It's Been Five Years

Three

" The table is all set!"

He says and Clara tugs at the hem of my shirt.

" Daddy is right there mommy!"

Clara extaliams. I feel like I've been kicked in the gut. How the hell does she know that? I look at Henry, whose face reads the same expression as mine.

" Oh, no, Clara. That's my husband, Daniel. Remember? He can't be your daddy."

Angelina says laughing uncomfortably. Henry slowly walks over to us and looks at me with wide eyes that scream " Help! What do I do?"

Before I can say anything to get Clara to stop talking she huffs and crosses her arms.

" No Auntie Angie! That's my daddy! He looks just like he does in my picture! He just has short hair now!"

Clara insists. Okay, I guess my little girl is a lot more observant than I originally thought. I try to hold onto Clara, but my shock prevents me from holding on tight enough to stop her from wriggling out of my grip. As soon as Clara is free from my loose grip she runs over to Henry.

" Sorry I was shy before. I didn't know we were seeing you today."

Henry looks at me as his skin pales and I just sink in on myself, the world around me becoming a blur.

" I prayed to God every night to bring you back! It worked daddy! You can come home with us now!"

Clara squeals and I feel like I'm freefalling down a dark well. I need to do something. I can't blow up Angelina's world like this. And I can't blow up Clara's world by telling her that he isn't her dad. I can't lie to Clara. But I also can't hurt Angelina. Without thinking I rush over to Clara and scoop her up.

" I'm sorry, Daniel. She just misses her dad and you... look a lot like him."

I say as tears threaten to fall. Henry looks at me, his eyes also beginning to fill tears.

" Aria I-"

Henry begins but I cut him off before he can take this any further.

" I'm just going to go calm her down. Sorry about all this."

I walk off in a hurry, Clara still in my arms. This day is fucking crazy.

I set Clara down on the guest bed and pace the room thinking of what I can say to her.

" Mommy! That is daddy! That is him!"

Clara yells and I pleadingly shush her. She looks at me in confusion and I sit down next to her on the bed.

" Look, honey bee... Okay, yes, that is daddy-"

Clara squeals and claps her hands in excitement. Fuck. I don't know how to handle this. Is this going to traumatize Clara? Probably. FUCK! I can't lie to Clara though. I don't want to hurt Angelina. I guess I just have to do what feels right. Even if that means hurting myself.

" Honey, that is daddy, but he can't come home with us."

I say and brace myself for Clara's reaction. She looks up at me, her eyes widening.

" Yes, he can!"

She says and I try my best not to sound too harsh, but I need to be bluntly honest.

" Your daddy has a new life now, honey. He's happy being married to Angie, okay? And I know you can't understand this now, but you'll understand when you're older that sometimes people, like your daddy, just can't come home whenever they want. Things are more complicated than that, sweetie, I'm sorry. Your daddy needs to stay here with Anngie and you and I need to go back home. Okay?"