Chapter 16 - The True Father
The morning sun washed over Seattle, melting the lingering snow into shimmering puddles of water. The city outside moved with its usual frantic rhythm, entirely unaware of the silent war that had been fought and won in a penthouse apartment overlooking the bay.
Victor pushed open the door to Sophie’s room.
She was sitting up in bed, wearing her favorite unicorn pajamas, coloring in a new picture book with purple crayons. She looked up as he entered, her amber eyes bright and completely free of the terror that had haunted them when they first met.
"Good morning, Victor," she beamed, holding up her coloring book. "Look! I colored the dragon blue!"
Victor smiled, his heart swelling until it felt too big for his chest. He walked over, sat down on the edge of the mattress, and took her small hands in his.
"It's beautiful, Sophie," he said softly. Then, hesitating for a fraction of a second, he added, "Hey... sweetheart? Do you remember when you asked me if I could be your dad on Christmas Eve?"
Sophie stopped coloring, her small face turning serious. She nodded slowly. "Is... is something wrong? Do I have to leave?"
"No," Victor said quickly, his voice thick with emotion as a tear slipped down his cheek. "Never. In fact, I went to court again this morning. And the judge signed a new paper."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crisp, official document bearing the gold seal of the King County Superior Court.
Decree of Adoption.
"What does it say?" Sophie asked, her blue eyes wide with wonder.
"It says," Victor whispered, his voice breaking with joy, "that my name is officially on your birth certificate. It says I am your dad. Legally, forever, and no matter what."
Sophie stared at the paper for a long, silent moment. Then, dropping her crayon, she threw her arms around Victor’s neck, burying her face in his shoulder with a fierce, desperate hug.
May you like
"Daddy," she whispered against his ear.
Victor closed his eyes, holding her tight, knowing with absolute certainty that the emptiness in his apartment—and in his soul—was gone forever.
