My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

[Sometime later]

"What are you thinking about, sweetheart?" Maximus asked as he approached Laura.

"Nothing, Dad. Why?"

"Come on, Laura. I'm older than you-I can tell when something's weighing on you," he said, watching how she tried to avoid his gaze.

"Dad... did you ever doubt the love you had for Mom?"

That caught Maximus off guard. And if he was honest with himself, it hadn't just been once-there were many times he'd questioned his feelings for Alexia.

"Yeah... I think I did. Why do you ask?"

"Okay... I'll tell you, but promise you won't judge me," Laura said, glancing at him nervously.

"When have I ever done that?"

"Never..." she admitted quietly.

"Then? I'm your dad, Laura. I'm here no matter what-whether I agree with your choices or not."

Adrian..." she said, her voice barely

Maximus replied

"What?" Laura asked, surprised.

who can leave you like this-so deep

"Dad..."

going on?" he asked gently, encouraging her

a second chance would be easy, but... sometimes I'm not sure. I don't want him waiting around forever, not knowing if he's got a real shot. That's why I've been thinking

that's not something you figure out in your head. It's something you feel. What's your

"What do you mean?"

on the eyes. And Adele? She's the perfect mix of you both. But all of that's surface-level. What really matters is how you feel inside when he's around. Do you want him

think I

a maybe. It's a yes or a

we're together with Adele, I feel calm. And when he takes my hand... I don't know, I feel weird, like... like nothing could

things I haven't done in ages. We go to the movies-kids' movies, of course-but seeing that

when I think about who I was at your age... I'm

"Seriously?"

Laura. Some faster than others. And Adrian-though it might leave a bitter taste in my mouth to say this-Sa good man. I've seen how hard he works, and

But you gave