Part 11:
Not the kind of place Elena had been in years. “Is this weird?” Mason asked after they’d ordered. “Which part?” “All of it? The date? The fact that you live with me? The kids watching us leave like we’re teenagers.” Helena laughed. “It’s definitely weird, but but I like weird.” Mason relaxed slightly. I’ve been wanting to ask you out for weeks.
Why didn’t you? Because I didn’t want to make things complicated. You’ve been through hell. You’re still healing. And I didn’t want to be the guy who took advantage. Mason. Elena reached across the table. You’re not taking advantage. You’re sure? I’m sure. She paused. But I need you to know something. Okay. I can’t have children.
I know you already have three, but if you wanted more, I don’t. You don’t know that? Yes, I do. Mason’s voice was firm. I have my family. I’m not looking to expand it. I’m looking for a partner, someone to share this life with. That’s what you want? That’s what I want. He squeezed her hand.
The question is, what do you want? Elena thought about Sophie’s sticky fingers and Ethan’s blunt observations and Mara’s slow thawing. Thought about morning coffee and color-coded calendars and the way Mason looked at her like she mattered. I want this, she said quietly. All of it. The chaos and the kids and you. I want to stop being scared and just stay.
Mason smiled. Then stay. They talked through dinner about everything and nothing. About Caroline and David and the ways grief reshapes you. About his work and her classes and whether Ethan would ever accept second place at anything. It felt easy, natural, like they’d been doing this for years. When Mason drove her home, which was also his home, which was surreal, he walked her to the door like a proper date.
“I had a really good time,” he said. “Me, too. Can we do it again? I live with you. We have dinner together every night.” “That’s different.” “How?” “Because next time, I want to hold your hand without three kids making commentary.” Elena laughed. “Deal?” Mason leaned in, stopped. “Is this okay?” Yes. He kissed her. Soft, sweet, perfect.
When he pulled back, they were both smiling. Good night, Elena. Good night, Mason. She went inside. He went inside. They stood in the same hallway, suddenly awkward. This is weird, Mason said. Very weird. Do we just go to our separate rooms? I think so. Okay. Yeah, that makes sense. Neither of them moved from upstairs.
Just kiss her again already. Ethan. Mason laughed. I thought you guys were asleep. We were waiting to make sure she came home. She lives here. You know what we mean. Elena covered her face. Your children are ridiculous. Our children. Mason corrected quietly. Elena looked at him. Our if you want them to be.
She thought about Sophie calling her mom, about Mara trusting her with makeup and memories, about Ethan making her promise not to leave. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I want them to be.” Mason kissed her again. This time, they ignored the cheering from upstairs. The morning after their first date, Elena woke up to find all three kids sitting on her bedroom floor, staring at her.
She screamed, “What are you doing?” she gasped, clutching her blanket. waiting for you to wake up,” Sophie said like this was completely normal behavior. “Why are you on my floor? We wanted to know what happened,” Ethan said. “Nothing happened. We went to dinner.” “And Mara” prompted. “And we came home.” “Did he kiss you?” Sophie asked.
Elena’s face burned. “That’s none of your business.” “He totally did,” Ethan said. “Look at her face. I can’t believe you guys are interrogating me right now.” We’re not interrogating, Mara said. We’re invested. Same thing. So, you’re dating our dad now. Sophie climbed onto the bed. Does that mean you’re staying forever? Elena sat up slowly, suddenly aware this conversation was more important than she’d realized.
I don’t know about forever. But you’re not leaving. Sophie’s voice was small. No, sweetheart. I’m not leaving. Even if you and dad stopped dating, the question hit Elena hard because she hadn’t thought about it. What happened if this thing with Mason didn’t work out? Would she leave? Could she leave these kids? Even then, she said firmly. You guys are stuck with me.
Promise? Ethan asked. Promise. Sophie threw herself at Elena, nearly knocking her over. Okay, good. Because daddy’s making pancakes and they’re terrible and we need you to fix them. Elena found Mason in the kitchen surrounded by smoking pans and batter splattered across every surface. “I swear I used to be able to do this,” he said, looking defeated.
“When?” “Col, maybe.” He gestured at the stove. “These were supposed to be chocolate chip.” Elena looked at the burnt offerings on the plate. “They’re very dark. They’re charcoal. Charcoal is generous.” Mason laughed, then pulled her in for a kiss. Morning. Morning. Elena surveyed the damage. Go sit down. I’ll handle breakfast.
You sure, Mason? If you keep cooking, we’ll need to call the fire department. That’s fair. 20 minutes later, edible pancakes were on the table, and everyone was eating like they’d been starved. “These are so much better,” Ethan said through a mouthful. Don’t talk with your mouth full, Mason and Elena said simultaneously. They looked at each other. The kids noticed.
