The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden hue over the park, where children's laughter filled the air. The playground was alive with activity, the sounds of joy and innocence echoing across the grassy expanse. Ryan was in the middle of it all as he climbed, jumped, and played with the other kids. His happiness was infectious, and for a moment, it was easy to forget the tension simmering just beneath the surface.
Annie sat on a bench, her eyes never leaving Ryan as he played. Besides her, Damien watched their son with a mixture of pride and longing. They had spent the last hour playing together, something Damien had missed out on for far too long. As they sat in the park, the weight of unspoken words hung heavy between them.
"Thanks for bringing him along." He said.
"He had been asking about you all day," Annie said.
Damien nodded, feeling a pang of guilt for not being more present in Ryan's life.
