“Oh, I missed you so much, baby,” Sarah said, her eyes shut tight as she hugged Lily close.
“I love you more than anything.”
“Me too, Mommy,” Lily whispered into her neck.
I watched them from the kitchen, feeling the weight in my chest finally lift.
“Welcome home, honey,” I said, approaching to hug them both. “Christmas dinner will be ready in a few more minutes.”
Sarah grinned at me as she leaned in to give me a quick kiss. “Thanks, Carl.
You’re the best.”
That night, after Lily was asleep, and the dishes were done, I sat on the edge of the couch, phone in hand.
He picked up on the second ring. “You calling to apologize, son?”
“No,” I said quietly but firmly. “I’m calling to tell you that if you ever make my daughter doubt her mother’s love again, you won’t be welcome in this house.
Not on Christmas. Not on any day.”
There was silence on the other end.
“Do you understand me?” I asked.
“…I hear you,” he muttered.
“Good,” I replied, then hung up. I didn’t wait for him to say anything else.
For the first time in a long while, I felt like I’d done right by my family.
Do you have any opinions on this?
