Charlotte's eyes suddenly light up."Now you two can make a baby!"
Nick and Brian's laughter booms as Alisha's cheeks flush crimson.
"I want to give Liam a best friend for his birthday," Charlotte explains.
"But what if it's a girl?"Amanda asks.
Charlotte considers this, then brightens."You're Daddy's sister – you should make a baby!Maybe you'll have a boy like Daddy and Mommy did."She twirls in place."Brian says you're really pretty.Maybe he could be the daddy!"
Now it's Amanda's turn to blush.Emma quickly intervenes."Charlotte, honey, why don't we get the cake?"
While Charlotte races to the kitchen, Alisha moves to Nick, holding out her arms."Can I hold this big guy?"
Liam immediately stops fussing as she cuddles him.I can't help but stare, imagining her with our own child someday.She'll be an amazing mother.
"Charlotte's words got your attention," Brian murmurs, nudging my shoulder.
I turn the tables on him."Are you really going to let that dickless rooster take the woman you want?"
His jaw tenses as he watches Amanda.The sorrow in his eyes speaks volumes about whatever's holding him back.
"Later," I whisper, "we're having a serious talk about this."
Charlotte's return with the cake box saves him from responding.Alisha and I peer inside together, and her delighted laugh fills the room.
"Oh, it's perfect!"
The heart-shaped creation is decorated with fondant boxing gloves and tiny lipsticks.Pure Charlotte logic.
"You're wizards in the kitchen," Alisha tells her.
We share the cake, toasting to new beginnings.When Alisha starts yawning, I scoop her into my arms.
"Cole!What are you doing?"
"Time for everyone to go.Someone needs rest."
After goodbyes, I turn from the closed door to find her already curled up asleep on the couch.Samantha takes my hand.
"I'm glad you're both back."
"Me too, sweetheart."I pull her close."No better place than home with my favorite girls.And Sam?I told your grandmother she's welcome here too."
"Oh, Dad!"She bursts into tears, hugging me tight."You're the best father ever!"
My heart swells."I learned something important through all this.Every story has multiple sides.Holding onto negative emotions only breeds more pain.It's time to leave the past behind and build a better future."
Sam smiles through her tears."Mom wrote something similar in my notebook.Can I share it?"
I nod, and she recites from memory:"Life isn't a merry-go-round; it's a roller coaster.It won't always be smooth or pretty, but it will be an adventure worth taking..."
As Sam finishes reciting her mother's words, I cup her face, kissing her forehead through my own tears."How did I get so lucky to have a daughter like you?"
Her smile is radiant, but something else weighs on my mind."Sam, there's something I need to tell you.About Leo."
Her bright blue eyes search mine."Come on," I say gently."Let's talk in the kitchen."
My heart aches watching her hands shake as I explain."Leo didn't betray you, sweetheart.He didn't use you.He was another of David's victims.David threatened him to get our numbers from your phone.But when he heard we were missing, Leo went to the police.He helped them create that sketch of David's face."
