30. Summer
30
SUMMER
T he sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the lake as Ava splashed in the shallow water near the shore. Bunny sat safely on a blanket nearby, perched upright as if watching over her. I stood at the edge of the water, my toes sinking into the cool sand, while Enzo waded out just far enough to keep an eye on Ava.
“Watch me, Daddy!” Ava called, cupping her hands to her mouth as she jumped into the water with a big splash.
My breath caught.
Enzo froze mid-step, the word hanging in the air like a firework bursting in slow motion. Then, a smile broke across his face, wide and full of something I could only describe as joy.
“I’m watching, Ava!” he called back, his voice steady but thick with emotion.
Ava turned, beaming at him as water dripped down her face. “Did you see? I made the biggest splash ever!”
“I did,” he said, laughing. “That was impressive.”
I pressed a hand to my chest, my heart swelling as I watched them. Ava had said the word so naturally, like she’d been waiting her whole life to say it. And the look on Enzo’s face—it was everything.
A few minutes later, Enzo jogged back to me, water glistening on his skin as he ran a hand through his hair.
“She called me Daddy,” he said softly, almost like he couldn’t believe it.
“She did,” I said, smiling up at him.
“I didn’t think I could feel this much,” he admitted, his voice rough. “But she… she’s everything, Summer.”
“She loves you,” I said simply, my throat tightening.
“And I love her,” he said, his gaze locking onto mine. “Both of you.”
The words hit me like a wave, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. Instead, I nodded, my heart full.
After a quick lunch on the porch, the three of us set off on a short hike through the woods. Ava held Enzo’s hand tightly, her other hand clutching a small jar she’d insisted on bringing to collect “treasures.”
“Look, Daddy!” she said, pointing to a butterfly resting on a nearby branch.
Enzo crouched down beside her, his voice quiet as he explained how the butterfly’s wings helped it fly. Ava listened intently, her little brow furrowed in concentration.
I trailed behind them, watching their interaction with a soft smile. It felt so natural, so easy, like this was how things were always meant to be.
We reached a small clearing overlooking the lake, the view breathtaking in its simplicity. Ava ran ahead, her curls bouncing as she turned in a slow circle.
“It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed.
“It is,” I said, kneeling beside her. “Want to take a picture?”
“Yes!” she said eagerly, holding up Bunny for good measure.
Enzo joined us, crouching on the other side of Ava as I held up my phone. “Say cheese!”
“Cheese!” Ava giggled, Bunny tucked under her arm.
The picture was perfect—Ava in the middle, her smile wide and full of joy, with Enzo and me on either side of her, our expressions soft and content.
Looking at the screen, I felt a warmth I hadn’t realized I’d been missing.
That evening, Elaine and Richard returned from their own quiet day in town. As the sun set, we all gathered on the porch, sipping lemonade and sharing stories. Ava sat on Enzo’s lap, her head resting against his chest as he ran a hand through her curls.
“You three look so happy,” Elaine said, her voice soft but pointed.
“We are,” Enzo said, his gaze shifting to me.
“You should think about making it official,” Elaine added with a sly smile.
“Mom,” Enzo said, laughing.
“What?” she said innocently. “I’m just saying, you already act like a family. Why not make it real?”
My cheeks warmed, and I looked down at my glass.
“She’s got a point,” Richard said, winking at me. “You all fit together so well.”
After Ava was tucked into bed, exhausted from the day’s adventures, Enzo and I found ourselves alone on the porch again. The lake was calm, the stars reflecting on its surface like tiny diamonds.
“They’re not wrong,” Enzo said, breaking the comfortable silence.
“About what?” I asked, though I already knew.
“About us,” he said, turning to face me. “About how well we fit together.”
I looked at him, my chest tightening. “It’s not that simple, Enzo.”
“Why not?” he asked, his voice gentle but firm. “We’ve been through so much, Summer. And somehow, we’ve made it here. Together. Don’t you think that means something?”
I swallowed hard, my emotions swirling. “It’s just… scary. Letting myself believe this could work.”
He reached over, taking my hand in his. “It’s okay to be scared. I’m scared too. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.”
I met his gaze, his words sinking in. “You really think we can do this?”
“I know we can,” he said, his voice steady. “For Ava. For us.”
For a moment, I let myself imagine it—a life with Enzo, Ava growing up with her dad by her side, the three of us building something real.
And for the first time, I felt hope outweigh the fear.
“Okay,” I said softly, my voice trembling but sure.
His smile was wide and genuine as he leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against my forehead.