I should have opened my arms. I cannot return those years to you. I cannot give Leo the grandfather he should have had from the beginning. But I can give you the rest of my life with honesty, patience, and love that does not demand to be trusted before it earns trust.
You warned me we would all regret it one day. You were right.
But you also came back.
Because of that, regret did not get the final word.
I looked up at him through tears.
He was crying too.
“I love you, Dad,” I said.
The words surprised both of us.
His face folded.
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
This time, when he hugged me, I let myself lean into it.
Not because the past had vanished.
Because I was tired of letting it stand between us with more power than love.
From the porch, Leo shouted, “Group
