Mikayla stood at the door of her father’s house. Her heart raced with anxiety. She hadn’t talked to him in weeks. Guilt ate at her, and while she was still angry at him for everything, she knew she had to regain contact with him.

He was her father, after all. He had never mistreated her.

She took a deep breath. The chilled air filled her lungs, barely calming her nerves. She opened the door and stepped inside.

The house was quiet. Mikayla hoped he was home; she didn’t want to keep putting off talking to him. She closed the door behind her and walked farther inside, peering into the kitchen.

A candle was going. He must’ve been home.

“Dad?” She called out. 

No answer.

Mikayla sighed. She turned around, ready to go check elsewhere, but then she saw him.

“Mikayla?” Her father stood in the entrance of the hallway. His eyes were soft as he gazed at her.

Mikayla rubbed the back of her neck. “Hi, dad,” she murmured, avoiding eye contact.

He took a step forward. “What are you doing here?” He asked. Mikayla looked up at him, her lip quivering.

“I…” she started, tears welling in her eyes. She tried to keep herself from crying, but the tears started to flow. 

Her father frowned. “I haven’t seen you in so long.” He replied. “I’ve really missed you.”

“I-I’ve missed you too.” Mikayla wept. A knot hung in her throat as she thought of all the events leading up to this moment. Her parents’ divorce had devastated her, and her father’s proposal to his now fiancée only rubbed salt in the wound. She wished none of it had ever happened, but she knew it was beyond her control.

She wanted her father to be happy, and she wanted to be happy again, too.

The knot grew stronger, but she forced words out despite it. “I-I know you and mom are divorced, and I know you’re engaged now. And I know you’re happy.” She started. “I want to be happy, too.”

Her father stood silently, not interjecting or forcing his own thoughts onto his daughter. He wanted to listen to everything she had to say.

“Listen dad, I don’t forgive you. The divorce... It really hurt me.” Mikayla admitted. Her vision was blurry with tears, but she kept her eyes on him. “B-but I miss you. My life is better with you in it.” She tried to keep her voice steady and strong, but it wavered as she cried harder. “I-I love you, dad.”

With tears streaming down his face, her father opened his arms, and Mikayla accepted his invitation, hugging him tightly. She bawled into his shoulder, and he ran his hand up and down her back, crying as well.

“I love you too, Mikayla.” He said softly. “And I want you to be happy, more than anything.”

“I’ll be happy, dad.” Mikayla smiled through her tears. “I promise I’ll be happy.”