Three years later

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The buzzer went off and I stepped out into a small waiting room. The chairs were all bolted to the floor, made of solid steel. They looked like the most uncomfortable chairs in the world.

A glass window separated the office staff from rest of the room with bulletproof glass and a heavy metal shield they could slide down for protection if needed.

Walking over to the window, I bent down and spoke into the small silver speaker. “Is she here yet?”

“No, Mr. White, no one has been here yet. You can take a seat and wait if you want.”

Shaking my head, I tapped the small ledge. “Thanks, but I think a little sun and less walls are calling for me.” Turning, I started towards the double doors.

“Mr. White!” The woman chimed, standing up. “Congratulations and good luck.” Smiling, she hit the buzzer for the door.

“Nodding, I smiled back. “Thanks, it's been a long time coming.” Taking a long stride, the doors opened automatically, whirring out of my way in a flash.

Stopping, I let my arms hang by my sides as I dipped my head into my chest. I was about to cross the threshold, stepping out of a world with bars and jumpsuits, and into the land of the living.

These past couple years I had been dead, just another man serving his time in a place where names were replaced by numbers and free choice was slapped down by a guard giving orders.

How is that any different than before?

It wasn't. I had been in my own prison for a lot longer than these bars had held me. The death of my father, the death of my sister, the loss of my mother. . .

All of it trapped me in a fucking cage I couldn't escape.

It's over now—I'm free from it all.

Staring at the tip of my shoe, I edged forward, allowing the sun to hit the surface and make it glow.

Closing my eyes, I took another big step, feeling the cement from the sidewalk under my heel. Laying my foot flat, I breathed in the air, filling my chest with clean oxygen and the scent of new; new life, new future, new me.

I was back, I had left hell and a past that would follow me forever, trading it for Machi, for the Machi I was long before pain had turned my heart to stone.

Tilting my head to the sky, I let the sun warm my face. My cheeks exploded in warmth as the sun's tendril curled around my ears and heated the hair on my head.

I've been waiting for this. . . Now it's here.

Shaking my head, a firm smile fixed on my face, spreading from ear to ear. It almost didn't feel real. I was afraid to open my eyes, fearing that this would all disappear and I'd wake up in my bunk.

Peeling my eyes open slowly, I blinked rapidly to adjust to the bright light in the sky. Rubbing my eyes, I focused on the end of the walkway, forcing the blur to steady.

My heart skipped into my throat, causing my muscles to go limp.

Is that. . . It is.

Imperial.

Tears were already cascading down her cheeks, splashing large droplets onto the small figure standing under her belly. Wrapping her hands around the little girl, she started forward, grinning between sobs.

I didn't wait for her to come to me, I took off, running full force to her. I needed to touch her, hold her, kiss her. My fingers twitched to feel her skin, my stomach clenched to have her body against mine.

Too much time separated, I wasn't going to wait another second.

Slowing down, I stumbled to a halt, getting locked in place by the large doe eyes from the little girl at her side. Glancing between the two of them, I held in my tears. I wanted to cry, I wanted to let go and just get it out.

But I didn't. Maybe it was shock or the fact that Imperial seemed to be crying enough for the both of us; the water stopped at the glass surface of my eyes.

“I love you.” The words tumbled out in a whisper as I curled my hands into Imperial's hair and kissed her. Speaking against her lips, my voice rolled over her mouth. “I love you and I'll never be away from you again, never again. I'll make up for this lost time, I promise.”

“I love you too, I love you so much it hurts. I can't believe you're finally here.” Pulling back, she peered up into my eyes with a giddy smirk. “ Machi, meet your daughter. Hazel couldn't wait to see you.”

It wouldn't have mattered how tough I thought I was or how strong and unaffected I wanted to be. My daughter. . . My child.

Dropping to one knee, I cupped my hands in my lap. The small girl shied away, tucking her face into Imperial's thigh.

Lifting my hand to her hair, I teased a thick blond curl. “Hi there, don't be afraid, Hazel, it's Daddy.”

Her big green eyes flashed, twinkling in the sunshine. A playful smile spread across her small, thin lips as she disappeared again into her hiding spot on Imperial's leg, and covered her face with her hands.

I stood in awe of her, seeing small bits of the both of us. She had blond hair just like her mother, with curls that reminded me of mine when I was young. Her jaw was smooth, rounding out like the bottom of a heart. But the one thing that took me, the one thing that made my chest cry out and my heart implode. . .

She has my sister's eyes.

I don't know why that caught me off guard. My sister and I were torn from the same cloth, we had the same blood running through our veins.

And so does my daughter.

It was hard to rationalize that understanding. My family was gone, all of them. But in a way, they were still here, they were living on through the eyes of another; through me and through my child.

One eye peeked, dancing in place as she looked up at me.

“It's okay, Honey, you hear my voice, it's me, it's Daddy.” Running my thumb down her nose, I inhaled a deep breath. “I've missed you, I've missed you so much.”

Her tiny hands lowered from her face as she shifted on her feet, rocking back and forth. Imperial lowered down, holding Hazel's shoulders and whispering into her ear. Hazel smiled big, her eyes closing slightly as she giggled.

She was beautiful, just like her mother.

It was surreal having both of them right there in arms reach. They were here, I could touch them, feel them, and for the first time, it wasn't my imagination.

Scooting her forward, Imperial wiped her cheeks, erasing the tears. Hazel took a few small steps, bringing her hands up to her face to cover her eyes.

“Uh oh, where did Hazel go? I don't see her anymore.” Flicking my head around and over my shoulder, I pretended to search for her.

I heard her giggle, the same giggle I had heard on the phone so many times before. “Boo!” she yelled, throwing her hands away and diving into my arms. “Did I scare you, Daddy?”

“Oh boy! You sure did scare me.” Resting my hand over my heart, I pretended to breath like I had feared for my life.

Hazel lifted her small fingers to my cheek, swiping her hand up and down. “I'm sorry, Daddy, I didn't mean to scare you that much.”

“Don't worry, Honey, I'll be all right.” Skipping my knuckles over her chin, I pinched her jaw. “I love you.”

Jumping up, Hazel curled her arms around my neck and squeezed. “I love you too, Daddy.”

Wrapping her up tight, I held her against my chest and picked her up. I was finally holding my baby, finally cradling my daughter in my arms. My eyes welled up as I snuggled my face against hers.

And I cried for something good for the first time in what felt like forever. I cried for my daughter, for Imperial, for everything I was allowed to still have after all the things I had done.

There was time I was never going to get back, there were birthdays I had missed and moments of all her firsts I'd never have the chance to see.

But having her in my arms, feeling a part of my soul in the heart of that gorgeous child. . .

It made life worth living, and nothing would ever force me away from them.

Because this was my family, my life, my everything.

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