The Bank of Second Chances | Zarry

Chapter 17: The Precious Puzzle Piece

Harry stood at the front door, adjusting his tie with one hand while holding his briefcase in the other. He glanced down at Arlo, who was bouncing excitedly on the balls of his feet.

"You're going to have so much fun with Baba today," Harry said, smiling warmly. He bent down to give Arlo a kiss on the forehead.

Arlo giggled.

Zayn stood nearby, a mixture of excitement and nervousness in his eyes. This was the first time he was taking Arlo out for an entire day without Harry. It was a big step, but one he was determined to handle well given his new responsibilities as a parent.

Harry straightened up and turned to Zayn. "You've got this," he said, squeezing Zayn's shoulder reassuringly. "Just call me if you need anything."

Zayn nodded, his nerves settling slightly at Harry's encouragement. "We'll be fine. You go take care of your case."

With a final kiss goodbye, Harry headed out the door, leaving Zayn and Arlo to embark on their day together.

"Alright, buddy," Zayn said, taking Arlo's hand. "Ready to go see Gigi and Grandpa?"

Arlo's eyes lit up.

The drive to Zayn's parents' house was filled with Arlo's excited babbles. Zayn listened with a smile, occasionally glancing at his son in the rearview mirror. Arlo's enthusiasm was infectious, and it eased some of Zayn's anxiety about the day ahead.

When they arrived, Zayn's mother, Trisha, was waiting on the porch. She broke into a wide grin as soon as she saw Arlo. "There's my little angel!" she exclaimed, coming down the steps to greet them.

Arlo ran to her."Gigi!" he shouted, throwing his arms around her legs.

Trisha scooped him up, showering him with kisses. "I've missed you so much."

Zayn followed behind, smiling at the sight. His mother's affection for Arlo warmed his heart. As they walked inside, Zayn's father, Yaser, emerged from the living room, his face lighting up at the sight of his grandson.

"Arlo! Come give Grandpa a hug," Yaser called.

Arlo squirmed out of Trisha's arms and ran to Yaser, who picked him up with a hearty laugh. "You've grown since the last time I saw you," Yaser said, bouncing Arlo in his arms.

Zayn stood back, watching the interactions with a mix of happiness and a bit of lingering awkwardness. His parents had separated recently, and the tension between them was noticeable. But for Arlo's sake, they put their differences aside.

"Hi, Dad," Zayn said, giving his father a brief hug.

"Hey, son," Yaser replied. "It's good to see you."

Trisha ushered them all into the living room. "Come on, let's get comfortable. I made some snacks."

The day unfolded with a series of activities designed to keep Arlo entertained and happy. They played in the garden, where Arlo chased after butterflies and picked flowers for his Gigi. Trisha and Yaser watched with fond smiles, occasionally exchanging nostalgic glances.

"Do you remember when Zayn was that age?" Trisha said to Yaser at one point, her voice soft with reminiscence.

Yaser nodded, his eyes on Arlo. "He was just as energetic. Always running around, full of life."

Zayn felt a pang of emotion hearing his parents talk about his childhood. It reminded him of happier times when their family was whole. He looked at Arlo, who was now busy trying to catch a butterfly, and felt a swell of determination. He wanted to give Arlo the best possible upbringing, filled with love and stability.