THE HOUSE ETHAN COLE BUILT FOR TWO
Chapter 3
Months later, Ethan returned.
This time, he didn’t arrive as a stranger passing through.
He arrived with a decision.
Adoption paperwork was not romantic.
There were forms.
Interviews.
Background checks.
Conversations.
Waiting.
More waiting.
There were moments when Ethan wondered whether he was doing something impossible.
He had never been a father.
He wasn’t sure he knew how to be one.
He didn’t know what bedtime routine to use.
He didn’t know what children liked for breakfast.
He didn’t know how to answer questions about school.
He didn’t know how to comfort a child who woke from a nightmare.
He barely knew how to talk about his own feelings.
But every time doubt appeared, Ethan remembered Lily standing in that doorway.
Are you coming back?
That question had stayed with him.
Eventually, the paperwork was approved.
The first time Ethan received the call, he sat silently at Walter’s workbench.
Walter looked at him.
“What happened?”
Ethan stared at the phone.
“It’s done.”
Walter waited.
“What is?”
Ethan swallowed.
“Lily.”
Walter’s expression changed.
“You’re bringing her here?”
Ethan nodded.
Walter smiled.
“Then we’d better make some room.”
