Chapter 24 · Sebastian Injured

Sebastian's recovery took six weeks.

Six weeks of Zaia visiting the hospital with the boys—supervised at first, then longer stretches as Leo and Milo demanded "Daddy time" with the ferocity of three-year-olds who'd discovered a parent. Six weeks of Sebastian learning to walk again, to manage pain, to accept help from the woman he'd cast out.

Six weeks of the bond growing stronger—not forcing, not demanding, but healing.

Zaia watched him with Leo and Milo in the hospital garden. Sebastian in a wheelchair at first, then with a cane, then standing—careful, stiff, but present. He read stories. He answered questions. He apologized when Milo asked why he'd been gone, and he didn't make excuses.

"I was wrong," he said. "I thought I was doing the right thing. I wasn't. I'm sorry."

Milo forgave easily—Milo forgave everyone. Leo took longer. Leo watched. Leo assessed.

On week four, Leo asked: "Will you live with us?"

Sebastian looked at Zaia. Zaia's heart hammered.

"That's your mom's decision," Sebastian said. "I would like to. Very much. But I won't push."

Leo nodded. He went back to his blocks.

Week five brought pack pressure. Harrington demanded Sebastian resume full duties. Celeste's trial approached.