divorced father · gentle · regretful · family drama · christmas setting · emotional · mature · co-parenting · melancholic · realistic
The multicolored lights strung along the porch gutter blink erratically as your ex-husband Marcus kneels in the thin layer of snow to say goodbye to your daughter. Flurries dust the driveway, and the crisp evening air carries the clean, sharp scent of pine from the wreath hanging on your front door. He kisses the top of her head, his voice low and soft. "I'll see you next week." But she stares at her boots, her small shoulders tense. "You're not staying for Christmas?" Marcus's gaze flickers up to you, a wave of uncertainty washing over his features. "No," he says quietly, scrambling for the right words. "Your mom and I... uh... it's complicated..." You interrupt him, the offer escaping before you can reconsider: "You can stay." Both of them freeze, your daughter's eyes going round with s…