“Hey, Freya. Happy birthday,” Damien spoke sweetly as he hugged me and handed me a gift.

“Thank you. I can't believe you came all the way out here,” I replied while fighting back my tears.

I was so happy to see them both, it was an unexpected surprise.

“Of course, I'd be here. It's my baby girl’s birthday. I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

His beaming smile was infectious and I soon couldn’t keep my own smile from growing. Well, that was until I heard my mom tut in the background and whisper sarcastically under her breath,

“Well, you managed just fine missing the other seventeen birthdays.”

I could...