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My everything.
My beautiful little girl, curled up in a ball on the floor, her face streaked with tears and her eyes red and puffy.
"Hailey," I breathed, rushing to her side and gathering her into my arms. "Oh my god, Hailey. I was so scared. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, burying her face in my chest and clinging to me like a lifeline. "I'm sorry, Dad," she sobbed, her voice muffled against my shirt. "I'm so sorry for everything."
I held her tight, rocking her back and forth and murmuring words of comfort. "Shh, it's okay, baby. It's okay. You're safe now. I've got you."
We stayed like that for a long time, just holding each other and crying, letting all the fear and pain and confusion pour out of us. And when Hailey finally pulled back, her eyes were clearer, her face more relaxed.
"Dad, there's something I need to tell you,” She said, her voice trembling slightly. "About the photos, and the blackmail, and everything that's happened."
I nodded, brushing a strand of hair back from her face. "I know, Hailey. Molly told me everything."
Her eyes widened, surprise and fear flashing across her face. "She did? Oh god, Dad, I'm so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I just wanted you to be happy, and I thought..."
I cut her off, pulling her into another hug. "I know, sweetie. I know you were just trying to help. And while I can't say I'm thrilled about the whole blackmail thing; I understand why you did it."
She pulled back, her eyes searching mine. "You do?"
I smiled, tapping her nose with my finger. "Of course I do. You're my daughter, Hailey. I know your heart, and I know that everything you do, you do out of love."
She grinned, relief and gratitude shining in her eyes. "I do love you, Dad. More than anything."
"I love you too, kiddo. And I forgive you, for everything. We all make mistakes, but what matters is that we learn from them and try to do better."
She nodded, her face growing serious. "I will, Dad. I promise.” She looked around again and then asked, “Where’s Molly?”
I hesitated, not wanting to think about what I had said to Molly earlier. “Molly and I are going to take a step back just for now so I can focus on you.
“What?” She smacked her thighs exasperated. “I need to tell you something else, something important."
I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? What's that?"
She took a deep breath, her eyes locking with mine. "You need to get Molly back, Dad. You need to tell her how sorry you are, how much you love her and want to be with her. Because she's the one, Dad. She's the one who makes you happy, who makes our family complete."
A warmth spread through my chest, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "You're a smart kid, you know that? And you're right. I do need to talk to Molly, to apologize for the way I treated her and tell her how I feel."
Hailey grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So what are you waiting for?"
I laughed, ruffling her hair. "I will, I promise. But first, we need to get you home. Your aunt and uncle have been worried sick about you."
She groaned, her shoulders slumping. "I'm grounded, aren't I?"
I nodded, trying to look stern but failing miserably. "Oh, you bet your britches you are. Running away like that, scaring us all half to death? You're lucky I don't ground you until you're thirty."
She shrugged, poking me in the ribs. "Eighteen’s the max."
I grinned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as we climbed down from the treehouse. "You're probably right. But don't push your luck, missy. I'm still the dad around here."
She leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder. "I know, Dad. And I wouldn't have it any other way."
As we walked back to the car, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Yes, there were still challenges ahead, still apologies to be made and relationships to mend. But with Hailey by my side and the love of a good woman waiting for me, I knew that anything was possible.
In the car, I phoned Ricky and he answered on the third ring. "Go for Rodriguez."
"Hey, Ricky. It's Jake. I found Hailey. You can call off the search."
