“It connected me to you again, toher, for the first time in years. That little boy…he’s my light, my second chance at family. His giggles, his hugs…they heal something in me I thought was broken forever. When you grew up, I was heartbroken I didn’thave anyone to take care of anymore. But then you had him and it was like I got to watch you grow up all over. And now…I hate that our bond’s slipping through my fingers. I’m losing you both and it terrifies me more than any crisis I’ve ever faced.”
The words shatter me, each syllable a shard piercing the walls I’ve built around my heart to keep me from falling apart.
Tears spill hot down my cheeks, a torrent I can’t stem as my vision blurs and sobs rack my body.
I’ve carried this weight, the distance after Mom’s death, for so long that it became a second skin.
The secrets I kept from him about Eli’s father had only widened the chasm, the lies I used to protect his fragile heart have always sat like heavy stones in my chest.
Hearing his pain now, his raw loneliness that he thought he lost us forever and the way he’s fought to hold on crushes me, unleashing the flood I’ve held back for so long.
“Dad,” I choke out, stepping forward and pulling him into a hug.
His arms wrap around me tight, his frame trembling against mine, the solid bulk of him a lifeline in the storm.
“You’ll never lose me,” I whisper fiercely. “Never. I’m sorry too. For pushing back, for hiding everything and not telling you. I was scared of hurting you more if I was honest. Of losing you. But I love you so much.”
He squeezes me until my lungs hurt. “It’s okay, kiddo. I’m not going anywhere. Not again.”
We cry together then, apologies tumbling from our mouths that overlap and blend together.“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” “I wasterrified you’d find out.” “Forgive me, please.” “Of course I forgive you.” “I’m here now.”
I pull back slightly, wiping my face with trembling hands. “Dad…there’s um one more thing. About Eli’s father.”
I swallow hard, fear gripping my throat like a vice. Will this break us again?
He watches me with red-rimmed eyes, open and vulnerable as he waits for me to continue.
Breathing out, I finally say, “It’s one of them. Grant, Dean, or Callum. It was during that weekend the apartment complex caught on fire. It wasn’t planned, but…Eli’s one of theirs. I don’t know which, but he’s…he’s their son.”
I hold my breath as I search his face for the disgust that I know is inevitably coming, the explosion of heartbreak all over again. But to my surprise, that doesn’t happen.
His eyes widen, yes, and a flicker of pain crosses his features, but then they soften as a heavy sigh escapes past his lips.
He scrubs a hand down his face. “I…wasn’t expecting that. Well, not exactly. But I guess it makes sense. I never really bought the college one-night stand but figured you had a reason to lie to me.”
“I’m so sorry I never told you. I regretted it every single day that I hid it from you. I was just trying to protect you. I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping it buried.”
He pulls me back into his arms, hugging me tighter than before.
His voice is muffled in my hair when he speaks again, thick with emotion. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I get it. God, you must’ve beenso scared. But I know you were only doing what you thought was right at the time. It’s okay. I’ve never thought of Eli as less than a blessing.”
I squeeze my eyes shut.
We stand like that for what feels like eternity, his heartbeat steady under my ear and helping to ground me.
Finally when he pulls back, he cups my face in his rough hands, thumbs brushing away my tears. “When do you plan on telling Eli about them?”
The question is gentle, no judgment in it, just a gentle curiosity. I sniffle, managing a watery smile. “Not until he’s older. So he understands better. It’s…complicated, you know. Three fathers…not exactly a fairy tale.”
He nods, a small chuckle escaping. “Agreed. He’s got time. And love. Plenty of it. He’ll be spoiled rotten.”
I laugh a little. “He already is.”
He nods, brushing my hair back from my face. “I love you, Noelle. You’re my baby, and that will never ever change. All our past issues, they’re water under the bridge now. I just want my family back, no matter how it comes. However messy and unconventional it may be.”
The relief floods me, warm and overwhelming, helping wash away the last remnants of fear like a tide pulling debris from the shore out to sea.
I hug him again, the weight fully lifting from my shoulders for the first time in six entire years. “I love you too, Dad. So much.”
