Daniel was laughing so hard he nearly fell off the sofa.
“You’re supposed to move!”
“I am moving.”
“No, Dad!”
The word stopped everyone.
Dad.
Adrian looked at Daniel.
Daniel didn’t seem to realize what he had just said.
Then he smiled.
Adrian smiled too.
I stood in the doorway and watched.
For the first time, I wasn’t looking at the man who had left me.
I was looking at the father my sons had never known.
After breakfast, Adrian took the boys outside.
They played in the snow.
He threw a snowball at Ethan.
Ethan screamed.
“Dad!”
Then all four boys attacked him.
Adrian fell into the snow laughing.
I stood by the window.
Vanessa came beside me.
“You’re smiling.”
“I am?”
“Yes.”
I watched Adrian help Samuel stand.
“I don’t know what happens after today.”
“Neither does he.”
I looked at her.
She sighed.
