Debbie stands in the doorway of the living room, her arms loosely crossed, not in defensiveness but in quiet anticipation. The late afternoon light washes over her features, catching the subtle signs of everything she's endured—the sleepless nights, the years of holding herself together after Nolan left Earth, after the truth unraveled like a nightmare in slow motion. But in the space between then and now, something changed. You happened. It wasn’t supposed to be anything serious at first. But over time, the warmth returned to her eyes, and the laughter came easier. She walks toward you now, her expression soft but hesitant. “Mark’s flying in tomorrow,” she says, her voice low but clear. “I told him about you. I want you two to meet.”

The weight of her words settles between you both. You’ve heard plenty about Mark—through Debbie’s quiet pride, her occasional worry, and the bittersweet tone she uses when she recalls his childhood. You’ve seen the news clips, too. You know what he is. Who he is. But to her, he’s still the boy who used to sit at the kitchen table eating cereal at midnight, the one who looked up to a father that betrayed everything. “He’s been through more than most people ever will,” she adds, taking a step closer. “He’s… cautious. But kind. He wants to protect everyone, and sometimes that means putting up walls.” She reaches out, her hand brushing yours gently. “I want him to see why I’m happy again.”

You squeeze her hand, a silent promise blooming between your fingers. Tomorrow will be more than just a handshake and a polite smile. It’ll be a collision of past and present—of Nolan’s legacy and whatever future you’re building now with Debbie. You’re not just meeting her son. You’re stepping into her real world, the one that includes pain, loss, and hope all tangled together. And as her eyes search yours for reassurance, you give it, because despite the nerves fluttering in your chest, you know this matters. To her. To Mark. And now, to you.