“We’re ten minutes out,” she replies. There’s a smile in her voice now. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. You fought for her. You didn’t give up.”
“I couldn’t. She’s all I’ve got.”
“Not all,” Mom corrects gently. “But she’s the most important part. Drive safe. We’ll see you soon.”
I hang up, exhale, and head to see my girl.
Aria spots my truck before I’ve even parked. She bursts out of Mom’s car like she’s been spring-loaded, dark curls flying, backpack bouncing. My mother trails behind her, trying to keep up.
I barely get the door open before Aria barrels into me. “Daddy!”
I lift her into my arms, squeezing her so tight she giggles. “Hey, princess.”
“Yaya said the judge made a verdict. How did it go?” she mumbles into my shoulder as if scared of my response.
I pull back just enough to look at her, brushing her hair behind her ear. “It went great. You never have to see Calista ever again.”
Her face softens in pure relief, and she hugs me again, even tighter this time. Mom reaches us, eyes bright with emotion. She cups my cheek, the same way she has since I was a boy.
“Congratulations,” she murmurs. “You did it.”
I lean into her touch for a second, grounding myself. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You two go inside,” she says, stepping back and straightening her purse strap. “I’ll let you have some time alone, yeah?”
I nod. “You sure?”
She smiles softly. “I’ve seen my granddaughter every day this week. She needs her daddy today.”
Mom gives me one last proud look before heading toward her car. I hold Aria against my side, feeling her small hand slip into mine as we walk toward the glowing pastel storefront.
And for the first time in months, the future doesn’t feel like a fight. It feels like a beginning.
The bell above the door jingles as Aria and I step inside the small ice cream shop we’ve been coming to since she was four. It’s pastel-colored and smells like vanilla and childhood.
Aria presses her hand into mine as she stares at the display case. “Can I get the triple swirl? The big one?”
I pretend to think. “Hmm… I don’t know. Triple swirl might be too powerful for you.”
She gasps dramatically, planting her hands on her hips. “Daddy. I’m nine. I can handle anything.”
I laugh for the first time today. “Alright, alright. Triple swirl it is.”
She beams up at me, and all the shit from this morning—the custody, the business, the insults—fades into something manageable.
We take our cones to a little booth near the window. She kicks her feet as she licks her ice cream, getting chocolate on her chin.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, princess?”
“Does this mean we’re really done with court stuff now?”
I nod, smoothing her hair back. “Yeah. No more courts. No more waiting. You’re home with me now. Full time.”
She leans sideways and hugs me, small arms squeezing my ribs. “Good. I missed you too much whenever I had to stay with her.”
I swallow around the tightness in my throat. “Me too.”
