Marcus thought about what they'd said, about their father, who was never there, about having everything except the one thing that mattered. He thought about Lily waiting for him on that couch. About how even when he was exhausted, even when he could barely keep his eyes open, he always kissed her forehead and told her he loved her always. Maybe that was worth something. Maybe that was worth everything.
You seem like a good dad, Maya said, eventually breaking the silence. The kind who stops in a storm. The kind who shows up. Marcus' throat tightened. I'm trying to be.
That's more than most people do, Sophie said. The hotel appeared up ahead, a mid-range chain place with a lit sign and a mostly empty parking lot. Marcus pulled under the covered entrance and put the car in park. The twins gathered their things, but Sophie hesitated before opening her door. Marcus?
Yeah. She turned to face him, her eyes serious. I hope the judge sees what we see, that you're exactly the kind of father your daughter needs. Marcus couldn't speak. He just nodded.
Good luck, Maya said from the back seat. We'll be thinking about you. They climbed out, grabbed their bags, and disappeared into the hotel lobby. Marcus watched them go. Something strange stirring in his chest.
Hope. It felt foreign, dangerous, even. He'd stopped hoping weeks ago when Victoria's lawyer had laid out their case, and Marcus had realized just how outmatched he was. But those girls, those strangers he'd probably never see again. They'd looked at him and seen something good, something worthy.
Maybe the judge would, too. Marcus pulled back onto the highway and drove toward home. The apartment was quiet when Marcus finally pushed through the door just past midnight. Mrs. Patterson looked up from her romance novel and smiled. "She tried to wait up for you," she whispered, nodding toward the couch. couldn't quite make it.
Marcus looked at his daughter. Lily was curled up under the old afghan his mother had knitted years ago, her stuffed elephant clutched to her chest. Her face was peaceful in sleep. None of the worry that had been there lately, none of the fear. "Thank you for staying," Marcus said, reaching for his wallet.
He pulled out a 20 he couldn't really afford and held it out to Mrs. Patterson. She waved it away. "Keep it. You need it more than I do. I can't.
You can and you will. She patted his arm as she walked past. Get some rest, Marcus. You look like death warmed over. After she left, Marcus knelt beside the couch.
He brushed a strand of hair from Lily's face and her eyes fluttered open. "Daddy! Hey, sweetheart. I'm home. I missed you."
Her voice was thick with sleep. I missed you too, baby. Go back to sleep. But instead of closing her eyes, Lily sat up, rubbing her face with small fists. Daddy, what is it?