Page 48 of Caleb

Taylor laughed softly, brushing her hair back as she stepped away from Caleb. “Liam, come here,” she said, her voice warm but steady.

The boy stomped over, still glaring at Caleb as though he’d committed some unspeakable offense. Caleb crouched again, meeting Liam at eye level.

“Liam,” Taylor began, kneeling beside him, her tone more serious now. “There’s something really important we need to talk to you about.”

Liam looked between them, his frown softening slightly. “What?”

Taylor glanced at Caleb, and he nodded, swallowing hard before speaking.

“Liam,” Caleb said gently, “I’m your dad.”

The boy’s eyes widened, his mouth dropping open. “You’re my daddy?”

Caleb nodded, his heart overflowing with love. “Yeah, buddy. I’m your dad.”

Liam stared at him for a moment, then turned to Taylor. “Is that true, Mommy?”

Taylor nodded, her hand brushing Liam’s curls. “It’s true, sweetheart. Caleb is your dad.”

Liam’s little brow furrowed, and he looked back at Caleb. “Where were you? Why weren’t you here before?”

The question hit Caleb like a punch, his breath catching. He glanced at Taylor, who gave him a small, encouraging nod. Turning back to Liam, Caleb took a deep breath.

“I wasn’t here because I didn’t know about you,” Caleb said carefully, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “If I’d known, I would’ve been here sooner. I promise.”

Liam tilted his head, studying him with a seriousness that made Caleb’s heart ache. “You didn’t know?”

“No,” Caleb said softly. “But now that I do, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for you, buddy. Always.”

Liam seemed to consider this momentarily before stepping forward and wrapping his tiny arms around Caleb’s neck. As Liam’s small arms came around his neck, Caleb felt a rush of emotions so powerful, it nearly brought him to his knees. His heart nearly exploded, his breath catching as the boy’s warmth seeped into him.

Love. Guilt. Joy.

It was all there, tangled and overwhelming him in a way he hadn’t expected. He closed his eyes, pressing his cheek against Liam’s curls, holding him as tightly as he dared. How could something so simple—this tiny gesture—break him open and rebuild him all at once?

“I’m glad you’re my daddy,” Liam whispered.

Caleb hugged him tightly, his eyes burning as he breathed in the little boy’s baby smell. “I’m glad I’m your daddy too,” he said, his voice thick.

Later that evening, after Liam had gone inside to play, Caleb remained in the backyard, staring at a piece of paper Liam had handed him before running off.

It was a drawing—a simple one, made with crayon and Liam’s clumsy handwriting. It showed three figures: a small boy, a long-haired woman, and a tall man wearing a hat.

Caleb stared at the picture, tears filling his eyes.

The child’s rudimentary drawing filled him with a mixture of joy and fear. He thought of Taylor, her strength and resilience, the way she made him feel like he could be more than the shadow of his past. He thought of Liam, the little boy who had accepted him so easily, so completely, even after everything.

Sitting outside alone, Caleb sighed deeply, the cool evening air brushing against his face. The stars stretched endlessly above him, a silent reminder of the weight he now carried.

Now that Liam knew the truth, everything felt different—heavier, but in a good way. His son deserved the best version of him, not the man who had run from love and responsibility all those years ago.

Caleb needed to be the kind of father Liam could look up to, someone who set the example of what it meant to be strong, kind, and steady. A man his son could admire, not just because they shared the same blood but because Caleb earned that admiration through his actions.

Determined, Caleb made a silent vow. He would be a great father. One day, when someone asked Liam who his dad was, he wanted to hear his son say, “That’s my father,” with pride shining in his eyes.

Caleb took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling over him. He wanted this—wanted them. But wanting wasn’t enough. He had to earn it.

Taylor had trusted him with telling Liam the truth, but she didn’t fully trust him yet. And she was right to be cautious. He’d hurt her before, and if he wasn’t careful, he could hurt her again.

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