Chapter 13 - THE BOY WHO GAVE HIS PERMISSION
That evening, I sat with Ethan in the library.
He was reading.
Or pretending to.
I knew the difference.
“Ethan.”
He looked up.
“Yes?”
“Grace asked me something today.”
“I heard.”
I nodded.
He closed his book.
“Do you want to marry Isabella?”
I considered.
“I care about her.”
He looked down.
“Do you love her?”
I was silent.
Then answered honestly.
“I think I'm beginning to.”
Ethan nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
I leaned forward.
“How do you feel about that?”
He shrugged.
“I don't know.”
I waited.
Finally, he whispered:
“What if you have a new family and don't need me anymore?”
My heart broke.
I moved beside him.
“Ethan.”
He looked away.
I gently took his hand.
“You are my son.”
His eyes filled.
“Forever?”
“Forever.”
He swallowed.
“And Mom?”
I looked toward the photograph of my late wife on the mantel.
“Your mother will always be part of our family.”
Ethan stared at the picture.
Then whispered:
“Would she be mad?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
He considered that.
Then said:
“She always wanted us to be happy.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
He leaned against me.
After a long silence, he whispered:
“I like Isabella.”
I smiled.
“And the girls?”
He sighed.
“Most of them.”
I laughed.
“Which one don't you like?”
“Olivia.”
“Because she beats you at racing?”
He groaned.
“Dad.”
I laughed harder.
May you like
Then Ethan smiled.
And something inside our house began to feel less empty.
