The Runaway bride

TheFragilebeginningsoftrust

The evening air was cool, and they all went into the living room. Max sat on the couch awkwardly, unsure if he was a visitor or something more. He hadn't been in their world for the past five years.

Eli sat on the floor with his crayons scattered all over the floor. His eyes looked up at Max every minute in curiosity. Max watched him too, looking at every detail in his face while he smiled.

Linda entered the kitchen, cleaning up her hands with a towel. "He's waiting for you," she said. He knows something is coming, kids feel these things. Max looked up, it was clear he was scared but determined. They both turned to Eli. Hey buddy, Maxwell said gently, can I talk to you for a minute? Eli put down his crayon and books. Are you going to tell me who you really are? He asked.

"What do you mean," Max asked. You look like me. Mum gets quiet when you're around.

Linda was amazed. Her son had figured it out better than they expected.

"I think you're my Daddy," Eli continued, looking at Max straight in his face.

Maxwell said calmly, yes. I am. Eli stared at him.

i didn't know about you, Max continued, but now that I do, I want to be here. I want to be part of your life, if you let me.

Then Eli looked at him and said, can a father still be a father when he's late?

"I don't want to be late anymore, "Maxwell said," Please let me be your father again". Then Eli handed over his crayon to him. Color with me then, he said.

And just like that, it began.

Later that night, after Eli had fallen asleep, the whole house was quiet. "I didn't expect him to accept me so fast," Max said. He's always been like that, Linda said. Strong spirit and open-minded. He got that from you. "You were scared, but you raised a good kid, Linda, you did everything to protect him," Max said. And now, Linda said, he finally has what I couldn't give him for years. His Father.

"You can spend the night here," Linda added, until you figure things out. He was happy but uncertain if he should actually spend the night. Eli will be expecting you tomorrow. Are you okay with that? Max asked. Linda was quiet for a moment. "I didn't know where this would lead to," she said, but I didn't want to run anymore. Max was relieved by her words, and gradually started getting comfortable and accepted. Everything was beginning to make sense and the bond was getting stronger again.

Very early the next morning, Eli worked him up on the couch. "Daddy, you sleep too much" he said, hitting him playfully on his head with his tiny fingers. Max jumped up from the couch immediately with a wide smile:" Daddy is tired, my boy, don't mind me. Linda was already preparing breakfast.

Little by little, the family came back together emotionally and physically.