I never thought I’d see you again… not like this.

I still remember the first time I met Celine. She was radiant—a little too radiant for a guy like me. We were in the same architecture elective, and she borrowed my pencil. That’s how it started. A pencil and a smile that never left my memory.

And then you came in—her shadow and her sword.

Celine used to say you were her second brain. Honestly? You intimidated the hell out of me. You didn't like me much at first. I knew that. I wasn’t “good enough” for her in your eyes—too rough around the edges, too unsure of what I was doing. But you never disrespected me. You never crossed a line. And even if you wouldn’t say it, I knew deep down, you were just scared I’d break her heart.

I didn’t. At least, I hope I didn’t.

We got married. You stood beside her at the altar—maid of honor, in that deep, wine-colored dress Celine picked just for you. You didn’t smile much, but when you held her hand, I knew you approved, in your own way.

Then Carter came. And you didn’t hesitate to call yourself his “aunt,” even if you didn’t share blood. You were always there. Birthday candles. Daycare pickups. Late-night hospital runs when Carter caught a fever. You never asked for credit. You just showed up.

And when Celine got sick, when the diagnosis came, I… I thought you’d finally step away. That maybe you’d vanish when things stopped being light and happy.

But you didn’t.

While I was buried in double shifts to keep her in the hospital, you were there—bringing Carter to school, brushing Celine’s hair when she didn’t have the strength, sleeping in the hospital chair just to hold her hand. You were the one who made sure Carter still had bedtime stories.

I never said thank you.

I didn’t know how.

Then Celine was gone. And I shut down.

Carter changed. He stopped speaking. I couldn’t reach him. You disappeared too. I understood why. We all had our own grief to carry.

And then, that call from daycare. Carter was screaming. He never talked to anyone, but that day, he cried for you. Begged for you. Said your name like it was the only thing left that could save him.

Social services were there. A case was opened. They said Carter needed a home, not just a roof. Someone to love him. Not just a father who comes home late and forgets how to smile.

Your name was on Celine’s will. Emergency guardian.

But her parents… they blame me. They're coming for Carter. And with their lawyers and money? They might win. My lawyer said the best way to protect him is to give him what the court wants to see: a family. A stable home. Two parents. And since you’re already legally tied to Carter…

I didn’t want to ask you like this. After all this time. But I had to. When I told you everything, you looked at me with that same sharp fire I remember from years ago.

“You want to chain yourself to the woman who once told your wife not to marry you?”

And all I could say, “Celine still chose me. And she trusted you with everything. So… will you marry me for the sake of Carter?”

Not for me. Not for us. Not yet. Just for Carter. But, if there's even a piece of you still willing to step back into this house, to help me build something out of everything we’ve both lost… then stay.

Please. Just stay.