Another awkward evening (2)

TRISTAN

The kitchen was filled with the sound of giggles and animated voices. I had tried to sneak out of the kitchen but my daughter was keeping a strict eye on me, making sure I participated in cooking. It turned out to be the best thing.

I'd never seen her laugh so hard since…well, probably since she discovered the difference between her and other kids—the lack of a mother in her life—and realized I couldn't do anything to rectify that. I couldn't bring her mother back to life and I had no intention of remarrying just to give her a stepmother.

Not only would that be unfair to both the stepmother and I, but even if I grabbed the best mother on earth and dragged her down the aisle, there was no guarantee she and Aurora would get along.

Unless it was a woman who my daughter liked and who genuinely felt the same way.