37. Raven

Chapter thirty-seven

Raven

The rich scent of garlic and basil fills the kitchen as my pasta dish simmers on the stove. I softly hum while stirring the sauce. Cooking has always served as a form of therapy for me, helping to calm my nerves, and after today’s stress at work, it’s definitely needed.

I’m stretching for the salt on the short cabinet when I spot a figure standing behind me from the microwave reflection. I immediately squeal and turn around, jumping back in fear. My fear morphs into shock and my heart tugs as I stare at Ezra, who’s leaning against the center counter with that familiar smirk on his face.

I hadn’t even heard him come in.

“Jesus, Ezra!” I gasp, gripping the counter to steady myself. “Do you want to give me a heart attack?”

“Relax, cara (dear).” His low chuckle fills the room while he folds his arms.

“Remind me, do you leave the door unlocked as an open invitation, or is your security just this charmingly terrible?” he teases, his smirk deepening.

Shaking my head, I push past the well of emotions within me and grab the jar of salt again, sprinkling it into the sauce before setting it aside. “Maybe it’s not my security that’s the issue," I retort, a smile appearing on my face. “Maybe it’s you and your freaky ninja skills.”

Ezra’s chuckle is low, and he steps closer. “Ninja skills? I like that. Maybe I should put that on my résumé.”

I scowl as I lower the stove, trying to catch my breath and ignoring the way my pulse quickens at the sight of him.

It’s been two weeks since I last saw Ezra, and the absence had gnawed at me in ways I wasn’t prepared for. A part of me thought I’d never see him again. I start stirring the sauce again, anything to keep my hands busy as my mind races.

“Why are you here, Ezra?”

The playful banter dissolves into something more serious. “You don’t want me here?” There’s an edge in his voice as he steps forward and grazes my arm.

I swallow hard, my heart rate quickening. “You know that’s not what I meant,” I murmur, my voice softer than I intend as I meet his gaze. “You’ve been gone for two weeks, Ezra. Okay, maybe not entirely, since I keep spotting the guards you sent to watch me.” I roll my eyes as I glance back at him.

Ezra scratches the back of his head. A spark of amusement flickers in his eyes. “You saw them, huh?”

“Yeah. Big scary men with tattoos are sort of hard to miss,” I mutter, looking back at the sauce. Just then, I remember something. “How did you get me a leave of absence?”

He doesn't respond. From my peripheral vision, I see the corner of his lips lift up as his eyes burn holes in the back of my head.

He shrugs as though it’s not a big deal. “Well, when I figured out you weren’t the mole, I took steps and contacted your supervisor. I didn’t want them looking into your whereabouts and knew if I didn’t give them some reason, you would be kicked out of the program.”

“How did you do it?” I question, turning slightly and raising a brow.

He has a smug smirk on his face. “Never underestimate the power I have. With or without the mafia.”

“Right.” I roll my eyes yet again. “Same mafia, it seems, you've chosen over me,” I mumble the last part.

Ezra’s face softens as he turns me around to face him. His stare holds a vulnerability I’m not used to seeing from him.

“That’s why I’m here, Raven,” he says slowly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I’ve come to the realization of what’s important in my life. What I need to fight for every day I wake up, and what I dream about in my future.”

“And what is that?” I lift a brow, not registering his words at first.

He whispers with a soft smile, “You, Raven. You and our baby.”

What?

I blink, my mind racing. Is he leaving behind all he’s worked for his whole life?

For us?

“You...” I stutter, trying to process everything, shock and disbelief colliding in my chest.

Ezra nods, his eyes never leaving mine, causing my heart to skip a beat. Right now, it feels like I’m the only person in his world.

Without thinking, I throw my arms around his neck, drawing him close in a tight embrace. Instantly, he envelops me in his arms, and I bury my face into his shoulder. “I can’t believe it,” I murmur, against his skin, my voice catching in my throat.

A single tear escapes, slipping down my cheek. “I can’t believe you did that.”

His hand gently cradles the back of my head, softly running his fingers through my hair. “I’d do it again a thousand times,” he whispers, his warm breath caressing my ear. His hand moves to rest on my stomach. “For you and our child.”

Glee blooms in my chest as his words settle in. Our child . The thought makes my heart swell, the reality sinking deeper with each passing second. Everything we’ve been through, everything that’s happened, it led to this. To him, to us. I can feel the love and strength in the way he holds me like nothing in this world could break us apart now.

I pull back just enough to look into his eyes, a wide grin on my face. “Ezra,” I begin, my voice trembling slightly, “I went for an ultrasound.” I pause, savoring the moment before dropping the bombshell. “We’re having twins.”

He freezes, his expression shifting from confusion to shock.

For a split second, his face is blank, processing. Then, slowly, his eyes widen and his jaw drops. “Twins?” he breathes, his voice almost inaudible.

I nod, my heart swelling at the pure wonder in his eyes. “Yes, Ezra,” I say softly. “Twins.”

A huge smile spreads across his face. He sweeps me off my feet before I can respond, twirling me around the kitchen in pure joy. I can’t control the laughter that escapes me, my head falling back as happiness bubbles up inside me.

“We’re having twins!” Ezra shouts, spinning me like we’re in some romance movie.

When he eventually sets me down, he embraces me tightly. I place my ear to his chest, sensing the strong beat of his heart in my ear.

This is it.

This is what happiness should feel like, I think to myself. The pasta on the stove continues to simmer, forgotten as I close my eyes and let the moment wash over me.

His phone suddenly vibrates, jarring our quiet peace. He draws back to pull out the device, his fingers flying over the screen as he types a response. I squint mischievously, folding my arms across my chest while he grins at the phone.

Gosh, I missed that smile.

“Really?” I mock playfully, pretending to sulk. “You’re checking your phone right after I tell you my bombshell news? What is it? Another woman making you smile?”

Ezra glances up at me and lets out a nervous laugh. Just then, the doorbell rings.

“Oh, that must be Harper,” I mutter, already heading for the door. “She always forgets her keys.”

He reaches for my hand, stopping me in my tracks. “So, there’s good news and bad news,” he starts, his voice steady but his gaze is locked on mine. “And I can't ask which you want first because... well, it’s a full package.” His words trail off, his eyes shifting toward the door.

“Alright..” My brow furrows, curiosity piqued as he gently pulls me toward it, leaving me both confused and intrigued to see what’s waiting on the other side.

He swings the door open, and standing there as calm as ever, is Elio. I blink in surprise, glancing between him and Ezra.

“Raven,” he greets. I can tell he’s holding back a smile, too.

“Elio? What’s going on…”

Elio moves out of the way and my throat goes dry. Behind him is a man. Someone I’d struggled to move on from many years ago…

It’s my father.

I feel a tightness grip my chest as the world turns into a blurry haze around me. His dark hair and brown eyes are unmistakable despite the wrinkles on his face. He’s alive, staring right at me, but the look in his eyes is filled with a mixture of pain and longing. He may be older and thinner, but it’s him.

“Raven, I found him.” Ezra’s voice breaks through the fog, bringing me back to the present. “After I learned he disappeared from your life, I needed to be sure he was alive so I could kill him myself for abandoning you,” he echoes behind me.

I turn to Ezra, my heart hammering in my chest. “So w- why’s he here then?” Tears stain my cheeks.

Ezra steps forward, his hand resting gently on my arm. “You should hear him out, Raven.”

I shake my head, the pain in my chest intensifying. “I don’t want to…”

“Please Raven…” My father’s voice trembles, a low plea hanging in the air. “I didn’t…” he sighs.

I look back at my father, who approaches me with slow, deliberate steps, his eyes brimming with tears. “I was in an accident years ago,” he says softly. “I lost my memory. The doctors said it was the grief that caused my amnesia,” his voice quivers with regret. “I’d picked up another name.”

My gaze meets the floor as the words sink in. That explains why he was never found.

He swallows hard, stopping just at the threshold. “For years I… I lived alone…and lonely in California,” he croaks, voice laced with a pain that gnaws at my heart. I don’t know if the pain I feel is because of how…distraught he looks or because of how alone I felt during those years without him.

He continues, “Bits of my memory started coming back three years ago. It comes as flashes in my head…sometimes as dreams every night. I used to see you…your face, but I remained in confusion of who you were until Ezra found me and showed me your picture.” My heart falters at the tears that stream his cheeks. “And then, gradually, the pieces started fitting into place. My daughter.”

My lips quiver at his words. My daughter . How I’ve longed to hear those words again.

I can’t begin to imagine the emptiness he must have felt all those years, searching for something he couldn’t fully grasp. And now, standing before me, I could see him battling with the guilt and regret. The reality is overwhelming for both of us.

I glance at Ezra, who shoots me a tiny, reassuring smile. Both he and Elio stand in their spots, not interfering.

A bubble lodges in my throat, making it hard to speak. “But why did you even leave me…why did you leave at all?”

He steps closer still, his gaze locked on mine. “The day of the accident, I hired a car and drove to California to get your mother’s favorite flowers in preparation for her death anniversary. I wanted to get them before you got back from the library, but... I never made it home.”

The tightness in my chest makes it hard for me to breathe. I’ve waited a long time to hear his voice, to feel his presence again.

“I’m so sorry, Raven… for not communicating with you… for letting your mother’s death affect our relationship,” he says, his voice cracking with emotion. “I never meant to leave you. I never meant to hurt you.”

The pain in his eyes intensifies and I don’t think my heart can take it anymore. He’d been suffering just as much as I was… he’s still my dad alright, no matter what.

Unable to contain myself any longer, I step forward and wrap my arms around his bony frame. “Dad...” I whisper.

He hugs me tight, and before we know it, the weight of our emotions takes over, leaving us both in tears. Somehow, it still feels surreal that he’s here, and I cling to him even more. I’d always thought Mother would be unhappy with him…with me, but now I can picture her smiling at us.

Our tears subside after a few minutes, and I catch a glimpse of Ezra standing off to the side, watching us with an unreadable expression.

Our eyes meet, and I see his lips move silently, “I love you.”

I catch the words and a smile breaks through my tears.

I whisper back, “I love you, too.”