“Daddy!”
Haille’s voice came from the living room before I could even put my bag down. A second later, she came running toward me, curls bouncing, arms stretched wide like she’d been waiting all day. I dropped to one knee just in time to catch her.
“How was your day, bug?” I said, lifting her up.
She smiled, her arms tightening around my neck. “Fuuuun,” she said proudly. “Buzz and Alysa draw with me.”
I smiled automatically. “Oh yeah?”
“Yes!” She nodded eagerly. “I color lion, whale, and elephant.”
“Good,” I replied, pressing a kiss into her hair.
Without meaning to, my gaze drifted toward the kitchen. Elena was there, moving calmly between the stove and the counter, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back. Dinner was already halfway done. Of course it was. She always planned ahead.
“Go tell Mommy you want to wash hands first,” I said softly.
Haille slid out of my arms and ran off, already calling out to her.
I stood there for a second longer than necessary, then walked past the kitchen and straight down the hall.
The guest room door was open. It was already starting to feel like mine.
All of my clothes were neatly arranged in the closet—every shirt, every pair of pants, hung or folded in their place, as if they had always belonged there. They had only been moved, like so many other things lately.
I changed without thinking. The motions came easily now. Guest room. Work clothes off. Home clothes on.
By the time I stepped back out, the table was set. We listened to Haille talk as we ate dinner, her hands moving as much as her words, crumbs collecting near her plate as she excitedly pointed things out between bites.
For a moment, it almost felt normal.
“Thomas approved my leave,” Elena said suddenly.
My fork paused halfway to my mouth. “How long?” I asked.
“Two weeks,” she replied. “I’ll start next week.”
Next week.
The word landed heavier than it should’ve.
“Oh,” I said quietly.
Elena turned to Haille then, her voice gentle. “Mommy and you are going on a little trip, sweetheart. We’re going to see Nana and Papa. And the beach.”
Haille perked up instantly. “Mommy say beach!” she repeated proudly, bouncing slightly in her seat. “We play water!”
Elena smiled at her. “Yes, sweetheart. We’ll play in the sand, look for shells, and eat snacks.”
Haille’s eyes widened.
Then she turned to me, hope lighting up her whole face. “Swim with Daddy!”
The room stilled.
I felt it, that instinctive pull to say yes. To promise. To make it easier.
Instead, I forced a smile. “Sorry, bug,” I said gently. “Daddy can’t come. Daddy has to work.”
