Chapter 16 - DOMINIC'S QUESTION
Lily’s first birthday was small.
Family.
A few friends.
No photographers.
No chandeliers.
No diamond anything.
We held it in my backyard.
Dominic arrived early carrying balloons.
He had become surprisingly good at children’s parties.
My father remained suspicious of him.
My mother pretended not to notice.
Harold brought Lily a wooden rocking horse.
Chloe sent books but did not attend.
She said she was not ready to be around everyone.
I respected that.
Near sunset, Dominic found me standing beside the garden.
“Can we talk?”
“Yes.”
He looked toward Lily, who was sitting on my father’s lap trying to steal his glasses.
“She’s happy.”
“She is.”
“You’re happy.”
I smiled.
“I am.”
He nodded slowly.
“That’s good.”
There was something heavy in his voice.
“What is it?”
Dominic took a breath.
“I need to ask you something once.”
My muscles tightened.
“Okay.”
“I’m not going to keep asking.”
That told me what was coming.
He looked directly at me.
“Is there any chance for us again?”
The garden suddenly felt quieter.
I had known this question would come eventually.
I also knew my answer.
“No.”
His eyes closed briefly.
When he opened them, he nodded.
“Okay.”
I touched his arm.
“Dominic.”
“You don’t need to explain.”
“I want to.”
He waited.
“I forgive you.”
His eyes filled.
“But forgiveness did not rebuild what broke.”
“I understand.”
“I trust you with Lily.”
“That means more than you know.”
“I believe you’ve changed.”
He gave a small, painful smile.
“Just not enough.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“That isn’t it.”
He looked confused.
“You changed after losing me.”
I searched for the right words.
“And maybe losing me was part of what made the change real.”
His face softened.
“If I came back because you improved, you might always wonder whether the consequence mattered.”
Dominic looked toward our daughter.
“You think I needed to lose you.”
“I think some lessons cannot be learned while the person you hurt keeps protecting you from the cost.”
He was quiet for a long time.
Then he nodded.
“That makes sense.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
He gave me a genuine smile.
“For the first time in my life, I’m learning that someone saying no to me is not the same as someone hurting me.”
That sounded like therapy.
I laughed.
“Dr. Keller?”
“Every Thursday.”
We stood beside each other watching Lily.
Not husband and wife.
Not enemies.
Two people connected forever by a little girl who deserved better than the patterns we had inherited.
Dominic looked at me.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to be her dad.”
“You’re doing the work.”
“I intend to keep doing it.”
He walked back toward the party.
My father appeared beside me immediately.
“Was he asking you to remarry him?”
I stared at him.
“Were you spying?”
“I was standing nearby.”
“Behind a tree.”
“It provided shade.”
“It’s seven p.m.”
My father looked offended.
“I dislike this conversation.”
I laughed so loudly Lily turned toward us.
May you like
And for the first time, the memory of that ballroom felt far away.
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