“Are there any more burning questions?”
“So many, but I don’t think they could all be answered right away. More like they’ll come up with time.”
“But you’re willing to give me the time?”
Aspen’s head bobs up and down, eyes shining as they fill with tears. “Willing? I want to. I want to get to know you. I’m sorry things started out the way they did.”
“That was my fault. I should have—”
I hold up a hand, signaling her to stop while clearing my throat. It does nothing to dislodge the lump forming there. “It’s my fault. I’m willing to take the blame because I deserve it. I let too much time pass when I knew how important it was to you that Aspen knows you’re alive. I hope you can forgive me.” It’s Aspen who I direct that to, my gaze swinging her way.
She chews at her lip nervously while averting her eyes. Not a good sign and not something easy for me to sit through and witness without pushing her in any way. “I’m going to need time for that,” she finally mumbles. “I don’t know how long. But it’s not happening right away. In fact, I… don’t think I want to see you for a bit after this.”
It isn’t easy to hear. I know it’s what I deserve, and I certainly didn’t expect much better—in fact, I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was much worse.
“I understand.” But it’s still disappointing, knowing she’s hurting badly.
It’s time for me to do what I know has to be done, so I offer Charlotte what I intend as a reassuring nod before standing. “I’ll let the two of you talk. And for what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re finally together. That’s how it should be.”
Charlotte smiles in gratitude, eyes shining like our daughter’s. Aspen merely glances my way before looking at the table again.
So that’s as much as I’m going to get from her now. I’m not okay with it, but I have to at least pretend to be as I walk from the room with the sense of having destroyed the one good thing I had going for me. No matter if she forgives me, there’ll never be any putting things back to the way they were before.