I offered him a quick, shaky smile before opening the door, my heart in my throat.
It smelled amazing inside. Old memories of coming home from classes to Rosalie and Enzo making dinner together tumbled through my head. I used to walk into our home to findhim kissing her as dinner simmered away on the stove. I’d join in, claiming her with him.
This wasn’t that world, and we weren’t those people anymore, but fuck, I wanted those moments back so fucking much.
Cole was standing next to Rosalie in the kitchen as they whispered to one another, his hand on her at every opportunity. Small touches, sweet words. I knew Cole. He was giving it his all.
And fuck, did she look beautiful. All those long, vibrant, red curls tumbling around her. Pink lips. Long, dark lashes. That fucking little yellow sundress.
They hadn’t even noticed we’d come in. That’s how lost in their own little world they were.
I looked down at Laz, who stared back at Rosalie with his eyes wide and his lips parted.
I chuckled softly at his reaction.
He pulled his focus from her and stared at me in awe.
“She’s really pretty, huh?” I asked softly.
He looked away from me and went back to staring at her, his little lips still parted and his eyes still big. He’d seen her all over the papers and on TV. I figured it was a shock to find out she was real, and we knew her.
“Hey!” Cole called out, noticing us. “Damn, man. I didn’t even hear you guys come in!”
He moved around the counter and came at us. He clapped me on the back before scooping Laz into his arms.
“How’s my little dude tonight? You being a good boy for Dad?”
Laz was still in focus mode on Rosalie. Cole followed his gaze, a grin on his face.
“You do well in life, and you can get a pretty girl just like her. I promise you that. Do you want to meet her?”
Laz gave the tiniest little nod, and Cole’s eyes lit up at the gesture. My heart jumped into my throat as Cole placed Laz back on his feet. Laz’s hand found mine, and he gripped it hard as Rosalie moved around the island just as Enzo came into the room from his office. He stayed in the background, not saying a word as Rosalie walked toward us.
Her green eyes skirted over my face before she looked down at Laz, who stared at her, still in awe.
I watched as her bottom lip trembled and tears filled her eyes.
Fuck, no, baby… please don’t cry.
I know. He should be our son. Fuck.
I was going to throw up.
Enzo’s warm hand found mine, and I clung to it, my heart pounding hard as Rosalie went to her knees in front of Laz.
“Hey, I’m Rosalie,” she said softly. “You must be Lazarus. Your daddies have told me so much about you. I’m so happy to finally meet you.”
He loosened his hold on my hand and took a step toward her. We all watched as he reached out and wiped gently at the tear that had slipped down Rosalie’s cheek.
She closed her eyes as his little fingers brushed against her skin.
He continued to not say a word as he stared at her, so many questions on his little face, but no words.
“Who is your favorite Ninja Turtle?” she asked, her voice slightly shaky. This was hard for her. I could tell, but she was so fucking strong.
But it shouldn’t have had to be this way.
He should be our son.
