Can I see Haille today? Maybe take her out for a bit?
The reply came a minute later.
Sure. You can come by.
I exhaled without realizing I’d been holding my breath.
When I pulled into the driveway, Haille spotted me through the front window before I even rang the bell.
“Daddy!”
The door flew open, and she ran straight into my legs, wrapping her arms around me like she’d been saving it up.
I crouched down immediately, lifting her into my arms.
“Hey, bug,” I murmured into her hair. “I missed you.”
She pulled back just enough to look at my face, studying me seriously. “You gone long time.”
“I know,” I said softly. “I’m sorry.”
She seemed to consider that for a second, then nodded decisively. “Okay.”
I looked up then and saw Elena standing a few steps behind her. She looked... different. Not dramatically. Not in a way I could point to easily. Just lighter around the eyes. More present in her own body. Like someone who had learned how to breathe again without bracing.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hi,” she replied, her tone easy.
“I was thinking,” I said, shifting Haille slightly on my hip, “ice cream or the park. If that’s okay.”
Elena nodded without hesitation. “That’s fine.”
She turned her attention to Haille. “Don’t forget your hat,” she added gently.
Haille groaned. “Nooo.”
“It’s sunny,” Elena replied simply.
I smiled faintly and lowered Haille to the floor. She immediately ran off to grab her sandals, leaving Elena and me alone for a moment.
“How was the site?” she asked.
“Busy,” I said. “Long days. But it went well.”
She nodded. “I’m glad.”
There was a brief pause before I spoke again, choosing my words carefully. “I heard from Avery that you had therapy yesterday.”
She glanced at me, just briefly. “Yeah,” she said.
“How was it?” I asked. The question came out gentle, not probing. I made sure of that.
She considered it for a moment.
“Good,” she said honestly. “Heavy, but... good.”
I nodded slowly. “I’m glad you’re still going.”
