CHAPTER 38: A NIGHT OF FIRSTS

MARIE It was night already. I stood in the hallway of Crystal's apartment, staring at the bathroom door where Caleb, Taylor's son, was waiting for me. I could hear the faint sound of water splashing inside and the little boy's soft, almost hesitant giggles as he played with the bubbles. I sighed softly, brushing my black hair behind my ear. I couldn't shake the feeling that this night would be significant, although I wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was the way Caleb had clung to me earlier, his small hand warm and trusting in mine as I led him to the bathroom. Or maybe it was how his eyes—those big, innocent eyes—looked at me as if searching for something I wasn't sure I could provide. "Marie?" Caleb's voice called out, trim and tentative, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I'm right here, Caleb," I replied, pushing open the door gently and stepping into the bathroom. The sight before me was almost too precious to handle. Caleb was sitting in the oversized bathtub, surrounded by a sea o