Awa could barely recognize herself these days. It had been three months since her first date with Humphrey, and though she wouldn't have admitted it to anyone just yet, her life had started to change in ways she hadn't thought possible. Slowly, bit by bit, she felt herself coming back to life, like flowers blooming after a long, harsh winter. And it wasn't just her who noticed.
"You've got that glow now, you know?" Tina teased one morning as Awa stood by the sink, washing dishes after breakfast. Her sister's grin was mischievous, her eyes gleaming with the same playful energy she'd had when they were kids.
Awa rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips tugged upward despite herself. "Glow? I think you're imagining things," she said, though she knew exactly what Tina meant. She felt lighter. Lately, she caught herself smiling at small things—Beatrice's laughter, the smell of fresh laundry, the way the sun filtered through the kitchen window in the mornings. The darkness that had loomed over her for so long wasn't gone, but it was beginning to lift.
Marie, her mother, chimed in from across the room, where she was folding clothes. "She's right, you know. It's nice to see you happy again, Awa. You've been through so much, and now look at you. There's a sparkle in your eyes."
Awa huffed in mock frustration, trying to hide the warmth creeping up her cheeks. "You two need to stop ganging up on me."
Tina laughed, tossing a dish towel at her sister. "We're not ganging up on you! We're just saying… Humphrey's good to you, isn't he?"
Awa couldn't deny it. "He's… nice. He's different. He makes me feel—" She paused, searching for the right words. "He makes me feel like I can breathe again."
Marie smiled knowingly. "That's how it should feel, honey. Like you can finally exhale after holding your breath for too long."
But there was more to it, and Awa knew it. She had been so focused on surviving—on raising Beatrice, keeping the house together, and piecing herself back together after Drake—that she hadn't realized just how much her grief had been weighing down the people around her, especially Beatrice.
That became painfully clear one night, a few weeks later, after tucking Beatrice into bed. Awa lingered at her daughter's bedside, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Beatrice's large brown eyes, so much like Drake's, stared up at her, full of unspoken thoughts.
"Mommy?" Beatrice's voice was soft, barely a whisper.
Awa sat down on the edge of the bed, her heart tightening. "Yes, baby?"
Beatrice hesitated, her little fingers playing with the edge of her blanket. "Do you think I'll ever have a daddy again?"
Awa's chest ached at the question. She had been so wrapped up in her own pain, in trying to figure out how to move forward, that she hadn't stopped to think about what all of this must have been like for Beatrice. A wave of guilt crashed over her, and she fought to keep her voice steady.
"Why do you ask, sweetheart?" Awa asked gently, her fingers smoothing Beatrice's hair.
Beatrice bit her lip, her eyes downcast. "At school… some kids said it was weird that I don't have a daddy. Everyone else does. They said maybe my daddy didn't want me."
Awa's heart broke. She pulled Beatrice into her arms, holding her close as her daughter's small body trembled. "That's not true, Beatrice. Your daddy loved you very much. He made some bad choices, but it was never because he didn't love you."
Beatrice sniffled, burying her face in Awa's chest. "I miss having a daddy. I just want one like everyone else."
Tears welled in Awa's eyes as she rocked Beatrice gently, her mind swirling with guilt and sorrow. She had been so focused on her own grief, on surviving the aftermath of Drake's death, that she hadn't realized how deeply Beatrice had been affected by it all. She had tried so hard to protect her daughter, but there were some things she couldn't shield her from.
That night, after Beatrice had fallen asleep, Awa sat in the darkness of her bedroom, tears streaming down her face. She had spent so long closing herself off, shutting out the possibility of love, afraid of opening her heart again. But in doing so, she had neglected the needs of those around her—her mother, her sister, and, most of all, Beatrice.
She wasn't the only one who had lost something. Beatrice had lost a father. And maybe, just maybe, it was time for Awa to start thinking about more than just herself.
The following week, Awa decided to take a step forward. It was a big one, one that filled her with nerves, but also with the tiniest spark of hope. For the first time, she invited Humphrey on a date with Beatrice.
Humphrey had been kind and patient in their time together. They had gone on a few dates—dinners, walks in the park, long conversations where he asked about her life, her dreams, her fears. He never rushed her, never pressured her. But now, this was something different. This was an introduction to the part of her life that mattered most.
The zoo felt like a safe choice—a neutral place where they could all have fun without any pressure. Beatrice had been excited for days, asking countless questions about the animals and what they would see.
"Will we see capybaras, Mommy?" Beatrice asked eagerly as they drove to the zoo, her little face pressed against the window.
"Yes, baby, we'll see capybaras," Awa said with a smile. She glanced at Humphrey, who sat beside her in the driver's seat, looking relaxed but focused on the road. His hand brushed against hers when he shifted gears, and she felt a flutter of warmth in her chest.
When they arrived at the zoo, Beatrice immediately took to Humphrey. She had been shy at first, hiding behind Awa's leg, but Humphrey knelt down to her level, his warm smile disarming her.
"Do you like animals, Beatrice?" he asked, his tone gentle and kind.
Beatrice nodded, her eyes wide with curiosity. "I like capybaras the most."
"Well, I happen to know a shortcut to the capybara's enclosure," Humphrey said with a wink. "Would you like to lead the way?"
Beatrice's face lit up with excitement, and she eagerly took his hand, pulling him along as they made their way through the zoo. Awa watched them, her heart swelling with something she hadn't felt in a long time—a sense of possibility. Beatrice hadn't had a father figure in her life since Drake died, and seeing her so comfortable with Humphrey made Awa's chest tighten in a way that was both painful and hopeful.
The day passed in a whirlwind of laughter, animal sightings, and ice cream cones. Beatrice and Humphrey seemed to get along effortlessly, and Awa couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. For so long, she had worried about whether anyone could ever accept her and Beatrice as a package deal, but here was Humphrey, making it seem easy. Too easy, maybe.
As the sun began to set and they made their way back to the car, Beatrice climbed into the backseat, her eyelids heavy with sleep. She mumbled something incoherent before resting her head against the window, her little body curled up in the car seat. Awa watched her for a moment, her heart full of love for her daughter.
Once they were on the road, the soft hum of the car filled the quiet space between Awa and Humphrey. The day had been perfect, but as the silence stretched on, Awa's thoughts began to swirl, doubts creeping in. She stared out the window, her fingers nervously twisting in her lap. She had something she needed to say, but she wasn't sure how.
Humphrey, ever attuned to her mood, glanced over at her. "You've been quiet," he said gently. "Is everything okay?"
Awa sighed, her gaze still fixed on the passing trees. "I've been thinking. About us. About Beatrice."
Humphrey didn't say anything at first, waiting patiently for her to continue. His silence was reassuring, giving her the space to gather her thoughts.
"I'm not sure if I've been fair to you," Awa finally said, her voice quiet. "Bringing you into our lives. It's not just me you'd have to accept. Beatrice—she's my whole world. And I know she's not yours. She's not your daughter. But if you want to be with me, you'd have to be willing to accept her as your own."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Awa's heart raced as she waited for his response. She had been terrified of this moment, afraid that he might hesitate, that he might not want the responsibility of raising a child who wasn't his. And if that was the case, she knew she couldn't move forward with him.
Humphrey took a deep breath, his hands steady on the steering wheel. "Awa," he said softly, his voice filled with a depth of emotion that caught her off guard. "I've been thinking about that too. From the moment I met you, I knew that Beatrice was a part of your life, Tina told me about that. And I knew that if I wanted to be with you, I had to be ready to accept her as well."
He paused, glancing at her briefly before continuing. "I've never told you this, but when I was a kid, I was in a car accident. I was about fourteen, and I was injured pretty badly. The doctors said I'd never be able to have children."
Awa's heart clenched as she listened, her chest tightening with the weight of his words.
"One of my greatest regrets in life," Humphrey continued, his voice soft but steady, "was that I'd never get the chance to raise a daughter. To have that kind of relationship, to be a father. I've come to terms with it over the years, but when I met you… and when I saw how wonderful Beatrice is, I realized something."
He turned to look at her, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I would be honored to be a part of her life. To be a father to her. If you'll let me."
Tears welled up in Awa's eyes, and she blinked rapidly, trying to hold them back. His words had touched something deep inside her, a part of her that had been aching for so long. She had never expected to hear those words, never thought anyone could love her and Beatrice the way Humphrey was offering to.
But before she could respond, Beatrice's soft, sleepy voice drifted from the backseat. "Mommy?"
Awa turned, her heart in her throat. "Yes, baby?"
Beatrice rubbed her eyes, her voice groggy with sleep. "I like Mr. Humphrey. He's nice."
Awa's chest tightened, and she smiled softly, tears brimming in her eyes. "I like him too, sweetie."
Beatrice gave a small, sleepy smile before drifting back to sleep, her head resting against the window. Awa turned back to Humphrey, her heart full of emotions she could barely contain.
The rest of the drive passed in silence, but it was a comfortable silence. One filled with understanding, with possibilities.
A week later, Humphrey surprised Awa with something she never could have expected. An overseas trip. It was his way of celebrating the connection they had built over the past few months, a chance for them to spend time together without the pressures of everyday life weighing them down.
They flew to a remote, tropical island, the kind of place Awa had only ever seen in magazines or on TV. The turquoise waters, the white sandy beaches, the gentle breeze—it was paradise. And for the first time in a long time, Awa allowed herself to let go, to enjoy the moment without overthinking it.
They spent their days swimming in the crystal-clear sea, the water cool against their skin as they floated together under the warm sun. One afternoon, Humphrey arranged a helicopter ride over the island, giving them a breathtaking view of the landscape below. Awa had never experienced anything like it—the freedom, the beauty, the sense of adventure. She felt alive in a way she hadn't in years.
And with each passing day, her feelings for Humphrey grew stronger. He wasn't just kind and patient—he was generous, thoughtful, and he made her feel like she was worth something, like she deserved happiness again.
On the last night of their trip, they dined under the stars, the sound of the waves crashing softly against the shore in the background. The setting was perfect, almost too perfect, and Awa couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building inside her.
Humphrey reached across the table, taking her hand in his. His eyes, deep and serious, met hers, and Awa's heart skipped a beat.
"Awa," he began, his voice soft but steady, "these past few months with you have been incredible. You've brought something into my life that I didn't even realize I was missing. You've given me hope, love, and a chance at the kind of happiness I never thought I'd have."
Awa's breath caught in her throat. She could feel the weight of the moment, the significance of what he was about to say.
"I know this might seem sudden," Humphrey continued, his thumb gently brushing over her hand, "but I can't imagine my life without you. And I can't imagine my life without Beatrice. I want to be with you, Awa. Forever. Will you marry me?"
Awa's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing. The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning, with possibility.
She stared at the ring he held out to her, the diamond catching the light of the candles on the table. Her heart raced, a mix of excitement, fear, and endless possibilities swirling inside her.
She wasn't ready to give him an answer. Not yet. But as she looked into Humphrey's eyes, her heart swelled with emotions she hadn't felt in so long—hope, love, and a future that she could finally see.
With her heart beating wildly in her chest, Awa smiled, tears brimming in her eyes. She didn't say yes, but the answer lingered there, in the space between them, waiting for the right moment.
And in that moment, Awa felt something she hadn't felt in a long time—endless excitement.