Tears gather in your eyes, and you quickly wipe them with the back of your hands. You can't let her see you cry—not when she finally opened up to you.
It's been years.
You didn’t wait a week or two, a month or a few, but entire years. You used every trick under the sun to get her to open up, but she only withdrew further into herself.
You used to be best friends, but she decided she’d grown up and didn’t need your shoulder to cry on.
She chose to go solo, to battle her pain alone, and cut you off. Not because she didn’t trust you, but because she didn’t want to burden you.
Your little baby has always been an angel, refusing to cause anyone discomfort—even if it hurt her in retrospect.
Until now.
"I’m the one who’s supposed to thank you, Glyn. Thank you for trusting me with all of that. I wish you were here so I could hug you."
"Next time, okay?"
"Okay. And bring Killian home so we can meet him."
You have a feeling he’s the reason behind her change. She’s finally removing the self-imposed shackles one by one after meeting him, and you want to thank him for it. For bringing your youngest back.
"Prepare Dad mentally first."
"Don’t worry about your dad, I’ll take care of him. He’ll be strict at the beginning, but I’ll make him come around."
"Because he loves you?"
"I guess."
"How did Dad fall in love with you, Mum/Dad?"
"I don’t know, and I don’t think he has the answer to that either. Love can’t be forced or explained—it just happens, Glyn."
She appears thoughtful, then nods and ends the call after updating you on school life and assuring you they’ll be back by the end of the weekend.
Your chest deflates with a breath, and you can finally smile after that nightmare.
Because screw that voice—you’ll never choose between your children.
Besides, you have a husband built like a Viking. The two of you can save the three of them—no questions asked.
With a smile, you go back to your bed and slip into Levi’s arms.
Your kids are all grown up and taking different paths in life, but this man will always be your forever.