The sun shone through the windows, casting a warm glow over the kitchen. The remnants of last night's storm had washed the world clean, leaving behind fresh air and a sense of renewal.

Roman sat at the dining table, watching Joelle carefully as she picked at her breakfast. She wasn't avoiding him, exactly, but there was still a quiet hesitance between them. It would take time, and he was willing to wait.

Malachi, on the other hand, was his usual lively self, swinging his legs under the table and chattering about the park.

"Can we go after breakfast? Pleeease?" Malachi begged, looking at both his parents with wide, hopeful eyes.

Isabella smiled as she sipped her coffee. "We'll see, baby. Maybe later this afternoon."

Roman chuckled. "You just woke up, little man. Give it a few hours."

Malachi groaned dramatically, but it was all in good fun. His enthusiasm was contagious, and even Joelle cracked a small smile.

That was enough for Roman.

-

Later that morning, Roman found Joelle sitting outside on the porch swing, scrolling through her phone. He hesitated for a moment before stepping out and sitting next to her.

She glanced at him, then looked back at her phone, not saying anything.

"Mind if I sit?" Roman asked, already there but giving her the option to send him away.

She shrugged. "It's your house."

Roman exhaled, rubbing his hands together. He wasn't going to push, but he needed her to know where he stood.

"I know I have a long way to go," he started. "And I know I've messed up. But I meant what I said last night-I'm here. For you. For Malachi. For whatever you need."

Joelle didn't respond right away. She kept her eyes on the screen, but Roman noticed how her grip on the phone tightened, like she was holding herself back.

"You say that now," she finally muttered. "But what happens when things get hard again? When the season picks up? When Malachi gets worse?"

Roman swallowed hard. "I won't leave. Not this time."

Joelle let out a small, bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You say that, but I don't know if I can believe it."

That stung, but Roman knew he deserved it.

"I get it," he admitted. "I haven't given you much reason to trust me. But I swear to you, Joelle, I'm not walking away again. You and your brother mean everything to me."

She was quiet for a moment, her jaw tight. Then, she finally looked at him. "I want to believe you," she whispered. "I really do."

Roman nodded. "Then let me prove it. However long it takes."

Joelle studied him for a long moment before sighing. "Okay."

It wasn't much. It wasn't forgiveness, and it wasn't trust. But it was a start.

Roman would take it.

-

That afternoon, the whole family went to the park, just like Malachi had wanted. The fresh air, the laughter, the normalcy-it was exactly what they all needed.

Joelle stayed on the sidelines for the most part, but Roman caught her smiling as she watched Malachi run around. It wasn't perfect, but it was progress.

As they packed up to leave, Malachi reached for Joelle's hand, swinging it playfully. "Sissy, let's race to the car!"

Joelle smirked, shaking her head. "You know you're gonna lose, right?"

Malachi gasped dramatically. "No way! I'm super fast!"

Joelle glanced at Roman for a moment before turning back to her brother. "Alright, let's see about that."

And with that, the two of them took off running, Malachi's laughter echoing through the air.

Roman stood back, watching them with a mix of pride and longing.

They weren't there yet.

But for the first time in a long time, he believed they could be.