Page 96 of Second Chance in Miami
“Emma,” my father starts, “this apology’s for you too. I don’t know what I was thinking, threatening you like that. I never intended to actually hurt anyone. I just... wanted to scare you. And I felt awful the moment I did it.”
“Past is past, Thomas,” she says. “You showing up here already says a lot.”
He nods, visibly relieved. Everyone knows my wife is more forgiving than I’ll ever be.
I wrap my arm around her and pull her closer.
“I’m glad you two found your way back to each other,” my father says, his voice cracking a little. “I’m glad you’re a family.”
A single tear rolls down his cheek. He pulls a white handkerchief from his pocket and dabs it away.
Emma steps toward him and, without warning, hugs him.
He stiffens, then hugs her back. And breaks down.
“Let it go, Thomas. You’re forgiven,” she says, loud enough to include me. “Right, Luca?”
I breathe in. Let it out. And step forward. I wrap them both in my arms. I know this wouldn’t be happening without her. It’sher softness, her light, that’s made it possible—me, at thirty-two, hugging my father for the first time in my life.
I’ll never be able to put my gratitude into words. I’ll never fully explain how her absence made me dark and bitter and lost. But I’ll show her. Every damn day. By cherishing her body, loving her freely, and honoring this family, she gave back to me.
Epilogue.
“Sometimes I think she’s worried about having such insufferable parents,” I whisper, eyes lowered.
Luca stands beside me, smiling with a hint of drool at the corner of his mouth.
Okay, maybe I’m imagining that part.
We’re both looking down at our daughter Mila, wriggling softly in her crib. Mila was born a week ago at Mercy Hospital in Miami. After four years together, traveling, rediscovering each other, reclaiming all the time we’d lost, Luca told me he was ready to be a dad.
If I remember correctly, he said, “I need to tell you something, Em. There’s this thought that won’t leave my head, and it’s eating me alive.”
“Luca, you’re scaring me.”
“Don’t be scared, it’s just that… I’m dying to have a child with you. Ever since Silas and Lauren had Julian, I’ve wanted it with all my heart.”
And now, here we are, completely in love with our daughter.
“She should be more worried about having three uncles, two grandfathers, and a dad who’d do absolutely anything for her.”
I laugh silently. There’s just something about a baby—her presence makes you whisper and move a little slower, like the whole world softens.
Luca wraps his arms around my waist and presses a kiss to my cheek.
“Thank you for giving me the most perfect daughter in the world, love Lamb,” he says, locking eyes with me. “Thank you for this family.”
I turn to him, smiling widely.
Ever since Luca became a father, he’s looked so much more relaxed. He smiles constantly, and he’s kind to anyone who seeks his company. Yes… even his father.
“Thankyou,” I whisper, “for giving me a second chance, Gargoyle.”
The end.
