Part 2: Mommy vs Daddy (Who Does He Love More?)
Some questions are dangerous.
Some are emotional.
Some… are not meant to be asked in a house with a jealous baby.
The Challenge Begins
The living room was calm—
Too calm for what was about to happen.
Elara sat comfortably with Ryan in her arms.
Damian stood nearby, arms crossed.
Seraphina sat in front like an excited referee.
Luca was already suspicious.
Ethan just shook his head.
"…Okay."
Elara said softly.
"…Simple question."
She looked at Ryan.
"…Who do you love more?"
Silence.
Damian slowly turned his head.
"…Elara."
"…It was just a question."
"…Bad question."
Seraphina gasped.
"…This is a competition!"
"…No it's not."
Ethan said immediately.
"…It is now."
Luca added, leaning forward.
Ryan blinked slowly.
Looking between them.
"…Say mummy."
Elara whispered softly.
Ryan stared at her.
Then slowly—
Turned his head.
Toward Damian.
"…Oh."
Elara blinked.
"…That's interesting."
"…He's thinking."
Seraphina said seriously.
"…He's not thinking."
Ethan muttered.
The Moment of Truth
Damian stepped closer.
Calm.
Silent.
Ryan looked up at him.
For a long moment…
Nothing happened.
Then—
Ryan lifted his tiny hand.
Reaching.
"…Oh no…"
Elara whispered.
"…Oh yes."
Luca said.
Ryan grabbed Damian's finger.
Held it tightly.
Then—
Let out a small sound.
"…Aah…"
"…HE CHOSE DADDY!"
Seraphina shouted.
Silence.
Elara froze for a second.
Then smiled.
"…Traitor."
She said softly.
Damian didn't react immediately.
Just looked at Ryan.
Then at Elara.
"…He's smart."
"…He's biased."
Elara replied.
"…He knows quality."
"…He knows comfort."
"…Same thing."
Laughter erupted instantly.
The Rematch Attempt
"…Okay no."
Elara said suddenly.
"…We need a rematch."
"…There are no rematches."
Damian replied.
"…There is now."
She gently took Ryan back.
"…Who do you love more?"
Ryan looked at her.
Then—
Slowly—
Looked back at Damian again.
"…Seriously?"
Elara narrowed her eyes.
"…He made his choice."
Damian said calmly.
"…He's not even speaking."
"…Still made it."
Ryan reached out again.
This time—
Toward Damian.
Elara sighed dramatically.
"…I carried you for nine months."
Ryan blinked.
Then reached for Damian again.
"…Wow."
Luca muttered.
"…That's cold."
"…That's genetics."
Ethan added.
Damian's Reaction
Damian finally took Ryan into his arms.
Secure.
Natural.
Ryan immediately calmed.
Silence.
Elara stared.
"…He stopped crying."
"…Yes."
Damian replied.
"…With me he cries."
"…Because he trusts me."
"…That's not fair."
"…Life isn't fair."
Seraphina clapped excitedly.
"…Daddy wins!"
"…There was no game."
Elara said.
"…There was."
Seraphina insisted.
"…And daddy won."
Damian looked at Elara.
"…You're upset."
"…I'm not."
"…You are."
She crossed her arms.
"…Fine."
He leaned slightly closer.
"…You'll always be his mother."
A pause.
"…And you'll always be my problem."
Elara smiled instantly.
"…That's better."
End Scene — A Winner That Was Never in Doubt
Love isn't competition.
But sometimes…
It pretends to be.
Just for laughter.
Just for joy.
Just for moments like this.
And Ryan?
He didn't choose one over the other.
He chose what made him calm.
What made him safe.
What made him feel held.
And today…
That was Damian.
To be continued…