Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 66

Chapter 46

Chapter 46

(Sabrina’s POV)

“He’s going to be so excited,” Sophia says as we pull into the parking lot. “I texted him earlier that

we had good news.”

“You texted him? Since when does he have a phone?”

“He has my old phone. I gave it to him for emergencies and for coordinating his art posts.” She grins. “Kid’s more tech-savvy than half the adults I know.”

And as I’m finding out, apparently more chummy with her than his own mom.

We walk toward the entrance, and that’s when I see them.

Ethan and Jake, standing by the playground equipment. Jake’s gesturing animatedly, his little face

scrunched up in that serious expression he gets when he’s trying to make a point. Ethan is

crouched down to his level, listening intently.

My heart does something complicated in my chest.

“Looks like someone beat us here,” Sophia murmurs.

“What’s he doing here?”

“Only one way to find out.”

We approach slowly, and I can start to make out their conversation.

“-not fair!” Jake’s voice carries across the playground. “Why can’t you come?”

“Jake, I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.”

“But why not?” My son plants his hands on his hips, looking so much like me it’s startling. “This is a

happy occasion. Mom says when you’re happy, sharing your happiness with the ones you love makes it more special.”

Oh, God. My chest tightens.

“Bad dad can’t take me from mom anymore,” Jake continues, his voice earnest. “So I’m happy. Really, really happy. I want to share my happiness with you. You have to eat dinner with us.”

Ethan’s expression is torn. “Your mom might not want-”

“Leave mom to me. She’ll understand I need to thank you.”

“Oh? Will she now?”

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Both of them turn. Jake’s face lights up like Christmas morning, while Ethan’s scrunches with

worry.

I cross my arms, watching the two guys, one small, one large, with undeniable interest.

Not for the first time, I wonder what’s going on here. How are they so close, so…deeply…

connected? Yes, that’s the word. Connected.

I can no longer explain their bond in ordinary terms. Connected is the only thing I can think of.

Clearly, Jake and Ethan are unrelated. They share no blood tie, no history, and until a week ago,

absolutely no emotional connection at all.

So why is it whenever I look at them standing together, I get this strange feeling in my heart?

Just what’s going on here?

“Mom!” He barrels toward me, and I drop to my knees just in time to catch him. He crashes into my

arms with enough force to knock us both over, but I hold him tight, breathing in his little-boy smell

of playground dirt and fruit snacks.

“We won,” he whispers against my neck. “Right? Bad dad can’t take me away?”

“Yes, baby. We won. You’re staying with me forever.”

He pulls back, his eyes shining with tears. “I knew Judge Lady would see how amazing my mom

is.”

“You helped with that.” I cup his face, trying not to cry. “What you said to the judge. About wanting

to protect me. That was very brave.”

His little chin juts out stubbornly. “You’re my mom. I’m supposed to protect you.”

I hug him again, this time failing to stop the tears from falling. Sophia’s crying too, I can hear her

sniffling behind me.

When I finally let go, Jake immediately turns to Ethan. “See? Mom’s happy. Now you have to come

to dinner with us.”

Ethan’s eyes meet mine over Jake’s head. There’s a question there. An uncertainty that doesn’t match the confident businessman I’ve seen in the courtroom.

“Jake’s right,” I say, standing slowly. “This is a happy occasion. We should celebrate. And you’re

part of the reason we’re celebrating, so…” I take a breath. “Dinner. Tonight. If you want.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” And surprisingly, I mean it. “I owe you a proper thank you. And dinner sounds like the

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Chapter 46

perfect way to express my gratitude.”

Ethan’s expression softens. “Okay. Dinner sounds good.”

“Yes!” Jake pumps his fist in the air. “Can we get pizza? And ice cream? And-”

“We’ll figure out the menu,” Sophia interrupts, ruffling his hair. “But first, we need to get you home and cleaned up. You have playground dirt all over you.”

“I was playing dinosaurs with Mr. Jason!”

“Mr. Jason?” I raise an eyebrow.

Ethan shrugs, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. “He insisted on calling me Mr. Jason after

everything came out. And apparently Ethan doesn’t start with a J.”

“Mr. Jason is better than Mr. Ethan,” Jake announces proudly. “Jason starts with the same as

Jake.”

Despite everything-the exhaustion, the emotional rollercoaster, the uncertainty about what comes next-I find myself laughing. Really laughing, for the first time in what feels like forever.

Jake joins in, his giggles infectious. Then Sophia. And finally, even Ethan cracks a genuine smile.

Standing there in the playground, surrounded by the people who fought for me, I feel something I

haven’t felt in years.

Hope.

Real, solid hope for the future.

“Come on,” I say, taking Jake’s hand. “Let’s go home.”

“But I invited Mr. Jason for dinner.”

“Yes, so we’ll go to your Aunt Sophia’s house and clean you up, before heading out for dinner.”

Jake squeezes my hand, and glances at Sophia. They exchange strange signals I can’t decipher. Is

it me, or does it seem…

“Sophia? You okay? You’re walking really slow.”

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