Chapter 12 - THE FATHER WHO LEARNED TO LISTEN
Luca turned one on a bright spring morning.
The Moretti estate was filled with balloons.
Not hundreds.
Just enough.
Emma had insisted on keeping the celebration small.
“He doesn't need a ballroom,” she told Adrian. “He needs people who love him.”
Adrian had smiled.
“You really hate my ballrooms.”
“Only when you put babies in them.”
The party was held in the garden.
Margaret the nanny attended.
Daniel Ross brought a ridiculous stuffed giraffe.
Rachel arrived with homemade cupcakes.
Adrian's sister, Bianca, flew in from Boston.
And Luca spent most of the afternoon trying to eat wrapping paper.
Adrian watched his son crawl across a blanket.
Emma sat nearby.
“He's getting fast,” she said.
Adrian nodded.
“Terrifyingly fast.”
Luca reached for a toy.
Adrian moved to help.
Emma touched his arm.
“Wait.”
He stopped.
Luca stretched.
Grunted.
Reached again.
Then grabbed the toy himself.
Emma smiled.
“See?”
Adrian laughed softly.
“He did it.”
“He did.”
Adrian looked at her.
“You keep teaching me things.”
Emma shrugged.
“Mostly to slow down.”
He smiled.
“That may be the hardest lesson.”
That evening, after the guests left, Adrian carried Luca upstairs.
He changed his diaper.
Put him into pajamas.
Read him a story.
And rocked him until he fell asleep.
Emma watched from the doorway.
Adrian looked up.
“What?”
She smiled.
“Nothing.”
“You're staring.”
“I know.”
He looked down at Luca.
“I'm getting better.”
Emma nodded.
“You are.”
Adrian's expression softened.
“I used to think being a good father meant keeping danger away.”
Emma waited.
“Now I think it also means being someone he isn't afraid to come to.”
May you like
Her eyes filled.
“That's a good start.”
