We told her she could come back and swim sometime, Sophie explained. "Hope that's okay. Can I, Daddy, please?" Marcus looked at his daughter, her face glowing with excitement, her new dress swirling around her knees as she bounced on her toes. Then he looked at Sophie and Maya, at Harrison, at this family that wanted to welcome them in.
Yeah, baby, he said, feeling something warm spread through his chest. You can definitely come back and swim. Dinner was served in a dining room that could have held Marcus's entire apartment. But despite the grandeur, the atmosphere was casual, warm, even chaotic. Maya and Sophie bickered over who got the last roll.
Harrison told embarrassing stories about his daughter's childhoods. Lily, after some initial shyness, opened up and started chattering about her school, her friends, her favorite cartoon. By the time dessert arrived, chocolate cake that Lily declared the best she'd ever tasted. Marcus felt something he hadn't felt in years. He felt like he belonged.
Sophie made the cake, Maya announced. She's been stress baking all week, worried you wouldn't come. I was not worried. Sophie's cheeks flushed pink. I was just prepared for multiple outcomes.
She made three different cakes just in case. Maya. The sisters dissolved into laughter and Marcus found himself laughing too. It felt strange, almost foreign. This easy joy, this comfortable camaraderie.
He'd forgotten what it was like to be part of something bigger than just himself and Lily. After dinner, Maya taught Lily how to play a racing video game in the game room while Sophie and Marcus sat on a balcony overlooking the pool. "She's amazing," Sophie said, watching Lily through the glass doors. "So bright, so happy. You've done an incredible job with her.
She makes it easy." "I doubt that's true." Sophie turned to face him. Being a single parent can't be easy, especially with everything you've been through. Marcus shrugged.
You do what you have to do. See, that's the thing. Sophie leaned forward. Most people don't. Most people take the easy way out.
They give up. They walk away. They prioritize themselves over their kids like your father did. The words came out before Marcus could stop them. He winced immediately.
I'm sorry. That was No, it's okay. Sophie's voice was quiet, but not angry. You're right. He did walk away in his own way.
He was there physically, but not emotionally, not when it mattered. He's trying to change. I know, and I appreciate it. But there's a difference between trying to make up for lost time and never losing it in the first place. She looked at Marcus with something like admiration.
You never lost that time with Lily. Even when you were working yourself to death, even when you could barely keep your eyes open, you were there. You showed up. That matters. Marcus didn't know what to say.