Mia’s small voice cuts through.
“Mommy,” she says, tugging her blanket down.“Look, this is where she uses her powers.”
She’s smiling. Relief floods me, and I tuck the tension in my chest into that tiny moment of peace.
“Oh wow,” I whisper, unable to keep the smile from spreading.
“Just like you, Efan,” Mia adds, crawling into my lap.“When you walked through that fire in my room and picked me up.”
Ethan shrugs like it’s nothing.“I’d walk through a thousand fires to get to you and your mommy.”
And just like that, another piece of my walls crumbles.
We all eat pizza and laugh as Mia sings along to the cartoon, copying every move the princess makes. Cas joins in, mimicking her gestures in a ridiculous falsetto, and we all burst into laughter. Ethan watches me, his hand finding mine and holding it like he’s anchoring me. I squeeze back, heat pooling quietly between us.
The rest of the night is a blur of laughter and chaos. Mia convinces Ethan to let her paint his nails with the polish Lily bought her, and of course, he agrees. Then she moves on to decorating his sling with glitter and pink stickers. Ten minutes later, he’s sitting there with purple and pink nails, a sling streaked with glitter, and a crooked little tiara perched on his head, while Mia pours him invisible coffee with the utmost seriousness.
Cas can’t resist snapping pictures for the family chat, and everyone erupts in giggles. Ethan doesn’t mind at all; he just grins at Mia, proud and completely present, and her smile lights up the room like sunshine breaking through clouds.
Eventually, the Tylenol wears off and Mia’s fever creeps back. I give her another dose, tucking her in between Ethan and me on the couch. She sinks against us almost immediately, drifting to sleep with her little hand curled around mine. Cas and Penny have already gone, and Lily and Josh have headed to bed, leaving the three of us in quiet warmth and soft breathing.
“You’re beautiful,” he says suddenly, voice serious.
I shake my head.“I’m in sweats and your hoodie.”
He grins, slow and teasing.“You look beautiful anytime, Summer. But right now?” He leans closer, whispering in my ear.“Your laugh, those dimples, those baby blues… I can’t wait to kiss you again.”
I freeze, chest tight, stomach fluttering. He’s so close, so impossibly good, and yet I have to remind myself Mia is right here. Every nerve hums, every thought tangled in longing and restraint.
Later, after Mia falls asleep curled between us on the couch, I whisper to Ethan, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
“I’m sorry about our first date.”
“Are you kidding? I had fun tonight,” he says, eyes softening on me.“As long as I’m here, with you, it doesn’t matter where we are.”
Ethan’s hand finds mine, holding it like he won’t let go. I squeeze back, quiet heat between us, our first date delayed but the connection stronger than ever.
“I just hope Mia feels better soon,” he adds.
“We’ll see what the doctor says tomorrow,” I murmur, running my fingers over her cheeks.“Usually it only lasts a few days before she’s back to jumping and dancing around.”
“I hate that I can’t help you take her to bed.” Ethan looks down at his left arm in a sling and stands.
“It’s ok, I’m used to picking her up when she’s fallen asleep like this,,” I whisper.
I lift Mia gently, one arm under her knees, the other around her back. Ethan follows me upstairs, watching the way I keep checking her forehead with my chin.
“I’ll put her in my bed,” I whisper as we reach the hallway.“I want her close when she’s not feeling well.”
Ethan opens the door to my room, lets me through, and I see it immediately.
The flower.
Blue today. Small but stubborn, almost glowing against the white bedsheet. And beside it: a folded note.
I settle Mia on the mattress, tuck her in, then pick up the flower and turn to him.
“For you.” His smile is soft, almost shy.
