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I’m aware of my actions, I always have been. I just didn’t care about my actions towards him, thinking it was the least he deserved.

I rarely swallow my pride enough to admit that hehaschanged over the years, and I know how much he loves our daughter. I know he wants to take care of her, and I respect that the whole point in bringing her along is to introduce her to family she might not have the chance to meet otherwise.

I assume my mother sees something change in my expression, because she opens my front door and motions them inside. When the door is shut behind them, she goes to collect the other two parties we’re missing.

“We’re sorry we did it this way. I was desperate.”

I expected an apology to come from Raquel again, but I’m surprised when it’s Caleb’s voice that speaks the words.

“Desperate to take my daughter away from me?”

He sighs, and it’s a sad, defeated sound. I almost feel bad about the fact that he’ll have to deal with me for the rest of our lives.

“No, I’m not. You’re an amazing mom, and I’d never…” He doesn’t stop talking, but my ears stop hearing his words.

I’m too stuck on the fact that he complimented me. I didn’t realize he thought that, I kind of assumed we both thought similar things about each other. Everytime I said he wasn’t cut out to be a parent, I assumed he was saying the same of me.

I might really just be an asshole.

Dahlia comes running straight to me, and puts herself in my lap.

I kiss the top of her head, while everyone else silently watches us. The ball is in my court now that I know where they all stand.

“Have they been talking to you about this trip?”

She shakes her head. “Are we going on a trip?”

I look up to my mom, knowing her expression will help me to make this move in the right direction. I’m still not completely sold on this being the right direction, but… points have been made today.

“I guess that’s up to you, beautiful girl. Your dad and Raquel are going to get on a plane and go visit some family for a while. Would you want to go with them?”

“Where’s the plane going?”

“You know where Canada is, right?”

She shrugs, and I know that means she has no idea.

“It’s above us on a map,” I explain the best I can.

“What would we do in Canada?”

I look to Caleb to answer, and I don’t miss the hope in his eyes.

“Meet some people. Play some games. Go to some cool places, eat some good food,” he explains.

“Okay,” she answers easily. “I wanna go.”

“There’s just one thing,” he adds, sitting down on the couch next to us. “Your mom will stay here, so you won’t see her for a few weeks.”

“But I could call you every day. You could see my face on the phone,” I add, suddenly sounding like I’m truly on the team that wants to convince her to do this. If anything would be her dealbreaker, it would be the lack ofmeon her vacation.

“Why don’t you come, too? There’s room on a plane.”

I smile at her cuteness.

After a brief explanation that doesn’t allow her to stress about my financial situation, she’s decided she still wants to go. Unfortunately, regardless of what any of us say, she seems to think it’s happening tomorrow instead of months from now. She immediately runs to her room to start packing, and Caleb goes with it, following her in there and giving her ideas.

“Shit!” I say, quickly standing. “I have to get ready for work, and get my–” I point to my bedroom door, not wanting to finish the sentence.