The wind danced with laughter at Enchanted Kingdom.
It was Tedd's idea—a full day for Max and Sam. Just the three of them.
Jaimie agreed, cautiously. She didn't go. She needed space. But she packed extra clothes, sanitizer, snacks, and strict instructions.
Still, she watched them walk away that morning with her heart in her throat.
Now, hours later, photos filled her phone.
Sam grinning with a pirate hat.
Max eating cotton candy twice his face's size.
Tedd... smiling.
Like he was finally breathing again.
In the middle of the crowd, near the Carousel, it happened.
Sam tugged on Tedd's hand.
"Papa," he said, pointing. "I want to ride again. Please?"
Tedd froze.
Max did too.
The world, in that tiny second, stood still.
"What... what did you say?" Tedd asked gently.
Sam looked up, confused. "Papa."
The word rolled out of him like he'd always known it.
Like it lived somewhere in his bones, waiting to be said.
Tedd dropped to his knees, arms open.
Sam ran into them.
Tedd hugged him tighter than he ever thought he could. The kind of hug you give when something broken is finally, finally healing.
Later that night, Tedd sent Jaimie a message.
He called me Papa today. I didn't correct him.
I hope... that's okay.
Jaimie stared at the screen for a long time.
She typed.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToudJcQDtM
Deleted.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoabs6XNoca
Typed again.
Then finally sent:
It is.
Just don't break him.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yldiF1EjQ
