PART 17: THE FIRST WORD
PART 17: THE FIRST WORD
We returned home to the bay house just as the first stars appeared in the night sky.
The babysitter had already put Mateo to bed, his small form curled up safely beneath his favorite blue fleece blanket.
Alejandro and I walked into the nursery together, standing over his crib in the quiet dark.
Suddenly, Mateo shifted, his hazel eyes fluttering open.
He looked up at Alejandro, then at me, his small face breaking into a wide, toothless grin.
He raised his tiny hand, pointing directly at Alejandro's chest.
"Da," he squeaked softly.
Alejandro froze, his breath catching in his throat as a tear of pure, unmitigated joy slipped down his cheek.
He dropped to his knees beside the crib, gently taking our son's tiny hand in his massive palm.
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"Yeah, buddy," Alejandro choked out, his voice thick with emotion. "Daddy’s here. Daddy’s always going to be here."
I knelt beside him, wrapping my arms around my husband’s shoulders, the circle of our protection complete.
