Chapter 22. I’m Sorry for the Delay

Ava’s POV

Three years later.

“Uncle Mason!”

Sophie, my daughter screamed with excitement as we stepped out of her school yard and she wiggled out of my hold to run to Mason, her backpack bouncing down her back.

Mason barely had time to balance before she leaped onto him, arms around his neck in a bear hug.

He twirled her around, smiling. “Whoa there, princess! You almost knocked me down? What did they feed you for lunch today? Superpowers?”

Sophie giggled, curls flying every which way. “No! But I got a gold star in my art class today!”

Mason’s eyes widened as he placed his hands on his chest in an exaggerated surprise.. .”A gold star? That is huge. What did you draw?”

She dug into her backpack. “Wait, it’s here! And guess what?” She grinned up at him. “It’s for you.”

Mason squatted in front of her with a smirk on his face before switching to an innocent face. “For me?Not for your mom?”

Sophie smiled and shook her hea