**The Surprise**
«Fancy a quick drink at the pub? Just a pint and a chat,» asked Oliver at the end of the workday.
«Sorry, Im heading home. Look.» Edward pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it.
«Blimey, youre actually going through with it?» Oliver examined the ring. «Never thought youd tie the knot.» He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
«Emma and I have been together four years nowtime to make it official. She doesnt know; its a surprise. If I dont propose now»
«You never will,» Oliver finished for him. «Still having doubts? Come off it, Emmas gorgeous. Im a bit jealous, if Im honest.»
«Right, Id better go.» Edward slipped the box back into his pocket. «Promised Emma Id be home early,» he said, hurrying toward the lift.
On his way, he stopped at a florist and bought a bouquet of red rosesEmmas favourite. He placed them on the passenger seat, rehearsing his speech at every traffic light: *»Darling Emma, youve waited so long Emma, I love you, will you marry me?»* No, it didnt sound right.
Parking outside their flat, he grabbed the flowers and headed for the door. Just as he reached for the handle, his phone rang.
«Eddie, love» His mums trembling voice told him something was wrong.
«Whats happened?»
«Im fineits Lucy. Shes gone, love.»
«Christ» Edward let go of the door without opening it.
It didnt make sense. Lucy, who hed known since childhood, was gone. «How?»
«A hit-and-run. Died instantly. The driver got away. Funerals tomorrow. Can you come? She loved you» His mum sniffled. «Millies all alone now. Someones got to decide Im afraid theyll take her into care.»
«Alright, Ill try to make it,» Edward promised.
«Please come, love» His mum broke down.
*Lucys gone.* The words pounded in his head. He hadnt loved her the way shed loved him. She hadnt deserved that.
He barely remembered climbing the stairs or standing at their flat door. The roses felt out of place now. The news had knocked him sideways. Proposing tonight seemed wrong.
«Special occasion?» Emma asked, stepping into the hallway. Only now did he notice the rich scent of dinner filling the flat. Normally, it wouldve made his stomach growl, but tonight it felt oddly intrusive.
Emma waited expectantly, but Edward hesitated, as if unsure what to do with the bouquet.
«Who needs an excuse for flowers?» He snapped out of it, handing them over and kissing her cheek.
Emma lowered her eyes, hiding her disappointment, then disappeared into the kitchen. Soon, he heard water running.
When he walked in, the roses sat in a vase, and Emma was setting the table. He wasnt hungry but forced himself to sit.
«Not eating?» she asked.
«Not tonight. Mum calledLucy died. Funerals tomorrow.»
«Lucy?» Emma trailed off, waiting.
«My ex-wife,» Edward clarified. «Ive got to go, sort things out for Millie. Our daughter.»
«Waityou never said you had a daughter. How old is she?»
«Twelve, I think.»
«So, youre bringing her here? To live with us?»
«I dont know. Lucy had no oneher parents died when she was in school. My mums too frail. Sorry, I need to pack.»
«Youre really going to the funeral?» Emma sounded sceptical.
«Yes, on the night train. Already called work.»
«Youve been divorced for years. She probably had someone else»
«Emma, not now. Ill leave the caruse it if you need.»
«So this is the surprise you had planned?» She stood abruptly.
«No. Ill tell you when Im back.» Edward gripped the ring box in his pocket.
Sleep eluded him on the train. He lay awake, remembering.
***
Theyd been friends since childhoodsame nursery, same school. Lucy was thin, fair-haired, always wrapped in scarves, constantly ill. When her parents died in Year 10, her gran passed soon after. Edwards parents took her in.
His dad joked she was his ready-made bride. Edward bristled at the idea.
Before their A-levels, his parents went away for a weekend, leaving them alone. He barely remembered how it happened, but Lucy got pregnant. His parents insisted they marry.
He cared for her like a sister, a friendnot a wife. Love shouldve felt grander, more romantic. Still, he married her. Lucy barely carried Millie to term. When he saw his daughter, he felt nothing. The bitter truth hit him: he didnt love Lucy, didnt care for the baby. He wasnt ready.
After scraping through his first year at uni, he transferred to London and left.
His dad had said no one in their family abandoned their children. If he left, hed get no help. He no longer had a son. Lucy and the baby would stay.
Edward never returned, not even for holidays. His mum called, but he didnt care. Not even when his dad died.
At first, Lucys flat was rented out. When she met someone, she and Millie moved back. His mum called, saying she missed them. Edward shrugged it off.
She sent photos of Millie growing up. The older she got, the more she looked like Lucy. Edward felt nothing. Hed last seen her as a baby, erased her from his life.
Now, for the first time in twelve years, he was going back. No matter what his mum said, he wouldnt take Millie. What kind of father was he? *»No one in our family abandons their kids. Youre no son of mine.»* His dads words haunted him. In the end, his father had pushed them to divorceLucy deserved a proper man.
He regretted never making amends.
Then Emma came along. Irresistible. Yet hed waited, never proposing. Now, ring in hand, he was leaving for his ex-wifes funeral. As if Lucy had sabotaged his happiness one last time.
Though, truthfully, there wasnt much left to ruin. The passion had fizzled; they stayed together out of habit. He wasnt sure he wanted to marryjust didnt want to lose her.
Thinking *whatever happens, happens*, Edward finally slept.
His mum hugged him, weeping. Millie hung back, wary.
«Millie, love, come meet your dad,» his mum said.
The girl scoffed, spun on her heel, and stormed to her roomhis old one.
«Give her time,» his mum whispered.
Lucys coffin was closed. It felt unreal, like shed never existed. Millie didnt cry, just glared, avoiding Edwards eyes.
He tried talking to her, but she ignored him. Once, he overheard her and his mum.
«Millie, Im too old to keep you. Just for a bit, go to London with your dad. You can come back.»
«Why? He doesnt want me. Id rather go to care.»
«Dont say that! Not with your dad alive. Youve no idea what cares like.»
«Where was he before? He left us. Im not going.»
A door slammed.
Yet, she went with him to London. On the train, Millie asked, «Who do you live with?»
«Gran told you? Yeah, theres someone. Ill propose when were back. Bought a ring already. Youll like her.» He wasnt sure he believed it.
The flat was emptyno Emma, no trace of her. Just her keys on the console.
«Your rooms there. Settle in,» Edward said, retreating to the bathroom. He couldnt reach Emma. Probably blocked.
When he came out, Millie was making sandwiches and tea. He was grateful she didnt panic, gloat, or ask questions.
The next day, they enrolled her in the local school, then shopped for clothes. They barely spoke, but the next morning, she made scrambled eggs.
«Gran teach you to cook?»
«Mum did.»
«Good job,» he said.
That was it.
He showed her London, took her to the cinema, rollerblading in Hyde Park. Slowly, the ice thawed.
Then work sent him to China for a week. Saying no wouldve killed his career. But Millie?
«Im not a kid,» she said.
«Yeah, but this is Londonyou dont know it. Ill figure something out.»
«Easy. Ask Sophie from workshe fancies you. Shell help,» Oliver suggested.
Edward had noticed the young colleague blushing around him.
Oliver was right. Sophie jumped at the chance. He invited her over to meet Millie. They hit it off instantly, their laughter drifting through the flat.
He left for China relieved. Having a daughter still unnerved him. Hed grown used to his own space. Emma didnt countthat was different. But he hadnt expected to miss Millie. He called daily. Sophie answered when he rang Millie, who still wouldnt speak to him.
On his return, he called ahead. As the taxi pulled up, he saw them by the entrance, looking like sisters. His heart leaped. No one had ever welcomed him home.
Millie approached as he got out. He hugged her awkwardly; she didnt pull away. Sophie lingered, smiling. He wanted to hug her too.
«Lets go up. Brought you presents,» he said.
Handing over colourful bags, he revelled in their delight more than they did.
«Anything to eat here?» he asked.
«Of course!» Sophie dashed to the kitchen, Millie following. The clatter of dishes soon filled the flat.
*Theyve bonded*, he thought.
Over dinner, they peppered him with questions about China. It felt better than ever.
Afterwards, Sophie made to leave.
«Da-ad,» Millie drawled, nodding toward the hall.
Had he heard right? Shed called him *Dad*? Edward stood and followed Sophie.
«Stay. Its late. Ive more stories.»
Millie tugged Sophie to her room.
That night, Edward lay awake. So much had changed. Millie had warmed to himthanks to Sophie. Pleasant, easygoing. Emma wouldnt have managed that.
If someone had told him two months ago hed be living with his daughter, hed have laughed. And Sophie He liked knowing she slept just a wall away. Too soon to say, but why not try? She fancied him, and he He searched his feelings. It just felt *right*. Maybe that was love.
