Page 75 of Madness

"I think it's time to head home," Lauren says, noticing Roman's yawns.

On the walk back, Roman insists on riding on my shoulders. His small hands rest on my head, and I hold onto his legs, ensuring he's secure. Lauren walks beside us, her hand occasionally brushing against mine.

Back at the house, Roman is barely awake. "Can Dakota tuck me in?" he asks sleepily.

Lauren and I exchange a glance. "Of course, buddy," I say, my throat tight with emotion.

As I tuck Roman into bed, he looks up at me with heavy-lidded eyes. "I'm glad you're back, Dakota," he mumbles.

"Me too, buddy," I whisper, smoothing his hair. "Me too."

When I return to the living room, Lauren is waiting for me on the couch. I sit next to her, and she immediately curls into my side.

"Thank you for today," she says softly.

I press a kiss to the top of her head. "No, thank you. For giving me another chance. For letting me be a part of your lives again."

Lauren looks up at me, her eyes shining. "Our lives, Dakota. You're a part of our lives."

As we sit there, the evening light fades around us, and I feel a sense of peace I haven't known in months. There's still a lot to figure out, I know. But right here, right now, with Lauren in my arms and Roman sleeping peacefully down the hall, I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

46

YOU ARE IN LOVE

LAUREN

The kitchen table is covered in textbooks and notes, my laptop screen glowing with half-finished flashcards. I rub my eyes, trying to focus on the intricate details of cellular respiration. From the living room, I hear the muffled sounds of a cartoon, punctuated by Roman's giggles and Dakota's deep chuckle.

I can't help but smile. This has become our new normal over the past few weeks - me studying while Dakota and Roman have their "guy time" before bed. It's a rhythm we've fallen into naturally, and it works.

Glancing up from my notes, I catch Dakota's eye over Roman's head. He gives me a soft smile, one that still makes my heart skip a beat. I return it, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. We've come so far in such a short time.

As the cartoon ends, Dakota stretches and ruffles Roman's hair. "Alright, buddy. Time for bed."

"Aww, can't we watch one more?" Roman pleads, his best puppy-dog eyes on full display.

Dakota chuckles, immune to the charm. "Nice try, but you know the rules. Come on, let's get you tucked in."

After Roman gives me a kiss goodnight, I watch as Dakota scoops him up, my son's laughter echoing down the hallway. The sound of their voices fades as they disappear into Roman's room, leaving me with a moment of quiet.

I try to return to my studies but find myself straining to hear their muffled conversation instead. After a few minutes, Dakota's voice becomes clearer, and I realize he's telling Roman a bedtime story.

"Once upon a time," Dakota begins, his voice taking on a playful, theatrical tone, "there was a brave knight named Sir Roman the Fearless..."

I can't help but smile, imagining Roman's wide-eyed excitement at being the hero of the tale. Dakota weaves a fantastical story of dragons and magical quests, his voice rising and falling with the action. I find myself drawn in, my studies forgotten as I listen to the adventure unfold.

As the story comes to a close, I hear Dakota's voice soften. "And Sir Roman returned home, where he was greeted by his loving family. They were so proud of his bravery and kindness. The end."

There's a moment of silence, then Roman's sleepy voice: "That was a good story, Dakota. Can you tell me another one tomorrow?"

"You bet, buddy," Dakota replies. "Sweet dreams."

I quickly return to my books as I hear Dakota's footsteps approaching. He enters the kitchen, a soft smile on his face.

"He's out like a light," Dakota says, coming to stand behind me. His hands rest on my shoulders, gently massaging the tension away. "How's the studying going?"

I lean back into his touch, sighing contentedly. "It's going. Though I have to admit, I got a bit distracted by Sir Roman's adventure."

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