Mark, annoying as he can be, has shown up for my family in all the ways I didn’t.
My gaze drifts to where Ceci is sitting with Felicity near the pool. She’s laughing, her smile lighting up her entire face.
Mark follows my line of sight, and for once, his voice loses the teasing edge. “You know,” he starts, “I always noticed how you couldn’t keep your hands off her. Years of marriage, and you never lost the need to touch her—her waist, her hand, her ring—just to remind the world she was yours.”
He leans his elbows on the counter. “Must be hell, standing here now, knowing you lost that right. Not even being able to talk to her unless it’s about the kids... or the weather.”
The words hit harder than he knows. I just stand there, keeping my mouth shut, leaning my weight on the counter as I watch the light shift across the backyard.
Even Mark goes quiet for once.
When it’s time to sing Happy Birthday, I move to stand behind Alicia’s friends, on the opposite side of the table. Cecily places the peach cake—Alicia’s favorite—right in the center,positioning the candles with the numbers one and three into the frosting.
Alicia stands in front of the cake with Ethan on one side and their mother on the other.
Cecily reaches for the lighter, but Alicia stops her. “Wait,” she says, scanning her friends gathered around.
When her eyes finally find mine, my heart kicks hard in my chest. She gives me a shy smile and gestures for me to come closer.
My hands clench, trying to hide the tremor. As I start moving, I catch Ethan shifting, stepping to stand closer to his mother. His jaw tightens, and he looks away.
I swallow the lump forming in my throat and take my place beside Alicia, where she asked me to be.
The song begins, laughter filling the gaps between the verses. She closes her eyes, makes a wish, and blows out the candles.
The first slice, of course, goes to Ceci. No one’s surprised. Then she cuts another piece, divides it into two smaller ones, and hands one to me and one to Ethan.
The third slice she gives to Khara and Sophia—her best friends—before moving to step away. I reach for her hand, careful not to startle her, and guide her a few steps back, just enough to give us privacy.
“I want you to know,” I say, my voice thick with emotion, “how proud I am of you. Of the beautiful, brilliant girl you’re becoming.”
My chest tightens. “No matter what’s happened... or what might happen... my love for you will never change. I love you, my little princess. I’ll always love you.”
I close my eyes and press a kiss to her forehead, keeping my lips there, long enough to feel her breath hitch. When I finally pull back, her eyes are glistening, her teeth pressed to her bottom lip to keep it from trembling.
My little girl is growing up. She’s strong, and she’s capable of smiling even after everything I broke. I’m the man who taught her what it means to hurt, when I should’ve been the one teaching her what it means to be loved.
“I’ll head out now,” I murmur. “Keep enjoying your party, okay?” She nods, blinking away the tears in her eyes.
“Thank you for letting me be part of your day,” I add softly. “And... thank your mom for me too.”
I kiss her forehead once more, then pick up my plate with the small slice of cake and start toward the house. Each step feels heavier, like I’m walking away from something I’ll never get back.
By the time I reach the nine steps leading up to the kitchen door, I hear Mark call out. I turn, already bracing myself, seeing him holding something.
“Here,” he says, handing me a small Polaroid. “No need to thank me. It’s for Alicia.”
Then he turns and walks away, leaving me standing there.
I look down at the photo. Alicia’s smiling, eyes closed, as I press a kiss to her forehead. To anyone else, it looks perfect, a father and daughter caught in a tender snapshot. But I know better. I know the truth behind it. That we barely speak anymore. That I broke something sacred between us... something I may never be able to fix.
A tear slips free before I can stop it. I wipe it away quickly and head inside.
In the car, I set the plate gently on the passenger seat. Then I start the engine and pull away from the driveway, leaving behind the sound of laughter coming from the backyard.
Alicia
It’s already night, and everyone’s gone home.
