I forgot to actually look. I know what you mean. Harrison turned to face him. Do you? I work two jobs, 14-hour days, sometimes longer.
There are whole weeks where I barely see Lily awake. I tell myself it's for her, that I'm doing it to give her a better life. But sometimes I wonder if I'm missing the life I'm supposed to be giving her. That's exactly it. Harrison's voice was heavy with regret.
I told myself the same thing for 20 years, working for the family, providing for the family. But what I was really doing was hiding from the family, from the hard parts, from the messy, emotional, complicated reality of being a father. He looked back at the view. Sophie and Maya grew up in this house. They had everything money could buy, the best schools, the best clothes, vacations to places most people only dream about.
But they didn't have me. Not really. I was always in my office, always on the phone, always somewhere else, even when I was physically present. They still love you, Marcus said. I could tell from the way they talked about you that night.
I know that's almost worse in a way. I didn't deserve their love, but they gave it anyway. Harrison turned to face Marcus directly. That's why I wanted to meet you, to thank you properly, not just for helping them that night, but for showing me something I needed to see. What's that? that being present matters more than being successful.
That showing up, really showing up, not just going through the motions, is the most important thing a father can do. Marcus thought about all the nights he'd come home after midnight, too exhausted to do anything but kiss Lily's forehead and collapse on the couch. All the school events he'd attended with his eyes half closed. All the bedtime stories he'd rushed through because he still had to get to his second job. I'm not sure I'm the best example, he admitted.
I'm barely holding it together most days, but you're holding it together for her. Harrison put a hand on his shoulder. That's the difference. Everything you do, every sacrifice you make, it's for Lily, not for your career, not for your ego, for her. She's all I have.
Then you have everything that matters. They stood in silence for a moment. Two fathers from very different worlds connected by something deeper than circumstance. My daughters want to make this a regular thing. Harrison said, "Dinners, outings, they've taken quite a shine to you and Lily.
I noticed Maya practically kidnapped her the second we walked in." Harrison laughed. She's always wanted siblings, someone to dote on, to take care of. I think Lily might fill that void quite nicely. Lily would love that.
She doesn't have any family besides me. No grandparents, no aunts or uncles. It's just been the two of us for so long. Then perhaps it's time for that to change. Harrison extended his hand again.
What do you say, Marcus? Would you be willing to let us into your life to let us become something like family? Marcus looked at the hand, then at the man offering it. A week ago, this would have seemed impossible. a judge, a wealthy stranger, inviting a broke mechanic to be part of his world. But after everything that had happened, the storm, the courtroom, the verdict, impossible, didn't seem so impossible anymore.
"I'd like that," Marcus said, shaking Harrison's hand. "I'd like that very much." The glass door slid open and Lily came running out onto the terrace. "Daddy, daddy, they have a swimming pool inside the house." Maya and Sophie followed close behind, both laughing.