Page 58 of Hiss and Tell
“Good, actually. He sounded genuine. Like he’s finally learning how to be present instead of just showing up when it’s convenient.”
Sebastian’s smile is soft and proud. “Milo will be thrilled.”
Later, at the grocery store, Mrs. Moskowitz intercepts us near the produce section. “Sebastian! Aspen! Milo! How lovely to see you together.”
The casual assumption that we’re a unit, that we belong together, still catches me off guard sometimes. But Mrs. Moskowitz has been treating us as an established family since our second fake date months ago.
“Getting ready for the graduation party?” she asks, eyeing our cart full of ingredients.
“Milo’s very specific about his celebration requirements,” Sebastian says solemnly. “Apparently, dinosaur cupcakes and macaroni salad are essential.”
“Wise boy.” She leans toward Milo, then rises and looks at me. “And how’s the business, dear?”
“Thriving, actually. I have a solid client base.”
“Good for you! Taking charge of your life like that.” She squeezes my arm warmly. “You two make such a lovely couple.”
As she bustles away, I catch Sebastian’s eye. “Sometimes it feels like the whole town is our extended family.”
Walking home with our groceries, I marvel at how different this feels from shopping alone with Milo just months ago. Sebastian carries the heavy bags without being asked, Milo chatters about his upcoming graduation between bites of the apple Sebastian bought him, and I feel… settled. This is how life is supposed to work.
As we’re putting the groceries away, my phone pings with a text from Thaddeus:Can I come celebrate Milo’s big day?
After showing Sebastian the message, he responds, “He spends more time with the three of us now than when we were both bachelors.”
“Of course he can come,” I say, already mentally planning the menu. “Milo loves when Uncle Thad visits.”
That’s when Sebastian’s phone rings. I can tell from his expression as he answers that it’s something good.
“Excellent news,” he says after hanging up. “The city council wants to expand our family literacy program to all four branch libraries. Full funding, dedicated space, and they want me to oversee the implementation.”
Throwing my arms around his neck, I’m practically vibrating with excitement. “Sebastian, that’s incredible! You’ll be running children’s programming for the entire city system!”
“It means more responsibility. Longer hours sometimes. Travel to the other branches…”
“And it means they recognize what an amazing job you’ve been doing. What a natural leader you are.” I pull back to meet his eyes. “You’ve transformed that library, Sebastian. And now you get to do it for kids all across the city.”
Through our bond, I feel his quiet pride, his amazement that his life has become something worth celebrating. The man who once hid in the stacks is now being trusted with expanding programs that help families across the entire library system.
“Milo’s going to be so proud when you tell him at dinner,” I add.
“Whenwetell him,” Sebastian corrects gently. “It’s our news to share with our son.”
Our son.
Some days, I still can’t believe this is my life. The struggling single mother who could barely manage one child now has a partner who makes parenting feel effortless, a business that’sfinally stable, and a little boy who radiates security instead of anxiety.
Change used to terrify me. Now I see it aspossibility.
And with Sebastian’s hand in mine and Milo’s laughter echoing from his bedroom where he’s practicing his graduation speech with Super Steggy, I finally understand what home really means.
It’s not a place. It’s the people who show up, consistently and without question, ready to build something beautiful together.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sebastian
Thursday morning arrives with that particular electricity in the air that means something important is about to happen. Milo’s preschool graduation. The first major milestone we’ll all witness together—Aspen, Derek, and I, united in our shared love for one extraordinary little boy.
