I was about to walk into the dining room, but seeing Emily smile like that stopped me in my tracks. It wasn't just a smile—it was warmth, subtle and sincere. For a moment, everything hit me at once. Who had I become? A man people feared. A presence people avoided. Not a father. Not a husband. Not a friend. Just someone you kept your distance from.
Her smile reminded me of the days before I forgot how to smile myself. I didn't deserve it—but I needed it more than I could say.
Quietly, I stepped into the dining room. I walked up behind her and gently hugged her from behind.
"I'm sorry," I said, my voice trembling. "For everything I've done."
She put the flower down and slowly turned to face me. Her expression was calm but serious.
"Are you doing this because it feels like the perfect thing to say?" she asked, "Or are you saying it from your heart?"
I looked into her eyes. "I'm doing it because I want to change who I am," I said. "And to see if… maybe I can fix what I broke."
She stared at me for a second longer, then smiled gently and embraced me.
"I forgive you," she whispered.
Those three words felt like they were pulled from a place I thought I'd never reach. I thought forgiveness would take years, maybe decades. I never imagined I'd hear it so soon. My body trembled—not from fear this time, but from overwhelming gratitude. My vision blurred. My hands shook. And before I knew it, I was crying.
"Is this what love is?" I whispered, not even sure if I meant to say it aloud.
Emily looked up. "Yes. You're closer to it now," she said. "So let's keep walking toward it—together."
"And if you fall again?" she asked softly.
"Then I'll rise again," I said, "as long as you're there to lift me—with your hand in mine."
We stood there for a while, just holding each other. No words. No rush. Just breathing together in the quiet — like two people remembering how to feel safe again.
After everything, we didn't need a perfect plan. We just needed to be here, right now. Starting small. Starting real.
I nodded, barely able to hold myself together. "How about a trip?" I asked. "To the mall… or maybe the beach?"
"Why not both?" she said, with a playful smile.
Then a voice from behind: "Hey, Dad…" Mark stood there, eyes down. "I'm sorry I kept ignoring you. I just didn't know what to say."
I reached out with my right hand and pulled him in. I hugged them both tightly.
"It's okay," I said. "We're here now."
He didn't hug back right away. But after a second, I felt his arms wrap around me.
For the first time in years, I felt like I had something worth holding onto.
That night, we made plans. I told them we'd leave early the next day. Emily nodded. Mark went back upstairs, and I made my way to the couch to sleep.
As I laid down, Emily followed and gently took my hand. "Where are you going?" she asked. "Sleep in bed. With us."
I smiled faintly. "Alright," I said.
In bed, she hugged me softly. I patted her head and whispered, "Thank you."
I stared at the ceiling for a long while. Listening to their breathing. Just knowing I wasn't alone in the dark made the silence feel soft, not empty.
Then sleep took me.
—
The next morning, I woke up early. I walked to the bathroom, looked in the mirror at my beard and mustache, and shaved them clean. I splashed water on my face, dried it with a towel, and looked at myself. It felt like I was seeing someone new. Someone better.
I went downstairs to feed Nana, then grabbed a travel bag from storage and started packing. I didn't know what Emily would want to wear, so I just stuffed in a bunch of clothes. That's when I heard a soft laugh behind me.
Turning, I saw Emily watching me. "Why did you shave your beard?" she teased.
I touched my chin. "I think I look better this way."
She smiled. "You do."
I smiled back. "So… what do you want to pack for the beach?"
"I'll handle it," she said. "Go wake Mark. Tell him we're leaving in thirty minutes."
I nodded, knocked on Mark's door, and walked in. "Hey, Mark. We're heading out in thirty. Get ready."
Rubbing his eyes, he muttered, "Alright, alright…"
I went downstairs and sat on the couch for a moment. My thoughts wandered to David. I whispered, "I think I did it, David. The path I chose… it led me here. And I like it."
I waited for a sign, a breeze, anything. Nothing came. Maybe that was the sign. Peace.
Just then, I saw Emily coming down the stairs in a sunhat, and Mark right behind her carrying the bag. I stood, took the bag from Mark, and turned to Emily.
"You look beautiful in that hat."
She smiled shyly and turned her head away, gripping the brim of the hat. I could tell she didn't know what to say.
I'd spent so long seeing her look tired. This was the first time in years I saw her look like… herself.
We headed outside. I offered to drive, but Emily took the keys.
"You just crashed a while ago. I'm driving," she said, smirking.
I raised my hands in surrender and got in the car. On the way, I glanced at Mark in the rearview mirror, then at Emily. I remembered my younger self—dreaming of a life like this but taking the wrong path to reach it.
Maybe… that path was the only way I could've arrived here.
—
The mall was fun. We ate, laughed, bought things for the beach and snacks for the road. Hours later, we arrived at the shore. We swam, played, sat watching the sunset.
I loved every moment.
As the sun dipped beneath the waves, I said, "How about a photo?"
Emily smiled. "We've never taken a real family photo."
I asked a nearby photographer to help. We stood together, the three of us, and smiled.
And this time… it was real.
No tension. No sadness. Just happiness. Just love.
I looked at the photo afterward. We were smiling. Truly smiling. I'd never seen us like that.
I stared at it a little too long. Afraid it might be the only one we ever take.
—
We drove home in silence. It was past midnight. We were tired but full. They went to bed. I went to the couch.
Emily peeked out from the hallway. "You're sleeping on the couch again?"
"No," I said. "Just… lying down with Nana. Don't worry."
She nodded and left. I patted Nana's head as she slept beside me.
I closed my eyes.
For the first time… it felt like I could finally sleep in peace.
But something felt different. As my eyes closed, a strange warmth filled my chest. I opened them again… only to find myself floating. Ascending.
I knew. My time had come.
I didn't panic. I didn't resist. I just felt… ready.
"I wish I had lived just a bit longer," I whispered. "To say 'I love you.' Just once more…"
I looked down one final time—and saw them.
Emily and Mark.
The people who once laughed at my death… now crying at my chest.
Mark clutched my hand, his eyes wide, whispering, "Please wake up."
Emily kissed my forehead. "You kept your promise… you came back to us."
Maybe, just maybe… I did something right after all.
And that smile they gave me at the end?
It wasn't just a smile. It was everything I ever hoped to be—reflected back at me.
It was worth remembering.
---
The End.