Role
The sound of Ethan’s laughter filled the kitchen as Victoria flipped a pancake onto his plate. He was perched on a stool, his chin propped on his small hands, watching her every move with wide eyes.
“Mom, are you sure you didn’t train to be a chef?” Ethan teased, his grin revealing a missing front tooth.
Victoria smirked, sliding the pan back onto the stove. “If you call burning toast during college training, then yes, I’m an expert.”
Ethan giggled, drenching his pancake in syrup. “Well, you’re the best chef I know. Even better than Zander.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow, handing him a fork. “Better than Zander? Careful, you might hurt his feelings.”
Ethan shrugged, taking a big bite. “It’s true! Zander tries too hard. He even measures water for spaghetti.”
Victoria laughed, sitting across from him. “He’s just precise. That’s what makes him good at everything.”
Ethan paused, his fork hovering mid-air. “Mom?”
“What’s up, buddy?”
“Do you ever get tired?”
Her brow furrowed. “Tired of what?”
“Of taking care of me all the time.” His voice was soft, unsure.
Victoria leaned forward, her expression serious. “Ethan, listen to me. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Do I get tired? Sure. But not of you. Never of you.”
Ethan’s lips quirked into a shy smile, but his eyes held something deeper. “Even when I ask too many questions?”
“Especially then,” she said, ruffling his hair. “Your questions make life interesting.”
He tilted his head, studying her. “Do you ever wish it was just you? No Ethan to take care of?”
Her heart clenched at the vulnerability in his voice. She reached for his small hand, holding it tightly. “Not for one second. You’re my partner in crime, remember? Team Victoria and Ethan.”
He beamed at her, the worry in his eyes melting away. “Yeah, we’re the best team ever!”
“And don’t you forget it,” she said, winking at him.
They finished breakfast, and Ethan raced off to get ready for the day. As she washed the dishes, Victoria caught her reflection in the window. She looked tired, yes, but there was a quiet strength in her that hadn’t been there years ago.
Ethan’s voice drifted from the hallway. “Mom! Do I have clean socks?”
“In your drawer, Ethan!” she called back, shaking her head with a smile.
Her responsibilities were heavy, but moments like these reminded her why she carried them. Ethan wasn’t just her son—he was her purpose, her joy, and the reason she found the strength to face each day.
“Mom, can we bake cookies after school?” Ethan asked, popping his head back into the kitchen.
Victoria dried her hands on a towel and looked at him. “Only if you promise to clean up the mess this time.”
He groaned but nodded. “Deal.”
As he darted away, Victoria laughed softly to herself. Team Victoria and Ethan, indeed.
Later that afternoon, Victoria stood in the kitchen, pulling ingredients from the pantry while Ethan eagerly laid out bowls and measuring spoons on the counter. His energy was infectious, and she couldn’t help but smile.
“Okay, Chef Ethan,” she said, placing a bag of chocolate chips on the counter. “What’s the plan? Classic chocolate chip or something wild?”
Ethan tapped his chin, pretending to think. “Classic! But maybe we can put sprinkles on some of them?”
Victoria chuckled. “Sprinkles on cookies? That’s new.”
He grinned. “Zander says you should always try new things. Plus, sprinkles make everything better!”
“You’ve got a point there.” She handed him the measuring cup. “Alright, you measure the flour. No spills this time.”
Ethan scooped carefully, his tongue poking out as he concentrated. “Mom, do you think Zander likes cookies?”
“Who doesn’t like cookies?” she replied, cracking eggs into a bowl.
Ethan frowned thoughtfully. “I think he likes us more than cookies, though.”
Victoria paused, her hand hovering over the sugar jar. “Of course he does, Ethan. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged, pouring the flour into the mixing bowl. “He’s just really nice. He helps me with homework and doesn’t get mad when I mess up.”
Her chest tightened as she watched her son’s earnest expression. “He cares about you, Ethan. A lot.”
“I know,” Ethan said, his voice small. “It’s just… I really wish he could be here all the time. Like a real family.”
Victoria reached out, brushing a hand through his hair. “We are a family, buddy. And Zander… he’s a big part of it now.”
Ethan looked up at her, his eyes full of hope. “Do you think he’d want to be my dad? For real?”
Her throat tightened as she swallowed the lump forming there. “I think he’d want whatever makes you happy, Ethan.”
He smiled, a little shyly. “Then we should ask him. Maybe after cookies.”
Victoria laughed softly, pulling him into a hug. “Let’s focus on not burning the cookies first, okay?”
“Deal!” Ethan giggled, wiggling out of her arms and grabbing the chocolate chips.
The two of them worked side by side, mixing and shaping the dough. The air filled with the sweet aroma of sugar and chocolate as the first batch baked in the oven.
When the cookies were done, Ethan proudly arranged them on a plate. “Do you think Zander will like the sprinkles?”
Victoria smiled, ruffling his hair. “I think he’ll love them because you made them.”
Ethan’s grin widened. “Can we save some for him?”
“Of course.” She kissed the top of his head. “Now go wash your hands before you eat half the plate.”
As Ethan darted to the sink, his laughter echoing through the house, Victoria leaned against the counter, watching him with a mix of love and worry.
Their little world felt perfect in moments like this, but she knew the questions Ethan was starting to ask would only grow. For now, though, she was grateful for the simplicity of baking cookies and the pure joy on her son’s face.
Later that evening, as the house quieted down and the sun dipped below the horizon, Victoria found herself curled up on the couch with Ethan. They had finished dinner, and the leftover cookies sat in a jar on the kitchen counter, waiting for Zander to return from his trip.
Ethan rested his head on her lap, fiddling with a small toy car as he stared at the TV. His energy had waned, replaced by a sleepy calm that made Victoria’s heart ache with tenderness.
“Mom?” Ethan’s voice broke the silence.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
He didn’t look up, focusing on the car in his hands. “Do you think Zander misses us?”
Victoria smiled softly. “I know he does. He always talks about how much he misses you when he’s away.”
Ethan finally looked up at her, his eyes serious. “Do you think he’ll ever leave? Like, not come back?”
Her heart squeezed at the vulnerability in his voice. She ran her fingers through his hair, soothing him. “Zander loves you, Ethan. He would never leave us unless he had to. And even then, he’d always find his way back.”
Ethan nodded slowly, seeming to take comfort in her words. “I just… I really like having him around. It’s like we’re a team.”
Victoria smiled, blinking back tears. “We are a team, Ethan. And Zander? He’s on our team now, too.”
Ethan sat up, turning to face her fully. “Mom, if I asked Zander to be my dad, do you think he’d say yes?”
The directness of his question caught her off guard. She reached for his hand, holding it between hers. “That’s a big question, Ethan. Being a dad is a big responsibility.”
“But he already acts like one,” Ethan argued, his voice rising with determination. “He’s nice to me, he takes care of us, and he makes you smile. Isn’t that what dads do?”
Victoria’s throat tightened as she looked into her son’s pleading eyes. “Yes, those are all things dads do,” she admitted. “But we have to be patient, Ethan. Zander needs to feel ready for that kind of commitment, just like we do.”
Ethan frowned, considering her words. “I guess. But if I asked him, he wouldn’t be mad, right?”
“No, sweetheart,” she said, pulling him into a hug. “Zander would never be mad at you for sharing your feelings. He loves you too much for that.”
Ethan relaxed against her, his small arms wrapping around her waist. “I just want us to be happy, Mom.”
Victoria kissed the top of his head, holding him close. “We are happy, Ethan. And we’ll figure out the rest together, okay?”
“Okay,” he murmured, his voice muffled against her sweater.
As Ethan began to drift off to sleep in her arms, Victoria leaned back into the cushions, her mind swirling with thoughts of Zander. Ethan’s wish was a reflection of her own unspoken hope, but she knew the path to becoming a family wouldn’t be simple.
For now, she focused on the steady rhythm of Ethan’s breathing, the warmth of his trust, and the quiet strength she found in their bond. Whatever lay ahead, she would face it—for Ethan, for herself, and perhaps, for Zander.
As Victoria sat there, holding her son close, her mind wandered back to the many challenges she had faced. The journey to this point had been full of twists and turns, and sometimes it felt as though she were still finding her way. But with Ethan in her arms, she knew that, no matter the uncertainties ahead, they would face them together.
The quiet in the room was comforting, and the soft sound of Ethan’s steady breathing gave her a moment of peace. It was moments like this—where everything seemed still—that she could gather her thoughts, her emotions, and her resolve.
When Ethan finally fell into a deeper sleep, Victoria gently moved him from her lap and tucked him into bed. She brushed a lock of hair from his face, watching the rise and fall of his chest, and smiled softly. Her heart ached with love for the little boy who had been through so much and yet continued to shine with innocence and hope.
Standing by his bedside, Victoria let out a deep breath, her thoughts turning back to Zander. She couldn’t deny the bond that had developed between them. It had been a slow and hesitant process, but now, the thought of him not being a part of their lives seemed impossible. He had stepped into their world, quietly and steadily, proving himself with actions, not just words.
But as much as she longed to take the next step, she knew there were still things left unsaid, questions left unanswered. She wasn’t sure if they were ready for the changes Ethan so desperately wanted, but she also knew that sometimes, things had a way of falling into place when they were least expected.
After ensuring that Ethan was settled, she stepped out of his room, her footsteps soft on the carpet. She stood in the hallway for a moment, contemplating the future. Zander was still away, but the absence of his presence seemed to echo in the empty spaces of the house. She missed him more than she cared to admit.
She pulled out her phone, scrolling through messages, but then stopped herself. She didn’t need to reach out right now. She needed to give herself and Ethan time. Time to grow, time to heal, and time to understand what it would mean for their family moving forward.
With one last glance toward Ethan’s room, Victoria walked toward the kitchen, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Zander, Ethan, and the journey that lay ahead. But for tonight, she could focus on what was here, in this moment—what was in her control.