Episode 90 - Max's Daddy
Blain gazed deeply into Zoe's tearful eyes, his own misty
with emotion. In her trembling expression, she saw the raw sincerity that
rarely surfaced in him. His voice, choked with feeling, broke the silence.
"Zoe, I've waited for your call for four years. Do you know why? Because I
was afraid you'd regret leaving and want to return. I’d hoped you'd realize
leaving me was a mistake and that you’d come back. But you never called."
Blain paused, his vulnerability laid bare. "Everyone
thinks I’m this cold, distant man, and I used to agree. But then I met you. I
realized I wasn't emotionless; I just needed someone to make me feel. That
someone was you, Zoe. You’re the only person I’ve ever shown my true self to.
You made me feel whole. When you left, it broke me. Every minute of every day
for the past four years, I’ve wanted you back. I can’t lose you again."
Zoe’s tears flowed freely, her voice failing her as she
reached out to cup his cheek. She kissed him, their lips meeting with the salty
taste of tears. Though the pain lingered, Blain felt alive for the first time
in years. Their kiss deepened, lingering, as if neither could bear to part.
When Zoe finally pulled back, breathless, Blain’s lips curled into a tender
smile. He gazed at her flushed face, his emotions shifting from longing to
passion.
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Zoe, embarrassed by his intense stare, lightly batted at his
chest. "Don’t look at me like that."
Blain chuckled, pulling her down onto the couch beneath him.
"Why are you still shy with me? You’re already my child’s mother. What’s
there to be shy about?" His lips found hers again, trailing kisses to her
ear. "Zoe, thank you for giving me such a wonderful son. I’ve just learned
I’m a father, but I promise to love him as if I’ve always known. I regret the
time we’ve lost, and I regret that you felt you had to shoulder everything
alone. From now on, leave the pain and pressure to me. I’m here for you and Max."
Zoe’s tears fell again as she admitted how hard the last
four years had been. She’d changed and lost so much, often doubting her
strength to go on. But now, she couldn’t resist him. She’d thought she’d walk
this path alone forever, but looking back, she realized Blain had always been
with her in spirit.
"Don’t cry anymore," he murmured, brushing her
tears away. Then his expression shifted, a familiar mischievous glint appearing
in his eyes. "I think I should distract you from all this crying."
Zoe blushed furiously, her tears turning to laughter.
"Blain, you’re insatiable. You weren’t like this before!"
He laughed, pulling her closer. "If I weren’t, we
wouldn’t have Max."
Later, as they lay entwined, Zoe sprawled across Blain’schest, his fingers combed gently through her damp hair. The contentment in his
gaze was profound, though questions lingered in his heart.
"Do you want to talk about what happened four years
ago?" he asked softly.
Zoe hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. "Let me
think about it, okay?"
Blain nodded, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Take
your time. I’ll check on Max and ask about Ziva. Try to rest."
Zoe watched him leave, her heart heavy with guilt but buoyed
by the joy of reconciliation. Opening her heart had lifted a burden she’d
carried for too long. No longer would she face the future alone. Blain was with
her now, and together they would navigate the path ahead.
Despite her exhaustion, Zoe couldn’t sleep. She dressed
quietly and went to Max’s room. There, she found Blain sitting beside their
son. Max’s big blue eyes lit up as Zoe entered but quickly clouded with worry.
"Mommy, are you okay? Did Doctor Dexter do something to
you? I heard you yelling his name," Max blurted, his innocent concern
turning Zoe’s cheeks crimson. She shot a mortified look at Blain, who struggled
to stifle a laugh.
Blain sat on the edge of Max’s bed, taking the boy’s small
hand. "I didn’t bully Mommy," he said gently. "I was showing her
affection. You’re too young to understand, but you will one day."
Max tilted his head, puzzled, before turning to Zoe.
"Mommy, is Doctor Dexter my daddy? When are you going to marry him?"
Zoe’s breath hitched as she sat beside Max. Taking his hand,
she asked softly, "Max, haven’t you always wanted to meet your
father?"
"Yes," Max replied, then hesitated. "But I
don’t want to bother him. He loves me, though. Or he wouldn’t have written me
those letters."
Blain’s confusion deepened as Zoe explained. "I had
Matthew write letters to Max, pretending they were from you. Was that selfish?
I deprived you of your son because of my fears."
Blain cupped her face, his voice firm yet tender.
"You’re a good mother, Zoe. Whatever happened, I know you only did what
you thought was best."
Tears streamed down Zoe’s face as Max reached up to wipe
them away. "Don’t cry, Mommy. Doctor Dexter and I are here for you."
Zoe hugged her son tightly. "Max, Doctor Dexter isn’t
just here for us. He’s your father."
Max blinked, his wide eyes shifting between Zoe and Blain
before bursting into tears. Zoe and Blain pulled him close, their laughter
mingling with the boy’s joyous sobs. For the first time, their family felt
whole.
Episode 91: A Family of Three - Love, Tears, and New Beginnings
Max's sudden tears caught Zoey and Blaine off guard. They
had expected joy when Max learned Doctor Dexter was his father, not a flood of
emotions. Zoey instinctively cradled Max, gently wiping his tears.
"Sweetheart, why are you crying? Don’t you like Doctor Dexter?"
"I do," Max murmured, burying himself deeper into
his mother’s arms, his small body shaking with sobs.
Blaine stood frozen, unsure how to handle this emotional
moment. He had just discovered he was a father, and now his son’s tears stirred
an ache he’d never known.
"Then why are you upset? Doctor Dexter is your
daddy," Blaine asked softly.
Max wailed louder, clinging tightly to Zoey. Her lips curved
into a small, understanding smile. "He’s shy," Zoey explained.
"These are happy tears."
Blaine exhaled in relief, realizing the weight of his
newfound responsibility. His nervous expression softened as Zoey placed Max
into his arms. Holding his son for the first time filled Blaine with
indescribable joy and gratitude. It was a moment of sheer perfection—he had
Zoey, and now, he had Max.
Blaine’s grip tightened slightly as his heart swelled.
"Sweetheart, would you like Daddy to hold you?" Zoey asked.
Max sniffled, nodding hesitantly. Blaine’s face lit up as he
carefully took Max from Zoey. The warmth of the little boy in his arms melted
away every worry.
"You're holding me too tight, Daddy!" Max giggled,
wriggling slightly. Blaine immediately loosened his grip, his face turning red.
"Sorry, buddy. I’m still learning," Blaine
chuckled, his tone laced with love.
"It’s okay. I love Daddy’s hugs," Max said, his
smile radiant.
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Zoey couldn’t help but laugh as she captured photos and
videos of this touching father-son moment. Blaine, feeling a bit
self-conscious, still relished the word "Daddy."
As Max eventually drifted to sleep in Blaine’s arms, Zoey’s
heart swelled with gratitude. She reflected on the time they had lost as a
family due to the cruelty of others but vowed to cherish every moment they had
now.
Blaine looked at his sleeping son, then at Zoey. "I’ll
take a blood test soon," he said quietly, his voice tinged with concern.
Zoey hesitated before confessing, "I already had
Matthew test your blood during your last physical. I’m sorry for doing it
behind your back."
Blaine pulled Zoey into a warm embrace. "Don’t
apologize. You’ve done your best under tough circumstances. I’m grateful for
everything you’ve done for our son."
Zoey leaned into his chest, comforted by his strength.
"I want to take Max home from the hospital,"
Blaine said firmly.
Zoey blinked, surprised. "But his condition..."
"I’ll arrange at-home care and ensure he gets checkups
regularly," Blaine reassured her. "He deserves to experience life
outside these walls—playing in the sunshine, visiting the zoo, enjoying ice
cream. He loves fish, so I’ll have a giant aquarium set up for him."
Blaine’s enthusiasm was infectious. Zoey finally nodded.
"I trust you."
He smiled, pulling her into another embrace. "What
about you? Will you stay with me too?"
Zoey smiled apologetically. "You know I can’t. I have
my mom and sister to care for as well."
Blaine sighed but didn’t press further.
Meanwhile, Zoey helped her mother, Gloria, settle into a
regular hospital room. "Mom, you need to eat to regain your
strength," she encouraged.
Gloria hesitated before suddenly asking, "Why hasn’t
Ziva visited? It’s Sunday, isn’t it?"
Zoey’s smile faltered. She had been keeping Ziva’s condition
a secret to avoid worsening Gloria’s health. "Ziva’s been busy catching up
on things," Zoey said stiffly, but Gloria wasn’t convinced.
"Tell me the truth," Gloria demanded, growing
agitated.
Zoey broke down, tears streaming down her face. "Mom,
it’s my fault. Ziva had an accident saving Max and me. She’s in the ICU."
Gloria’s face turned pale as she demanded to see her
daughter. Despite Zoey’s attempts to dissuade her, Gloria insisted, and they
made their way to the ICU.
Standing outside, Gloria peered through the small window,
tears spilling as she whispered, "Why has this happened to our
family?"
As Zoey comforted her, two nurses exited the ICU, discussing
Ziva’s condition.
"Her burns are severe, but losing her leg... I can’t
imagine how she’ll cope."
The words hit Gloria like a thunderbolt. "What did you
just say? Were you talking about my Ziva?" she cried, her voice breaking
with anguish.
Zoey froze, knowing she could no longer shield her mother
from the devastating truth.
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