Chapter 34: Facing the Future

The weight of Elias's decision settled over him as he stood in Lani's doorway, feeling the warmth of her presence just inches away. He had said it—he was staying, and he was going to fight. But the uncertainty still clawed at his chest.

Lani searched his face, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. It wasn't a dramatic, desperate hug. It was quiet, steady, and grounding.

"Thank you," she whispered against his shoulder.

For the first time in a long while, Elias allowed himself to lean into someone's embrace, to accept the comfort being offered.

After a moment, Lani pulled back and wiped her eyes, composing herself. "Come inside," she said softly, stepping aside.

Elias hesitated, but eventually walked in, closing the door behind him. The house was quiet—Lily and Luca were already asleep.

Lani gestured toward the couch, and he sat down as she did the same.

"You're really doing this?" she asked, watching him carefully.

Elias nodded. "Yeah. I'm going to the hospital tomorrow to start the process. I know it won't be easy, but…" He exhaled. "I don't want to run anymore."

A small smile touched Lani's lips. "Good. Because I wasn't going to let you."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I figured."

For a moment, the room was filled with silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was a rare kind of peace Elias hadn't felt in years.

Then, a sleepy voice interrupted them.

"Elias?"

They both turned to see Lily standing at the hallway entrance, rubbing her eyes. Her hair was slightly messy from sleep, and she clutched her stuffed bunny.

Elias softened instantly. "Hey, Lilybug. What are you doing up?"

She walked over and climbed onto the couch next to him, resting her head against his arm. "Had a bad dream."

Lani reached out to brush Lily's hair back. "You okay now?"

Lily nodded sleepily, but then she looked up at Elias with wide, serious eyes. "You're not leaving, right?"

Elias swallowed, glancing at Lani before turning his full attention to the little girl who had unknowingly changed his life.

"No, Lily. I'm not leaving."

She gave him a drowsy smile and yawned. "Good."

Without another word, she curled up against him, her tiny hand gripping his sleeve. Elias glanced at Lani, who looked just as affected by the moment as he was.

"I should put her back in bed," Lani whispered.

Elias hesitated, then carefully lifted Lily into his arms. "I'll do it."

Lani nodded, watching as he carried her daughter down the hall.

As Lani sat alone in the living room, she took a deep breath, feeling something settle in her chest.

Hope.

Maybe, just maybe, things were going to be okay.

Elias carried Lily down the hallway, feeling her small body relax in his arms. He had done this before—putting her to bed when she fell asleep on the couch or after a long day. But tonight, it felt different.

Maybe because, for the first time, he wasn't thinking about running.

He pushed open the door to her room and walked toward the bed, carefully laying her down. She stirred slightly, her fingers tightening in the fabric of his shirt.

"Stay," she mumbled sleepily.

Elias swallowed hard. He should've expected this. Ever since he told Lani he was quitting, Lily had been tense around him, scared he would disappear like so many people before.

His heart ached at the thought.

"Just for a little while," he murmured, sitting on the edge of her bed.

Lily let out a content sigh, curling up with her stuffed bunny. Elias reached out, tucking the blanket around her.

For a moment, he just sat there, watching her breathe evenly. He had always told himself he wasn't meant for connections, that people would be better off without him. But Lily… she made him question everything.

Elias ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of everything settle on his shoulders. His condition, his past, his future. He wasn't used to people caring about him. And now, he had Lani, Olivia, and these kids all looking at him like he mattered.

It was terrifying.

A soft voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"You're not going anywhere, right?"

Luca stood at the door, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Elias sighed. "No, kid. I'm not."

Luca didn't say anything for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Good."

He turned and walked back to his own room, leaving Elias with the realization that even Luca, the quiet and guarded one, had been worried.

Elias rubbed his face, exhaling deeply before standing up. He pressed a light kiss to Lily's forehead before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him.

Back in the living room, Lani was still there, waiting for him. She looked at him expectantly, her eyes filled with something he wasn't sure he could name.

"She asleep?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yeah."

Lani let out a breath, leaning back against the couch. "You're good with them, you know."

Elias gave a half-smirk. "I don't know about that."

"You are," she insisted, her voice softer. "And they love you, Elias."

His chest tightened. He knew that. And he loved them, too.

Lani hesitated before speaking again. "Earlier, when you said you weren't leaving…" She swallowed. "Did you mean just for tonight, or…?"

Elias met her gaze, the weight of her question heavy between them.

"I meant it," he said, his voice firm. "I'm staying, Lani."

Something in her expression shifted. Relief, maybe. Hope.

She reached for his hand without thinking, and he let her.

For the first time in a long time, Elias wasn't alone.

And he wasn't afraid of that anymore.

To be continued…