The guilt pressed against my chest.
“I can’t give those years back,” I said. “But I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for what my mother did and proving you can trust me. I’m not asking you to forgive me today. I’m not asking to return to the marriage we lost. I’m asking for the chance to be Leo’s father.”
Jessi studied me for a long moment.
“You don’t need to earn the right to be his father. You already are his father. What you have to earn is his trust, and mine. You need to prove you won’t vanish when life becomes difficult.”
“I’m finished with active deployment,” I said. “I signed my retirement papers two months ago. I accepted a civilian consulting position ten miles from here. I’m not leaving this town again.”
She released a slow breath, and her shoulders relaxed.
