Tomás answered right away.
“Everything alright?
” “Yes. Santiago keeps asking to stay over. “
There was a silence.
“Alma’s also really busy playing with her teddy bear. She’s very quiet.
” “Okay, then. That’s good. Give me a shout if anything happens.”
“Of course. Thanks.”
That night Leticia tucked them in, sang them a soft little song, and sat on the floor beside the bed until they fell asleep. Then she turned off the light and went to sit alone in the living room. She didn’t cry; she just breathed. For the first time in a very long time, she felt she was doing things right.
The following week, Tomás received an email from the court. They had scheduled another hearing regarding shared custody for the following month. But this time it wasn’t to scold them or lecture them; it was to put everything in writing and make it legal.
In the subsequent therapy session, the four of them—Tomás, Leticia, Santiago, and Alma—were together in the same room. The therapist concluded the session.
“It’s been five months since the incident. The children have made tremendous progress. Both parents have been very dedicated and have fulfilled all the agreements, and the relationship between all of you has improved in a very healthy way. Congratulations.”
Leticia turned to look at Tomás, as if waiting for him to start the conversation.
“It was really tough, but it worked out. For them.
” “For them,” she echoed.
Santiago interrupted them.
“So, can we be a family again?”
Tomás smiled at him.
“We never stopped being one, champ. We just had to learn to help each other out more.”
Alma climbed onto Leticia’s chair and planted a big kiss on her cheek.
“Don’t leave me now, Mom.”
Leticia hugged her tightly.
“No, my little piece of heaven. This time I’m here to stay.”
The morning of the final hearing finally arrived. Tomás got up before the kids, made them breakfast, and packed their backpacks. Santiago came downstairs in his school uniform, his mouth wide open from sleep, followed by Alma, who was dragging a blanket and clutching her doll tightly.
“We have to go to court today, right?” Santiago asked, spreading butter on his bread.
“Yes,” Tomás replied, “but it’ll be quick. It’s just so the judge can see you and hear what you want to tell him.
” “Can I bring my drawing?” Alma asked, showing him the scribbled-on sheet of paper.
“Of course, my dear! I’m sure the judge will love it.”
An hour later, the four of them were sitting in the courthouse waiting room. Tomás was wearing a suit; Leticia wore a simple blouse, nothing too fancy, and dress pants. The children sat between them. None of the adults had said much on the way there. The atmosphere was calm, but the tension was palpable, as if waiting to see what would happen.
The judge ushered them in and greeted them with a friendly little smile.
“Come in, welcome. I’ve already read all the reports, and honestly, I want to congratulate you on how hard you’ve worked. But right now, I want to hear from the big shots: Santiago and Alma.”
Santiago sat down in the small chair in front of the desk. He didn’t look panicked. He’d already rehearsed it with his therapist.
“How have you been feeling these last few months, champ?” the judge asked him.
“Better. I’m not scared at night anymore. I sleep over at my mom’s and my dad’s, and they both listen to me.
” “And would you like things to stay this way?”
“Yes. I like it when we’re not fighting and we’re at peace.”
The judge nodded, smiling. Then she turned to Alma.
“And would you like to tell me something, my child?”
Alma held out her drawing. It was a little house with two trees, a sun, and four monkeys holding hands.
“This is my family. And I want it to stay this way. “
The judge took the drawing very carefully.
“Thank you so much, Alma. Your drawing is beautiful.”
Then she addressed the parents.
“Do you both agree to make the shared custody arrangement official, alternating one week on and one week off, and continuing to come to the review sessions every two months?”
Tomás was the first to speak up.
“Yes, I agree.”
Leticia nodded immediately.
“I agree too.”
The judge eagerly signed the papers and stamped them.
“Well, it’s approved. I truly congratulate you for putting your children first. It wasn’t easy, but you really went for it. I wish you all the best.”
They left the room without a word. Once in the hallway, the kids took off running as if the recess bell had just rung. Leticia and Tomás stood watching them, side by side, for the first time not on the defensive.
“Thanks for not giving up,” she said, without turning to look at him.
“Thanks for trying and changing,” he replied.
Santiago ran back with a huge grin.
“Will you buy me an ice cream?”
Tomás turned to look at Leticia. She smiled.
“I’m in! Let’s all four go.”
They walked together through the parking lot, the afternoon sun warming their faces. They weren’t the family from the commercials, they weren’t swearing eternal love, but they were walking in the same direction, with firm steps, knowing that everything they had achieved was worth its weight in gold. Because it had cost them blood, sweat, and tears, and because, finally, it had all been worth it.
The ice cream was vanilla with chocolate chips for Alma, pure chocolate for Santiago, and coffee for the parents. They sat on a park bench near the courthouse. The kids ate happily, while Leticia and Tomás watched quietly as they played, laughed uncontrollably… as they became normal children again.
“Do you remember when Santiago wouldn’t sleep alone, not even as a joke?” Leticia said, breaking the ice.
“Oh, shut up! I spent like two weeks sleeping on the floor of his room,” Tomás replied with a tired smile.
“The same thing happened to me with Alma. She wouldn’t let anyone near her, not even the nurses!”
They sat there thinking for a long time. All that had once been a headache now felt like a distant anecdote; like a scrape that was already starting to scab over.
“So… what’s next?” Leticia asked, without turning to look at him.
“Well, keep working hard just like I am now. Listen to them, be there for them, don’t leave them hanging, and don’t let them down.
” “Do you think they’ll ever fully forgive me?”
Tomás took his time answering.
“Kids don’t forget anything, but they learn to love you in a different way. If they see you’re firm, that you don’t back down, they’ll go along with it. And look at them… they’re already doing it.”
Leticia lowered her gaze and nodded. Then she changed the subject.
“I’m going to start looking for another job closer to home with fixed hours. I don’t want to depend on anyone anymore.
” “If you run into any trouble, let me know and I’ll help you out. Not for you, but for them.
” “I know that already. And thank you, really.”
Santiago approached them, his cheeks flushed with chocolate.
“We’re all staying over tonight!
” “What do you mean, all together?” Tomás asked, bursting into laughter.
“You, my mom, Alma, and me. Like before.”
Leticia and Tomás exchanged glances. Santiago persisted.
“It’s going to be a blast.”
Tomás crouched down to his level.
“Tonight it’s your turn to sleep over at my house, Alma, but what do you think about having a sleepover at your mom’s in a few days? What do you think?”
Santiago thought about it for a moment and then grinned.
“But with movies and popcorn!
” “You roared!” said Leticia.
Back in the car, Alma fell asleep in her mother’s arms. Santiago sat quietly in the back, watching out the window. When they arrived at Tomás’s apartment, Leticia helped Alma out of the car and laid her down on the sofa, covering her up so she wouldn’t wake up.
“Is it okay if I stay for a little while?” she asked.
“Not at all.”
Tomás went into the kitchen and made himself a couple of cups of tea. He handed a cup to Leticia, and they sat down without saying a word.
“Did you really imagine five months ago that we’d be like this?” she asked him.
“Honestly, no. I thought this mess was going to ruin us forever.
” “It almost did, but it didn’t.”
Leticia nodded.
“I know I’m going to keep messing things up, but I swear I’ll never abandon you again.”
“And I’ll be there to make sure of it.”
They both burst out laughing almost instinctively. They weren’t a couple, nor were they the best of friends, but they were each other’s parents. Real, flesh-and-blood parents, who made mistakes, who had their share of problems. And that bound them together more strongly than anything romantic.
“How about we watch a movie?” Tomás asked, grabbing the TV remote.
Leticia smiled at him.
“Sure. But not a superhero movie.
” “Deal!”
They turned on the TV with the volume very low while the children were still fast asleep. Their tea was getting cold on the table, and for the first time in ages, the house felt full. There were no more shouts, arguments, or fears. Pure peace.
The following weeks brought Tomás and Leticia something they truly hadn’t expected: peace and tranquility. The days flew by without any worries; backpacks were ready on time, homework was done without tantrums, and the kids no longer asked for so many explanations, preferring bedtime stories. Leticia got a job at a stationery store in the neighborhood. She had a fixed schedule, it was close to home, and she wasn’t rushed to work. The pay wasn’t exorbitant, but she earned enough for rent, expenses, and, most importantly, to be independent.
One afternoon, while they waited for Santiago to finish soccer practice, Tomás picked up Alma from Leticia’s house. The little girl was in the living room, engrossed in watercolor painting.
“Is the princess ready yet?” Tomás asked from the doorway.
“Hang on, Daddy! Give me five more minutes!” Alma yelled without even turning to look at him.
Leticia peeked out from the kitchen with a glass of water.
“Come on in, don’t just stand there.”
Tomás hesitated for a moment, but went inside.
“The house looks great. You did a good job.”
“Wow, it was a real struggle, but it’s coming along.”
They were silent for a few seconds.
“And how have you been?” Leticia asked him.
“Well, busier than before, but I’m doing great. The kids are really helping me stay grounded.
” “That’s true. I’m sleeping more soundly now too.
” “Are you keeping up with the therapy?”
“Yeah, I go every week. I feel like it really helps to open up without getting dirty looks. “
Tomás nodded.
“I heard there’s a group for dads. I’m thinking about joining.”
Leticia smiled.
“It wouldn’t hurt. Because even though you act tough, sometimes you want to carry the world on your own.”
“It’s just a habit of mine.”
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