"I love you too."
"Come on.Let's get him to bed properly."
I shift carefully and lift Warren.He makes a small sound but doesn't wake.Just curls into me.
Enya leads the way to his room.Pulls back the covers.I lay Warren down gently.She tucks him in.Kisses his forehead.
As we turn to leave, Warren mumbles sleepily, "Night, Daddy."
Everything stops.
Enya freezes, hand flying to her mouth, tears spilling immediately.
I can't move.Can't breathe.Can't process.
Daddy.
He called me Daddy.
Warren's already asleep again.He doesn't even know he said it.Just...did.
Enya pulls me out of the room, into the hallway.She's crying.Smiling.Both at once.
"He called you...Did you hear?"
"Yeah.I heard."
"He sees you as his father."
The words hit like a physical blow.In the best way.In the most terrifying way.
"I don't.I'm not.I haven't earned that yet."
"Yes, you have."She holds my face."You've been more of a father to him in two weeks than Declan ever was in five years.He feels safe with you.Loved by you.Protected by you.That's what matters."
"What if I fuck it up?"
"You won't.And if you do, we'll figure it out.Together."
"He called me Daddy," I say again, like I need to hear it.Need to make it real.
"He did.Because that's what you are now.Whether you're ready or not."
I pull her close.Hold her tight.Let the reality sink in.
I'm not just Tank anymore.Not just a brother.Not just Enya's man.
I'm Warren's father.
The weight of it is enormous.Crushing.
But also right.
"We should go to bed," Enya whispers.
"Yeah.Okay."
We leave Warren's door cracked and move to her room.Climb into bed together.
