I DO

DAVID HAD SPENT THE WHOLE day getting to know his son and the joy in his eyes as they bonded was palpable.

They’d talked for hours, on and on — never running out of topics to discuss.

Stella stayed quiet for most of the time. She had taken a step back and allowed them to bond and most times, David caught her watching them with a tinge of jealousy in her eyes.

After they’d eaten brunch and the nurse had given Alex some analgesics to ease his pain, he’d fallen asleep, and it wasn’t until seven the evening when the sun slipped below the horizon that David realized he had to return home.

”Thank you so much for visiting today, I haven’t seen Alex smile this bright in days,” Stella stated, walking out of the room and quietly shutting the door behind them.

David sagged against the wall and released a soft sigh. Today had definitely gone better than he could ever have anticipated.

”The kiddo is going to be sad when he wakes and I’m not there,” he said, staring intently at the door.

For a fact, he’d wished he could stay and make up for all the years he wasn’t there as a father but he also had a wife who needed him and would worry to death if he didn’t return home.

”Don’t worry too much about it. I’ll make sure he doesn’t miss you that much” she assured with a nod and smile.

”Thank you, Stella. I’ll have them move him to a more private room. If anything comes up just give me a call and I’ll be here okay?”

Stella nodded. ”I can’t thank you enough, David.”

”Don’t mention it” he smiled and boosted himself up, preparing to take his leave when Stella reached into her purse and drew out a pink-covered journal.

”Here, I think you should have this. It belonged to Stacey” she handed it over but David declined politely.

”Oh no, I can’t”

”I’m sure she would’ve wanted you to have it” she persisted, stretching it forward.

”This is too much, Stella”

”There’s a lot of things about you in there, a lot of things she couldn’t say to your face, read it, it’ll ease the guilt that you feel”

”Stella its—”

”Please”

He glanced at the book and swung his gaze back to her.

He sighed. ”Thank you, Stella, I’ll keep it safe”