Ryan had barely slept.
Not because of stress—though that lingered at the edges of his thoughts—but because he spent most of the night watching Liam breathe. The toddler slept with one tiny hand tucked under his cheek, his soft curls scattered across the pillow, his chest rising and falling with steady peace.
Peace Ryan hadn't experienced in years.
By morning, he had already made three calls.
One to his personal assistant.
One to Julian.
And one to a domestic staffing agency.
If he was truly stepping into fatherhood—something he had never experienced himself—then Liam needed stability, routine, and tenderness. Things Ryan had never been taught to give, but was determined to offer.
By noon, two maids and a certified nanny stood in his living room like a freshly assembled team of superheroes. He walked them through Liam's quirks with awkward sincerity.
"He wakes early," Ryan said, clearing his throat. "He… uh… likes his blue toy car more than the red one. And he only eats the edges of bread for some reason."
The nanny smiled warmly. "We'll take it from here, sir."
Ryan nodded, a little embarrassed, a lot relieved.
Julian patted his back. "Look at you—an actual father."
Ryan shot him a warning glare. "Julian, don't."
But Julian only chuckled. "Relax. You're doing well. Just keep showing up."
Ryan sighed. "Speaking of showing up… I need Emily's help today."
Emily Receives the Request
Emily's phone buzzed while she was buttoning Clara's school uniform.
Ryan (8:03 AM):
Good morning. Can you help me take Liam to school today? Enrollment. I trust you more than the nannies. Please?
Emily blinked, then looked at Liam—who was sitting beside Clara, swinging his legs, eating cereal like a small, polite robot.
She typed:
Yes. Bring his documents. I'll handle it.
Not long after, Ryan appeared with a neatly sealed brown envelope, a backpack, and Liam—who reached for Emily instantly, arms raised.
Ryan's breath caught at the sight. The boy's instinctive trust. Emily's gentle touch. Clara's excited chatter encircling them.
Emily secured Liam's straps and nodded. "I'll take care of everything."
Ryan hesitated before handing her a white envelope.
"For shopping. Take Clara too. Get whatever they need."
Emily opened her mouth to refuse, but he shook his head firmly.
"It's for them," he whispered. "Please."
Emily nodded, touched.
Ryan stood there, watching them walk away—Emily holding Liam's hand on the left, Clara's on the right.
The three of them moving like a small, complete unit.
It shook him.
More than he expected.
Enrollment at the School
The school receptionist beamed when they entered.
"Oh my goodness—what adorable children! Twins?"
Emily nearly choked. "No—"
Clara answered proudly, He's three. But we love each other."
The receptionist laughed. "Same mother, then?"
Emily froze.
Liam squeezed her hand.
Clara leaned against her leg.
Emily's chest squeezed.
"Um… no, not exactly—"
"Oh don't worry," the woman winked. "You're doing an amazing job."
Emily didn't argue again.
Shopping at the Mall
The shopping mall was a whirlwind of bright colors and excited squeals.
Clara ran ahead spotting sparkly dresses.
Liam lifted toys and shoes to show Emily with pure joy.
Emily knelt to fit new shoes on Liam's small feet. "Walk for me."
He did—clumsy and proud.
Passersby whispered sweetly:
"Aww, what a lovely mother."
"She's doing great… beautiful family."
Emily flushed, but she didn't correct them.
Especially when Liam hugged her leg and Clara held her hand like she always belonged there.
For the first time in a long while… Emily felt seen.
The Video Call
Emily had barely finished putting things away when her phone buzzed with a video call from Ryan.
She answered.
Immediately—
Liam's giant forehead and one eyeball filled the entire screen.
"DAAAAD!"
Ryan's voice floated through, exhausted and amused.
"Buddy—back up. No, that's your nose—"
Liam shoved a sneaker into the camera.
"SEE MY SHOE!"
Ryan sighed. "Champ, the camera is not hungry—pull it back—"
Clara appeared beside Liam like a tiny supervisor.
"Uncle Ryan, we tried. He says the phone likes the shoe."
"I'm not feeding it!" Liam yelled. "I'm showing Daddy! Mummy bought it!"
Ryan blinked. "…Mummy?"
Clara quickly explained, "He means Emily. He calls her that sometimes."
Emily froze in place.
Liam continued confidently, "Daddy, Mummy gave me juice. And I'm handsome. She say so. I say she's pwetty."
Ryan went silent—emotion gripping his throat.
Emily waved awkwardly from behind the kids.
"Good afternoon, Ryan. We survived the day. The kids picked clothes. Eventually."
"Everyone okay?" Ryan asked gently.
Clara nodded. "Uncle Ryan, we love shopping!"
Ryan chuckled.
Liam pressed his entire face against the screen again.
"Daddy come home! I show you shoe AGAIN!"
Ryan smiled softly. "I'll be home soon, champ."
"Okay!" Liam shouted before blowing the loudest, sloppiest kiss into the camera.
The call ended.
The house quieted.
And Ryan just sat there in his office…
Stunned.
And at peace.
Returning Home
Back at Emily's apartment, Liam was already nodding off in her arms, teddy bear squished under his chin.
Ryan arrived moments later.
He dropped to his knees instantly, brushing Liam's curls back.
"He looks peaceful," he whispered.
Emily nodded. "He had a good day."
Clara lifted a shopping bag. "Uncle Ryan, Mommy— I mean, Emily—got us new things!"
Emily blushed. "People thought I was… their mother."
Ryan's eyes lifted slowly—something shifting behind them.
Not embarrassment.
But something warm. Something tender.
"You did well," he said softly. "Thank you… for everything."
Emily smiled. "We're here for him." Thank you so much Emily.. he said.
Ryan carried Liam to the car, his mind full and quiet at the same time.
Later that night, he called Julian again.
"How'd it go?" Julian asked. Ryan exhaled slowly. "Better than I expected… worse than I was ready for."
"Meaning?"
Ryan looked out the window, thinking of Emily carrying Liam, Clara beside her, the mistaken whispers of "beautiful mother."
"I saw her with them," he whispered. "And it felt… natural."
Julian chuckled quietly.
"Careful. That's how families start." Ryan didn't answer.
Because deep down…
They already had.