chapter six :The Visit

The knock came just after nine that night. Gabriel Vega almost didn’t answer it. He had just gotten Elias into bed, after reading two chapters of a book about dinosaurs and he knew Adrian won’t back down, and the last thing he wanted was another argument. But the knocking came again firm, steady, the kind that told him who it was before he even opened the door.

Gabriel inhaled deeply and unlocked the door.

Adrian Knight stood there, coat draped over one arm, eyes raw and tired. For once, he didn’t look like the man who owned boardrooms and walked red carpets. He looked like a man who had been stripped of every thing he hold dear

“Gabriel,” Adrian said softly.

Gabriel looked so tired he said . “It’s late.

“I know. But I couldn’t leave things the way they were

You should have

For a moment, neither moved. Then Adrian’s eyes flickered past him, into his cozy apartment where a small pair of sneakers lay by the couch. “Please,” Adrian whispered. “Let me in “ almost looking lie a lost puppy..

Gabriel sighed, stepped aside, and let him into the house .

The apartment had a faint smell of soap and Elias’s crayons. Toys were tucked in a corner basket, a blanket draped over the couch. Adrian paused, his eyes catching on every small sign of a child’s life he had missed.

“Where is he?” Adrian asked quietly.

Sleeping ..Gabriel closed the door, leaning against it. “And you’re not waking him

Adrian nodded quickly. “Of course. I just His voice caught. “I need to know him, Gabriel. I need to understand what I missed. Adrian for the first felt vulnerable

Gabriel’s eyes softened but only a little. “Seven years, Adrian. Do you understand how long that is?

Adrian swallowed hard. “Too long. And it kills me every time I think about it. I didn’t know you kept him from me...

Gabriel let out a bitter laugh. Don’t twist this. I told you we had someone was willing to carry our child ..But you chose what’s best for you

“That’s not fair.” Adrian’s voice rose, then fell again. “You knew what I was going through. My family,my father, threatened everything. My career, my inheritance, my safety. I was scared.

There you go again Adrian “And you think I wasn’t??? Gabriel shot back, his chest heaving. “You think I wanted to raise a baby alone? You think I didn’t cry every night, begging you to come back, praying you’d change your mind? But you didn’t. You left, Adrian. And I had no choice but to protect Elias from that...knowing fully well who your family is

Adrian’s throat worked. He lowered himself onto the couch like his legs couldn’t carry him. “I thought you’d be better off without me.. That’s why I stayed clear

Gabriel crossed his arms. “Better off? I was just twenty , Adrian. Twenty with nothing but a scholarship and a heartbeat inside me. I gave up school, jobs, friends everything because suddenly it was just me and him against the world. Do you know what that felt like?

Adrian closed his eyes. “No. But I can imagine.

No, you can’t. Gabriel’s voice cracked. You weren’t there when he cried for hours and I didn’t know why. You weren’t there when I couldn’t afford his medicine, when I skipped meals so he could eat. You weren’t there when people looked at me like a mistake, whispering about how stupid I was to believe in you.

Adrian flinched at every word, but he didn’t argue.

Silence stretched until the soft hum of the fridge filled it. Gabriel turned away, gripping the edge of the counter, shoulders shaking...The memories all came back

You broke me, he whispered. “And I had to put myself back together because Elias needed me whole.

Adrian rose slowly and stepped closer, but not too close. I’m sorry, Gabriel. More sorry than words will ever cover. If I could take it back, if I turn back the hands of time I would. But I can’t. All I can do now is do what I can for him now that I am here

Gabriel wiped at his eyes, though tears still clung. “And what happens when it gets hard again? When the pressure comes, when your family threatens, when the spotlight burns too bright? Will you run again like you did 7 years ago

Adrian’s gaze didn’t waver. “No. Not this time. I lost seven years with my son. I refuse to lose one more day.

A soft sound broke the air a creak, a small yawn. Both men turned.

At the hallway entrance stood Elias, rubbing his eyes, his dinosaur blanket dragging behind him. “Papa?” he mumbled.

Gabriel’s heart stuttered. “Eli, what are you doing up? You should be sleeping. Gabriel gave him a hug ..

“I heard voices,” Elias said. His eyes drifted to Adrian, curious, unafraid. Who’s that?”

Adrian’s breath hitched. He dropped to one knee, tears brimming. “I’m Adrian,” he whispered. I’m…your dad.”

Elias blinked, tilting his head. “My other dad?

Gabriel froze, then nodded. “Yes, cariño. The one I told you about.

The boy padded closer, blanket trailing, and studied Adrian’s face. “You came back? ..his eyes lighted with delight

Adrian’s tears spilled freely now. “Yes. I came back. And I’m never leaving again...giving him a hug

Elias considered this, then smiled a little. Do you know about dinosaurs?

Adrian let out a shaky laugh. “I know a little. But maybe you can teach me?

Elias beamed, the innocent forgiveness of a child shining in his eyes. He reached out and placed his small hand on Adrian’s cheek. Okay

Gabriel’s throat closed, watching them. A part of him wanted to push Adrian away, to guard Elias from future heartbreak. But another part the tired, aching part saw hope in his son’s smile.

Elias yawned again, and Gabriel guided him back toward the bedroom. “Come on, Eli. Back to sleep.”

The boy climbed into bed, clutching his blanket. Before Gabriel could tuck him in, Elias looked at Adrian lingering in the doorway.

“Can he read me a story?Elias asked.

Gabriel hesitated, torn, then nodded slowly. Just one story ok .

Adrian sat on the edge of the bed, picking up the dinosaur book. His voice wavered at first, but soon steadied as Elias looked so calm . He read about a gentle brontosaurus while Gabriel leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, eyes damp.

When the story ended, Elias drifted to sleep, his small hand still clutching Adrian’s sleeve. Adrian stared at him for a long moment, then gently laid the book aside and brushed a kiss against his son’s curls.

Back in the living room, Adrian whispered, Thank you For letting me read to him.”

Gabriel’s face was unreadable. “

Don’t thank me. Prove to me this isn’t temporary. Prove it to me that you wont leave again

Adrian met his gaze steadily. “I won’t Thats a promise

Gabriel studied him for a long beat, then finally sank onto the couch beside him. For the first time in years, there was no yelling, no accusations just two in love , sitting side by side in the quiet, with a sleeping child in the next room.

And maybe, just maybe, a chance to start again...