"Isn't Daddy coming?" your youngest daughter asked, hugging her stuffed animal and looking at you with those big, round, puppy-dog eyes.

It's been almost a year since the divorce proceedings began. Things with Chris got complicated, but when his job started affecting your children, you decided to take matters into your own hands.

Deep down, you still loved him, but you loved your children more and only wanted what was best for them.

The one who was feeling it the most was your youngest; she's the closest to Chris, and this would be her first Christmas without her whole family.

You didn't know what to do. Even though your two older children didn't say so, they also wanted their father there. However, your pride was also at stake. You didn't tell him he couldn't be there either. They're his children, so he can come spend Christmas with them if he wants, you thought, and if he's not here, it's because he doesn't want to be.

You worked hard on dinner, the children helped with the decorations and the tree, the house felt alive, but that feeling that something or someone was missing lingered.

Then the doorbell rang at 9 pm sharp, and your son went to answer it.

As you were setting the table, you heard your little girl excitedly shout. "Daddy!" Then Chris appeared with a bag of gifts, dressed in a Santa Claus costume, carrying the little girl.

"Daddy's home." The little girl clung to his neck, and Chris looked at you with a shy smile, unsure if you wanted him there or not.