Page 39 of The One Who Risked it All

“Whoa there, buddy,” I said, ducking to avoid decapitation by plastic brick. “Let’s get that masterpiece to a safe landing pad, okay?”

The boys’ boundless energy was contagious, momentarily pushing thoughts of Eli to the back of my mind. As Linc regaled me with a detailed description of their intergalactic adventure, complete with sound effects, I found myself genuinely smiling.

“...and then the alien queen was all like, ‘Pew pew pew!’” Linc exclaimed, bouncing on the couch.

“Sounds like quite the battle.” I laughed, fishing LEGO pieces out from under the couch.

As I helped Joey wiggle into his coat, my traitorous mind drifted back to Eli. The way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, how his strong hands had felt on my legs on the couch.

No. I shook my head, banishing those thoughts. I’d built up walls for a reason. No matter how much my heart did an eager little dance around him, I couldn’t let myself get hurt again. Last night was just a fluke. I should have listened to my instincts.

I spent the rest of the day firmly entrenched in the boys’ space adventures – and avoiding too much interaction with Eli.

“Aunt Carla?” Joey’s voice snapped me back to reality. “Can you tell us a story?” I’d successfully made it to bedtime without crying. I guess Operation Don’t-Let-Eli-Know-He-Broke-My-Heart: The Sequel was a rousing success.

I ruffled his hair, pushing aside my inner turmoil. “Of course, sweetie. Let’s get you tucked in first.”

As I settled onto the edge of Linc’s bed, both boys snuggled under their covers, I heard footsteps in the hallway. My pulse quickened, knowing it was Eli, probably coming to say good night.

I took a deep breath to steady myself. I might not be able to control how I felt, but I could control how I acted. And right now, these boys needed a bedtime story, not the mess of emotions swirling inside me.

“Once upon a time,” I began, my voice steady, “in a galaxy far, far away...”

Eli ducked into the room, and my heart did a little flutter despite my best efforts. I kept my focus on the boys, determined not to let his presence derail me.

“Hey, munchkins,” Eli’s warm voice filled the room. “Room for one more at story time?”

“Uncle Eli!” Joey squealed, his arms flailing with excitement. “We’re gonna hear ‘bout space heroes!”

I glanced up, catching Eli’s eye for a brief moment. His smile seemed genuine, but there was tension in his shoulders that hadn’t been there earlier. He perched on the edge of Joey’s bed, and I couldn’t help but notice how his presence seemed to fill the small room.

“Space heroes, huh?” Eli grinned, ruffling Joey’s hair. “Sounds like my kind of story. You guys are gonna grow up to be real-life heroes someday, aren’t you?”

Alex puffed out his chest. “I’m gonna be a firefighter like you and Daddy.”

“That so?” Eli’s eyes twinkled. “Well, you better listen to Miss Carla’s story then. Firefighters need to be good listeners.”

I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the warmth that spread through me at Eli’s easy way with the boys. It was moments like these that made it so hard to keep my distance. I launched backinto the story, weaving a tale of brave space explorers and daring rescues.

As I spoke, my hands moved of their own accord, helping Joey into his pajama top. My fingers fumbled with the buttons, my mind split between the story and the man sitting just a few feet away. I couldn’t help but wonder – if things had been different, could this have been our life? Eli and me, putting our own children to bed?

I pushed the thought away, focusing on Joey’s giggles as I tickled his tummy. “And then,” I continued, “the brave captain had to make a choice...”

I felt Eli’s eyes on me as I spun the tale, his gaze like a physical touch. Every time I glanced his way, he was there, drinking in the scene with an intensity that made my heart skip. Stop it, Carla, I scolded myself. He’s not the settling-down type, remember?

“What happened next, Miss Carla?” Linc bounced on the bed, his eyes wide with excitement.

I smiled, pushing my conflicted feelings aside. “Well, the captain had to choose between saving his crew or rescuing the alien princess.”

“Save the princess!” Joey shouted, nearly toppling off the bed in his enthusiasm.

Eli chuckled, steadying the boy with a gentle hand. “Easy there, space cadet. What do you think, Alex? Crew or princess?”

As the boys debated the captain’s dilemma, I couldn’t help but notice how Eli had inched closer, our knees almost touching as we sat on the edge of the bed. The proximity sent a jolt through me, and I struggled to keep my voice steady.

“In the end,” I continued, “the captain found a way to save everyone.”

“Just like a real hero,” Eli murmured, his eyes meeting mine for a brief, electric moment.

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