Chapter 13 - THE FOURTH BIRTHDAY WE ALMOST MISSED
The boys' fifth birthday arrived in spring.
Their first birthday with both parents.
Sofia planned everything.
Balloons.
Cake.
Games.
A backyard full of flowers.
And four separate birthday cakes because Gabriel insisted identical brothers deserved different flavors.
Luca chose chocolate.
Gabriel chose strawberry.
Nico chose vanilla.
Mateo chose lemon.
The house filled with laughter.
Friends.
Family.
Children from their new preschool.
And Elena, who cried when the boys blew out their candles.
After the party, Sofia and I sat beneath the old oak tree.
The boys played nearby.
She leaned against me.
“Do you ever think about the years we lost?”
I nodded.
“Every day.”
Her eyes filled.
“Me too.”
I took her hand.
“But we have today.”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
We watched Luca help Mateo tie his shoes.
Gabriel chase butterflies.
Nico sing to himself.
Four boys.
Four lives.
Four miracles.
Sofia looked at me.
“Are you happy?”
I smiled.
“More than I ever thought possible.”
She laughed softly.
“You used to say happiness was dangerous.”
I nodded.
“I was wrong.”
She kissed my cheek.
“Good.”
That evening, Mateo approached carrying a small box.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
He held it out.
“Present.”
I smiled.
“For me?”
He nodded.
Inside was a plastic ring.
Blue.
Too small for my finger.
I stared.
“What's this?”
Mateo grinned.
“A daddy ring.”
I laughed.
“What does it do?”
He thought carefully.
“It means you stay.”
My throat tightened.
I looked at him.
Then slipped the ring onto my little finger.
“I'll keep it.”
Mateo smiled.
“Forever?”
I swallowed.
“As long as I can.”
And for the first time, I understood that the most valuable thing in my house wasn't gold.
Or money.
May you like
Or power.
It was a cheap blue plastic ring given by a little boy who wanted his father to stay.
