Page 50 of Lost Summer
I pulled out my phone and typed a message:
Me: I’m done. Can I see you?
It was a simple message, one that carried so much unsaid promise. But my heart was pounding as I waited for her reply. It seemed like an eternity before my phone buzzed in my hand.
Adele: Is the baby okay? Come over. Please.
Me: The baby is fine. I’m coming.
I hailed a cab without another thought and had it take me straight to her flat.
I stood in front of her door just minutes later, my heart racing at the prospect of seeing her, of stepping into the light after what felt like an eternity of shadows.
When the door opened, Adele stood there, worry in her eyes. Before I could say a word, I pulled her into my arms and kissedher, pouring all of the fear, love, hope, and uncertainty into one kiss.
We stayed like that for what felt like forever until I finally pulled away, resting my forehead against hers. “I’m so fucking done with her,” I whispered.
Adele’s eyes filled with tears, but she smiled, cradling my face. “What did she do?”
I shook my head and kissed her temple. “It doesn’t matter. I'm here now.”
“I love you, Ted,” she whispered back, her voice laced with relief and something deeper.
“I love you too, Adele,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion.
Because this was real.
This was everything.
And I wasn’t going anywhere.
25
TED
It had been almost a year since I’d made a decision that had changed everything. I thought I was prepared for the challenges that lay ahead of me, but nothing could have truly prepared me for the experience of co-parenting a child with Elena. The joy of holding my son, the weight of responsibility pressed on me, continually conflicted with the desire to step away from the chaos that came with it.
After the pregnancy announcement, Elena had come alive in ways I hadn’t expected. It was as if the news had awakened something in her—a fierce determination to create a perfect family, regardless of our fractured relationship. There was no denying that I had a part to play in all this; I was the father, and little Danny was my priority. Yet, Elena often used that connection as a weapon, twisting the kindness I extended into guilt whenever it suited her purpose.
“Can you keep him tonight?” Elena asked, her voice smooth as she leaned into the passenger seat of my car. Danny was strapped safely in his car seat in the back, making soft cooing noises that pulled at my heartstrings.
“Of course,” I replied, glancing at the rearview mirror. The little guy was all dimples and drool, and seeing him smile made my heart swell.
He was the mirror image of me, the poor sod.
“I have dinner with some friends. They’re all saying how great I look since my pregnancy,” she continued, her words dripping with passive aggression.
Like I gave a shit.
“Right,” I said, wondering why she was always eager to pass Danny onto me.
“Bye.” Elena didn’t so much as glance at our son before she slammed the car door shut like she couldn’t get away quickly enough.
I watched Elena enter her apartment, her head held high, and I turned back to my son. His bright eyes caught the sunlight streaming through the windows, and I couldn’t help but grin at him.
My heart swelled with overwhelming love whenever I held him close, the warmth radiating from his tiny body filling me with an indescribable joy. I couldn’t believe I was finally a father, experiencing these first precious moments with my son. The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders, but it felt like a blessing rather than a burden.
Every time his fingers curled around mine sent a rush of emotions coursing through me—hope, pride, and an intense connection I had never known before. I couldn’t wait to guide him through life, to show him the beauty of the world, to teach him right from wrong, and to watch him grow into his own person. I felt like I had been given a second chance to create something beautiful, a bond of unconditional love that would last a lifetime. Every moment with him promised to be an adventure, and I was ready to embrace every single one of them.
