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

figured," Maximus replied

"What?" Laura asked, surprised.

who can leave you like

"Dad..."

asked gently,

I don't want him waiting around forever, not knowing if he's got a real shot. That's why I've been thinking through all the pros and cons of letting him into my life again," she said, her voice full

something you feel. What's your heart telling you?" Maximus asked,

"What do you mean?"

hard on the eyes. And Adele? She's the perfect mix of you

think I

honey. Don't think this isn't a maybe. It's a yes

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

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

to stay the same forever. Trust me, when I think about who I was at your age... I'm not

"Seriously?"

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 honestly 'm proud he's the father of your daughter. It means you made a

But you gave him