soft and warm, carrying the faint scent of milk.
"Leo..." My voice trembled. "Daddy's Leo..."
"Ya!" He patted my cheek.
"Does that hurt?" Noelle asked.
"Not at all," I laughed through my tears. "It doesn't hurt one bit."
Leo stared curiously at my tears and reached out to touch them.
"Da...da..." he called in his sweet, babbling voice.
My heart melted completely.
"Yes, daddy's here." I held him close. "Daddy will always be here."
