Tears

Sebastian

“So, how was she today?” I asked quietly. “How was my wife?”

I could feel Smith shift in the front seat, turning slightly toward me.

“Pretty, sir,” he replied. “As usual.”

I nodded slowly and rested my elbow against the window. My fingers found their way to my lower lip, and I pinched it slightly, smiling to myself.

She was probably the prettiest, alright. Rose had said it often enough, and never once changed her mind. Every single day, she reminded me that her “new mommy” was the prettiest in the whole wide world.

I knew she would be. Her voice sounded soft and calm, like sunlight through sheer curtains. Sweet, patient, a little sharp when she was angry, and somehow still lovely even then.

Strange, how someone like me could fall in love, just from a voice.

“We’re almost at the airport, sir,” Smith said from the front.

I let out a sigh, remembering another reason why I was doing this. At the moment, my company was at risk. The board of directors had already informed me they would be holding a meeting to vote on removing me as CEO. No one wanted to give me a chance.

Because who would trust a blind man to lead them?

“We’re here, sir,” Smith said again, and the car rolled to a stop.

The 18-hour flight was nothing to write home about, even in first class. My body ached all over, and the flight had its fair share of issues. It was so frustrating. When I finally got to the hotel, the first thing I did was take a warm shower and collapse onto the bed.

My phone suddenly rang, and I smiled when I heard the voice prompt say it was Rose. I picked up the call.

“Daddy!” she yelped.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I replied. “Aren’t you supposed to be asleep? It’s got to be around 3 a.m. over there.”

“Mommy just fell asleep,” she giggled, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret. “She thought I was already asleep too.”

“And why aren’t you?” I asked softly. “You should be in bed, sweetie.”

“Okay, Daddy,” she said. Then, after a short pause, “Oh, and I told Mommy that you love her.”

“Wait, what?” I sat up, surprised. “Why would you tell her that?”

I paused, my curiosity rising. “So… what did she say?”

“She said I was speaking nonsense because I’m only six years old,” she huffed.

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head.

“Daddy, Mommy’s actually a really good cook. She made dinner without the housekeeper's help. And she’s still super pretty too. Even prettier than the ladies I see on TV and Aunt Jamie!”

“Oh wow, that’s good to hear,” I chuckled, warmth blooming in my chest.

“I can’t wait for you to see her face and compliment it,” she chuckled.

“Me too, sweetie,” I said softly.

We sat in silence for a while, just humming and listening to each other breathe. But eventually, it was time for Rose to sleep. She had school in the morning, after all.

“Hey, sweetie,” I said gently, “you should head to bed now. It’s really late, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy… but can you promise me that you’ll see?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “Promise me, Daddy.”

There was a brief pause.

“I promise, baby,” I replied, my chest tightening.

“Bye, Dad!” she giggled.

“Bye!” I said, and the line ended with a soft, prolonged beep.

Almost immediately after, I heard the doorbell chime and a voice call out, “It’s me, sir, Mr. Smith.”

“Come in,” I replied.

I heard the door open and his familiar footsteps come to a stop a few feet in front of me.

“The staff and theater are ready for your surgery, sir,” he said.

“Good,” I nodded.

It was finally time to try and leave this darkness behind.

* * *

Hours Later

All I felt was pressure. Heavy, aching pressure like someone had been pulling at my eyes, digging behind them. My face throbbed, my head buzzed, and the tight bandages wrapped around my eyes made everything feel worse. It felt like my whole world was pulsing from behind the gauze.

Thankfully, Smith had stayed by my side the whole time. He helped with water, painkillers, and just being there. I could feel his quiet concern in the way he moved.

The doctor said it would only be minutes now.

Minutes before they’d remove the bandages.

Minutes before I’d find out if I’d see again—

Or stay in this darkness forever.

“Do you think I’m really going to see again, Simon?” I asked my older half-brother, who had called in the middle of everything.

“Just have faith, Seb,” he said, trying to sound calm.

I let out a deep sigh and nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “The doctor said if this doesn’t work… I’ll be blind forever.”

“Hey, you won’t,” Simon said quickly, his voice firm. “You’ve come this far, don’t start doubting now.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips. “Thanks.”

Just then, the door opened, and Smith’s voice followed right after. “The doctor has arrived, sir.”

I straightened a little. “The doctor’s here. Let’s talk later?”

“Sure,” Simon said, and I passed the phone to Smith.

Footsteps approached, then I heard a calm, steady voice. “Mr. Hawkins, are you ready for the bandages to come off?”

My hands clenched slightly on the blanket. This was it.

“I’ve never been ready for anything in my entire life,” I replied, breathing deeply.

The doctor chuckled lightly. “That’s honest. Alright then, let’s begin.”

I felt his fingers working gently, unwrapping the bandages one layer at a time. Cool air brushed against my skin as the pressure slowly lifted from around my eyes.

“Now, open your eyes slowly,” he said. “You might be sensitive to light… and your vision could be blurry at first. Just take your time.”

I gave a small nod, then slowly lifted my eyelids.

Blinking once.

Twice.

Silence.

“Mr. Hawkins?” the doctor asked carefully. “Can you see me? How many fingers am I holding up?”

I didn’t answer.

A tear slipped quietly down my cheek.

“Sir!” Smith said at the top of his voice. “Is everything alright?”

Poor boy.

He was probably very surprised to see somebody like me tearing up for no reason.

“Mr. Sebastian Hawkins…” the doctor’s voice lowered, “Are you probably crying tears of joy?”