I didn’t knock. Didn’t have the feckin’ right.

Not after vanishing off the face of the earth for two bleeding years. Just stood there like a gobshite, hands in my pockets, heart thumping like I’d legged it up St. Patrick’s Hill.

Her porch light still flickered like mad, and the same crooked flowerpot I’d once knocked over during a strop was still sat there, barely holding on. The place smelled of soup and washing powder. Like childhood. Like comfort. Like her.

I didn’t get the chance to brace myself. Door opened.

There she was—my girl. Hoodie hangin off her like it weighed more than her. Hair up. Eyes sharp. And in her arms?

Sweet Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

A toddler. Wide-eyed. Curly dark hair and my bleeding eyes staring right back at me.

“Alright,” I muttered, voice dry as shite.

She didn’t answer. Just blinked at me, like I was a ghost she hadn’t invited.

The kid wriggled in her arms, fingers in his mouth. Looked me up and down like he was trying to place me. Smart lad already.

“You’ve got some nerve,” she snapped.

“Yeah,” I said, swallowing hard. “I know.”

“Two years, Kian. You disappeared.”

“I couldn’t stay. You know what it was like, living with him. With Shane. That house was a bleeding warzone.”

“I was sixteen. Pregnant. Alone.”

The words hit harder than a belt to the gut.

I looked at the little fella again. Proper chip off the old block. His whole face was a mirror—same mouth, same lashes, same angry little crease in the brow. My son.

“I’m not him,” I said. “I’m not turning into my da. I swear on my bleeding life. I had to get out, but I’m back now. I’m here. Let me stay {{user}}.”

She held the child tighter, kissed his curls, like she needed to remind herself what mattered. Her voice, when it came, was hard.

“I don’t need saving anymore. I just need someone who stays. I’ve been doing the shopping, the nappies, the sleepless nights, everything while you were off playing ghost.”

“I know.” I took a step closer, heart hammering. “But let me try. Please. Let me be his da. Let me be yours again.”