The morning began with the soft rustle of Eli's footsteps on the hardwood floor. Aria had already been up for half an hour, sitting at the kitchen table with her fingers wrapped around a warm mug, her thoughts not quite settled but not entirely restless either.
"Morning, Mom," Eli yawned, rubbing one eye as he shuffled into the kitchen in his dinosaur pajamas.
"Morning, sweetheart," she said, reaching out to ruffle his messy curls. "Did Thunder sleep well?"
Eli nodded seriously. "He had a dream about flying."
"Flying tigers. Now that's new," Aria said with a soft chuckle.
"He says he's brave enough to try anything," Eli added, climbing onto his usual chair.
"Thunder's becoming quite the adventurer."
Eli grabbed a napkin and folded it. "He wants to build wings next. Maybe with cardboard. Can we do that later?"
"Sure," Aria said, sipping her tea. "After breakfast. And after a few chores."
"Ugh, chores," Eli groaned dramatically. "Thunder says they should be illegal."
"Tell Thunder to take it up with Parliament," she said with a smirk.
It was becoming a rhythm now—this quiet sense of anticipation that sat just beneath her skin. Elias would be arriving soon. She didn't check the clock, didn't open her phone. She didn't have to anymore.
At 9:03, the doorbell rang.
Eli shot up from his chair, nearly knocking it over. "He's here!"
"Easy," Aria called as he dashed toward the door.
She didn't rush to follow. Letting it all settle into something… normal.
"Dad!" Eli greeted, wrapping his arms around Elias's legs before the door was even fully open.
"Hey, buddy," Elias said, lifting him in one swoop. "I've got news. Thunder is officially getting his comic series."
Eli's eyes widened. "You drew it?!"
"Well, I had a little help from someone at the office who's good with illustrations. We made a few pages together," Elias replied.
"Can I see it? Now?"
"Of course. But first—" He held up a small paper bag like it was a treasure chest. "The bribe."
"Is it muffins?!" Eli guessed excitedly.
"Better. Mini donuts with chocolate glaze."
Eli squealed and bolted back inside. "I'll get the plates!"
Elias stepped into the kitchen, his gaze finding Aria's as she set her mug down.
"Morning," he said, voice soft.
"Morning."
He placed the bag on the table. "Peace offering."
"I didn't know there was a war," she replied, arching a brow.
"Well... just in case," he said, sitting across from her.
Their eyes lingered for a beat before settling on the steaming mugs between them.
They were getting used to this dance—this quiet rebuilding. Not forcing anything. Just letting the spaces between them fill naturally.
"You didn't have to bring donuts," Aria said.
"Maybe. But I wanted to. He asked for sprinkles, but the bakery was out. I offered my soul in exchange, but they weren't moved."
She laughed, short and real. "You're persistent."
"I'm learning from the best," Elias said, nodding toward her.
Eli returned, dramatically placing three plates on the table like a waiter in training. "Breakfast of champions!"
He climbed into his seat, reaching for a donut. "Did you taste one already, Dad?"
"I waited. Barely," Elias replied.
They all sat together, Eli munching enthusiastically and retelling Thunder's dream about flying through rainstorms and saving cities.
"And then, he landed on top of the tallest building and waved a flag with a lightning bolt," Eli said, gesturing wildly. "He saved everyone from the Evil Fog Monster."
"Evil Fog Monster?" Aria echoed.
"Yeah! He steals memories. Thunder made him sneeze and all the memories came back."
Elias leaned in, impressed. "That's genius. I love it. The sneeze thing? That's next-level superhero stuff."
"You think so?" Eli asked, puffing his chest a bit.
"I know so," Elias affirmed. "I mean, if you don't write that into the next comic, I'm staging a protest."
Eli grinned. "Okay! I'll put it in Thunder and the Lost City."
Aria glanced at Elias over the rim of her cup, catching the gentle pride in his expression as he listened to their son. Something in her chest tugged.
After breakfast, Aria cleared the plates while Elias helped Eli fold the comic pages he brought into a makeshift "book." It was messy, uneven, and perfect.
"I want to take it to school," Eli said, smoothing the top page.
"Let's wait till we print it on real paper," Elias suggested. "Maybe get it laminated."
"Can we do that today?" Eli asked, looking between them.
Elias looked at Aria. "What do you think?"
She wiped her hands on a dish towel. "If you two are up for a trip to the print shop, go ahead."
"You're not coming?" Eli asked, frowning.
"I've got a few errands. I'll join you after."
There was a beat of silence, Eli glancing at her curiously.
"Can't you come now?" he pressed.
"I'll catch up," she promised, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. "I'll meet you there."
Elias stepped in smoothly. "Alright, kiddo. You and me—Thunder's creative team."
"I'm the boss," Eli declared proudly.
"You've always been the boss," Elias replied, laughing.
They left after a while, Eli bouncing with excitement and hugging his comic to his chest. Aria watched them go from the doorway before retreating into the quiet house.
She folded laundry. Watered the plants. Replied to emails. But her mind wandered more than she admitted. Not just to Elias, but to herself.
To the version of her that had once loved fiercely and fallen harder. And to the one now, sitting in the aftermath, unsure whether healing meant letting go or letting someone back in.
When she arrived at the print shop, Eli was already holding a neatly stapled version of his comic, showing it off to the print technician like it was a national treasure.
"I made this," he said proudly. "My mom and dad helped."
Aria's heart clenched.
She smiled. "Looks amazing, buddy."
Elias looked up at her, a quiet look in his eyes. "He wouldn't stop talking about it."
"We make a good team," Eli said, flipping the pages for her. "See? Thunder even has his logo."
"Impressive," Aria said, crouching beside him.
Elias stood close. "He wants to write another one. Already has a title."
"Oh?" Aria glanced up.
"Thunder and the Lost City," Elias said, grinning.
"I like the ambition," she replied.
"I'll help," she added after a pause.
Eli beamed. "Yes! You can help with the words. Daddy can draw. And Thunder will be the director."
"That sounds about right," Elias said.
On the walk home, Eli held both their hands again, swinging between them as they walked. It was instinct now.
"Mom?" Eli looked up.
"Yeah, baby?"
"Do you think Thunder could be in a real movie one day?"
"I don't see why not," she said. "He already has the storyline."
"And the merch," Elias added, holding up the comic book.
Eli giggled. "Thunder is gonna be famous!"
When they got home, Elias hung back as Eli dashed inside to shelve his comic next to his picture books.
"I didn't mean to overstep," Elias said quietly, watching the boy disappear.
"You didn't," Aria replied, unlocking the door.
"He kept saying 'my mom and dad helped' like it was... like we're already—"
"I know," she said, gently cutting in.
They stood there for a second too long, the air between them thick but not heavy.
"I'm trying not to rush this," Elias admitted. "But every day, it feels harder not to hope."
Aria looked up at him. "Hope isn't the problem."
"Then what is?" he asked.
She didn't answer. Not yet.
Instead, she tilted her head slightly. "Are you free tomorrow?"
His brows lifted. "Yeah. Yeah, I am."
"There's a book fair near the university. Eli might like it. Thought maybe we could all go."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Like a family trip?"
"Don't label it," she said quickly. "Just... a day out."
"Okay," he said, his voice warm. "A day out."
He stepped back. "I'll see you then."
As he turned and walked away, Aria watched him for a second, then closed the door gently behind her.
"Mom!" Eli's voice called from the hallway. "Thunder wants to wear a cape tomorrow!"
Aria smiled to herself. "Of course he does."