𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧, 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡

The day before Thanksgiving was always hectic, but this year was different. For the first time in years, I was going to spend the holiday with my family. After spending four years overseas following my divorce from Chris, I hadn't really celebrated Thanksgiving properly. This year was special, though-it would be my father's last Thanksgiving, and everything needed to be perfect. I had been packing for the sleepover at my father's mansion, a tradition that Nathaniel, Daniel, and I had talked about keeping up. The boys were excited, and I could feel the tension buzzing in the air as the day crept closer.

Just as I zipped up the last suitcase, the doorbell rang. I checked the time-it was too early for my brother or Daniel to be arriving. I made my way downstairs, my heart unexpectedly racing as I opened the door.

Chris stood there, hands in his pockets, looking like he had something heavy on his mind. I hadn't seen him since he'd pressed me about Daniel, trying to figure out if I was ready to move on. His expression was softer today, though, maybe even hopeful.

I stepped aside, allowing him in. Noah and Na'jae came rushing from the living room the second they spotted their father. They tackled him with hugs, their little voices filling the space with pure joy.

"Daddy! Daddy!" they squealed.

Chris smiled down at them, ruffling their hair. "Hey, my little men," he said, his voice warm. He glanced at me over their heads, and I felt the weight of his gaze. It was like he was silently asking permission for something more.

"So, any plans for tomorrow?" he asked once the boys had settled. He kept his tone light, but there was something more behind it.

I nodded, crossing my arms. "Yeah, I was just about to head over to my father's house with the boys. We're staying there tonight for Thanksgiving."

Chris shifted his weight, a little hesitancy creeping into his stance. "Listen, I was wondering..." He paused, glancing at Noah and Na'jae before meeting my eyes again. "Could I join you? I don't want to miss their first Thanksgiving together. I know it's been a while, but I want to be there for them."

I stared at him, taken aback. My mind whirled with memories-our past, the divorce, and everything that had come after. It wasn't exactly common for an ex-husband to show up at Thanksgiving dinner, and I was sure the rest of my family wouldn't know how to handle it either.

"You want to come to Thanksgiving... with my family?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He held up his hands in a small surrender. "I'm not coming as your ex-husband, Maluena. I'm coming as Noah and Na'Jae's father. I just want to spend the holiday with my boys, that's all."

I sighed, unsure of how to respond. Part of me didn't want the added tension, but then I looked at Noah and Na'jae, their eyes bright and full of excitement at the idea of their dad being there. For them, I would make this work.

"Alright," I said finally. "But don't expect it to be easy. This is my family, Chris. I'll have London send you the address and details."

Chris smiled, relieved. "Thank you," he said quietly before turning to the boys, kissing them goodbye and promising he'd see them tomorrow.

Once he left, I closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, trying to gather myself. The last thing I needed was more complications, but at least the boys would be happy. And maybe, just maybe, this Thanksgiving wouldn't turn into a complete disaster.

We arrived at my father's mansion later that evening, just as the sun was beginning to set. The grandeur of the house was still overwhelming, despite having visited several times since he bought it. The place screamed wealth-large, ornate chandeliers, sprawling staircases, rooms filled with antique furniture-but it had never quite felt like home. Not since the house I grew up in.