Damien POV
Dinner with my son was simultaneously the best and most terrifying experience of my life.
Noah was brilliant—there was no other word for it. He chattered constantly about everything from dinosaurs to space travel to why chocolate ice cream was scientifically superior to vanilla. He had Aria's intelligence and quick wit, but also a warmth and openness that neither of us possessed. Somehow, despite everything, she'd raised a happy, confident child who wasn't afraid to love freely.
"Daddy, do you like space?" Noah asked around a mouthful of pizza.
"Noah, chew first," Aria corrected automatically, but she was smiling.
"I do like space," I said, finding myself relaxing into the conversation in a way I never relaxed with anyone. "Do you want to be an astronaut when you grow up?"
"Maybe!" Noah swung his legs under his chair. "Or a dinosaur scientist. Or a pizza maker. I haven't decided yet."
"You have plenty of time to figure it out," I assured him.
