I muttered,
“Debatable.”
That got an even bigger laugh.
Sophie’s face crumpled.
“He stayed.”
One word.
That was the word that destroyed me.
Stayed.
Not money.
Not genetics.
Not sacrifice.
Stayed.
She walked toward me.
“You wrote for twenty-two years that you were scared you wouldn’t be the father we deserved.”
Then Sophie put her arms around me.
“You were wrong.”
Lily joined us.
Then Brooke.
“You were the father we needed.”
I don’t remember when I started crying.
I only remember suddenly being on my knees.
All three girls knelt with me.
I held them.
My daughters.
Legally now.
Officially.
But no more mine than they had been the night three infant carriers appeared outside my apartment.
The entire auditorium stood.
People clapped.
I heard cheering.
None of it mattered.
I buried my face against Sophie’s shoulder and whispered,
“I thought you were talking about Eric.”
