Patience Heart

Staying With You

By the time I pull into the driveway, the weight on my shoulders feels a little lighter. The house is lit up from the inside, glowing with a warmth that's been missing from my life for years. It's not just a house—it's home. A real one. A place filled with love, laughter, and a sense of belonging I didn't even realize I was missing.

I step out of the car, taking a deep breath of the cool evening air. The stress of the day slowly dissipates with each inhale. I made it. I'm here. And every time I walk through that door, it feels like I'm walking into something I didn't know I wanted but now can't imagine living without.

Since Viola and Timmy came to stay with me, my life hasn't been the same. It's been richer, fuller—chaotic at times, but in the best way. It was the greatest decision we ever made, the moment Viola decided to leave San Francisco behind. I still remember the night she told me—how her eyes flickered with uncertainty and excitement, her voice soft but strong. She left everything: her rising career, her friends, the life she'd worked so hard to build. And she did it for us. For this life we're creating together.

As I walk up to the front door, I can hear the faint sounds of Timmy's laughter inside. It's that contagious, carefree giggle that always manages to make me smile, no matter how tough the day's been. Viola's voice follows, gentle and soothing, and for a second, I just stand there, taking it all in.

This is what I fought for, what I want to protect with everything I have.

When I open the door, the first thing I see is Timmy's face lighting up like the sun, his little legs racing toward me. Before I can say a word, he's wrapping his tiny arms around my legs, shouting, "Daddy!" My heart swells. No matter how tough my day has been, hearing that little voice, feeling his hug—it's enough to melt all the tension from my body. I scoop him up, laughing as he giggles and squirms in my arms.

And then there's Viola. She's standing at the doorway of the kitchen, a soft smile on her face, her eyes full of love and understanding. She doesn't need to ask how my day was—she can see it in my face, and somehow, just seeing her there makes everything feel okay. As Timmy clings to my neck, Viola walks over and wraps her arms around us both, pulling us into a warm family hug. This. This is what I've been missing my whole life.

"I missed you," she whispers softly, her hand gently stroking Timmy's hair as he presses his cheek against mine. I lean into her touch, feeling her warmth spread through me. "Missed you both too," I murmur, my voice heavy with exhaustion and gratitude.

"Go take a shower," she says, pulling back slightly but still holding onto me. "Dinner's almost ready, and Timmy's been waiting all day to show you his new toy."

I nod, smiling tiredly. "Alright, I'll be quick. Can't let the little guy down."

I set Timmy down, ruffle his hair, and make my way upstairs. The house feels alive—filled with sounds of family, with warmth. It's such a contrast to the cold, clinical environment of the office. Upstairs, I step into the bathroom and let the hot water wash away the day. As the steam rises around me, I close my eyes and allow myself to think about just this moment, this sanctuary. No corporate betrayals, no backstabbing, no threats. Just Viola and Timmy. Just home.

After a quick shower, I feel human again. I head back downstairs, the smell of dinner hitting me as soon as I step into the kitchen. Viola's made one of my favorites—roast chicken with mashed potatoes. Simple, but comforting. She looks over her shoulder as I walk in, and for a second, I just stand there, taking it all in. The woman I love, cooking dinner, while our son plays in the living room, his toys scattered across the floor. This is it—this is everything I never thought I'd have.

Dinner is a blur of laughter and stories. Timmy is excited, talking a mile a minute about his day at school and his new toy. I try to keep up, nodding and asking questions, though half the time I don't even understand what he's saying—he's just that excited. Viola smiles at us both, her eyes filled with love and amusement as she watches Timmy drag me through his latest obsession with dinosaurs. I can't help but laugh along with him, caught up in his enthusiasm.

After dinner, it's playtime. Timmy insists I help him build a dinosaur fort with his blocks. I throw myself into it, crawling around on the floor with him, pretending to be a giant dinosaur knocking down his fortress. His laughter fills the room, and I can't help but feel lighter with every sound. This is what it's all about.

Eventually, it's time to put Timmy to bed. I scoop him up and carry him to his room, his arms wrapped around my neck as he rests his head on my shoulder. His energy is fading, and by the time I tuck him into bed, he's fighting to keep his eyes open. I sit beside him, running my hand through his soft hair as he drifts off to sleep, his little hand clutching mine.

As I close his bedroom door, a sense of peace washes over me. This is the life I never thought I'd have. I always figured I'd end up alone—maybe with a dog or a cat for company, living out my days as a bachelor with nothing but work to keep me going. But then came Viola, and everything changed.

I walk back into the living room, where Viola's waiting for me on the couch, a glass of tea in her hand. She looks up as I sit beside her, her soft smile making my heart ache in the best way possible.

"You spoil him, you know," she teases gently, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Guilty as charged," I admit with a chuckle. "But can you blame me? That kid's got me wrapped around his little finger."

She laughs softly, and for a moment, we just sit there in comfortable silence. Then she looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. "You okay?" she asks quietly.

I nod, but it's more out of habit than truth. She knows. "Yeah, I'm good," I say, then pause. "No... honestly? I don't know. Work's a mess. Everything's a mess. But being here, with you and Timmy... it makes everything better. I don't know how I got so lucky."

"You deserve this, Mathias," she says softly, her hand finding mine. "You've worked so hard for everything—for us. I know it hasn't been easy, but you're not alone anymore."

I smile, feeling the truth of her words sink in. "I never thought I'd have this," I admit, my voice low. "I figured I'd die a single man with a dog or a cat. Maybe both, if I was lucky."

Viola laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I thought you didn't like clingy girls."

"If it's you, I don't mind having a hundred clingy girls," I say, grinning down at her.

She smiles, and then her hand moves to her belly, resting gently over the small but growing bump. "Well, I guess you'll have another clingy girl soon," she says softly, reminding me of the baby we're expecting.

I feel my heart swell as I place my hand over hers. "I can't wait," I whisper, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "I want to upgrade our relationship, Viola. I want to be with you, forever."

She pulls back slightly, a hesitant smile on her face. "We still need to wait until the baby is born," she says softly. "After that, maybe you'll reconsider."

I frown, confused. "Reconsider? Why would I want to reconsider?"

She shrugs, her eyes dropping to our hands. "I just... I don't want you to feel burdened. Raising a family isn't easy, and I don't want you to feel trapped."

I shake my head, tightening my grip on her hand. "Viola, I want this. I want you. I want our family. I'll never feel burdened by this. Besides, money isn't an issue. We can have the life we dreamed of. I'm sure of it."

She looks up at me, her eyes softening as a small smile tugs at her lips. "You really mean that?"

"With everything in me," I say, my voice steady. "I love you, Viola. I love Timmy, and I already love this little one." I gently rub her belly, feeling a warmth spread through me. "This is where I'm meant to be. This is what I want—to stay with you and Timmy, always."

She leans into me, resting her head on my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. The room feels still, the chaos of the day completely gone. In this moment, there's nothing but peace—her warmth against me, the soft rise and fall of her breath, and the quiet sounds of the house at rest. This is everything I need. My family. My home.

No more running. No more doubts. Just us, together. Forever.