Chapter 13
Sophie’s adjustment did not happen like a movie.
She did not instantly become comfortable calling Roman Daddy every hour of the day.
Sometimes she did.
Sometimes she called him Roman because Nora had used his name for three years while explaining photographs of a man Sophie barely remembered.
The first time it happened, Roman’s face changed.
Sophie noticed.
“Wrong?”
He forced himself to smile.
“No.”
She studied him.
“Daddy Roman?”
He laughed.
“That works.”
A therapist explained that Sophie needed permission to build the relationship she actually had, not perform the one adults wished had existed.
Roman listened.
That was becoming a habit.
He learned her favorite breakfast.
Blueberry pancakes.
He learned she hated hair brushing.
He learned she slept with one foot outside the blanket.
He learned she was terrified of being left without warning.
That last one hurt.
When Roman needed to leave during his parenting time, he explained exactly where he was going and when he would return.
The first few times, Sophie stood at the window waiting.
Eventually she stopped.
Nora saw the change too.
Their relationship remained careful.
Sometimes warm.
Sometimes painfully awkward.
They had been lovers once.
Then angry co-parents.
Then ghosts to each other.
Now they were trying to become something functional without pretending the missing years had not happened.
Roman apologized for dismissing Nora’s warning about Helena years earlier.
Nora did not say it was okay.
Instead she said:
“I needed you to believe me before I had evidence.”
Roman nodded.
“I know.”
“That’s the part I’m not over.”
May you like
“I know.”
He did not ask her to be.
