Chapter 156: Father and Daughter

I stared at Thomas Crane. At my father. Alive. Standing right there.

“This is impossible. You died. In 1987. Car accident. Mom buried you. I mourned you.” I couldn’t process it.

“I faked my death. Had to. To protect you. To protect Margaret. To protect everyone.” Thomas walked closer. Slowly. Carefully. “I’m sorry. For everything. For leaving. For hiding. For lying.”

“Why? Why fake your death? Why leave us?” I demanded answers.

“Because I’m not human. Never was. And people were hunting me. Dangerous people. People who would have killed you and Margaret to get to me.” Thomas stopped a few feet away. “So I disappeared. Made them think I was dead. Kept you safe from distance.”

“What are you? If not human?” Cole asked. Protective. Suspicious.

“I’m a Guardian. Ancient supernatural being. Older than wolves. Older than vampires. Older than most things.” Thomas showed his hands. They glowed. Soft gold light. “We protect balance. Maintain order. Prevent supernatural wars. We’ve existed for thousands of years. Hidden. Secret. Unknown.”

“Guardians? I’ve never heard of them. Never read about them.” Sarah looked skeptical.

“Because we erase ourselves from history. From records. From memory. We work in shadows. We don’t seek recognition. We just protect.” Thomas explained. “And I was assigned to watch the supernatural community in California. To prevent another great war. To maintain peace.”

“And Mom? Did she know? Did she know what you were?” I asked.

“No. I kept it secret. Kept her safe by keeping her ignorant.” Thomas looked sad. “I loved her. Truly. Deeply. But I couldn’t tell her. Couldn’t risk it.”

“So you married her. Had me. Then faked your death and abandoned us?” I was angry now. Hurt. Betrayed.

“I had no choice. The Covenant discovered me. They hunted Guardians. Killed us. Studied us. Used our power.” Thomas looked pained. “They were closing in. I had to disappear. Or you’d both die.”

“You could have told us. Could have taken us with you. Could have protected us together.” I argued.

“No. I couldn’t. Guardian law forbids it. We work alone. We don’t involve family. We don’t create attachments.” Thomas looked at me. Really looked. “But I broke the rules. I stayed close. I watched. I protected from shadows. I’ve been the mysterious friend. Guiding you. Helping you. Protecting you your whole life.”

The friend. The unknown helper. The anonymous guide.

It was my father. This whole time.

“You? You’ve been texting me? Warning me? Helping me?” I couldn’t believe it.

“Yes. I couldn’t stay away completely. Couldn’t abandon you fully. So I helped. From distance. Through messages. Through guidance.” Thomas smiled sadly. “I watched you grow. Watched you become Luna. Watched you save the world. Over and over. I was so proud. So amazed. So grateful.”

“But you never revealed yourself. Never came forward. Never claimed me.” The hurt was deep. Raw. Real.

“Because I thought it was better. Safer. Kinder. I was wrong. I see that now.” Thomas took another step. “I’m sorry. Truly. Deeply. Completely. I should have told you. Should have been there. Should have been a real father.”

“Why now? Why reveal yourself now? After thirty four years?” Luna asked. She’d been quiet. Observing. Judging.

“Because the threat is bigger now. Because Thomas needs training. Because Luna needs guidance. Because Lita deserves the truth.” Thomas looked at his granddaughter. “And because I’m dying. Guardian immortality has limits. Mine is ending. I have maybe five years left. I wanted to meet my family. Properly. Before I’m gone forever.”

Silence. Complete silence.

My father was dying. After hiding for thirty four years. After protecting from shadows. After being the friend. He was dying.

“Five years? That’s it? That’s all we get?” I felt tears coming. Angry tears. Sad tears. Confused tears.

“I’m sorry. I wasted so much time. So many years. Being afraid. Being careful. Being wrong.” Thomas reached out. Hesitant. “Can you forgive me? Can we have these five years? Can I finally be your father?”

I looked at him. At the man who gave me life. Who abandoned me. Who protected me. Who lied to me. Who loved me.

I had every right to hate him. To reject him. To turn away.

But he was my father. And he was dying. And he wanted a chance.

Through the bond Sarah and Maya sent support. Whatever I decided they’d support.

Luna watched. Waiting. Curious about her grandfather.

Cole stood beside me. Ready to back whatever choice I made.

I stepped forward. Looked Thomas in the eyes.

“Five years. That’s what you have. Five years to be my father. To earn forgiveness. To build relationship. To be family.” I said firmly. “Don’t waste them.”

Thomas smiled. Tears in his eyes. “I won’t. I promise. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

He hugged me. Carefully. Gently. Like I might break.

I hugged back. Stiff. Uncertain. But trying.

My father was alive. And dying. And here. And wanting to be family.

It was complicated. Messy. Hard.

But it was also real. And true. And maybe. Just maybe. It was a chance for healing.

For both of us.