I woke up early the next morning. I researched some laws and things that I needed to know. Around 8 am, I called the law office. Even though today was Saturday, I knew security was on duty.

A man answered, "Security, this is Shawn speaking!"

Shawn was a cool guy, "Hey Shawn, this is Fitz Grant speaking. I need you to do a few things for me."

He was eager to help a senior partner, "Yes sir, Mr. Grant. Anything I can do to assist you is my job."

"Good, the first thing I want you to do is the remove the restraining order against my wife. I want her to feel welcome anytime she comes to the office."

"Yes sir, I am taking her off the list now."

I made a note of that, "Okay. Put my PA, Candice Evans, on the list and revoke all her passes and access to my files. If she steps one foot on the property, I want her arrested on-sight."

"Yes sir, I will send you an email when it is done."

"Good, unfortunately I will not be attending the party tonight but you have a safe holiday."

"You too, Mr. Grant."

I hung up the phone and moved to my next order of business.

I made my next call.

The phone was answered on the second ring, "Darvin's Furniture Store."

"Yes, my name is Fitzgerald Grant. Is there any way I could speak to your owner?"

A few minutes passed, a man said "This is Jeff, how can I help you?"

Looking at my wife's computer, "Jeff, I was on your website and I found some furniture I would like to buy but I need it delivered today. I am willing to pay extra for the inconvenience."

The man seemed stumped, "We don't normally do that sir."

Using my skills as a lawyer, "I understand that but my wife has bookmarked some things on her laptop that she likes in your store. I am willing to throw an extra two grand for delivery today. It can be after hours. I will throw another grand if you have someone who can install some blinds for me today as well."

Remember when I said that money was power.

He quickly changed his tune, "What would you like to order?"

I ordered a new couch, a new mattress set for our bedroom, complete bedroom set for our spare bedroom and they were going to bring me three sets of blinds for our bedroom window.

After that, I went to check on Kami. She was waking up as I entered the room, "Hey daddy."

My heart was overflowing with joy, "Hey Princess. How did you sleep?"

She nodded her head, "Good."

I picked her up from the bed, "Mommy is going to sleep late. You go brush your teeth and use the bathroom then come downstairs. Daddy will make you some breakfast."

"Okay, daddy."

She ran down the hall to the bathroom. I peeked in on Liv who was still sleeping. Once I got to the kitchen, I checked to see what we had in the refrigerator. I made a note to go grocery shopping.

As I was taking ingredients out of fridge, I got the email that my PA was been block from the building and my files.

Kami came in and walked over to me. I picked her up and kissed her cheek, "What do you want for breakfast?"

She smiled, "Ice cream!"

I sighed as I remember the time she asked for ice cream for breakfast. I yelled at Liv and demanded she give it to her. Not anymore.

In my stern father voice, "No, Kamila. You will eat something healthy for breakfast. Now what do you want?"

I only called her Kamila when I am serious and she knew it.

In a baby voice, "Cereal?"

"Okay." I kissed her cheek, "Daddy still loves you."

I put her down and she sat at the table. I made her nice bowl of cereal. I sat down next to her as she started eating. I watched in awe as my baby acted like a big girl.

I realized that I never had a conversation with my own child. I was actually quite nervous, "Did you have fun yesterday?"

She nodded her head, "I got to see a lot of planets and the sun. We can't go to the sun because we will burn up and die."

I laughed at her, "Really? What else did you learn?"

She thought for a minute, "Pluto used to be a planet but it's not anymore."

I never realized how smart she was, "Did you do anything cool?"

She put down her spoon and waved her hands, "I floated like I was in space. Poppy said he was too old to do it."

I saw the moment she realized what she said and who she was talking to. I kissed her cheek, "It's okay, Kami-cakes. I know you love your Poppy. I won't make him stop seeing you."

She looked like an innocent four-year old, "I like talking to him."

I chuckled at her doe eyes like her mother, "Where has Poppy taken you?"

She started counting on her fingers, "Riding horses, to see race cars, football game, baseball game, basketball game. He took me to see a boat race and it was so cool. Poppy is funny. We see the parades all the time. I like when the river is green."

I was speechless. I didn't know my father did all of that with her. I cleared my throat, "Kami, do you know where Poppy is now?"

She started back eating her cereal, "Yeah. He is at the cracker hotel."

I frowned in confusion, "Cracker hotel? What is that?"

She rolled her eyes like talking to me was exasperating, "You know the red box crackers. R-r-? I can't say the word."

It took me a minute but I finally understood, "Is Poppy at the Ritz?"

She clapped, "Yeah, mommy always puts him there."

I got up from the table, "Finish your breakfast. I need to make mommy something to eat then you and I need to run some errands."

I put Liv's bread in the toaster and poured her some juice. Once her toast was done, I spread strawberry jelly on top and placed the food and juice on a tray table.

I made a note to buy my wife some flowers. She loved calla lilies. I was going to get her some while I was out with Kami.

I told Kami that I would be back and carried the food up to our bedroom. When I open the door, Liv was still sleeping. I set the tray on the floor and stared at her sleeping for a little while.

It was hard to believe that she was mine. This woman was my life. My everything. I pushed the hair back from her face and she stirred a bit.

I rubbed her tenderly and spoke softly, "Baby, wake up. You need to eat some food."

She rolled over towards me and frowned, "Not really hungry. It hard to keep food down."

I put my hand on her stomach, "I know, sweetie but the baby needs food and you need to stay hydrated."

She accepted my reasoning and sat up in the bed.

I placed the tray in her lap, "It's only toast but it's still food."

"Thank you."

I looked around the room, "Where are your prenatal vitamins and iron pills?"

She shook her head, "I didn't have time to get them."

I took my phone out of my pocket, "I will add that to my list."

She looked confused, "What list?"

I put my phone back into my pocket and gave my wife my undivided attention, "Kami and I have some errands to run. I made a list. We should be gone at the most 2 hours. I will check in with you every 30 minutes to make sure you are okay. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. I don't care what it is. If you feel lonely or you want me to come back home, call me and I will drop everything for you. That goes for every day."

She nodded her head and bit her toast. After a few bites, she looked lost in thought, "Can I ask you something?"

I pushed a few strains of hair behind her ear, "You can ask me anything, baby."

She looked at me with fear and apprehension, "I want an honest answer. Even if the answer is yes, I still want the truth."

"I promise."

She took a deep breath, "Did you or have you slept with Candice?"

I felt awful for making my wife ever question my love for her.

I moved her tray back to the floor and took both of her hands in mine. I looked her dead in her eyes, "No. I have never cheated on you. Like I said last night, there has been no one since I met you. I am sorry for even looking at her. I am more than happy right here at home. You are everything to me and I promise that as long as I draw breath on this earth, you will never again question my love for you."

She stared into my eyes searching for the truth, "I believe you."

I pulled her into a kiss, "I love only you. I love being your baby."

She laughed into my mouth, "I love you being my baby."

I pulled back and gave her back her tray, "Eat. I need you and Baby Grant to be healthy. By the way, who is cooking dinner tomorrow?"

She made a sound while drinking her juice. She swallowed and answered, "I am. Abby and Wolverine are coming. I invited Stephen. He said he couldn't make it. He was visiting family."

I shook my head, "Stephen is not allowed in this house anymore. I will explain everything later. Give me your grocery list. I will come back and take you grocery shopping when you are ready."

She pointed to her dresser, "My list is on my phone."

I got her phone and noticed her screensaver was an old family photo of the three of them. Kami was 2. I smiled, "I guess we need new family pictures before and after the baby."

She took her phone and pulled up her list, "You are not upset about having another baby?"

I shook my head, "Of course not. It's an anniversary and Christmas present all in one."

She emailed me her list, "I guess you did remember."

If only she knew. I laughed a little, "Yeah, I remembered after the fact. It is just one of the many things I will make up to you. But do know that marrying you was the best thing I ever did."

A little voice yelled, "Daddyyyyy!"

Liv laughed, "Uh oh, somebody wants her daddy."

I yelled back, "Coming, Kami-cakes!" I gave my wife a kiss, "Finish eating while I dress her. I will be back to get your tray and then you will rest until we get back home."

She nodded and kissed me one more time.

X X

I got Kami in her car seat. I took Liv's Lexus SUV because Kami's car seat was already in there and I was ashamed to say I didn't know how to put it in my car. But I will order one to keep in my car. She was my responsibility too.

I gave Kami her IPad when I got in the car, "Watch a movie, baby. Daddy has to make some calls but I am not ignoring you. Call my name if you need something."

She nodded her head and started her movie. I didn't even know what she was watching because I didn't know what movies Liv had on that thing.

Yeah that was me: the absent father. I provided my daughter with everything she needed except for an attentive father.

I made several calls on the way to the florist. I called Brenda, my administrative assistant, to help me out. After the promise of a raise, she agreed. Like I said before, Brenda was good at her job.

We got to the florist and I got my Kami-cakes out of the car. Before putting my phone in my pocket, I texted my wife.

Me: hey, how are you and baby grant doing?

A few seconds later, she responded.

Liv: I just threw up my breakfast. I am going to try to relax in a bubble bath.

The thought of my wife's naked body in water was making me hard. I had to change my thoughts before I walked in the florist with a hard-on.

Me: I am sorry you feel bad. Try to rest and I will give you a massage later to night. Love you sweetie.

Liv: That sounds amazing. Love you too baby.

My heart was dancing all over my body. I loved when she called me baby.

Kami and I entered the florist. A young girl, maybe 20, came around the counter, she smiled, "Can I help you with something?"

Something about the way she was looking at me was rubbing me the wrong way. I responded because I was in a hurry, "Yes, do you have any calla lilies?"

She motioned for us to follow her. I was holding Kami's hand so she didn't grab anything. I knew that much about my child. Score one point for me.

The girl stopped in front of the calla lilies, "These are all we have."

I counted them and it looked like 3 dozen. They were beautiful and fresh, "I will take them all. Can you put them in 3 different vases and package them so they won't fall over in the car?"

The girl walked off and did what I asked. Brenda was texting me and asking me various questions. Some I knew the answers to, others I didn't. She called me sad.

Kami and I were sitting in a chair by the door. I was bouncing her on my knee while we were waiting.

After 20 minutes, the florist came from the back with my boxes. She was ringing me up, "Would you like a card for each one? That way you won't mix up who they are for. My brother always writes on the card when he sends me flowers. You could write a special message to your sisters or mother or whomever they are for."

Un-fucking-believable. I was there with my daughter and a damn wedding ring on my finger and she was hitting on me. I signed my credit card receipt, "That's okay. All 3 are for my wife. I don't need to write on a card. I can just tell her over and over how much I love her."

Boom!

I got Kami and the flowers then we head back to the car. I headed to the drug store to pick up Liv's vitamins. Then I had one more stop to make. I was anxious about my next stop. It's been long overdue but I know it was going to feel good.

I pulled up outside of the building and the valet attendant came for my car. I picked Kami up and walked towards the front desk.

I waited in line behind a few people before it was finally my turn.

I walked up to the counter and an older man says, "Welcome to the Ritz-Carlton of Chicago. How may I help you?"

Kami laughed in my ear, "Like the cracker, daddy."

Yeah, simple shit is funny to a four-year old.

I turned back to the guy, "You have someone here under name Fitzgerald Grant. I know you can't give me his room number. Can you call him and tell him that his granddaughter is here to see him?"

The man nodded and picked up the phone. He relayed the message and stopped to asks, "What is the child's name?"

Evidently my father wanted proof. Luckily Kami loved to tell people her name. She yelled, "Kamila Eliana Grant!"

Yeah, my princess says her full name.

The man talked to my father. When satisfied, he hung up and said to me, "He is in room 523. He says to bring her up."

I nodded, "Thank you."

Kami and I headed for the elevators. She wormed in my arms so I put her down. She pressed the up button. When the doors opened, we got inside. She pressed '5' on the elevator wall.

She answered my unspoken question, "Mommy, brang me here to see Poppy a lot of times."

My emotions were all over the place. God, I love my wife.

When the doors opened on the fifth floor, Kami and I walked out.

Kami was looking at the numbers on the outside of the doors, "What's the number again, Daddy?"

I said, "5-2-3, honey."

She repeated the numbers like a mantra. She found the door and knocked. When my dad opened it, she yelled, "Poppy!"

My dad bent down to pick her up. He still hadn't seen me standing off to the side, "Poppy's baby is here bright and early."

He turned and finally saw me. The shocked look on his face said he'd seen a ghost. Yeah, I been there a few times myself.

I stood tall in full view, "Hey, Dad. Merry Christmas!"

My father actually started crying which made me start crying. While still holding Kami, my dad pulled me into a hug, "This is the best Christmas present I could have asked for."

I hugged my dad tighter like I am scared he was going to slip away, "I'm sorry dad. I missed you."

My dad eventually let me go. He touched my face trying to make sure I was real, "The past doesn't matter, son. All the matters is right now. Come inside."

We walked into the hotel room and Kami went crazy when she saw presents on the bed. She talked her Poppy into letting her open one. It was an American Girl doll name Kendall.

My baby being the brain child she was, "Where are the rest of her clothes?"

My dad and I laughed. He pointed to her other presents, "There may be a few wrapped up over there."

My daughter got excited, "Is one of them a space suit?"

He sighed sadly, "No, they have one at the toy store on the other side of town. I was going to go and get it today."

I put my hand on my dad's shoulder, "Let's go and get it now. Pack all your stuff because you are staying at the house with us. I am sure Kami-cakes wants her Poppy to spend Christmas morning with her."

Kami yelled and clapped. Then she danced around the room with her doll.

I kissed my father on the cheek, "I want her Poppy to be there too."

My dad hugged me again. It was one of the best feelings in the world.

While my dad packed his stuff with Kami's help (actually she was mostly in the way), I touched basis with Brenda. I called my partners at the firm and I checked on my wife.

Me: Baby, are you okay? Did you enjoy your bath?

Liv: I am getting dressed now. I need to straighten up the kitchen before we leave.

Me: NO! You will do no such thing. I will do it when I get back. Get dressed and watch TV. I have one more stop then we will be home.

Liv: Okay, I will just lay up like a fat cat and watch TV. Lol

Me :) Exactly. Baby Grant needs his mommy to rest. I Love you.

Liv: You have said 'I love you' more times today than you have in a whole year.

Me: *heartbroken* I know and I am sorry. I can never apologize to you enough. I love you. I will say it until you get tired of hearing it and I will still say.

Liv: lol. I will never get tired of it.

Me: Good cuz your Fitz is back and he is never leaving again.

Liv: I always knew he would return.

Me: Love you. Rest. I will check on you later. Call me if you need me.

Liv: Love you too, baby.

I put my phone in my pocket as my father finished up. He looked at me, "Is everything ok?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah, I was just checking on Liv. I am making her rest today."

He seemed genuinely concerned, "Is she okay? She's not sick or anything."

I loved his concern for my wife, "No, she's pregnant and I haven't been involved in our day to day life as I should but that is changing. I don't want her taking on too many responsibilities anymore."

My dad picked up his suitcase off the bed, "I figured something like that was going on. Whenever I would ask about you, she had a look on her face like she was trying to hold on to hope. I am glad things are getting better for you guys. Congratulations on the new baby."

"Thanks dad."

Kami grabbed the suitcase from dad's hand to roll it out of the room, "Come on, toy store!"

X X

After the valet brought Liv's truck around, he helped load my dad's luggage and presents in the back. I tipped him handsomely and we headed to the toy store.

Kami pulled him through the store asking for everything. My father told her that she could only get two things. I scouted the store with them but basically let them enjoy their bond. It was nice to watch them interact with each other. We walked down a few aisles when something caught my attention. I told my dad that I was checking out something. I walked over to the area that said 'X-Men.'

A salesgirl walked up. She was every bit of a teenager. Probably making some holiday money, "Can I help you find anything in particular, sir?"

I used to complain about being called sir. It made me feel old. But I understood that it was mostly a sign of respect so I learned to let it go.

I pointed to their display, "I know a little boy who is crazy about Wolverine. I want to buy him some things but I was wondering if the mask came in adult sizes."

The salesgirl came through for me. We found all kinds of Wolverine toys and whatnots. I got so much stuff that she had to bring me a shopping cart.

I finally caught up with dad and Kami. We checked out the store and against my father's wishes, I paid for everything. He will get all the credit but I wanted to do that for him.

After loading everything up in the car, I called Liv instead of texting her.

She answered on the third ring, "Hey you!"

I smiled as I started the car, "Hey, we are on our way home. Sorry it took so long but I think you will let it slide once you see everything."

She spoke in a seductive whisper, "Mr. Grant, what have you been up to?"

I loved that voice, "You will just have to wait and see. Be downstairs on the couch. I hope you are ready to go to the store."

She huffed, "I am. I hate sitting around doing nothing. I am bored. I miss you."

"Baby, I told you to call me. I would have come home if I had known."

She used her baby voice, "I didn't want to bother you."

I knew it was going to take some time for her to see that her needing me was not a bother, "We have a lot to work on. Just sit back and I'll be home as soon as possible."

"Okay."

"I love you, sweetie."

She laughed, "I love you too baby."

On the drive home, I went over my evening plans with my dad. He agreed to stay at the house so that the furniture people could deliver everything that I ordered. Liv and I would purchase bedding and other things she wanted for the house. I talked my father into staying in town for a while. He had nothing at home for him and he only stay a little while to keep me from getting suspicious. I might sound childish but I wanted my father here as long as possible. Hopefully Liv would agree to him moving in. If not, I could get him an apartment close by.

We pulled up in the driveway 25 minutes later. Liv came outside when she heard the garage door open. She had a 'what the fucking fuck is going on' look on her face when she saw my father.

I smiled as I hopped out the car, "Look who I picked up from the Ritz today."

My wife was looking from me to Big Jerry. She was not sure what to do or expect.

Big Jerry gave her a hug and whispered something in her ear. Whatever it was, it relaxed her. I got Kami out of the car and she ran to her mom.

"Mommy, we got all this stuff from the store."

Liv looked into the back when I open the trunk, "I can see that you and daddy have been busy today."

Kami was bouncing from sugar in the candy I gave her in the store, "Poppy helped too. I told daddy about the cracker hotel. Poppy will be here for Christmas."

I grabbed a bag and walked up to my wife. I kissed her on the cheek, "You are beautiful, baby."

She was wearing her grey sweater dress with black tight and black winter boots that went up to her knees. I hadn't seen her in anything but scrubs for a while so this was a nice change.

She smoothed her dress, "Thank you. Just something I threw on." She looked back at my father talking to Kami then back at me. She was humble and apologetic, "I'm sorry I never told you that I have been in touch with your father."

I motioned my head towards the house. She followed me inside. I put my bags on the kitchen table. Once my hands are empty, I pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear, "Forgiveness is a two-way street. I am happy that you reached out to him and allowed him to have a relationship with Kami. I can't make up for years lost but we have now. I want to get to know my father for the man he is. I've invited him to stay for a while. I hope that is okay."

She kissed my cheek, "Poppy is always welcome here. He can stay forever if he wants."

God, I love this woman.

She pulled back from my face as a thought enter her mind, "We don't have the spare room set up."

I chuckled, "I already worked that out. We have four rooms. He can have the spare and we can work on the nursery for Ryan."

She scrunched her face, "Who is Ryan?"

I put my hand over her stomach, "Our son."

I gave my wife a sensual kiss before I helped my dad bring the bags from the car. After sitting a vase filled with calla lilies in the kitchen, bedroom and living room, Kami, Liv and I headed to the grocery store.

X X

We walked through the grocery store getting everything on Liv's list and things I felt she needed for a happy pregnancy.

We went to the juice section and I grabbed orange, carrot, beet root, peach and strawberry juice.

Liv stood watching me, "What is all of this juice for?"

I pointed to her stomach, "For you and Ryan. I read all of this is good for pregnancy."

She pointed towards Kami who was sitting in the front of the cart dancing to a tune in her head, "I didn't drink all of that with her."

I walked closer to her, "We couldn't afford all of this with her. We are in a better financially than we were then. We can give this baby things we couldn't give her."

She took my hand, "We had more than enough because we had each other. If we had to struggle again like before, this baby would be okay. I just need you to be there."

I kissed her cheek, "I will make every appointment and anything else you need me to attend. I will be there when our son is born."

"You are so sure this is a boy? I am only eight weeks pregnant. It's too early."

I looked into her beautiful eyes, "I promised you honesty and I will explain everything later. I had a come to Jesus moment or something. I really don't know how to explain it but I just know he is a boy. He also likes the name Ryan."

She put her hands on my face, "Okay. I trust you. We will call him Ryan."

Kami picked this moment to listen to us talking and yelled, "Ryan! Ryan!" She chanted it over and over.

Yeah I may have given her too much sugar. Lesson learned.

Liv was giving me the eye. Yeah, I fucked up.

I shrugged, "Sorry. I will monitor sugar intake from now on."

I pushed the cart to the next aisle. Kami started yelling for cookies.

I was trying to be the adult, "No, we already got chips for you. You don't need any cookies."

She folded her arms and pouted, "Mean daddy!"

That hurt like hell. My baby knew how to break my heart.

Just when I was about to give in, Liv stopped me, "Don't even think about it. You said your peace and now move on."

I pulled her to the side so Kami couldn't hear us. I whispered, "She called me mean."

She scoffed and walked back to Kami, "Tell daddy you are sorry. We do not call people names."

Still pouting, Kami mumbled, "Sorry."

Yeah right. I'd be a fool to fucking believe she meant that shit.

Liv turned back to me, "You are the parent. She is the child. You are not here to be her friend. She will not like you all the time. She doesn't like me all the time. You told her no and that should be the end of the discussion. It's called parenting. Let's go."

She pushed the cart down the aisle. I took it from her after I got my head back into the game. I had my hand on wife's hip as we walked around the store.

"Why are you cooking if food makes you nauseous?"

She smiled, "Who else is going to cook? You or Abby. Neither of you can boil water."

I squeezed her hip tighter, "I can learn. I will help you cook."

She hip-checked me, "You just want to taste the food."

"You are an amazing cook."

My phone rung and Liv looked at me.

I took it out of my pocket and saw it was my dad calling, "I need to take this, baby."

She pushed Kami on and I answered, "Yeah, dad."

"The guys are here with the furniture. What do you want me to tell them?"

I looked at my watch and saw that it was only noon, "The new mattress goes in the master bedroom. The old mattress goes in the guest bedroom. We've only had it a year. They will take the old couch away and you can set up the guest room anyway you want. Blinds are for the master bedroom."

"Ok son."

I caught up with Liv as she was finishing her list. We checked out and she laughed when I refused to let her help me put the food on the conveyor belt. I was very attentive to my wife throughout the whole process.

After that, we went to the home décor store.

I had never heard of a duvet until my wife drug me all over the fucking store trying to find the right ones to match everything. I had never heard of a valance but we definitely needed one of those for the guest room. We were in the store so freaking long, Kami fell asleep. The salesgirl and my wife talked what seemed to me to be a different language.

Do you know what the fuck I did? I smiled. I kissed and loved on my wife. I gave my opinion when she asked and I carried my daughter when she got tired. I basically loved spending time with my wife.

We went home and I ordered some food on the way after calling dad to see what he wanted. Liv was over the moon ecstatic about the couch, new furniture and especially the blinds. She took a nap on the new mattress after she ate her lunch. I wrapped presents and talked with my dad. We watched football and just bonded.

Liv woke up and did some prep in the kitchen. She showed me how to inject and season the turkey that was being deep fried tomorrow. I helped her anyway I could.

Liv was making her famous dressing when I came up behind her and put my hands on her stomach, "How is the baby treating you?"

She leaned her head back on my shoulder, "Fine. At least I am keeping my food down."

I kissed her neck, "That's good."

I just held her while she worked. I could see dad and Kami talking in the living room because the house had an open floor plan.

Liv finished and turned in my arm. She put her arms around my neck and kissed me, "Thank you for today. It's nice to see my Fitz again."

I kissed her nose, "I told you. I am here to stay."

She placed her forehead on mine, "You didn't even look at the other women trying to catch your eye today."

I pulled back and frowned, "What women?"

"The check-out girl at the grocery store. Two shoppers in the décor store. Even the hostess when we went to get the food. They kept checking you out trying to get your attention."

I squeezed her ass cheek, "I only have eyes for you. You love me unconditionally and I will love you the same way. I didn't notice any of those women because you were the only thing that mattered. Why should I waste my time with fake bitches when I have a real queen at home?"

She kissed me and I got lost in the sweetness that was her mouth. Part of me wanted to put her on the counter and eat her pussy till she couldn't feel her legs. But I couldn't. I was still working to regain her trust.

She put Kami to bed and turned in early herself. I wanted to make good on my promise of a massage but she told me to stay and spend time with my dad some more. He went to bed around 10. I put the toys out for Kami from Santa and then I went into the master bedroom.

I stood over my wife as I watched her sleep peacefully. I thought about last night and my journey which seemed like it was ages ago.

I looked towards the ceiling, "I hope I am doing okay so far." I pointed to the windows, "I got the blinds like she wanted. I got the couch and everything else she asked for. I know none of those mean much to her but I am just making up for things I ignored. She is all I need. Making her happy is making me happy. I just hope it's enough to change the future."

I took my place on my pallet on the floor. I was honoring my word. I would not be back in our bed until she invited me back. Before I laid down, I kissed her cheek, "Love you, Livvie."

Then I fell asleep.