My parents had no idea that Mia and Luca would be joining us that evening. My invitation had been spontaneous, but since these two were so important to me, it seemed like they should be there. I didn’t want to leave them at home like they were some kind of dirty secret.

I walked up to my father with my hand resting on Luca’s shoulder.

“He seems scary,” Luca whispered.

Because he could be terrifying. “He’s not. Nothing to be afraid of.”

My father turned to me from where he stood next to my mother on the patio. His eyes were on me for barely a second before they flicked to the small boy beside me. An innate kindness entered his eyes, knowing exactly who the child was.

My mom smiled immediately, moisture entering her gaze. “Luca…” She kneeled down and extended her arms to him. “I know exactly who you are without ever seeing your face. Come here, sweetie.”

Luca left my embrace and moved into the stranger’s arms. He didn’t say anything as he hugged her back, but he probably figured out she was my mother. “Hi…”

Mom hugged him tightly and patted the back of his head. “You’re so cute. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Adelina, Carter’s mother.”

I looked at my father as Luca and my mother became acquainted.

He turned to me, a slight smile on his lips. “Cute kid.”

“Yeah, he is.”

“You two seem to get along pretty well.”

I never knew anything about kids or cared to spend time with one, but when I met Luca, everything clicked. We swam in the pool together, watched TV together, and when he went back to school, he asked me to help him with his math homework. “Yeah…we do. I never knew kids could be so cool.”

“They can be. You were, at least.”

“But not Carmen?” I teased.

He chuckled. “She was great too.”

Luca pulled away from my mom and turned to my father next. He extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you…Carter’s dad.”

My father chuckled before he shook his hand. “You’ve got a strong grip there. Where’d you learn that?”

Luca glanced at me. “Carter.”

“I taught him how to give a good handshake. I’m glad he passed that down to you.” My father dropped his hand then kneeled down so they were at eye level. “You can call me Cane, by the way.”

“Cane.” Luca nodded. “Got it.”

“So, how are you liking time with my son?” my father asked.

Luca glanced at me again. “I love it. He’s the coolest guy I’ve ever known…taught me how to swim.”

“Aww…” Mom looked at me, her eyes soft. She ran her fingers through his hair, cradling him just the way she used to with me. “You’re such a sweet little boy.”

“Uh, thanks,” Luca whispered.

Mia joined us a moment later, wearing a beautiful yellow dress that was perfect for the end of summer. She came to my side and watched my parents interact with her son. “Quite the social butterfly, huh?” She rested her hands on his shoulders and looked down at him, smiling as a strand of hair came loose.

“Yeah,” Luca said. “These are Carter’s parents.”

“I know,” she said. “I’ve met them before.”

“Let’s meet everyone else.” My mom took Luca’s hand, and together with Mia, they moved around the party and made their introductions. Conway knew about Mia but had never met her before.

When my father and I were alone together, he gave me a knowing look. “The three of you mix well together.”

Ever since Luca came into our lives, my sex life had taken a serious hit. I was lucky to get some alone time with Mia during the day while Luca was at school. But once he was home, she was closed for business. Ironically, I didn’t mind. “Yeah, we do.”

“Doesn’t seem like she’s going anywhere.”

She wasn’t going anywhere ever again. “No, she’s not.” I didn’t tell him what we decided on, since it didn’t seem like the best time. We were there to celebrate the new house Vanessa and Griffin had moved in to. It was a housewarming party, and it would be distasteful to announce our upcoming nuptials.

Father turned his stare on the two of them as they talked with Conway and Sapphire. “Being a father figure is serious business, Carter. That kid looks up to you. It would be devastating to get close to you only to lose you.”

“I understand that.”

“Alright,” he said. “It’s one thing to break a woman’s heart. It’s another to break a child’s heart.”

I loved that kid even though I hadn’t known him that long. The second he was in my home, we immediately clicked. It was difficult to picture my life without him, without that smile and zest for life. “That’s the last thing on my mind.”

Father finally dropped it. “Alright. Looks like your mother and I might have a grandson.”

“Yeah…I think you might.”