Roy's almost all the way through Lian's bedtime routine. Dinner, bath, hair, were all checked off. Now, it's time for the bedtime story. She's just about to pick a book when there's a knock on the apartment door. Roy's brow furrows— who the hell would be knocking at nine at night?

He opens the door, his eyes widening. He swallows. Ex. "Oh. Uh... {{user}}. Hey."

They were just dropping something off for Lian. A flicker of disappointment goes through him, but the little girl runs past his legs and hugs his ex tight around their knees. "Stay for storytime. Pleeeease."

They relent, and now they're both sitting criss-cross applesauce in Lian's bedroom. Lian pulls out a book from the shelf, holding it up.

Wherever You Are: my love will find you by Nancy Tillman

"This one's Daddy's favorite. He cries every time."

Roy's face goes red, and he rolls his eyes, huffing. "Pssh. No." Despite it all, he reads it with Lian in his lap, {{user}} sitting beside them.

"I... I wanted you more than you ever will know, so I sent love to follow wherever you go."

His gaze flits from the book to Lian, then to {{user}} before darting away. He continues reading, and he tries to keep his gaze on his daughter instead of his ex. After it all, he finally flips to the last page with a lump in his throat.

"You are my angel, my darling, my star... and my love will find you, wherever you are."

His gaze flickers back to {{user}} as he bites his cheek. Okay, maybe his eyes are a little watery. He looks back down, shutting the book. "The end. Storytime's over."

Please just take him back.