Batman versus The Joker. Thor fighting Loki. The detail is stunning.
He did this in two days. Listened to every random comment I made about Austin’s obsessions and turned it into this.
Austin rushes to explore, finding a toy chest overflowing with action figures and stuffed animals, a Lego table loaded with hundreds of colorful bricks, and a chalkboard mounted perfectly at his height.
I catch Alessio glancing between Austin’s excitement and my expression. There’s something almost vulnerable in the way he’s watching, like he needs to know he got this right.
“This is the coolest room ever!” Austin shouts, already digging through the toys.
“Glad you approve,” Alessio says, taking my hand. His fingers intertwine with mine as we watch Austin examine the mural like it’s the Sistine Chapel.
I can barely speak. When’s the last time anyone went to this much trouble for my son?
“You outdid yourself,” I manage.
“My boy deserves it.”
My boy.Those two simple words make my throat tight.
“Ready to see our room?” Alessio asks.
Our room. Right. I hadn’t thought about the logistics.
“We’re sharing?”
“Only got two bedrooms. Unless you want to bunk with Captain America over there.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll pass on the superhero sleepover.” I follow him across the hall, leaving Austin to his new kingdom.
The primary suite stretches out before us, impossibly large. A king bed dominates the space with its charcoal bedding and dark wooden frame, matching the expensive furniture scattered throughout. Those same floor-to-ceiling windows stretch along the far wall.
There’s even a sitting area with chairs and a couch. Like a hotel suite.
Alessio opens the bathroom door, revealing something from a magazine spread. Soaking tub, glass shower, double sinks. His toiletries cluster around one sink, leaving the other completely empty.
“That one’s yours,” he gestures. “Cleared out space in the closet and dresser too.”
I stare at the empty sink. He’s not just letting us crash here temporarily. He’s making room for us to actually live.
The thought should make me happy, but it scares me instead. I’ve built my life around someone else’s generosity before. When they change their mind, and they always do, you’re shit out of luck.
“You don’t have to do all this,” I say carefully.
“Want to.” His voice is matter-of-fact. “Besides, I told you I’d take care of you both. I meant it.”
The words hang between us, weighted with a promise I want desperately to believe. Before I can respond, Austin wanders in, glancing around with curious eyes.
“It’s really dark in here.”
He’s right. Despite the sunlight streaming through those massive windows, the dark floors and furniture make everything feel like a cave.
“Good point.” I nod. “Very vampirey.”
“Feel free to change whatever you want,” Alessio says.
I study his face for signs he’s just saying what he thinks I want to hear. “Seriously?”
“I want you to be comfortable. Besides, I like your style.”
