"What do you need from me to make it happen?"
She blinked. Surprised. "What?"
"You want to go back to school. Finish your degree. Eventually teach. What do you need from me to make that possible? Support? Childcare? Schedule flexibility? Tell me and I'll arrange it."
Tears filled her eyes. "You're not going to tell me no? That I should stay home?"
"Your dreams matter, Aria. You're not just my wife or Lucia's mother. You're your own person with your own goals. If going back to school makes you happy, then we make it happen. Simple as that."
She threw her arms around me. Careful not to squish Lucia between us. "I love you so much. Thank you. Thank you for understanding."
"Always." I held her with one arm, Lucia with the other. My entire world right here. "When do youwant to start?"
"Next semester? That gives us a few more months to figure out logistics."
"Done. I'll enroll both you and Lia at the university. You can take classes together. I'll hire a nanny to help with Lucia while you're in class. And I'll be home as much as possible. Night feedings, diaper changes, all of it. We're partners in this. Your education is as important as anything else."
We made it work. Enrolled them both at a university forty minutes away. Hired a nanny named Sophie who was patient and kind. I adjusted my schedule to be home more. Took over night duties so Aria could sleep before early classes.
Watching her thrive was worth every sacrifice. Seeing her light up when she talked about her courses. Seeing her confidence grow.
She was becoming the woman she'd always been meant to be. And I got to support her through it.
Life was good. Better than good. Perfect in ways I'd never imagined possible.
But there was one thing left unfinished.
One conversation I'd been avoiding but knew I needed to have.
"I need to do something." I found Aria in the nursery, rocking Lucia to sleep. "I've been avoiding it but it's time."
"What is it?"
"I'm going to visit my father in prison. He's being executed next week by lethal injection. I know I said in court that would be the last time I'd see him, but I can't let him die without... I don't know. Closure. I need to look him in the eyes one more time. Ask him directly about my mother. Hear him confirm what I already know."
Aria stood carefully. Put Lucia in her crib. Covered her with a blanket. Then turned to me.
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No. This is something I need to do alone. Face him one last time. Then close that chapter forever."
She crossed to me. Cupped my face. "You're sure? It might be hard. Might bring up things you've been trying to forget."
"I'm sure. I need this. Need to look him in the eyes knowing I won.That he lost everything. That despite all his power and control, love beat him in the end."
"Then go. Do what you need to do. I'll be here when you get back." She pulled me down. Her mouth found mine reminding me what I was coming home to.
My hands tangled in her hair. Held her close. Poured everything into the contact. Love. Gratitude.
"I love you. Come home safe."
"Always. I love you too."
The prison was three hours north. Maximum security. Where they kept the worst of the worst.
My father had been there for nine months. Awaiting execution. Living in a cell barely big enough to turn around in.
I went through security. Metal detectors. Pat downs. Questions. Finally got cleared for visitation.
