But it was there.
How could it not be? Losing Anna was devastating.
Not just for me and for Chloe, but for the future we both lost.
Now, though…
Chloe’s laughter drifts down the hallway again and for the first time in years, I know I can find a future that’s not what I expected but will still make my daughter happy.
I close the door behind me and toss my bag into the laundry room then make my way into the kitchen.
Finn is standing at the counter, a bowl in her hands, and as though she senses me, she glances up, our gazes connecting. Her deep brown hair is pulled back into a bun, but it’s not doing its job very well, loose strands having fallen down to curl around her face. There’s flour on her cheek, on the sleeve of her sweater, a faint dusting of it on the granite in front of her and Chloe.
She smiles and I feel it in my chest.
Myheart.
Then her expression shifts, turning a little shy. “Hey.”
“Hi.”
“Daddy!” Chloe jumps down from her stool, runs over, and throws her arms around my middle, and fuck but there’s nothing as good as my little girl’s hugs.
“Hey, pumpkin.”
“We made your favorite,” she says, pulling back and running over to the cooling rack. “See?”
My stomach rumbles and I snag one of the still-warm chocolate chip cookies. “I see.” I ruffle her hair. “Thanks, baby girl.”
“Chloe said they’re your favorite.” Finn forms the final ball of dough and slides the cookie sheet into the oven.
“They are.” I take a bite, nearly moan. God, there’s nothing better than a fresh, warm cookie. “And they’re delicious. Thanks, you guys.”
“’Welcome,” Chloe says through her own cookie.
“How was school?”
A shrug. “Fine. Jake says that a shark could beat a grizzly bear in a fight.”
Finn giggles and I glance over at her. “We decided he’s probably right,” she explains. “In the ocean anyway.”
“Did you know that sharks have to keep swimming to breathe, Dad?” Chloe snags another cookie and I don’t miss Finn sliding over and surreptitiously putting the treats in the cookie jar. Considering the chocolate on my daughter’s face, she’s probably already had her fair share, and it’s a good call to put them away.
Doesn’t mean I’m not going to hit up the jar later.
“I didn’t know that,” I tell Chloe.
“So a grizzly wouldtotallywin in the forest, Daddy.”
“I agree.”
“Did you win your games?” she asks as she wonders over to the table and picks up a marker.
I grin. “Yeah.”
She nods approvingly, like that’s exactly what she expected, then starts drawing.
“What’re you making?” I ask as I sit down next to her.
