Chapter 24 - Daniel’s Request
Clara turned one beneath a canopy of yellow flowers in the Oakridge garden.
Emma kept the party small.
Marcus.
Mrs. Alvarez.
Ethan.
Several close friends.
Stonegate employees who had known Arthur.
And Daniel.
The invitation surprised everyone.
Especially Daniel.
He arrived carrying one wrapped gift.
No entourage.
No oversized gesture.
No attempt to prove he belonged.
He waited near the edge of the garden until Emma approached.
“You came.”
“You invited me.”
“I did.”
Daniel looked toward Clara, who was sitting on a blanket smashing cake into her own hair.
His face softened.
“She’s beautiful.”
“Yes.”
“Can I give her this?”
Emma nodded.
Inside the box was a wooden music box.
Simple.
Hand-carved.
Daniel looked embarrassed.
“I made it.”
Emma stared.
“You?”
“My community-service program is at a vocational center.”
He shrugged.
“I’m terrible at woodworking.”
The music box was imperfect.
One corner was slightly uneven.
The lid did not close completely.
Clara loved it.
She slapped both hands against it and squealed.
Daniel laughed.
Later, after guests began leaving, he asked Emma for five minutes.
They stood beneath Arthur’s old oak tree.
“I got offered a job.”
“That’s good.”
“In Milwaukee.”
Emma looked at him.
“Property maintenance company. Not sales. Not finance.”
“When?”
“Next month.”
“You’re taking it?”
“I think so.”
She nodded.
“Congratulations.”
Daniel shoved his hands into his pockets.
“There’s one problem.”
Emma waited.
“Clara.”
Her expression sharpened.
Daniel quickly continued.
“I’m not asking you to move anything. I’m not asking for custody changes.”
“What are you asking?”
“I don’t know.”
That was surprisingly honest.
“I spent my whole life chasing titles. Offices. Houses. Money. Every time I got something, I immediately needed something bigger.”
He looked toward Clara.
“Now I’m being offered a job that pays sixty-eight thousand dollars a year, and I feel richer than I did when Apex was worth millions.”
Emma smiled faintly.
“That’s called perspective.”
“Took me long enough.”
“Yes.”
He looked serious again.
“If I move, I’ll see Clara less.”
“You can travel.”
“I will.”
Daniel swallowed.
“I guess I wanted to ask whether you think leaving makes me a bad father.”
Emma looked genuinely surprised.
“You’re asking me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you know.”
Emma considered.
“A bad father leaves because something else matters more.”
Daniel listened carefully.
“A good father sometimes leaves because becoming stable matters too.”
His eyes grew wet.
“So take the job?”
“If it helps you build a life Clara can safely enter someday, yes.”
He nodded.
“Thank you.”
Ethan appeared in the distance carrying Clara.
The baby had frosting across her face.
Daniel smiled.
“You two serious?”
Emma looked toward Ethan.
“Why?”
“Curious.”
“Dangerous habit.”
Daniel laughed.
Then he surprised her.
“He’s good with her.”
Emma looked back at him.
Daniel continued.
“That would’ve destroyed me a year ago.”
“And now?”
“Now I think Clara having more people who love her might be a good thing.”
Emma studied him.
“You really have changed.”
“Some.”
“Don’t get arrogant.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Ethan reached them.
“Clara has declared war on cake.”
Daniel took a napkin and gently wiped frosting from his daughter’s hand.
Then he stepped back.
“I should go.”
Emma frowned.
“Already?”
“I have a bus.”
“You didn’t drive?”
“Sold the car to make restitution.”
Emma said nothing.
Daniel kissed Clara’s forehead.
“Happy birthday, bug.”
He walked toward the gate.
Ethan watched him leave.
“That was different.”
Emma nodded.
“People can become different.”
“You believe that?”
She looked at Ethan.
“I have to.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m about to ask something terrifying.”
Emma raised an eyebrow.
Ethan reached into his pocket.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Then he pulled out a key.
Not a ring.
Emma exhaled.
Ethan laughed.
“Were you expecting something else?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
“What’s the key?”
“My house.”
Emma stared.
“I’m not asking you to move in.”
“Good.”
“I’m asking you to stop waiting in the driveway when you bring Clara over.”
Emma smiled slowly.
“That is terrifying.”
“I thought so.”
She took the key.
Across the garden, Clara struck the music box Daniel made.
A soft melody began playing.
Imperfect.
May you like
Gentle.
Real.
