Page 108 of The Edge Of Us

They ran, tiny sneakers slapping against linoleum floors. He knelt instinctively, arms out, and the impact of them crashing into his chest broke something open.

Allen sobbed.

Raw. Unrestrained. Like a man who'd been holding his breath for a year.

He held them so tightly I was afraid he might never let go.

"I missed you," Kyle whispered.

"So, so much," Allen choked out, kissing the top of Astrid's head. "You both grew so much. Astrid, look at you. You're so big now."

Astrid reached up and wiped his tears. "Don't cry, Daddy. I still love you."

He laughed through his tears. "I love you too, princess. Always."

I gave them space, standing a little to the side. Watching. Trying not to fall apart.

He finally looked at me.

I didn't move.

Allen walked over, slowly, gently placing his hands on the kids' backs as if anchoring himself to them.

"Corinne," he said.

"Hi."

"I didn't think you'd come."

"I wanted to. You deserve that. They deserve that."

He nodded, his eyes swimming again. "Thank you. For everything. For... not turning them against me."

I swallowed hard. "I would never do that."

"I know," he said. "And I'm sorry. For everything I put you through. For every moment you felt alone."

I didn't respond right away. The silence stretched, and then I exhaled, letting go of some of that heaviness.

"I forgive you," I said. "Not because I forgot. But because I can't keep carrying the weight of it. And because I want to move forward. For them."

He looked away for a moment, biting his lip. "Does it still hurt?"

"Yes. But not in the same way. I've grown around the pain. And I'm... I'm with someone now. Someone good. He's good to them. To me."

He didn't flinch. Just nodded slowly. "I'm glad. You deserve that."

I touched his arm briefly. "So do you. Therapy doesn't end here, Allen. You need to keep going. For them. For yourself."

He knelt again, this time on one knee before Kyle.

"You've gotten so big, little man. Are you still reading those superhero books?"

Kyle beamed. "Yes! And I'm in charge now. Mommy says I'm the man of the house."

Allen glanced at me.

"Technically Jasper's the man of the house," I clarified with a small smile. "But Kyle's second in command."

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