I never thought I’d find love again after my wife Sarah died two years ago, let alone someone who could get along with my daughter Sophie. But then Amelia came. She was smart, nice, and patient enough to help me get over my sadness. Sophie, who was only five, fell in love with her right away, and I believed things would finally start to go well for me.
The day Sophie and Amelia met at the park will always remain in my mind. Sophie didn’t want to get off the swing set. “Five more minutes,” she continued saying. But when Amelia, who had a gorgeous grin and a sundress that caught the sun, offered to push her higher, Sophie’s face lit up. It was the start of something I hoped would last.
We got married and chose to live in Amelia’s house, which she had inherited. The house was lovely and had a lot of personality. Sophie loved her new room so much that she called it “a princess room” and wanted to paint the walls purple. Amelia readily agreed and said we will choose the right color together. It felt like the beginning of a new story.
The employer sent me on a week-long business trip, and everything changed.
Amelia told me everything would be alright the morning I left. She smiled and gave me a travel mug. She added, “We’ll have a week just for girls.” Sophie signed up and was glad to talk to Amelia about painting her nails. I felt they would be secure with them. But when I got back, Sophie went up to me, grabbed my neck, and shook me.
“New mom is different when you’re not here,” she said, her voice shaking.
I pulled away from her to stare at her, scared. “What do you mean, dear?”
“She locks herself in the attic,” Sophie said under her breath, her big eyes moving up to the ceiling. “She says I can’t go in because I hear strange noises up there.” And she isn’t kind. Even when I’m good, she won’t let me have ice cream, and I have to clean my room by myself.
It was like a frigid wind when she spoke. Amelia had been in the attic a lot, where she said she was “organizing things.” I hadn’t really thought about it before. I felt scared all of a sudden, even though everyone wanted their own place. Was Sophie merely having trouble adjusting, or was there more to this than I thought?
I couldn’t sleep next to Amelia that night because my thoughts was racing. She got up around midnight. I quietly followed her up the stairs and watched as she unlocked the door to the attic and went inside. I gently crept up and pushed the door open because it didn’t close behind her.
What I saw shocked me.
The attic wasn’t a place to store things; it was a place where fantasies come true. There were fairy lights hanging from the ceiling, gentle colors on the walls, and shelves full of Sophie’s favorite books. There was also a seat beside the window with a lot of pillows on it. There was a small table for tea with beautiful china and a bear in a bow tie on it. Amelia moved the teapot and then stared at me in shock.
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” she added in a low voice. “For Sophie.”
Sophie felt the place was beautiful, but it didn’t help her forget how scared she had been before. I told Amelia, “Sophie says you’ve been rude to her.” She is afraid. Why?
Amelia’s shoulders fell, and she sat down on the seat beside the window. “I thought I was helping her become more self-sufficient.” I wanted to be a great mom, but I’ve been so busy trying to do everything right that I’ve lost sight of what she really needs.
“I had a strict mother who thought everything had to be just so,” she said, her voice shaking. I guess I’ve been following her without even realizing it: order, discipline, and perfection. But Sophie doesn’t need it. She needs to be loved. Real and chaotic love.
That night, Amelia and I took Sophie up to the attic. At first, she wasn’t sure and stood behind my legs. But Amelia got down on her knees and murmured softly, “Sophie, I’m sorry if I’ve been too hard on you.” I tried my best to be a good mom, but I failed. This room is a way for me to show you how much I care about you. I hope you enjoy it.
Sophie looked into the room and saw the bright lights, books, and painting equipment. Her eyes got wider. “Is this… for me?” she said in a quiet voice.
Amelia nodded, and her eyes were full of tears. “All of it.” And I vow that we will clean your room jointly from now on. “How about we eat ice cream and read at the same time?”
Sophie smiled and hugged Amelia. “Thank you, new mom.” I really like it.
That night, when I put Sophie to bed, she muttered, “Mommy’s not scary.” She is a wonderful lady. I kissed her forehead, and finally the doubt that had been on my mind for so long went away.
It wasn’t easy for us to start a family. We had to cope with challenges, misconceptions, and a lot of learning along the way. But as I saw Sophie and Amelia share cookies and stories in that wonderful attic chamber, I learned something important: love doesn’t have to be perfect to be real. It was good enough that we were getting through one day at a time.