25. Summer
25
SUMMER
T he living room felt quieter than usual, even though the faint hum of the dishwasher in the kitchen provided some background noise. Ava was curled up on the couch, Bunny in her lap, flipping through the pages of a picture book. She was humming softly, a little tune she’d made up, completely unaware of the conversation Enzo and I had just finished in the kitchen.
“We’re really doing this,” I said, leaning against the counter.
Enzo nodded, his expression calm but determined. “It’s time.”
I exhaled shakily, glancing toward Ava. She looked so small, so innocent. “What if she doesn’t take it well?”
“She will,” Enzo said, his voice steady. “She’s smart, and she’s strong. Just like her mom.”
I gave him a weak smile, my nerves still tangled in knots. “Let’s just… take it slow, okay?”
He reached over, resting a hand on my arm. “We’ve got this, Summer. Together.”
I nodded, drawing strength from his confidence. “Okay.”
We walked into the living room, and Ava looked up from her book, her eyes bright. “Mommy! Enzo! Are we going to play a game?”
“Not right now, sweetheart,” I said, sitting down beside her. “We want to talk to you about something important.”
Her brow furrowed slightly, but she closed her book and set it on the coffee table. Bunny stayed firmly in her lap. “Is it about my knee?”
“No, your knee’s doing great,” Enzo said, sitting on the other side of her. “This is about something else.”
Ava looked back and forth between us, her little face serious. “Okay.”
I glanced at Enzo, and he gave me a reassuring nod. Taking a deep breath, I turned back to Ava.
“You know how I always tell you that families come in all shapes and sizes?” I began.
She nodded. “Uh-huh.”
“Well, sometimes families look a little different from what we see in movies or books,” I said carefully. “But what matters most is that the people in a family love each other.”
“And we love you so much,” Enzo added, his voice warm and steady.
Ava’s lips quirked up in a small smile. “I know.”
I reached over, tucking a curl behind her ear. “There’s something we want to tell you about our family, sweetheart. Something really special.”
Her brow furrowed again, and she hugged Bunny tighter. “What is it?”
Enzo leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees. “Ava, you’re an amazing kid. You’re smart, funny, and so kind. And being part of your life is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Her eyes widened a little, and she tilted her head. “Really?”
“Really,” he said, smiling softly. “And that’s why I want you to know something important. I’m not just your friend, Ava. I’m your dad.”
The words hung in the air, and I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched Ava process what he’d just said.
Her eyes flicked to me, then back to Enzo. “You’re my daddy?” she asked quietly.
“Yes,” Enzo said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “I’m your daddy. And I’m so proud of you, Ava.”
For a moment, she was completely still, her little fingers gripping Bunny tightly. Then, slowly, she turned to me.
“Is it true, Mommy?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, tears stinging my eyes. “It’s true, sweetheart. Enzo is your daddy.”
Her lip wobbled, and I panicked for a split second, wondering if we’d made a mistake. But then, to my shock, she launched herself into Enzo’s arms, Bunny squished between them.
“Daddy!” she cried, her voice full of wonder.
Enzo’s arms wrapped around her tightly, his face a mix of relief and pure joy. “I love you so much, Ava,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
“I love you too,” she said, her little arms squeezing him as tightly as they could.
I wiped at my eyes, the tears falling freely now. Enzo looked at me over Ava’s shoulder, his own eyes glistening. “We did it,” he mouthed, a soft smile playing on his lips.
I nodded, my chest aching with a mix of emotions I couldn’t put into words.
Ava pulled back slightly, her eyes shining. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
I took a deep breath, my heart breaking a little at her question. “I wanted to wait until the right time, sweetheart. I never wanted to confuse you or make you feel sad.”
“I’m not sad,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “I’m happy.”
I smiled, my tears falling again. “I’m glad, baby. You deserve to be happy.”
We spent the rest of the evening curled up on the couch, Ava nestled between us as she talked about all the things she wanted to do with her “daddy.”
“Can we build another castle?” she asked, looking up at Enzo.
“Of course,” he said, smiling.
“And can you come to my school?”
“I’ll be there,” he promised.
She grinned, hugging Bunny tightly. “This is the best day ever.”
I glanced at Enzo, and he reached over, squeezing my hand. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes.
We’d done it.
Later, after Ava had fallen asleep, I walked Enzo to the door.
“Thank you,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
“For what?” he asked, tilting his head.
“For being patient. For being… you,” I said, my cheeks warming.
He smiled, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from my face. “We’re a team now, Summer. You and me. And Ava.”
I nodded, my heart swelling at his words. “Goodnight, Enzo.”
“Goodnight,” he said, his smile lingering as he stepped outside.
As I closed the door behind him, I leaned against it, my chest filled with a quiet hope I hadn’t felt in years.
We were going to be okay.