Ethan stood at the threshold of Ava's apartment the next evening, his pulse loud in his ears. The last time he was here, it had ended with slammed doors and words that cut too deep. This time, everything felt heavier—realer.
He was about to meet his son.
The weight of that truth settled in his chest like a truth he should've known all along.
Ava opened the door slowly. She looked tired, her face bare, her eyes softer than usual—less guarded.
"He's in his room," she said. "He's nervous."
Ethan let out a shaky breath. "So am I."
She stepped aside to let him in, and he moved quietly through the space. There were traces of Liam everywhere—a backpack by the couch, a row of superhero figurines lined up neatly on the shelf, a framed drawing taped to the wall with the word "Mom" in bold, wobbly letters.
He turned to her. "Can I see him?"
She nodded once. "I told him who you are. He didn't say much. But… he wants to meet you."
She walked toward Liam's room and gently knocked. "Sweetheart? He's here."
The door creaked open.
Liam stood there, barefoot in dinosaur pajamas, clutching a small stuffed bear. His curls were tousled, and his eyes—Ethan's eyes—were wide and uncertain.
Ethan dropped to one knee. "Hey, Liam."
Liam looked at him for a long moment, then at Ava.
She smiled gently. "It's okay, baby."
Liam took a small step forward. "Are you really my dad?"
Ethan's voice cracked. "Yeah. I am."
Liam blinked. "Do you like Legos?"
A soft laugh broke through the tension, and Ethan nodded. "I love Legos. Especially the space ones."
Liam's lips twitched. "Me too. I made a rocket ship last week, but the top keeps falling off."
Ethan's chest tightened. "I can help you fix it, if you want."
Liam hesitated, then held out his hand.
Ethan took it, swallowing hard around the knot in his throat.
They walked into the room together.
Ava watched from the hallway, her heart in her throat as the man she once loved knelt beside the boy they created, listening intently as Liam pointed out his creations.
She didn't know what would come next.
She just knew this—this moment—was the start of something that couldn't be undone.
Later, when Liam had finally drifted to sleep mid-story, his head resting against Ethan's chest, Ava stood in the doorway watching them.
Ethan looked up at her, his eyes wet.
"I missed everything," he whispered.
"You still have time," she said softly.
He laid Liam gently on the bed, brushing the hair from his forehead like he'd done it a hundred times.
Then he walked toward Ava and paused just inches away.
"You kept the biggest piece of me," he said, voice low. "And you made him into something good. Thank you."
Ava blinked back tears. "You deserve to know him. He deserves to know you."
They stood there in silence, hearts full of grief and something new. Something raw.
And in that moment, forgiveness didn't need to be spoken—it was just understood.
The silence in the car was almost reverent.
Ethan's hands gripped the wheel tighter than necessary, knuckles pale. He could still hear Ava's voice in his head—"Yes. He's your son." Like a secret unlocked. Like a wound ripped open.
Six years.
Six years of birthdays missed, of first steps, first words, scraped knees and bedtime stories—memories he'd never been given the chance to make.
He pulled up outside Ava's apartment complex just as the sky darkened, casting a soft glow over the quiet street. His heart thudded painfully against his ribs. His mind raced with a thousand thoughts.
What if Liam didn't like him?
What if he resented him?
What if… Ethan wasn't enough?
Before he could spiral further, Ava appeared at the front door. She wore soft jeans and a simple sweater, her expression calm, but her eyes betrayed nerves.
"He's inside," she said gently, stepping down to meet him. "I told him you're someone special."
"Did you tell him who I am?"
She shook her head. "I thought that was your moment to choose."
Ethan nodded, throat tight. "Okay."
They walked together to the door. She paused before unlocking it.
"He's sweet. Curious. He's been asking questions for a while now, but I never imagined…" She exhaled. "I'm sorry I kept this from you."
"I'm here now," Ethan said. "And I want to know him. No matter how long it takes."
She nodded, tears glistening but unshed. Then she opened the door.
Inside, the apartment was warm and lived-in—books stacked in cozy corners, toy dinosaurs peeking out from behind cushions, a faint scent of cocoa lingering in the air.
And in the middle of it all stood Liam.
A boy with tousled dark curls and wide, intelligent eyes that froze the moment he saw Ethan.
There was no mistaking it.
He was Ethan's mirror.
Liam clutched a worn plush tiger in one hand, his head tilted slightly. "Hi."
Ethan crouched slowly, getting on his level. His voice came out softer than he expected. "Hi, Liam. I'm Ethan."
Liam blinked. "Are you Mommy's friend?"
"Yes," Ethan said. "A very old friend."
"You were on TV," Liam said, frowning. "You made her smile."
That undid him.
Ethan glanced at Ava, whose hand pressed gently to her heart.
"I hope I didn't make her cry too," Liam added, serious.
Ethan swallowed a lump in his throat. "I might have. A long time ago. But I'm here to fix that."
Liam studied him, then looked at Ava. "Can he stay for dinner?"
Ava smiled softly. "Only if he helps with the dishes."
Liam considered that. "Deal."
Ethan let out a breathless laugh, blinking back emotion. "Deal."
---
Later that Night
The dinner was simple—pasta and garlic bread—but to Ethan, it felt like a feast. He watched Liam chatter about dinosaurs and the comic book he was making, his hands animated as he spoke, his joy unfiltered.
Ava moved around the kitchen with easy grace, stealing glances at them both. Her heart ached and healed in the same beat.
When the dishes were done—Ethan and Liam had made a game of it—Ava brought out a blanket for the living room floor.
"Movie night," she said, and Liam whooped.
Ethan sank into the couch while Liam curled up next to him, blanket in hand. Ava sat on the other side, the closeness almost too much.
But none of them moved away.
Halfway through the movie, Liam's head dropped onto Ethan's arm.
Ethan froze.
A small hand curled around his.
That's when it hit him.
This boy… this beautiful, curious, open-hearted boy… was his son.
His.
He looked at Ava, who was already watching, tears glinting in her lashes. She mouthed, "Thank you."
And he realized something powerful.
He had missed six years—but he wouldn't miss another second.
---
After Liam Fell Asleep
Ethan carried Liam gently to bed, the boy already deep in slumber, tiger plush still tucked under his arm. Ava trailed behind, switching on the nightlight shaped like a crescent moon.
Ethan paused beside the bed, watching his son breathe.
He brushed a hand across Liam's curls.
"I never knew I could feel this much," he whispered.
Ava's hand slid into his.
"I was so afraid you'd hate me," she said quietly. "For keeping him from you."
"I don't," Ethan said, voice raw. "I just want to know him. To earn whatever place I can in his life."
She nodded. "We'll figure it out."
He turned to her. "This changes everything."
Ava held his gaze. "Yes. But it doesn't erase the past. It complicates things."
"I don't care," Ethan said. "He's ours. And I'll be here. For him. And maybe…" His voice dropped. "For you too, if you'll let me."
Her breath hitched, and for the first time in a long time, she didn't look away.