I do what I always do. Keep my head down. Keep moving forward. Hope it gets better. Victoria stepped closer.
You shouldn't have to do this alone. I'm not alone. I have Ava. That's not what I meant. He met her eyes.
What did you mean? I meant you have me, too. If you want. The words hung between them. Victoria, I know I'm not her mother.
I know I don't have any official role in her life, but I care about her. I care about both of you, and I'm tired of pretending I don't. His heart was pounding. What are you saying? I'm saying I'm all in if you'll have me.
He didn't think. He just pulled her into his arms and held her tight. She stiffened for half a second, then melted into him, her face buried in his shoulder. "I'll have you," he said quietly. We'll have you.
They stood there for a long time just holding each other. When they finally pulled apart, Victoria's eyes were shining. I should get back to work, she said. Stay. Ethan, just for dinner, please.
She hesitated, then nodded. Okay. Dinner was simple. Spaghetti and garlic bread. Ava talked non-stop, the suspension already forgotten in the comfort of having both of them there.
Victoria listened, asked questions, laughed at Ava's terrible jokes. She looked more relaxed than Ethan had ever seen her. After dinner, Ava begged Victoria to read her a story. "I don't really do bedtime stories," Victoria said. "Please, just one. " Victoria looked at Ethan.
He shrugged. "One? " Victoria agreed. They went to Ava's room, and Ethan followed, leaning against the doorframe. Victoria sat on the edge of the bed, book in hand, and began to read. Her voice was softer than usual, less controlled, more human.
Ava fell asleep halfway through. Victoria set the book down and pulled the blanket up to Ava's chin. Then she just sat there looking at the sleeping child with an expression Ethan couldn't quite read. "She's lucky to have you," Victoria said without looking up. "We're lucky to have each other. " "No, I mean it.
You've built something here. Something real. Something I never thought I'd be part of. You are part of it. She finally looked at him.
Am I? Yes. What does that mean for us? He pushed off the door frame and crossed the room, sitting beside her on the bed. It means whatever we want it to mean.
I don't know what I want. That's okay. We'll figure it out. You keep saying that because it's true. She smiled small and uncertain.
What if I mess this up? Then we'll fix it. And if we can't, we will. She leaned her head on his shoulder and they sat there in the dim light of Ava's nightlight, watching her sleep. I haven't felt this scared in years, Victoria admitted.
Of what? Losing this. Losing you. You're not going to lose us. You don't know that?
No, but I believe it. She turned to look at him. How? Because you're here. Because you show up.
Because you care. That's all that matters. She kissed him. It was soft, tentative, like she wasn't sure she was allowed. He kissed her back, gentle and certain.
When they pulled apart, she was crying. "I'm sorry," she said, wiping her eyes. "I don't know why I'm It's okay. " "It's not. I'm a mess. You're human. " She laughed, watery and broken.
I don't think I've been human in a long time. Well, you are now. They left Ava's room and went back to the living room. Victoria sat on the couch and Ethan sat beside her. They didn't talk.
Didn't need to. The silence was comfortable now. I should go, she said eventually. You don't have to. I know, but I have an early meeting tomorrow.
Of course you do. She smiled. Old habits. He walked her to the door. She paused on the threshold, looking back at him.
Ethan, "Yeah, thank you for letting me in. Thank you for staying. " She kissed him again, longer this time, and then she was gone. Ethan closed the door and leaned against it, his heart racing. Everything had changed. The next morning, Ethan got a call from Principal Chen.
Mr. Blake, I wanted to follow up on yesterday's incident. Okay. Tyler's mother has requested a meeting with you. Why? She wants to discuss what happened, clear the air.
And if I don't want to meet with her, I think it would be beneficial for both families. He doubted that, but he agreed anyway. The meeting was scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Ethan spent the days leading up to it trying not to obsess over what he'd say, trying not to imagine all the ways it could go wrong. When Thursday arrived, he showed up 15 minutes early.
Principal Chen's office smelled like stale coffee and stress. Tyler's mother, Margaret Morrison, was already there sitting with her arms crossed and her expression pinched. "Mr. Blake," she said, not standing. "Mrs. Morrison. " They sat in uncomfortable silence until Principal Chen cleared her throat. "Thank you both for coming.
I think it's important we address what happened and find a path forward. " Margaret leaned forward. My son has a black eye because your daughter can't control her temper. Ethan's jaw tightened. Your son has a black eye because he spent weeks bullying my daughter. Tyler wasn't bullying anyone.
He was stating facts. Facts? That single fathers can't provide the same stability as a two parent household. The room went silent. Ethan took a slow breath.
With all due respect, Mrs. Morrison, you don't know anything about my daughter or our life. I know she's being raised by one parent who's clearly overwhelmed. Overwhelmed. You run a failing bookstore. You work under someone else's authority.
You're barely scraping by. That's not stability. And you know this how it's a small community, Mr. Blake. People talk. Then people need to mind their own business.
When it affects my son, it is my business. Principal Chen raised a hand. "Let's all take a breath. " But Ethan was done taking breaths. "You want to judge me? " he said, his voice low and controlled. "Fine, judge away.
But don't you dare take it out on my daughter. She's 8 years old. She doesn't deserve your cruelty. I'm not being cruel. I'm being realistic. " "No, you're being a bully, just like your son. " Margaret's face flushed.
How dare you? How dare I? How dare you? You've spent weeks making my daughter feel less than because she doesn't fit your perfect little picture of what a family should look like. Well, guess what?
We're doing just fine without your approval. Fine. She punched my son because he pushed her to her limit. Because she's a child who doesn't have the tools yet to handle people like you. People like me.
People who think they're better than everyone else. Margaret stood. I don't have to listen to this. No, you don't. But you should.
She grabbed her purse and turned to Principal Chen. I expect Ava Blake to be suspended for the rest of the month. That's not Principal Chen started. Or I'll take this to the district. She stormed out.
Ethan sat there, his hands shaking. That went well, he said dryly. Principal Chen sighed. I'm sorry. I thought she'd be more reasonable.
People like her are never reasonable. For what it's worth, I don't agree with her. You're doing a great job with Ava. Thanks, but it doesn't change the fact that she's going to make our lives hell. Now, maybe not.
Let me handle her. How? By doing my job. By protecting Ava. He wanted to believe her.
He really did. When he got home, Victoria was waiting on his doorstep. How did you Diane told me about the meeting? I figured you'd need backup. He almost laughed.
You're a little late. How bad was it? Bad. She followed him inside. He told her everything.