Chapter 18: Emma's Recital
204 Words
Saturday. 2 PM. School Auditorium.
Emma's dance recital.
Aria sat in the front row. Damian sat beside her. Not too close. But not far.
The lights dimmed. Music started.
And there was Emma. In a pink tutu. Smiling so big.
She danced perfectly.
At the end, Emma ran off stage. Straight to them.
"Mommy! Daddy! Did you see?" Emma hugged both of them.
"We saw, baby," Aria and Damian said at the same time.
They looked at each other. And both smiled.
After, they took photos. The 3 of them.
"Can we get ice cream to celebrate?" Emma asked.
Aria looked at Damian. "Is that okay?"
Damian nodded. "Yeah. Let's go."
At the ice cream shop, Emma was talking nonstop. About the dance. About her friends.
Aria and Damian just watched her.
"She's amazing," Damian said quietly.
"She is," Aria agreed.
There was a comfortable silence.
"Thank you," Damian said. "For letting me be here. For all of this."
Aria nodded. "Thank you too. For showing up."
Damian looked at her. "I'm not going anywhere. Not anymore."
Aria didn't answer. But she didn't look away either.
As they walked Emma to the car, Emma held both their hands.
It felt like a family again.
- Writer
