Aria stood in front of the kitchen counter, looking out the window as the sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across the room. The morning had a gentle stillness to it, and for the first time in a while, it felt like a moment where time didn't rush past her, demanding attention. For once, she wasn't constantly thinking ahead, worrying about what would come next.
It was a strange feeling—peace.
Eli was at school, and Elias had already left for work, his parting words still echoing in her mind: I'll see you tonight, okay?
She didn't respond then, too wrapped up in the weight of it all. But now, as she stood alone in the quiet house, she realized something important—something that had been creeping into her thoughts over the last few days.
Maybe they really could rebuild. Maybe they could take it slow, piece by piece like they'd both promised. There was no rush. There were no guarantees. But, as Elias had said, there was something worth fighting for. And that made all the difference.
The sound of the front door creaking open broke her reverie. She turned, recognizing the footsteps that echoed down the hallway. Elias was home early.
"Hey," she called out, her voice soft but warm.
Elias appeared in the doorway, a tired but relieved smile crossing his face. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"No, it's fine," she replied, motioning to the kitchen. "Just trying to figure out what to do with myself."
Elias chuckled, walking toward her. "I know that feeling. The rare quiet moments when there's nothing on the to-do list."
"Yeah," Aria said, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. "It's nice. I think I'm starting to get used to this... not having every minute planned."
"You deserve it," Elias said, leaning against the counter beside her. "You've had a lot on your plate, Aria. It's good to see you taking a breath."
Aria met his gaze, surprised at the sincerity in his voice. It was an effort she hadn't fully realized until now. He had been so patient with her, so understanding of her need for space. It made her heart ache a little.
"I'm trying," she said, offering him a smile. "One step at a time, right?"
"Exactly," Elias agreed, his voice low. "I meant what I said the other night, Aria. No pressure. No rush. Just... us, figuring things out."
She nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle in her chest. "I'm glad you're here. I didn't realize how much I missed... this. Having someone here. Someone I can talk to."
"I'm here, Aria," he said softly. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
The warmth in his words wrapped around her like a blanket, and for a moment, she felt the familiar stir of hope, the kind she had pushed away for so long. It was tentative and uncertain, but it was there.
"What's the plan for tonight?" she asked, eager to break the silence that seemed to stretch too long.
"I was thinking maybe we could make dinner together," Elias suggested. "Nothing fancy, just something simple. Maybe even make Eli's favorite—spaghetti and meatballs."
Aria chuckled. "Spaghetti again? That kid would eat it every day if we let him."
"Well, he's a fan of the classics. Can't blame him," Elias said, grinning. "And we can keep it light. You know, just spend the evening together. Maybe watch one of those superhero movies Eli's obsessed with."
It was a simple plan, but at that moment, it felt like everything they needed. No grand gestures, no heavy conversations. Just the two of them, together, as a family.
"Sounds perfect," she said, and for the first time in a long time, she felt her shoulders relax. It didn't have to be complicated. Just a few quiet moments with the people she loved.
Later that evening, as they sat around the kitchen table, the warmth of the meal filling the space between them, Aria felt the familiar rhythm of their family life settling in once again. Eli was talking about some new game he'd learned about at school, animatedly explaining the rules as if it were the most important discovery in the world.
"And then, you have to collect all the stars to level up," Eli was saying, his voice full of excitement. "It's all about strategy!"
Elias was laughing, leaning in to listen to every word as if he were genuinely fascinated. Aria watched them, her heart swelling with something she couldn't quite name.
They were building something. Slowly, carefully. She could feel it in the way Elias looked at her when he thought she wasn't paying attention, in the way Eli spoke so freely about his life, knowing both of them would listen.
She was starting to believe, just a little, that maybe this wasn't just about rebuilding what they had. Maybe it was about creating something new altogether. A new beginning.
As the meal came to an end, Elias pushed his plate aside and stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh. "I think I'm stuffed."
"I'm gonna have dessert," Eli said, already eyeing the brownies that were cooling on the counter. "I deserve it for all that strategy talk."
"You do, buddy," Aria said, smiling at her son's enthusiasm. "You've earned it."
Elias stood up, stretching again, and walked over to the window. The light was fading, and the evening was settling into a comfortable quiet. He glanced back at Aria, catching her gaze for a moment before looking away.
"You know," he began, his tone casual, but there was a hint of something more, something heavier, just beneath the surface, "I've been thinking a lot about what you said the other night. About taking things slow."
Aria's pulse quickened slightly. "Yeah?"
He nodded, his gaze softening as he met her eyes. "I meant it. I want to go at your pace. No rush. But I also want you to know that I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
Her breath caught in her throat. "Elias, I... I don't know what the future looks like. I'm still figuring things out."
He crossed the room and stood beside her, his voice low but steady. "I know. And I don't expect you to have all the answers. Hell, I don't have all the answers either. But I want to be a part of it. Whatever it is. I'm willing to wait. And I'll be right here."
Aria blinked back tears, unsure if they were tears of relief or fear. Maybe both. But she knew, at that moment, that she wasn't alone. She didn't have to carry the weight of everything by herself.
"I'm scared, Elias," she admitted quietly. "I'm scared of repeating the past. I'm scared of getting hurt again."
"I know," he said, his voice gentle. "But we can't let fear control us, Aria. We have to take the risk. Together."
A quiet moment passed between them. Aria didn't know what tomorrow would bring. She didn't know if they would work through all the damage they had caused, but in that moment, she realized something.
She wasn't alone anymore.
And maybe that was enough to start.
Later that night, as they settled on the couch with Eli curled up between them, the world outside seemed a little less daunting. The past was still there, lingering in the background, but it didn't feel so overwhelming anymore. They were taking it one step at a time.
And for the first time in a long time, Aria allowed herself to believe that maybe—just maybe—they were heading in the right direction.