PART 10
Autumn arrived,
painting the trees outside their home in brilliant shades of amber,
crimson,
and gold.
It was a significant milestone for the family,
as Ethan was officially starting his first week at a local playgroup.
Emma stood by the front door,
holding a tiny backpack shaped like a dinosaur,
her knuckles white from gripping the fabric.
The trauma of almost losing him as an infant made every separation feel like a mountain.
Ryan noticed her anxiety,
gently placing his hands on her shoulders,
providing a solid wall of comfort.
"He is going to be perfectly safe,
Emma,
I checked the school security three times myself."
She laughed nervously,
leaning back into his chest,
allowing herself to rely on his strength.
"I know,
I am just being ridiculous,
it is only three hours."
"It is not ridiculous at all,"
Ryan corrected gently,
kissing the top of her head.
"You loved him through the darkest times,
so it makes sense that letting go is hard."
They walked out together,
Ethan holding both of their hands,
swinging his legs happily between them as they walked down the sidewalk.
When they arrived at the classroom,
Ethan didn't even look back,
running straight to a pile of building blocks with the other children.
Emma gasped slightly,
a mixture of pride and bittersweet heartache washing over her face.
Ryan wrapped his arm around her waist,
pulling her close as they watched their son thrive.
"We did this,"
Ryan whispered,
acknowledging the joint effort it took to raise a happy child after a storm.
"You did this,
Ryan,"
Emma corrected softly,
May you like
looking up at him,
"You gave him a father who is actually here to see it."
