"It's been too long, Peyton, way too damn long."
After a super hug, to make up for the years of silence we've had (until we're all that we got left), we finger the gray hair that's starting to come and remember days of basket balls and no Lucas or Haley.
(saying the 'good days' would be too harsh but that's just what he deserves it)
"Right back at you, Scott."
My little one, who is all I have left since daddy found his way out, peeks out at the giant of a man but in a matter of seconds she's in his arms like he's been their her whole damn life.
"My god, Sawyer, you got heavy."
It was something out of a song, like the one that reminded me of him and has been on consent replay in my head (something now no longer shameful) something that should have happened years before.
(the wasted years that ended in rage rather then bliss)
"Mommy said I could so it, she said you could handle anything."
When I said those words, on the plane the wait nearly killing the both of us (daughter like mother), I meant every last one of them. He's been so much in his life, we're a pair that have seen pain left and right, and after it all he's still here.
"She did, did she?"
Like many years ago, that feel like seconds that passed too quickly (in the blink of a eye it was all gone, all but him), ours eyes met across the room but this time something more was going to come of it instead of just looking away.
(besides who's here to judge?)
"Of course she did, Nathan, you're superman!"