Charlie and he embraced again before he headed down the steps to where his driver was already posted.
I turned back to the living room, and Ollie moved to Scarlette, scooping her up gently, his arms wrapping around her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
“Thank you for having us,” Ollie said, and I grabbed his arm.
“Thank you,” I repeated my sentiment from earlier.
Ollie nodded, and almost casually, he said, “Maybe you could show me the ice someday, teach me how to skate.”
It caught me off guard, but I agreed quickly. “Yeah, man. Anytime.” And I meant every word.
It wasn’t just small talk. It was a real offer, a step toward something that didn’t feel forced or impossible. An opening to start building something between us—not just for Scarlette, but for all of us.
Ollie turned to Nova. “I’m going to head out and start the car for Scar.”
“I’ll be out in a second,” Nova said as she grabbed her coat.
“Bye, other family. See y’all around,” Luna said, with Dirks at her shoulder.
Before she left, she turned and pulled me into a hug. “Good to see you healthy,” she said, her voice softer than usual, though still laced with her usual boldness. She held up the now empty bottle of wine, smirking. “Taking this home with me, boss.”
I chuckled. “It was nice to see you too, Luna.”
When I turned around, Nova was hugging Charlie. “Thank you so much, Charlie. Your home is lovely.”
She stopped and looked between us. “I know we have a lot to figure out, but, uh, Ollie got a new job and was wondering if you guys would like to take her for a few hours while we went outto dinner to celebrate?” She shook her head as if in disbelief. “If you’re free, and it can really be anytime?—”
“I’d love that,” Charlie interrupted her. “We would love that.”
I walked over to Nova and nodded in agreement. “We would be overjoyed.”
Nova gave me a small smile, then stepped closer, wrapping her arms around me. I froze for a moment before hugging her back. We stayed like that, silent, until she finally pulled away, tears streaming down her face.
“I was so scared,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I was terrified that you were...”
“Still drinking?”
She nodded, her hands trembling slightly. “I worried that when this day came, it would be tragic. That Scarlette would end up hurt.”
I shook my head firmly. “I’m sober,” I said, the conviction in my voice stronger than anything else I’d said all night.
She nodded again, wiping at her cheeks. “I know. I can see that.” Her gaze shifted toward Charlie, who had quietly stepped back into the kitchen, giving us space as she busied herself cleaning up. Nova’s lips curved into a soft smile. “She’s perfect, Austin.”
We stood there for a moment, the elephant in the room looming large between us.
Finally, Nova broke the silence, her voice tentative but certain. “Sometimes, two people can fall in love, create something beautiful... but their ending looks different.”
I swallowed hard. “Are you happy?”
Her nod was immediate, her face lighting up. “Very.”
“Me too,” I said, my throat tightening. “I love Charlie, Nova. With everything I have.”
Her smile deepened, and she reached out to touch my arm lightly. “I’m so happy for you. For doing it for yourself.” Shehesitated, her expression shifting into something regretful. “ I should have told you about Scar earlier. I should have tried harder?—”
I shook my head. “You did what you had to do. Honestly, any earlier, and I don’t know if I could’ve been the dad I want to be for her today. You did the right thing for Scarlette. You protected her when I couldn’t, and I’ll never forget that.”
Her tears returned, but this time they came with a quiet relief. “Thank you.” She shifted on her feet. “I, uh, I want you to see Scarlette, but I’d like to avoid the courts. I just... I think maybe we could take it slow.”
