Chapter 8 - A DAUGHTER MEETS HER FATHER
Emma was standing in the east sitting room when Adrian brought James
inside.
She had been told only that they were returning with someone. When she
saw the man beside Adrian, the glass in her hand slipped and shattered.
James stopped.
“Emma.”
She did not move. For several seconds, she looked at him as if the years
between them were a wall she could not cross.
Then she stepped forward and touched his face.
“You’re real.”
James nodded. “I’m here.”
She struck his chest once with her palm, not hard enough to hurt him.
“You left me.”
“I know.”
“You let me tell our daughter you were gone.”
“I know.”
“I waited every night.”
James lowered his head. “I’m sorry.”
She began to cry. He reached for her, but did not pull her close until
she chose to step into his arms.
Adrian quietly left the room.
Nora was upstairs with Mrs. Alvarez. When Emma and James were ready,
Adrian brought her down.
The little girl entered holding the silver lighter.
She looked at James.
He knelt, his face pale with emotion.
“Hello, Nora.”
She studied him carefully.
“Are you Daddy?”
James nodded. “I’m your daddy.”
Nora looked at Emma. “Mommy?”
Emma crouched beside her. “Yes, sweetheart. This is the man in the
pictures.”
Nora took one small step forward.
“You came back?”
“I did.”
“Are you going away again?”
James swallowed. “Not without telling you. And never because I don’t
love you.”
Nora approached slowly and held out the lighter.
“You gave this to Mommy.”
“I did.”
“It’s heavy.”
James smiled through his tears. “It always was.”
Nora climbed into his arms. James held her carefully, as if the moment
might disappear.
Adrian watched from the doorway.
His brother had returned, but five lost years could not simply be
erased. James needed medical care. Emma needed time. Nora needed a
relationship that could grow without promises made too quickly.
Gabriel approached Adrian.
“Boss, Victor has requested an emergency family meeting. He’s heard
someone accessed Northstar.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Tell him I’ll be there.”
“Alone?”
“No.”
May you like
Adrian looked at James, Emma, and Nora.
“Not this time.”
