EPILOGUE - TODD
TWELVE MONTHS LATER
Iadjusted my tie and glanced toward the camera as the countdown ticked toward zero.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind me, Lake Norman shimmered in the morning sunlight.
The familiar opening music for Sunday Mornings with Monty played through the monitor, and for the first time in years, I wasn't broadcasting from a hotel suite, a corporate office, or my Charlotte penthouse.
I was home.
"Good morning, everyone," Monty said from the studio in New York. "Joining us live this morning is Todd Archer."
I nodded.
"Morning, Monty."
The interview began the same way it always did. Markets. Current events. A recent acquisition. Economic forecasts. The subjects were familiar, and so was the rhythm of the conversation.
What wasn't familiar was how relaxed I felt.
A year ago, I would've been reviewing notes until the final second before airtime. I would've been thinking about meetings, negotiations, and whatever challenge came next.
Now I found myself glancing toward the kitchen between questions.
Monty noticed.
"You seem different these days."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Different how?"
"Happier."
I laughed softly.
"I don't know about that."
Monty pointed toward the screen.
"Come on. The audience sees it too. The sharp edges are gone."
I shook my head.
"You're imagining things."
"I don't think I am."
Before I could respond, a familiar fussing sound came from somewhere off-camera.
Monty's grin widened immediately.
"There it is."
I sighed.
"Oh no."
The fussing grew louder.
I reached off-camera and lifted a squirming baby into my arms.
The audience couldn't see Charlie at first. Then she popped into view with bright blue eyes and blonde curls sticking up in every direction.
She stared curiously at the camera. Her chubby cheeks were rosy and she had a strand of drool hanging from the corner of her mouth. Without a thought, I picked up her receiving blanket and wiped the drool away.
Monty's eyes lit up and the control room exploded in my earpiece with ooos and aahs.
"Well, now. You know, Todd, the last time a surprise guest appeared during one of your broadcasts, it caused quite a stir."
I laughed.
Not the polite laugh I used during interviews.
A real one.
The kind that came from somewhere deep.
I knew exactly what Monty was referring to.
The Aspen hotel, the live interview, and Cici walking half dressed through the background. That was a moment that had burned itself into my memory whether I liked it or not. She was introduced to the world at that moment as the woman I'd claimed was room service.
"This is my daughter Charlie," I said.
Monty placed a hand over his heart.
"Now there's a surprise guest I approve of."
I settled Charlotte Archer comfortably on my lap.
Charlie immediately grabbed my tie.
Monty laughed.
I let her keep it.
The interview continued for another minute, although Charlie seemed far more interested in investigating the microphone than helping with the broadcast.
"How's fatherhood treating you?" Monty asked.
I looked down at my daughter. Then my gaze drifted toward the kitchen.
My expression softened before I could stop it.
"Best investment I've ever made."
Monty groaned.
"That was terrible."
"I know and don't care."
"You should be ashamed of yourself."
"Probably."
As if on cue, Cici walked into the room carrying a cup of coffee.
She knew the camera was live.
This time she didn't care. Well, it could’ve been the fact that she was fully clothed.
I didn't care either.
The world already knew exactly who she was.
More importantly, so did I.
Monty immediately spotted her.
"There she is."
Cici laughed as she stepped beside my chair.
Charlie reached for her instantly.
I handed our daughter over, brushing Cici's hand in the process.
Monty's eyes narrowed.
"Hold on."
I groaned.
"What now?"
Monty pointed toward the screen.
"Is that a wedding band?"
Cici glanced down at her left hand, smiling brightly.
The diamond engagement ring sat beside a simple white gold band.
I laughed.
"You really are observant."
"Occupational hazard."
Monty leaned closer to the camera.
"For anyone keeping score at home, I believe that's confirmation."
Cici shook her head, laughing.
I reached for her hand automatically and laced our fingers together.
"Yeah," I said. "It is."
Monty sat back in his chair and smiled.
"Todd Archer. Husband. Father. Family man. I never thought I'd see the day."
Neither did I.
A year ago, I had almost lost everything that mattered.
Now I had everything I never knew I needed.
My daughter.
My home.
My future.
And the woman I trusted with all of it.
For years, I'd spent my life chasing the next deal, the next flight, the next destination.
Now, as Charlie rested against Cici's shoulder and sunlight danced across the lake behind them, I realized I wasn't searching for anything anymore.
For the first time in my life, I wasn't looking toward the next destination.
I was already home.