**Happiness Is Possible**
Dad was always so lovely, so cheerful, and so kind. The best father in the world.
Juliet couldnt wait for him to return from his business tripsbringing gifts and endless stories. Mum would brighten up whenever he came home, while Gran would do the opposite, scowling and refusing to visit. Juliet wished Gran and Dad could just get along.
Oh, the stories he told! Shed laugh until her sides ached.
This time, Dad brought her a big doll and a fluffy white rabbit.
«Is this rabbit a girl, Dad?»
«Yes, love. Do you know her name?»
«Nooo.»
«Emily.»
«Emily? Like Mum?»
«Exactly, so youll always have a little Emily with you.»
Dad and Mum exchanged smiles. He had gifts for Mum too, and she blushed, saying he spoiled them.
«How could I not spoil you? Youre my favourite girls.»
They had dinner together, and Dad told Juliet more of his funny tales.
«There was this soldier in my regimentguess what his surname was?»
«What?» Juliet asked eagerly.
«Thunderclap. He was enormous, shoulders this wide»Dad stretched his arms»strong as an ox. And his best mate? Surname was Mousetiny as a mouse, they were inseparable.»
Then there was another bloke called Cat. So, imagineCat, Mouse, and Thunderclap, always together.»
Juliet giggled until she drifted off to sleep, happy.
The next day, they went to the park, ate ice cream, rode the carouselshe was so tired, she fell asleep against his shoulder.
But in the morning Dad was gone.
«Has he just popped to the loo?» Juliet asked hopefully.
Mum sat at the table, thoughtful.
«Sweetheart,» she said softly, tears in her eyes. «Daddy had to leave.»
«For work?» Juliet asked. «Urgent work?»
«Yes, love. Very urgent.»
As Juliet grew up, Dad still visited occasionally. Gran refused to acknowledge him properly.
«Never says hello properly, just grunts and turns his nose up. Never celebrates birthdays or holidaysalways work. Why wont he marry you, Liz? Think I dont know? Hes probably already married!»
«Next time he comes, check his passport, or I will!»
«Mum!» Mum snapped. «Leave it!»
Dad kept visiting, but Juliet noticed changes. Mum and Dad argued moresometimes in hushed whispers, sometimes loudly.
«Liz, I have obligationsI cant just walk away!»
«But you can walk away from us, can you?»
Dad looked sad. He kissed Juliet goodbye and left, shoulders slumped.
Gran fumed. «I told you! Secretive, thats what he is. Bet hes got another family. Whatll you tell Juliet?»
Mum stayed silent, crying quietly.
Dad visited less. One day, Juliet asked when hed return.
Mum shrugged. Gran snapped, «Good riddance to bad rubbish!»
Yet Juliet still waited.
She didnt know that in another city, another girlmaybe her agealso called him Dad and waited for presents.
Juliet hugged her white rabbit and whispered, «Emily, you understand, dont you? Hes still the best dad.»
He never came back. Then, one day, she saw himwalking with another woman, a girl her age, and a boy about as old as the years shed missed him. They looked like a proper family.
She wanted to call out, but the words froze in her throat. He didnt even see her.
That night, Grans words haunted herabout Dads other family. Now she knew it was true.
Next morning, she asked Mum, «Does he have another family?»
Mum stared out the window. «Yes. Always has.»
«Then what are we?»
«We were his family too. Just not the official one.»
Juliet turned away, tears spilling. «Why didnt you tell me?»
«Because you loved him,» Mum hugged her. «And so did I. He loved you toostill does. Lifes just complicated.»
Juliet remembered every story, every gift, every head-patit had all been real. He *was* the best dad.
When Juliet turned twelve, Mum married Uncle Rob. He wasnt unkind, just indifferent.
Juliet grew up, graduated, got a job, rented a flat. She tried not to think of Dadit hurt too much.
Then, years later, he called as if nothing had happened.
«Sweetheart! How are you? Found a job? Got your own place?»
She kept her answers short. But when he asked to meet, she hesitatedthen agreed.
In a small café, she saw himolder now, greying, tired. But his smile was the same, the one that used to make her laugh till her sides hurt.
«Youre beautiful,» he said awkwardly. «All grown up.»
She studied himnot just «the best dad,» but a man whod lied, lived two lives.
«Dad,» she said. «I know. About your other family.»
He sighed. «Juliet I never wanted to hurt you. Youll always be my daughter. But I was a cowardcouldnt lose you, couldnt break them.»
She stayed silent, torn between hugging him and running away.
«You know,» she finally said, «Ill never forget laughing with you, those stories about Thunderclap and Mouse. You were always the kindest, funniest dad. But I remember the pain too.»
He bowed his head. «What can I do, love? How do I make it right?»
She looked at himolder, weaker, afraid of losing her completely.
«Just be here,» she said. «No secrets, no promises. Just be my dad.»
He nodded, eyes wet.
She reached out, touched his handand realised shed forgiven him. Not for what hed done, but because hed stayed her beloved dad, flaws and all.
Years later, Juliet had a daughterAnnie, a blue-eyed, golden-haired little girl.
Dad visited openly now, no more secrets. Annie shrieked with joy.
«Grandads here!»
He knelt, hugged her tight, laughed that same ringing laugh.
That evening, he told Annie the old stories.
«There was a soldier in my regimentguess his surname?»
«What?» Annie gasped.
«Thunderclap!»
Annie giggled just like Juliet used to. And Juliets heart swelled.
Dad wasnt perfect. Hed made mistakes. But now he was here, honestly, and Annie had a grandadnot a secret.
Later, tucking Annie in, Juliet remembered her white rabbit, Emily. The one Dad had brought her all those years ago.
Life hadnt turned out as shed dreamed. But watching her dad and her daughter laugh at the same silly story, she knewhappiness was still possible. Just not in the way shed expected.
