Heartprints in the Void
⊰ 32.5 ⊱ Lingering Hope

**Cade**

I turn off the engine, leaning back in my seat as I look out at the park stretching before me. The sun is high in the sky, the light filtering through the leaves of trees, casting dappled shadows on the grass. It's a perfect day, the kind that makes you feel like anything is possible.

But as I sit here, my mind keeps drifting back to Elysian, to the way she looked holding Naomi in her arms last night. The sight of them together this morning, the easy way Elysian cradled my daughter, the love and tenderness in her eyes... it struck me, a profound epiphany.

Because in that moment, I realized that this is what I want. This is what I've always wanted. A family, a future, with her by my side.

I know we have a complicated history, that I've hurt her in ways I'm only just beginning to understand. But seeing her with Naomi, it was like a glimpse into the life we could have, the life I so desperately crave.

I'm pulled from my thoughts by the shrill ringing of my phone. I glance at the screen, seeing James' name flash across it.

"What's up?" I answer.

"I've got good news," James says, and I can hear the excitement in his voice. "I've been talking to the board members, feeling them out about the idea of you taking over the company."

I sit up straighter, my heart starting to race. "And?"

"And most of them are on board," he says, a note of triumph in his voice. "They're ready for a change, Cade. They're ready for you."

I exhale slowly, letting his words sink in. This is it. This is what I've been working towards, the chance to finally step out of my father's shadow and take control of my own destiny.

"What about my father?" I ask, my jaw clenching at the thought of him.

"He won't go down without a fight," James admits. "But when the time comes, you'll have the controlling vote. He won't have a choice."

*Good. He won't even see this coming.*

A grim satisfaction settles in my chest. After everything he's done, all the ways he's tried to manipulate and control me, the thought of forcing him out, of taking what's rightfully mine... it's a heady feeling. "Thanks, James," I say, my voice rough. "For everything."

"Anytime, boss," he responds, and I can practically hear his grin through the phone. "I'll keep you updated."

I end the call, slipping my phone back into my pocket. For a moment, I simply sit there, letting the weight of what's about to happen wash over me.

But then I hear Naomi's laughter, bright and bubbly, and I'm pulled back to the present. I glance in the rearview mirror, seeing her happily babbling away in her car seat, her little hands clenching the stuffed animal in her lap. "Alright, baby girl," I say, a smile tugging at my lips. "Let's go have some fun."

I climb out of the car, moving to unbuckle Naomi from her seat. She grins up at me, her blue eyes sparkling, and my heart clenches in my chest. I scoop her up, holding her close as I grab the diaper bag and make my way towards the playground.

The park is bustling with activity, children running and playing, their laughter ringing out through the air. I set Naomi down on the grass, watching as she takes off towards the sandbox, her chubby little legs carrying her as fast as they can. I watch as she plops down, her hands immediately reaching for the sand, a look of pure delight on her face.

"She's so friendly."

I glance up, seeing a woman sitting on the bench beside me, her own daughter playing a few feet away. She smiles at, nodding towards Naomi.

"She is," I agree, a node of pride in my voice. "She loves meeting new people."

As if on cue, Naomi pushes herself up, toddling over to the woman's daughter. She plops down beside her, offering her a handful of sand with a gummy grin.

The other girl looks at her for a moment, then breaks into a smile, accepting the offering. In no time at all, they're playing together, scooping sand into colorful buckets, babbling away in that secret language only toddlers seem to understand. I feel a rush of warmth in my chest, a sense of contentment that I haven't felt in a long time. She's the best of me, the best of everything I could ever hope to be. I want her to grow up surrounded by love and laughter.

*I knew Elysian would love you.*

...

*Where is she?*

I glance at my watch, my brows furrowing slightly. Elysian should be here by now. She said she'd only be an hour, that she was just going to grab Bubbles and come right back.

But that hour has come and gone, and there's no sign of her.

I pull out my phone, checking for any missed calls or messages.

Nothing.

I try calling her, and it rings once, twice, three times... and then goes to voicemail.

"Hey, it's me," I say after the beep, trying to keep the worry from my voice. "Just wondering where you are. Naomi and I are at the park, waiting for you. Call me back."

I end the call, staring down at the phone in my hand. It's not like her to not show up, to not at least send a text if she's running late. A knot of unease forms in my gut, my mind racing with possibilities.

Could she have changed her mind? Seeing my father this morning, hearing the venom in his voice as he talked about my **whores*'... could that have scared her off?

I think back to the look on her face when she left, the determination in her eyes. She said she'd be back. She promised.

But what if it was all too much? What if the reality of the situation, of the obstacles we'll face, finally hit her? What if she decided it wasn't worth it, that *I* wasn't worth it?

The thought makes my chest tighten, a bitter taste filling my mouth. Because as much as I try to tell myself that I could handle it, that I'd understand if she walked away... I know it would break me.

I've lost so much already. My mother, my memories, my sense of self. Elysian... She's the one bright spot in the darkness of my past. The one person who makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, I can be more than my father's son. *I can't lose her. Not again.*

I'm pulled from my spiraling thoughts by Naomi's squeal of laughter. I look up, seeing her toddling towards me, a handful of dandelions clutched in her chubby fist.

"Dada!" she cries, her face splitting into a grin. "Fow you!"

She thrusts the flowers towards me, her eyes shining with love and joy. I feel my throat tighten, my vision blurring as I reach to take them.

"Thank you, baby," I murmur, pulling her into my lap. I breathe in the sweet smell of her, the sunshine and innocence, letting it soothe the ache in my chest.

I know I need to have faith. Faith in Elysian, in the connection we share. Faith that no matter what happens, no matter what my father tries to do... we'll find our way back to each other. We have to.

Because this, right here? Naomi in my arms, the promise of a future with the woman I love? It's everything.