Chapter 46

Aria’s POV

The house was quiet when I walked in, the faint hum of the refrigerator the only sound to greet me. It felt strange being home again after the hospital, after the fire, after… everything.

My body still ached in places I didn’t realize could ache, and my mind was a tangle of emotions I wasn’t ready to face.

I set my bag down and took a deep breath, letting the familiar surroundings wash over me.

I heard a soft knock on the door, and before I could fully process it, Isabel stepped in, holding up a bottle of wine and a bag of snacks.

“Emergency girls' night,” she declared, a grin on her face. “Doctor’s orders.”

I smiled, grateful for her lightness. “Come on in,” I said, waving her inside. “I think I could use the company.”

We settled on the couch, the TV on in the background, though neither of us was paying attention to whatever show was playing.

Isabel popped open the wine, pouring us both a glass. She kicked off her shoes and leaned back, raising her glass to me.

“To surviving the apocalypse,” she said with a smirk. I clinked my glass with hers, taking a small sip.

“Not quite the apocalypse,” I murmured, “but close.”

She tilted her head, studying me. “You look good, Aria. Really. Considering everything, you’ve bounced back pretty fast.”

I shrugged. “Physically, sure. But...”

“Emotionally?” Isabel finished, arching a brow. She knew me too well.

“Yeah.” I set my glass down, sighing. “There’s a lot to process. The fire, Liam, everything with Joe and Logan... it’s all just... a lot.”

Isabel nodded, understanding flashing in her eyes. “And speaking of Liam...” Her grin returned, more teasing now.

“He’s been laying it on thick, hasn’t he? Suddenly showing up with flowers, calling more than usual... What’s with that?”

I rolled my eyes, pretending to be indifferent, though my stomach tightened just thinking about it. “He’s just... I don’t know. I guess he feels guilty after everything that’s happened.”

“Guilty?” Isabel snorted. “I’ve seen guilt. This is not guilt. This is a man who’s finally realized what’s right in front of him.”

“I’m not sure,” I said, shaking my head. “I mean, sure, he’s been... different since the fire, but what if it’s all just out of desperation? What if it’s temporary? He didn’t care this much before.”

Isabel set her glass down, turning more serious.

“Aria, you can’t lose yourself in this. If he wants you, let him fight for it. But don’t let him drag you into a mess just because he’s suddenly decided he wants to be a better man. This isn’t about him. It’s about you.”

I looked down, her words hitting harder than I expected. I’d been so wrapped up in everything that I hadn’t really stopped to think about what I wanted.

“You’re right,” I admitted quietly. “I need to focus on me.”

Isabel reached over, squeezing my hand. “Exactly. And you’re strong, Aria. You always have been. Don’t forget that.”

Before I could respond, a burst of energy exploded into the room.

“Mom!” Joe came running in, his eyes wide with excitement.

“I need help with my science project!” He held up a half-formed volcano, his eyes gleaming. “We’re supposed to make it erupt!”

Isabel laughed, her serious expression melting into one of amusement. “Well, this is clearly urgent.”

I smiled, relieved for the distraction. “All right, let’s see what we’ve got here.”

Joe eagerly dragged me to the floor, where we spread out newspaper to catch any mess. He was already pouring baking soda into the volcano’s crater, his enthusiasm infectious.

“I’m going to make the biggest eruption ever!” Joe declared proudly.

“Are you now?” I teased, grabbing the vinegar and food coloring. “Let’s see what we can do.”

We mixed the ingredients together, Joe’s eyes practically glowing with anticipation. When I poured the vinegar in, the concoction bubbled violently before erupting in a colorful fizz, spilling out over the sides of the volcano.

Joe clapped his hands, giggling. I couldn’t help but laugh along with him, the stress of everything else melting away, if only for a moment.

Isabel leaned back against the couch, watching us with a soft smile. “You’re a natural, Aria,” she said. “Even in the middle of all this chaos.”

I shrugged, wiping my hands off on a towel. “You just do what you can, right?”

Joe, still brimming with energy, sat cross-legged in front of his volcano, already planning the next one.

“Mom, do you think Liam would help me make an even bigger one? He’s good at stuff like this.”

I paused for a second, glancing at Isabel, who raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet.

“Maybe,” I said carefully. “You’ll have to ask him.”

Joe didn’t seem to notice the hesitation in my voice.

“He’s been around a lot more lately,” he commented, his tone casual. “I like having him and Logan around. It’s like... I don’t know... it’s like having two dads, kinda.”

Isabel snorted, trying to hide her laugh. I shot her a quick look but smiled. “It’s good that you’re getting along with both of them.”

Joe nodded, then his expression shifted, more serious. “William’s been kinda sad, though.”

The sudden change in tone caught me off guard. “Sad? Why’s that?”

Joe fiddled with one of the small figurines he’d placed around his volcano. “I think he misses his mom. He doesn’t see her as much as he wants to. Sometimes he talks to me about it.”

Isabel sat up a bit, curious now. “What does he say?”

Joe shrugged. “He just says he wishes she didn’t work so much. That he wishes he could spend more time with her, like I get to spend with you.”

He looked up at me, his eyes big and sincere. “He says he doesn’t feel like she’s around enough.”

My heart tugged at that. I knew how much William’s home life weighed on him, and I’d noticed the way Joe had taken to him, offering a friendship that clearly meant more than just someone to hang out with.

“You’re a good friend, Joe,” I said softly.

Joe blushed slightly, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he poked at his volcano, lost in thought. “I just wish William was happier.”

Isabel and I exchanged a glance. It was one of those moments where you realize just how much your child is growing up, thinking about things far bigger than himself.

I reached over, pulling Joe into a small hug. “You’re doing great, Joe. Just being there for him is enough.”

He smiled, but I could tell his mind was still on William.

Isabel cleared her throat, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, I’d say that’s a successful volcano eruption if I’ve ever seen one,” she teased, pointing at the mess we’d made.

Joe grinned. “Yeah! Let’s do it again, but bigger!”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Maybe tomorrow, bud. We’ll need more supplies if we’re going to keep making volcanoes.”

Joe huffed but didn’t argue, instead scooping up the leftover baking soda and vinegar to take back to the kitchen. I watched him go, feeling that familiar mix of pride and protectiveness.

“He’s got a big heart,” Isabel said quietly, watching him too. “Just like his mom.”

I smiled, but the weight of everything still lingered. The fire, Liam’s confession, Joe’s growing attachment to both Liam and Logan... it was a lot.

But in this moment, sitting on the floor with my son and one of my best friends, the world didn’t seem so heavy.

Isabel nudged me playfully. “You’re thinking too hard again.”

I rolled my eyes. “I can’t help it.”

“Stop worrying so much,” she said with a grin. “Focus on what’s right in front of you.”

I nodded, letting her words sink in. She was right. For now, all I could do was focus on the people who mattered most—Joe, Isabel, and myself.

And maybe, just maybe, Liam would prove he belonged in that group too.