Chapter 66
It took me three lays to gather up the courage to tell Charlie about his father wanting to see him. Three days of overthinking, pacing the kitchen in he quiet hours of the night, and replaying conversations I thought might happen. I knew Charlie would have questions, I just didn’t know if I had
Aragon had messaged me twice in remind me, each time stirring a fresh round of nerves, but eventually, I invited him over for dinner. I needed to see this through, for Charlie’s sake,
Isidiot want to be the roadblock. I was doing this because of my son.
Now, in the middle of trying to prepare dat damer, I found myself handling a tantrum from my six–year–old, who was very adamant about not wanting to meet his father. I told him earlier but he stopped speaking to me and proceeded to throw a tantrum because his wishes were not being
(“Charlie, honey,” I said, trying to keeping tone calm while stirring the batter in the bowl. “It’s just linner. I think it’ll be nice.
He shook his head vigorously, his little arms folded tight across his chest. “I don’t want to, Mommy, I don’t want you to be sad.”
My hand stilled as I realized what he was really saying. Putting the bowl aside, I crouched down to his level and reached out, gently pulling him into
“Baby,” I said softly, tilting his face up to meet my eyes. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine, Really,”
He looked at me with his big, expressive ryes, searching my face as if he were trying to find cracks in my words. I kept my expression steady, even though a wave of emotion stirred within me. I’d tried so hard to protect him from the fallout of his father’s absence, but my little hoy was more perceptive than it given him credis for.
“Tin what if he makes you sad?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Theld lam tighter, pressing a kiss to his foreheat “Charlie, your father wants to get to know you, I know he would love to meet you. And yosi don’t need to worry about me, I promise.
you think do
you think he’ll like me?”
He didn’t look entirely convinced, but after a few moments, he nodded slowly. “Do your
My heart broke a little at the vulnerability in his question, he has spent his years without a father figure and the one he has come to know is the one
That Inirt his mother,
Without a second thought, 1 brushed a stray lock of hair from his face and smiled. “My sweet angel, you’re the most loving, kind, and selfless little boy I know. You make me sinile when I am sad and you brighten up a room whenever you are in it. You are golden, special and sman. Anyone would be lucky to know yout. And anyone who doesn’t like you” i added with a wink, “would have to be pretty silly,”
A giggle bubbled up from him, and it felt like a small victory in that moment. I didn’t want him to carry the weight of my past, to feel responsible for my happiness or sadness. He was only six, he deserved to be free of all that
“You are any little angel and if anyone doesn’t like you, I will beat them up.”
“You are silly,” he had his face in my neck. I muzzled it with my chin as I savored the smell of his shampoo.
Our moment was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell, and Charlie’s eyes went wide. In a flash, he scrambled to his feet and dashed toward the
door.
“Charlie! Remember, you don’t open the door for strangers” I called out after him, hastily waping my hands on a towel as I followed him.
He skidded to a stop right before the door and waited, looking up at me expectantly, I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and opened the door. I was expecting to see Aragon, and I did but there was someone else with him, someone I wasn’t expecting to show her face.
Leah was by his side, staring at me with a nervous smile and by her side was a little girl around Charlie’s age, clinching Leah’s hand and peeking o
shyly
“Aragon,” 1 greeted, unable to hide the surprise in my y voice. “I didn’t realize you were bringing guests,”
He gave a small smile and scratched the back of his neck, looking a bit sheepish. “Sorry for the surprise. Leah and I thought.. maybe Charlie would be more comfortable if he had a friend lus age.”
Charlie’s eyes darted between me, Aragon, and the little girl, his expression a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
“Come in,” I said, stepping back to let them into the house. Leal and her daughter entered first, and Aragon followed beland, his Charlie for airment longer than I’d expected
eyes li
lingering on
Thất in Danny,” Leah said softly, introducing the little girl who was still liding slightly behind her. “She’s a little shy, but she’s excited to meet
Charbe to my surprise, didn’t wait for any further enc
urther encouragement. I
a latle shy himself in dearly curious.
la tentative step forward, his gaze focused on Daisy. “Hi, I’m Charbe,” he
Dany looked at lum, then glanced up at her mother for reassurance before mumbling. “Hi, Charlie.”
Leah uinded warmly, giving her daughter a gentle nudge. “Why don’t you two go play? There’s a yard out back, right?” alur asked, looking at me.
“Yes” I replied, a more related sering Charlie’s focus shift. “There’s a swing set and a sandbox out there Charlie, why don’t you show Daisy!”
for silent permission, and when I nodded, he took Daisy’s lund and led her toward the hack door.
When they were out of cardiot, Aragon turned to me, his expression a little strange like I was even but I could see bus anticipation to meet his son and something Lcould’t quite place. “Thank you,” he said, his vodoquincere. “Twonn‘ mure boo br’d react. I know this is a lot.
I nodded, swallowing back the nervous lump in my throat. “I won’t lie, it hann’t been easy. But he deserves t
you, and you deserve the conce
Leah glazed between m, temsing the tri
ension, and then offered a gentle undle. “Why don’t check on the kids Ill give you two ar I nodded gratefully, and she slipped on opportunity to talk to her later aliout what star diel. She was my best forand later.
jack door to the yard, leaving ine and Aragon alone in the quart kitchen. I told myself I would get the
all infled for what she dad, Maybe this way her way of making
He looked aromel, clearly noticing the familiar details of my life now, a life he hadn’t been part of. “He is a line nervous, he will cater amonial. He was seexceed to open the door for you” Tespected lam to say something but he was so hony booking amunt.
“Tin sorry it took me so long,” le murmured, his voice thick with regret.
““You’re bene now,” Treplied, keeping my tour acrvenastimabil. “That’s what matters to Charlie. “
He took a step closer, lús eyes sean Hing mine. “Hur what ideat you? Do I matter to you?”
The question threw our off guard, and I found myself looking away, unable to meet his gaze. “That’s not the point, is at This is about Charlie. He’s ilie one what matters now. Tam doing this for him. I thought I made that clear to you,” “Ben it doesn’t change what Feel,” he pressed “Your think Frame here just to play the part of a rigla withi yu
.
art of a father In
came back herause I wanted to make things.
“Araguas,” I started, feeling the same old pain erreping back, the kind Eid worked hand to bury. “We’re in different places now. My y focus is on Charlie. and I’ve laule a life that doesn’t depend on you. I don’t think you understand that.
His far fell slightly, but he didn’t retreat. “Maybe I can be a port of that life for both of you. I know I made mistakes, but I’ve changed. I want to prove that to you.”
Just then, a burst of laughter came from the yard, Charlie’s voice high met bright, anel I felt a small spark of hope.
“I will help,” he made a move to come closerbot Hacked away.
“No, don’t w
worry. Go and talk to him and let me handle the food, he is more relaxed when he is playing.” I Informed him.
