This is the day

 Clark would breeze into his daughter's life and be that sweet family commercial, and he'd go back to his life. Which wasn't nearly as exciting as anyone might think. Of course, Melody had guilt-tripped him into this and he didn't want to fuss with her, because she was in Hawaii now, and it was a shock just to hear from her. After all, she'd never counted on him for anything. 

She'd somehow survived being in the Air Force, he was just a one-night stand when she came back home before shipping off somewhere. Yes, they'd known each other in History class, although at the time she thought it was English. He worked part-time at a bookstore at the time and was taking a few college classes. He wasn't much better off than that kid in Arrested Development. He'd sputter around in awkwardness. Honestly, he was in a state of awkward shock when he found out about the baby. Of course, she didn't want him to be a part of her life. She didn't have time for that. 

Even so, he wished now his mother had known. Instead, he was a technical librarian. And for a while, he'd worked for a company that set up new systems for libraries, but after a while, he settled back in Harrisburg and worked as a cataloguer at a University. Yes, he'd lead a quiet life, living with his mother, taking care of his mother, and now he had a house that was falling apart. Maybe he was just too depressed to fix it, but when the call came like a demand. After all, she didn't have time for it. And naturally, she said, "He had never done a damn thing for his daughter."

Of course, Melody hit a nerve. He teared up, thinking it was a little too late. He could hardly fight back the tears, and he certainly couldn't say anything to the mother of his only child. Of course, she had been married twice since she had Maddie. 

He didn't even know why his daughter was in Nebraska, and he wouldn't dare ask why Maddie wasn't with her. He imagined she was tough. A lot tougher than he'd ever be.

But all of the past faded as soon as he saw her. He could pick her out of a crowd because Maddie made him think of his mother. Yes, she was a daddy's girl after all. 

She was crying as soon as she saw him, and he was shedding tears too. Of course, on the way back to her and her soon-to-be husband's place, where he'd stay, he found out she worked at a library. Clark was elated. "I work in a library too!"

Maddie's genuine smile was priceless. Clark was happy to meet her.