The engine hummed low as August pulled out of his parents' driveway.
Liam was tucked into his car seat in the back, seatbelt snug across his little sweater. His grandma had slipped a slice of pie wrapped in foil into his hands before they left.
"Don't tell your father," she had whispered dramatically.
August noticed.
He just chose not to comment.
In the rearview mirror, he saw crumbs already forming on Liam's chin.
"Seatbelt good?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Not too tight?"
"Nope."
Silence settled. Just tires against the road.
Crinkle of foil.
Small chewing sounds.
"Dad?"
"Yeah, champ?"
Liam swallowed. "Miss Celine can't cook."
August huffed a quiet laugh. "That is correct."
"But she buys stuff."
"She does."
"She got me the dinosaur sweater."
"I saw."
"And chocolate."
"I also saw that."
Liam chewed thoughtfully.
"Dad?"
"Hmm?"
"Can Celine be my mommy?"
August's hands stilled on the steering wheel for half a second.
Not because the word hurt.
But because of what it meant.
He glanced in the mirror.
"Where'd that come from?"
Liam shrugged. "Ethan has a mommy. And Jacob has two."
"Two?"
"Yeah. One at his house and one at the other house."
August exhaled softly. That made sense.
"And you think you need one?"
Liam nodded like it was obvious.
"She nice. And she stay over."
August swallowed.
"Buddy… that's not how it works."
"Why?"
Because being someone's mommy isn't about sweaters and chocolate.
Because he doesn't know if Celine is temporary.
Because he doesn't know if she's staying.
Because he doesn't want to promise something he can't give.
But you don't say all that to a four-year-old.
He kept his tone light.
"That's a big job. You don't just assign it."
Liam considered this seriously.
"Can I ask her?"
August almost laughed despite himself.
"Whoa. Slow down, champ."
"Why?"
August sighed quietly.
"Because that's something grown-ups decide. Not something we just… pick."
Liam looked slightly disappointed.
"Oh."
A beat.
"But can we go to the park tomorrow with her?"
And there it was.
Not about motherhood.
Not about labels.
Just about presence.
August's grip tightened slightly.
"Yeah," he said after a moment. "I'll ask her."
Liam nodded, satisfied, and went back to his pie.
Like he hadn't just stepped into territory August wasn't sure he was ready for.
***
Celine dragged her hands down her face and let out a long, shaky sigh. She sank deeper into the couch cushions, shoulders slumped.
"I… I thought I was done," she whispered, voice barely audible. "I thought I was finished with… all of this."
Stacy sat beside her, nudging her gently with an elbow. "All of what?"
Celine pressed her palms against her cheeks, staring at the floor. "Feeling… wanted. Liked. Safe. Like I could… care about someone again. I thought that door had closed forever. And now…" She paused, a shiver running through her. "Now I feel… unworthy. Used. Scared. Ashamed even."
"Hey," Stacy said softly, placing a hand over Celine's. "Breathe. You're allowed to feel this. You're allowed to care. You're not weak."
Celine's voice cracked. "But what if… what if he looks down at me? What if I'm just… a mistake waiting to happen? Or what if I ruin it?"
Stacy leaned closer, her tone a little playful but steady. "Stop it. You're not a mistake. Girl, the guy cooks, cleans, massages your feet… you're lucky, okay? That's not just charm, that's effort. Real effort. And you deserve it."
Celine let out a small, shaky laugh, hiding her face in her hands again. "I feel… like I shouldn't want this. Like I'm just… taking up space in someone else's life."
"Then let me tell you something," Stacy said firmly, squeezing her hand. "You're not taking up space. You're allowed to want things. To care about someone. To be brave. And you're already brave just admitting it, even here."
Celine peeked through her fingers, eyes glistening. "But… what if I mess it up? What if I overstep?"
Stacy shrugged with a grin. "What's the worst that could happen? He'll tease you? Cook less? Probably. Big deal. You've survived worse than a little fear, Celine. Go for it. Seriously."
Celine let herself relax a fraction, breathing slowly. "He… he cooks, cleans, massages my feet…"
"Exactly," Stacy said, smirking. "You're winning, girl. Don't psych yourself out. Just be present."
Celine leaned back, still trembling slightly, but letting herself imagine the possibilities, as her eyes drifted to her phone without her realizing it. She picked it up, scrolling aimlessly, thumb hovering over August's contact.
Stacy, tilted her head and smirked knowingly. "Go on. Call him."
Celine's cheeks warmed. She hesitated, fingers frozen over the keypad. "I… I don't know if I should."
"Girl," Stacy said gently, nudging her shoulder, "what's the worst that could happen? Just call him. That's it. Nothing else. Trust me."
Celine let out a shaky breath, then tapped his name. Her voice was soft, almost swallowed by the apartment's quiet when he answered.
"Hello?" August's voice came through, calm, steady, familiar.
"I… I'm staying the night at Stacy's place," she said, almost rushing the words out.
"I noticed," he replied after a pause, quiet and even.
They both fell silent for a moment, the kind of silence that stretches and weighs and feels like it might last forever.
Finally, August broke it gently. "Have you eaten?"
Celine blinked, a small laugh escaping her despite herself. "Uh… yes."
"Good," he said softly, a warmth in his tone. "Don't starve yourself."
Celine fiddled with the edge of her phone, biting her lip. She cleared her throat softly.
"So… um…" she started, voice small. "How's… the restaurant?"
There was a pause on the line, just long enough for her to feel her face heating.
"It's… busy," August said, his tone warm. "But good. Everything's running smooth. The new chef is doing great."
"Oh…" she said, feeling a little clumsy. "I just… I don't know. I mean, you're always doing so much. I thought maybe… maybe it's stressful."
"Some days," he admitted with a small laugh. "But seeing it all come together… it's worth it. Makes the chaos feel good."
Celine tucked the phone between her shoulder and ear, leaning back against the cushions. "Sounds… nice. I mean, to see it work out after all the…" She paused, unsure how to finish. "Everything."
August's voice softened. "It is. And I… I like knowing you notice it. Even from afar."
She bit her lip again, shy, but her chest lifted slightly at his words. "I do notice. I… I really do."
"Good," he said softly. "Because it matters. The little things matter. And… you matter."
Celine's heart gave a small jump, and she looked down at the phone, hiding a smile. "Thanks… I, uh… I should probably—"
"Stay?" he said quietly, finishing her thought for her.
Her smile deepened, nervous but warm. "Yeah… maybe a little longer."
And just like that, the awkwardness faded, replaced by the kind of quiet comfort that had been missing for years.