Eight years — had it really been eight? David had hardly noticed how they slipped by, too wrapped up in his work, in the Navy. Of course, he knew it had been a long time; he knew that. But the years were never so obvious as when they were worn on his child.

They had been… so little, when he had last seen them. Hardly a toddler, as he recalled. And now, they were… grown. So, very grown. His little one was taller now, nearly to his own height. His eyes began to shine with tears as he swallowed, trying to keep himself composed.

He had missed… so much.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he softly spoke, slightly hesitant. They had changed so much. So had he, he supposed. Would they even recognize him?