Chapter 5 - The First Step

The Saturday morning air was cool, a gentle breeze coming off Lake Michigan. I stood near the Crown Fountain at Millennium Park, clutching a small, simple sketchbook and a set of colored pencils. Naomi had told me Ava loved to draw, while Sophie was fascinated by space.

At exactly 9:55 AM, I saw them walking down the path. Naomi wore a casual trench coat, holding Ava’s hand, while Sophie trotted along beside them.

As they approached, my heart hammered against my ribs. I felt more nervous than I had during my million-dollar corporate presentations.

"Hello, Andrew," Naomi said, her tone polite but guarded.

"Hi," I said, kneeling down to bring myself to the girls' eye level. "Hi, Ava. Hi, Sophie."

Ava looked at me, her dark curls bouncing in the wind. "Hi, Andrew. Mommy said you are an old friend who works with numbers."

"I am," I smiled, my throat tight. "I love numbers. But I also hear you love to draw, Ava."

I handed her the sketchbook and the pencils. Her eyes lit up, a brilliant, beautiful smile spreading across her face. "How did you know? I love drawing horses!"

"And for you, Sophie," I said, reaching into my pocket and pulling out a small, detailed model of the Saturn V rocket. "I hear you like the stars."

Sophie gasped, taking the rocket with both hands, her gray eyes shining with pure wonder. "It's the moon rocket! Mommy, look! It has the little stages that separate!"

Naomi watched us, her expression softening just a fraction. For the first hour, we sat on a park bench. I didn't try to be their dad. I didn't ask for hugs or affection. I simply sat with them, helping Ava sketch a horse and listening to Sophie explain how gravity worked on Jupiter.

When the hour was up, Naomi stood up. "It's time to go, girls. Say goodbye to Andrew."

"Goodbye, Andrew!" Ava said, hugging the sketchbook tightly to her chest.

"Can you come back next Saturday?" Sophie asked, looking up at me with those big, unmistakable gray eyes. "I want to show you my telescope."

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I looked at Naomi, waiting for her approval. She paused, then gave a slow, quiet nod.

"I will be here, Sophie," I said, my voice thick with tears. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."