Alexander POV,
As I watched Ethan and Emma run around the park, their laughter echoing through the crisp afternoon air, my heart felt lighter than it had in days. Ethan suddenly stopped mid–run, turning to face me with that bold, curious look that always reminded me so much of Christiana.
“Dad, can we stay with you tonight?” he asked, his tone direct, as if he was negotiating a deal.
I raised an eyebrow, amused. “What about your mom?” I asked, already anticipating what her response might be.
Ethan grinned, his confidence radiating. “You should call her! Tell her we want to stay.”
I felt a surge of satisfaction ripple through me. The thought of them wanting to stay with me–it made the tension I’d been carrying all day melt away. I pulled out my phone, dialing Christiana’s number.
After a few rings, she answered, her tone neutral. “Alex.”
“Christiana, how are you?” I asked, keeping my voice steady, knowing her cold response was coming.
“I’m fine,” she replied curtly, not bothering to ask me the same. I could practically feel the wall between us.
I didn’t let her tone deter me. “Ethan and Emma want to stay with me tonight. They’re here with me now, and they’ve been asking. I think it would be good for them.”
There was silence on the other end. I imagined her sitting wherever she was, stunned at my directness. When she finally spoke, her voice had a bite to it. “Alex, they can’t just stay with you. I’ve already made arrangements for them at the hotel. They need stability right now.”
Ethan and Emma had wandered back to my side, and I could hear them whispering, talking about how much they wanted to stay. I held the phone a little closer to my ear, hoping Christiana could hear their voices in the background.
“Mom, please,” Ethan called out, sensing the conversation was about them. “We want to stay with Dad. Just for one night.”
Christiana sighed on the other end, and I knew she could hear the sincerity in their voices. There was a long pause, and I could tell she was weighing the options.
“I don’t know, Alex, she said, her voice softer now but still skeptical. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Christiana,” I said firmly, not backing down. “They’re safe with me. They need this. Just for tonight. Let them stay
Another long pause. Then, finally, with reluctance, she gave in. “Fine. Just for one night. But I expect them back early tomorrow.”
I couldn’t help the small smile that formed on my lips. “Of course,” I said, my tone respectful, though inside I was already planning the night ahead. “Thank you.”
“Don’t push your luck, Alex,” she warned, and I could almost see the sharp look in her eyes through the phone. “And don’t think this changes anything”
“I understand,” I replied, my voice low, but my heart was racing. Christiana may have her walls up, but I knew the kids needed both of us. This was a small victory, and I wasn’t about to ruin it.
She hung up without another word, and I slid the phone back into my pocket, turning to Ethan and Emma who were looking up at me expectantly.
“Well?” Ethan asked, his eyes wide with excitement.
I grinned. “Looks like you’re staying with me tonight.”
The kids erupted into cheers, throwing their arms around me. I held them tightly, my heart full. Despite everything, this moment–being with them–was all that mattered.
As I pulled up to the long driveway leading to my house, I glanced at the rearview mirror and watched Ethan and Emma’s faces light up. Their eyes widened as they took in the massive estate, the fountains that lined the entrance, and the manicured
Clupter 52
gardens that stretched far beyond the eye could see.
“Whoa, Dad! Is this really your house?” Ethan’s voice was filled with awe.
“Yup, it’s ours for tonight,” I said with a smile, stepping out of the car and walking around to open their doors.
Emma’s small hand slipped into mine as soon as she hopped out. “It’s so big,” she whispered, her voice filled with both amazement and uncertainty.
I led them up the marble steps and opened the grand doors, ushering them into the massive foyer. The high ceilings and chandeliers greeted us, and I could see them glancing around, mouths slightly open. It was the first time they’d been here. Too much time had been lost, but I was determined to make tonight perfect.
“Come on, let me show you around,” I said, gesturing toward the wide staircase.
Ethan ran ahead, his energy contagious, “Dad, do you have a game room? Or like a movie theater? Can we watch something? What about-
“Whoa, slow down, champ,” I laughed, trailing behind him as Emma tugged at my hand. “You’ll see everything. We’ve got the whole night.”
I took them from room to room, showing them the grand living spaces, the library, and finally, the movie room, which made. Ethan nearly jump out of his skin in excitement. Emma giggled beside me, her shyness melting away as she began asking questions of her own.
“Can we stay in your room?” she asked quietly, looking up at me with those big, innocent eyes.
I knelt down to her level, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You can stay wherever you feel most comfortable. My room, your own room, it doesn’t matter. I just want you both to feel safe here.”
Ethan burst in before Emma could answer. “Dad, I’m starving! What’s for dinner?”
I glanced toward the kitchen, where the chef was already prepping something extravagant, but I raised a hand, signaling for him to stop. “I’ve got this one.” I said, my voice firm. The chef looked a little confused, but he nodded, bowing out of the kitchen. I wanted tonight to be personal. I needed it to be.
“Are you going to cook, Dad?” Emma asked, her voice tinged with surprise. “I didn’t know you could cook.”
“Well,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck, “It’s been a while, but yeah, I can. Let’s see if I still have the skills, huh?”
I rolled up my sleeves, dismissing the other servants who were lingering nearby. The butlers, the maids–they all faded into the background as I grabbed a cutting board and started chopping vegetables.
Ethan and Emma watched me with wide eyes, standing on tiptoes by the counter. “What are you making?” Ethan asked, sounding genuinely curious.
“How about spaghetti?” I suggested, smiling as I stirred a pot. “Something simple, but it’s a classic.”
“Can I help?” Emma asked, her voice soft but eager.
“Of course, sweetheart,” I said, handing her a small spoon to stir the sauce. “Just be careful. It’s
hot
Ethan hopped up on a stool, watching intently. “This is cool. I didn’t know you could do all this, Dad.”
I chuckled. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, buddy. But I plan on changing that,”
As the meal came together, the kitchen was filled with the sound of their chatter. Emma was carefully stirring while Ethan rambled on about everything and nothing at once. They bombarded me with questions about my work, the house, and life in general, their curiosity endless. It was overwhelming, but in the best possible way.
Once dinner was ready, we sat at the dining table–just the three of us. No servants, no interruptions. I served them plates of spaghetti, and as they dug in, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of pride. It was the first meal I had cooked in five years, and it felt like a small step toward something bigger.
“This is really good, Dad,” Ethan said between mouthfuls, his face smeared with sauce.
“Yeah.” Emma added, nodding her head vigorously. “I like it.”
Chapter 52
I smiled, the weight of the past few years pressing on me, but for the first time, it didn’t feel so heavy. These were my kids, and they were here with me, under my roof. I hadn’t been there for them like I should’ve been, but tonight I was going to make up for it. Maybe not all of it, but something.
After dinner, we sat around the living room, talking and laughing. Ethan, as usual, had a million questions about the house. “Dad, do you have a pool? A big one!”
I grinned. “Of course I do. Want to go for a swim tomorrow?”
“Yes!” he shouted, pumping his fist in the air.
Emma curled up beside me on the couch, resting her head on my shoulder. “I like it here,” she whispered. “It feels…nice.”
I kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad, sweetheart. This place is yours whenever you want it.”
As the night went on, I tucked them both into bed in the guest rooms. But before I could leave, Ethan asked, “Dad, can we stay with you every weekend?”
I hesitated, looking down at him, my heart aching. “We’ll see, buddy,” I said softly, knowing that answer wasn’t enough, but it was all I could give him right now.
Once they were asleep, I stood in the doorway for a moment, watching their peaceful faces. I had missed so much too much. But tonight had been a start, and I wasn’t going to let go of this feeling.
They were mine. And I was theirs.
After I tucked them in and stood in the doorway, watching their peaceful faces, I couldn’t help but feel indescribable emotions. Relief that they were here, but also regret for the years I’d missed. But tonight, I had made progress, and that meant something.
I walked down the hall and back to the kitchen, wiping my hands on a towel as I leaned against the counter. The house was quiet now, but it felt.. full. The sounds of their laughter and chatter still echoed in my mind.
As I cleaned up, I thought about what Ethan had said–about staying with me every weekend. The thought alone brought a surge of emotion I hadn’t expected. It wasn’t that simple, though. Christiana would never make this easy, and I understood why. I had been absent, didn’t know I had them as children until a month ago. But now, things were different.
A knock at the kitchen door broke my thoughts. One of the bodyguards stepped in, giving me a respectful nod. “Sir, everything is secured. The kids are safe, and we’ve done a sweep of the grounds. Is there anything else you’d need?”
I shook my head. “No, that’s all for tonight. Thank you.”
As he left, I found myself pacing the length of the kitchen. My thoughts were spiraling again, racing between the kids, Christiana, and the fire that had destroyed her home. I wasn’t foolish enough to think it was an accident. Too many things weren’t adding up. And even though I wanted to focus on the present, the looming threat was still there, waiting.
I knew that tomorrow, I’d need to dive back into work–handling the business, figuring out what had really happened, protecting my family. But tonight, I was their father. The father they needed.
I wandered into the living room, dropping into one of the leather chairs and exhaling a deep breath. Tomorrow could wait. Tonight, it was just me and them.
I had a responsibility to these kids, and I wasn’t going to let anything–or anyone–come between us again. I’d fight for them, protect them, and make up for the lost time.
I glanced toward the staircase, thinking about how I’d wake them up in the morning, cook them breakfast again, and maybe
take them out for another day of fun. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. The thought of being a father–really being there–felt right.
