Chapter 426
Alexander
“These are perfect!” Ethan reached for the strip. “Can I keep them?”
“Let them develop first.” Madison waved the strip gently. “They need a minute.”
“King Alexander, do you want one too?” Ethan looked up at me with those eyes, my eyes, full of innocent hope.
“I’d like that very much.”
“Then we need more!” He tugged Madison’s hand. “Come on!”
“Ethan, we already took pictures.”
“But we need more, so everyone gets some!” His logic was flawless, at least from a kid’s perspective. “Please?”
Madison sighed. “One more round. That’s it.”
Ethan cheered, already climbing back into the booth.
We crammed in again, the space feeling smaller now that I was hyperaware of every point where Madison’s body touched mine. Her shoulder, her thigh, the warmth radiating through her dress.
“Everyone ready?” Madison asked.
“READY!” Ethan shouted.
The flashes went off in rapid succession. This time, we were more relaxed and smiling genuinely.
Two more strips emerged, one after the other.
“Perfect!” Ethan grabbed one carefully, holding it as if it were a precious treasure. “Now everyone gets pictures!”
“I need to use the restroom,” Ethan announced suddenly, bouncing on his toes in that universal kid signal.
“Alright, baby.” Madison started to turn.
“I’ll take him,” I said before thinking it through.
Madison’s eyes widened. “You don’t have to-
“I want to.” I looked down at Ethan. “That okay with you, prince?”
“Yeah!” He grabbed my hand without hesitation. “Let’s go!”
Madison looked like she wanted to argue, then nodded once. “The restrooms are by the main entrance. Don’t let him touch
anything.”
“Got it.”
The restroom was cleaner than expected for an amusement park. I pushed open the door, checking to make sure it was empty before letting Ethan in.
“I can do it myself!” He announced, heading toward the smaller stalls.
“I’ll wait right here.”
I stood by the sinks, listening to him hum some song I didn’t recognize. This was surreal, Standing in a public restroom while my son used the facilities, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
The toilet flushed. Ethan emerged, racing to the sinks.
Chapter 426
+25 Bonus
“Don’t forget to wash your hands,” I reminded him.
“I know!” He climbed onto the step stool someone had thoughtfully placed there. “I always wash my hands. Mom says germs are everywhere.”
“Your mom’s smart.”
“She’s the smartest!” Ethan pumped soap into his tiny palms, scrubbing with the concentration of a surgeon. “She knows everything about everything.”
I watched him wash, his small hands moving methodically under the water, DNA didn’t lie. Those were my hands, just miniature versions. Same long fingers, same way of moving.
“All done!” He held up dripping hands.
I grabbed paper towels and handed them over. “Good job.”
We headed back out into the park. Ethan grabbed my hand again, his sticky fingers wrapping around mine without hesitation.
My chest tightened.
Madison stood where we’d left her, the photo strips in her hand. She looked up as we approached, her expression unreadable.
“All good?” she asked.
“He washed his hands without being reminded twice.”
“That’s a miracle.” She smiled slightly. “Usually it’s a battle.”
“I like washing hands!” Ethan protested. “Soap smells good!”
Madison ruffled his hair. “That’s my boy.”
We wandered through the park for another hour, hitting every attraction Ethan deemed essential.
By four o’clock, Ethan’s energy was finally flagging. His steps slowed, his bouncing reduced to occasional skips. His eyes had that glazed look kids get when they’re running on fumes.
“Someone’s getting tired,” Madison observed, catching him mid–stumble.
“I’m not tired!” Ethan yawned so wide I could count his molars. “I’m just resting my legs!”
“Of course you are.” She scooped him up, settling him on her hip. He melted against her shoulder immediately, his protests forgotten.
I watched them together, something tightening in my chest. This was what I’d missed. Five years of moments like this, of watching Ethan grow from baby to boy, of seeing Madison become this capable mother who handled exhaustion and excitement with equal grace.
“We should probably head back,” Madison said, adjusting Ethan’s weight. “He’s going to crash hard.”
We started walking, Ethan already half–asleep against Madison’s shoulder. She carried him easily, years of practice evident in how naturally she moved. The kid was getting heavier, all solid weight and gangly limbs, but Madison didn’t seem to notice.
“Madison.”
She glanced at me, adjusting Ethan’s weight. “What?”
“My penthouse is closer than Hazel’s apartment.” The words came out before I’d fully thought them through “Ethan could nap in a proper bed instead of the back seat for another hour.”
Her steps slowed. “Alexander.”
“I’m being practical. Look at him.” 1 gestured at Ethan, whose head lolled against her shoulder, math slightly on He exhausted. The drive to the Upper West Side will wake him up, and then you’ll have a cranky kid on your hands.”
Madison’s jaw tightened. “We can manage”
“I know you can. But you don’t have to.” I moved closer, careful not to invade her space. “Let him sleep properly. Just for a couple of hours. Then I’ll drive you both back to Hazel’s.”
She studied my face, searching for ulterior motives,
“No games,” 1 added. “Just sleep. I have a guest room with a real bed and blackout curtains. Much better than my backseat.”
“Why does this feel like a trap?”
“Because you don’t trust me. Which is fair.” I paused. “But this isn’t about us. It’s about letting our son rest somewhere comfortable.”
Ethan shifted in her arms, mumbling something incoherent about dinosaurs.
Madison’s expression softened as she looked at him. Then she sighed, the sound carrying exhaustion and resignation. “Fine A couple of hours. But the moment he wakes up, we’re leaving ”
“Deal”
“I mean it, Alexander. No stalling, no excuses.”
“Understood.” I gestured toward the parking lot.
We walked in silence, Madison still carrying Ethan despite his weight. I reached for him instinctively.
“Let me.”
She hesitated, then carefully transferred Ethan into my arms. He barely stirred, just settled against my chest with a soft sigh.
Madison watched the exchange, her expression unreadable.
P
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
