Page 15 of The One that Got Away

She sent him a warm smile, and the twinkle in her eyes pulled him back to a life he had lived long ago—one filled with love and dreams for the future. A simpler life with no bills piling up and no sleepless nights of worry about money or the future.

With the afternoon waning, they left the comfort of the wharf's edge, trading the serene waters for the lively embrace of the nearby woods. They traipsed through the underbrush, playing an impromptu game of catch with pine cones that spiraled through the air, leaving laughter echoing among the trees.

"Bet you can't find me!" Daniel challenged, darting behind a thick oak with peals of laughter.

"Is that so?" Oliver called out playfully, pretending to search in the wrong direction, building suspense with each step. "Where could that little rascal be?"

“I don’t know where he could be?” Ava said, playing along. “I guess he disappeared, huh?”

Peering around the tree, Oliver feigned surprise as he spotted the giggling boy. "Found you!" he announced, and Daniel leaped from his hiding spot, racing ahead with Oliver in pursuit.

Their exploration took them deeper into the forest, where shadows played tricks on the eye, and the thrill of the unknown nudged at Oliver’s instincts. Every snapped twig underfoot or rustle in the foliage held the promise of adventure—or the whisper of danger. Oliver kept a watchful eye, the protective urge fierce and primal, even as he allowed Daniel the freedom to marvel at the wonders around them.

"Look, a deer!" Daniel whispered, tugging on Oliver's sleeve. He pointed toward a doe, observing them from a safe distance. “Look, Mommy!”

Their gazes locked with the creature's before she bounded away, her grace a fleeting ghost through the trees.

"Wow, did you see how fast she was?" Ava breathed in awe, her eyes alive with the spark Oliver remembered from their youth.

"Sure did," Oliver replied, his voice soft with the reverence of the moment. How many nights had he dreamed of being this close to her again? How many times had he been on his knees and prayed to God that he would get to look into those beautiful eyes again?

As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, they made their way back to the edge of the woods, the bond between them as tangible as the earth beneath their feet. Oliver looked down at Daniel, his hand securely wrapped around the boy's, and felt an unspoken promise settle in his soul.

"Best day ever," Daniel declared, his smile holding the world.

"Absolutely," Oliver agreed, his heart full, knowing that days like these were the foundation of something profound—an unexpected family growing stronger with every shared heartbeat.

The wooden toy boat skimmed across the pond's surface, its sails catching the last rays of sunlight as it ventured bravely into the unknown. Oliver crouched beside Daniel, both sets of eyes tracking the vessel with a mix of pride and anticipation.

"Think it'll make it to the other side?" Ava's voice was laced with excitement.

"Absolutely," Oliver replied, confidence buoying his words. "You made a fine ship, Captain Daniel."

Daniel beamed up at him, and in that instant, Oliver felt a surge of warmth that went beyond the afternoon sun. He saw not just the boy before him but the young man he might one day become—the laughter lines already etching the corners of his eyes a testament to the joy he brought. This connection, this moment, was more than Oliver had ever hoped for when he imagined having a son.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Daniel suddenly asked.

"Of course," Oliver said, leaning in closer.

"I'm glad to be here," Daniel whispered, a shy smile dancing on his lips. I like having you as my dad. I like my family." He said it while grabbing his mother’s hand in his other hand and pulling them all close. Oliver lifted his gaze, and his eyes met Ava’s. He felt his heart beat faster as he stared at her lips, wondering what it would feel like to kiss them again.

You can’t. Think of Lisa. Think of the children.

Oliver's throat tightened with emotion, the title of “dad” echoing in his heart like a sacred vow. This was no longer about filling an absent role; it was about building something new, something precious.

"Me too, buddy," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. "Me too."

As they watched the boat reach the safety of the far shore, Oliver knew they had crossed their uncharted waters, navigating toward a future filled with hope and the promise of family.

Lisa turned the corner onto Main Street, the familiar sights of her small town wrapping around her like a well-worn quilt. She drew a deep breath, the air infused with the scent of pine and the faintest hint of Lyle's aftershave—a reminder of his comforting presence. He had listened without judgment, offered help without hesitation, and, in doing so, had given her the most precious gift: time for herself.

Her mind felt clearer, her spirit lighter, as she approached the pond behind the bakery. And that’s when she saw them. Together. All three of them—holding hands. She felt her heart skip a beat and a shriek get caught in her throat. It felt like someone had punched her in the gut.

There they all were, as a family, enjoying each other, and she couldn’t even be angry about it. The boy deserved a family, too. He deserved a father just as much as everyone else.

I’m losing him. I can feel it. It hurts.

She backed up and walked away, letting them enjoy the moment, her heart shattered. She hurried home, where her children had come back from school. Their smiles and laughter were what she needed right now.

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