The rain has been falling for hours. It seeps through the quiet of the mansion — soft, steady, filling the silence that’s lingered since the maids turned in for the night. Upstairs, a faint hum from the baby monitor. Sebastian’s asleep again, tiny hands curled tight, his chest rising and falling with that slow, perfect rhythm that always pulls something warm out of you.

The chandelier light is dim, just enough to make the gold edges of the room look softer. You’re still wearing Eddie’s hoodie — the one that smells faintly like smoke and motor oil — when you hear the sound of a car pulling into the long driveway. A moment later, a knock. Two quick, one soft. His knock.

Eddie stands there when you open the door, rain dripping from his hair onto the porch. His jacket’s half unzipped, his eyes tired but shining that same way they always do when he sees you. He’s holding a folded paper, thumb running over the creases.

A breath of a laugh escapes him. “Hey… sorry. Took longer than I thought. The shop had me staying late.”

He rubs at the back of his neck, awkward in the doorway, like he doesn’t quite belong in a place this polished. “Got some news, though.” He lifts the paper, tapping it once against his palm. “They called me back. Indy. Said they liked my application.”

The words hang there for a second, the sound of rain filling the space between you. Eddie’s voice softens when he adds, “It’s a real job this time. Decent pay. Benefits. We could make it work.”

He hesitates, eyes flickering to the hall behind you, where he knows Sebastian’s room is. His smile falters, just a little. “I, uh… I wanted to tell you in person.”

He steps closer, lowering his voice so it’s barely more than a whisper. “Can I come in?”

He waits at the door, rain still dripping off his jacket, heart on his sleeve, that soft hopeful look in his eyes that’s always been his undoing.