Chapter 435
Alexander
Ethan’s face went blank for a second Processing. Then his eyes widened, shifting from Madison to me
and back again.
“King Alexander is my dad?”
“Yes”
“Like, for real? Not pretend?”
“For real.”
Ethan stared at me, his small face serious in a way that looked wrong on a four-year-old. “You’re my dad?”
I cleared my throat, pushing past the tightness there. “Yeah, buddy. I am.”
“So why weren’t you here before? Sam’s dad picks him up from school every day. Where were you?” Madison started to answer, but I held up a hand. This was my question to answer.
I shifted on the couch, leaning forward so I could meet Ethan’s eyes directly.
“I didn’t know about you,” I said slowly, choosing each word with care. “Your mom tried to tell me, but I never got the message. By the time I found out you existed, you were already four years old.”
Ethan’s brow furrowed, his little face scrunching up. “But why didn’t Mom just tell you again?”
Madison opened her mouth, but I shook my head slightly. She’d been carrying this weight alone for years. The least I could do was shoulder some of it now.
“Because grown-ups make things complicated sometimes,” I said. “Your mom thought I didn’t want to know. And I thought she didn’t want me around. But we were both wrong.”
“That’s dumb.”
A surprised laugh escaped me. “Yeah, buddy. It was pretty dumb.”
“So you’re really my dad?” His voice went smaller, more uncertain. “Like forever?”
My chest tightened. “Like forever. I’m not going anywhere.’
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Ethan studied me for a long moment, his expression serious and searching in a way that made him look older than his years. Then his face split into the biggest grin I’d ever seen.
“COOL!” He launched himself at me before I could brace, his small body crashing into my chest. “I have a
dad! A real dad!
I caught him automatically, my arms wrapping around his small frame. He felt so light. So fragile, Like something precious I needed to protect.
“Hey, Ethan?” I said quietly.
He pulled back, his hands on my shoulders. “Yeah?”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there before. For your birthdays and when you were sick, and all the times you probably needed a dad.”
“It’s okay.” He patted my cheek with one sticky hand. “You’re here now. That’s what Mom always says. What matters is now.”
I glanced at Madison. She’d pressed her hand over her mouth, tears streaming down her face. But she was smiling. Actually smiling.
“Your mom’s right,” I managed. “Now is what counts.”
“Can I call you Dad?” Ethan asked suddenly. “Instead of King Alexander?”
Something warm and overwhelming spread through my chest. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
“Okay. Dad.” He tested the word, his face lighting up. “Dad dad dad dad dad.”
“You’re going to wear it out,” Madison said, wiping her eyes.
“Nuh-uh! I can say it forever! Dad dad dad dad.”
“See?” Madison laughed wetly. “Already worn out.”
Ethan ignored her, bouncing on my lap. “Can you teach me stuff? Like how to ride a bike? I really, really want to learn.”
“I can teach you that.”
“And can you come to my school? For the dad and me breakfast thing? All the other kids bring their dads, and I never had anyone to bring before.”
My throat tightened. “When is it?”
“Next month! On a Friday! Mom has the paper somewhere.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart.”
Ethan threw his arms around my neck again, squeezing with surprising strength. “This is the best day EVER! Even better than the amusement park!”
alt
- 25 Bongs
I held him close, feeling the rapid beat of his heart against my chest. My son: My kid. Mine.
When Ethan finally pulled back, he scrambled off my lap and raced toward the hallway. “I gotta tell Aunt Hazel! AUNT HAZELI GUESS WHAT!”
His voice faded as he disappeared down the hall, leaving Madison and me alone in the sudden quiet.
She wiped her face again, laughing softly. “That went better than I expected.”
“He took it well.”
“He’s been asking about his dad for months.” She twisted her hands together. “I kept putting it off, trying to figure out the right time. The right words.”
“You did good.”
“I should have told him sooner.”
“Madison.” I stood, crossing to where she sat on the floor. “We can’t change what happened. We can only move forward.”
“You’re right. Forward is all we have.”
“And we’ve got a pretty good reason to make it work.” I gestured toward the hallway where Ethan’s excited voice still carried through the apartment.
Before Madison could respond, Ethan burst back into the room like a small hurricane. Hazel followed behind him, fully dressed now in jeans and a sweater, her wet hair pulled back in a ponytail.
“Aunt Hazel says I can stay with her whenever I want and she’ll make sure Dad visits too!” Ethan bounced on his toes. “Right, Aunt Hazel?”
“That’s what I said.” Hazel’s eyes found Madison’s, something soft and knowing passing between them.” I haven’t seen this kid this happy in a long time. It’s about damn time.”
“Language,” Madison said automatically.
“He’s heard worse. Besides, I’m right.” Hazel walked over, squeezing Madison’s shoulder. “Finally getting what he deserves.”
Ethan grabbed my hand, tugging insistently. “Dad, you wanna see my room? I have dinosaur posters and everything!”
“Lead the way, buddy.”
“It’s not technically his room,” Hazel called after us. “It’s the guest room he’s claimed as his kingdom.”
Ethan dragged me down the hallway, pushing open a door to reveal a small room dominated by a twin bed covered in dinosaur sheets. Posters of various prehistoric creatures covered the walls, and a bookshelf overflowed with picture books and toy cars.
3/5
+25 Bonus
“See? This is a Brachiosaurus.” He pointed at one poster. “And that’s a Stegosaurus. And that one’s a Pteranodon, but it’s not technically a dinosaur, it’s a flying reptile”
“You know a lot about dinosaurs.
“I read ALL the books. Mom gets them from the library.” He climbed onto his bed, bouncing slightly. And
I watch documentaries too. The really long boring ones that Mom falls asleep during.”
I laughed, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Your mom falls asleep during documentaries?”
“Every single time. She tries really hard, but then she starts snoring.” He giggled. “It’s funny.”
“Don’t tell her I said this, but your mom’s pretty great.”
Ethan nodded seriously. “She’s the best mom ever. She makes really good pancakes, and she reads me stories every night, and she never forgets to tuck me in.”
My throat tightened. All the things I’d missed. All the moments I could never get back.
“She’s been taking good care of you.”
“Yeah. But now you’re here too!” His face brightened again. “So we can all be together. Like a real family!”
“Ethan.” Madison appeared in the doorway, her expression cautious. “Remember what we talked about? About how grown-up relationships are complicated?”
“But you like Dad, right? And Dad likes you?”
Madison’s cheeks flushed pink. “That’s not the point.”
“It kind of is the point,” Ethan insisted with the logic of a four-year-old. “If you both like each other and you’re both my parents, then you should be together. That’s how it works.”
“Relationships don’t work that simply, baby.”
“Why not?”
“Because they don’t.”
“That’s not a real answer, Mom.”
I bit back a smile. The kid had a point.
Madison shot me a look that clearly said don’t you dare agree with him.
