Chapter 6 Midnight Conversations

Chapter Six: Midnight Conversations

Luca clutched Ethan's hand like it was normal, like it had always been his to hold.

Ethan wasn't sure how he kept breathing.

His son-his son-had tiny fingers with chipped nail polish on one thumb, probably from playing with markers. His palm was warm, his voice steady. And Ethan had no right to it.

"Wanna see my room?" Luca asked.

Ethan looked at Alessia.

Her arms were crossed, body still tense-but she gave a small nod.

"Okay," Ethan said, clearing his throat. "Lead the way, champ."

Luca tugged him down the hallway. Alessia watched them go, her heart screaming with warning and something else-something like grief.

Or hope.

-

His room was a small explosion of color-toy cars on the floor, a space-themed bedspread, shelves stacked with picture books and dinosaurs of every shape and size.

"This one's Blue," Luca said, holding up a familiar plastic raptor. "She's the fastest. Mommy says she's a girl, but she still kicks butt."

Ethan smiled. "She sounds like your mom."

Luca nodded proudly. "She is. Mommy's the best. She works a lot though. But she always comes back."

Ethan crouched beside him. "I bet she does."

He glanced around the room. On the nightstand sat a framed photo: Luca as a baby, curled against Alessia's chest. Her eyes were tired, but her smile held the kind of love that shattered hearts.

Ethan touched the frame gently.

"Why weren't you here before?" Luca asked, out of nowhere.

Ethan froze.

"I didn't know about you," he said quietly. "But now I do. And I'm going to try really hard to be around... if that's okay with you."

Luca tilted his head, considering. "Okay. But you have to know all the dinosaurs and help me build my rocket."

Ethan smiled. "Deal."

-

Later, after Luca was back in bed-sleepy and warm, tucked beside Blue the velociraptor-Ethan stepped into the kitchen.

Alessia stood by the window, arms wrapped around herself, as if holding something in.

"He's everything," she whispered without turning. "Everything you missed."

Ethan's voice was low. "I can see that."

She turned then, her eyes hard but wet. "Don't confuse this for forgiveness, Ethan. You being here tonight? It doesn't undo anything."

"I know."

"You don't get to come and go again. If you want a place in his life, you show up. You prove it. With actions. Not apologies."

"I plan to."

She stared at him, her voice cracking. "You hurt me in ways you can't imagine. And every day I look at Luca and see your eyes, your smile... and I remember."

"I'm sorry, Alessia."

Tears slipped down her cheeks. She didn't bother wiping them away.

"Sorry doesn't raise a child."

"No," Ethan said. "But maybe love can."

She looked at him long and hard, then stepped aside.

"You can stay tonight," she said quietly. "On the couch. But in the morning, we set the rules."

Ethan nodded once, solemn.

As she walked away, he sank onto the couch and let the ache roll through him.

He had a son.

He had a second chance.

And he wasn't going to waste it.