The Good Father

“No dreams, either.” He had to be honest. “But no, no nightmares.”

“You had a dream, Brett. A big one. And it came true. You’re sitting in the midst of it. The Lemonade Stand.”

She had no idea how true those words were. His dream, his biggest one, was to have a loving family of his own. And right there, that night, she’d made it come true.

He rubbed the mound of her belly, wondering if fate had created their child that night on the boat. Knowing that with a child ending their marriage, it would take a child to bring them together again.

“We really should find out if we’re having a boy or a girl,” he told her. “It’s time she had a name.”

“I did find out,” she told him. “On my last visit.”

And she hadn’t told him. Most likely because she’d thought he didn’t care. “So?” he asked.

“You’re right,” Ella said. “It was time she had a name. So I gave her one. It’s Livia.”

He choked up again. But didn’t lose it a second time. He was too busy kissing the mother of his child. And drowning in the love gushing from a heart that had burst free.

* * *

THERE WAS A text waiting for Brett the next morning.

I’m proud of you, was all it said.

And, for now, it was enough.

* * * * *