Sienna’s POV
“Daddy comes home early because he misses you,” Liam said warmly. “And because today I just felt like coming home sooner. There’s something I miss.”
He said it while looking at me. That look calm, warm, and without pressure made me feel seen. Important. Placed in a real priority.
I felt my heart warm, as if hugged from the inside.
Dinner lasted much longer than usual. Noah had at least three slices of pizza and one mini burger, though of course half of it ended up on his face and clothes. Liam and I still indulged in every one of his stories.
Without realizing it, I laughed more than I had all day. It felt like releasing something lodged in my chest, something that had held my breath and clouded my head since morning.
The kitchen light reflected warmly on the surface of the table, making the small room feel more intimate than usual. I tidied up the tissues and wiped the sauce from the corner of Noah’s mouth, while Liam got drinks for the three of us.
“Eat slowly,” I said gently when Noah almost knocked over his glass. “No one’s chasing you.””Yes, Mommy,” he replied obediently, then sipped his water with both hands gripping the glass, his expression very serious, as if it were an important task.
I smiled without realizing it. There was a quiet happiness in things like this simple scolding of an overly enthusiastic child, sitting face to face without rushing, and not feeling the need to think about anything beyond the moment unfolding.
Liam leaned back slightly in his chair. “You look more relaxed today,” he said softly, as if not wanting to break the mood. “Usually after being out all day, you’re tired but still look tense.”
I fell silent for a moment, considering my answer. “Maybe because today I feel like I did something right. Not for anyone else, but for myself.”
He nodded slowly, his eyes listening without interrupting.
“That’s important.”
I looked at my plate, now almost empty. “I forgot what that felt like. I used to always think I had to look strong, had to be ready, had to handle everything. But today, I don’t feel like proving anything.”
“And you don’t have to,” Liam replied quickly, his tone certain. “You don’t always have to be strong on your own.”
The words weren’t explosive or dramatic. Precisely because of that, they struck deep. I swallowed, feeling something shift slowly in my chest like a wall cracking bitby bit.
When the food was nearly gone, Noah leaned against my shoulder, his eyes drooping. “Mommy, Noah is full.”
“Finally,” Liam muttered, rubbing the top of his head.
I wrapped my arms around the small body, gently stroking his back. “Come on, Mommy will wash your face first, then you can sleep.”
“Noah wants to sleep with Mommy,” he murmured sleepily.
“That’s fine,” I replied softly.
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