CHAPTER 160: CHAPTER 160 FATHER AND SON

Caroline’s POV

It didn’t take long for Mabel to arrive, guiding Liam by his little hand. The moment Liam spotted Draven, he let go and ran toward him.

"Dwavennn!" Liam stretched out his tiny arms, and Draven immediately crouched down, scooping him up into a tight embrace.

"Liam. My boy." Draven’s voice broke as he held his son for the first time knowing the truth. Tears ran down his face, his usual strong presence now completely vulnerable. I looked around the room and saw everyone was crying, including myself. Rory was singing with joy inside me, celebrating our family finally being together.

"Dwaven, I missed you. You didn’t come play with me anymore," Liam complained, his little hands patting Draven’s face curiously.

"Oh, my boy, I’ve been dying to see you too." Draven said as they hugged each other tightly.

"Hi, Mommy." Liam turned to me briefly before returning his attention to Draven. "Uncle Ryan sent for us."

"That’s right. And aren’t you going to say hello to everyone else?" I prompted gently.

"Ah, Mommy, I missed Dwaven so much!" Liam said, resting his head on Draven’s shoulder, who couldn’t stop the tears flowing down his cheeks.

"Hi, everybody!" Liam waved to the room, acknowledging everyone at once. Then he looked up with concern at Draven’s tear-streaked face. "Why are you crying, Dwaven?"

"Because I’m so happy to see you," Draven managed to reply.

He looked up at our friends. "Sorry, everyone, but I’m not letting him go right now. You’ll all have to wait." Everyone laughed warmly at this.

"Then let’s sit down to eat, and you can keep holding your boy," Ryan suggested with a grin. "Liam, I bought french fries for you."

"Yay!" Liam clapped his little hands excitedly.

We settled down to eat, and I was completely enchanted watching my son perched on his father’s lap, both smiling and happy.

Liam munched on french fries while animatedly telling Draven about his latest adventures at daycare. Draven couldn’t stop showering him with kisses and attention. I watched them without paying much attention to anything else happening around us. We still needed to tell Liam the truth, and I wasn’t sure if he would understand. After we finished eating, we gathered in the living room.

"Liam, Mommy has something very important to tell you." Liam remained comfortably nestled in Draven’s lap.

"Tell me, Mommy." He looked at me.

"Remember when you asked why you don’t have a daddy?" I asked.

"I ’member, Mommy. You and Auntie Elle said it’s because my daddy lives far away," he repeated the explanation Elle and I had always given him.

"Well, now your daddy lives very close." I said, watching as his little eyes widened with excitement.

"Really, Mommy? Can Dwaven be my daddy?"he asked hopefully,and I was speechless at how intuitive children could be.

"Yes, my son, I am your daddy. I am your daddy." Draven’s voice broke as he held Liam tightly in his arms. Liam immediately wrapped his little arms around Draven’s neck and squeezed as hard as his tiny body allowed.

"My daddy? You’re my daddy! My daddy!" Liam shouted with pure joy, laughing and hugging his father with all his might.

Draven’s emotions overflowed, and everyone in the room was moved to tears by the beautiful reunion.

"I think I’ll go to the kitchen and make some chamomile tea for Draven," Eleanor said as she stood up. "Actually, I think I’ll make it for everyone." Her comment lightened the mood and made everyone burst into laughter.

When Draven and Liam finally released each other from their embrace, Liam ran his little hand over his father’s face and asked again why he was crying. Draven explained that he was incredibly happy to be his father.

"I have an idea!" Ryan spoke up. "No one is leaving tonight. There are plenty of rooms in this house, and we can all stay and share this special moment together."

"I love that idea, honey!" Ruby supported Ryan.

One by one, everyone agreed to stay.I watched Liam, who was already excitedly jumping around at the prospect of what the adults were calling a "pack sleepover," while Draven pulled me into a tight embrace and whispered in my ear,"I’ll stay wherever you and our children are, my love. Always."

Everyone looked at me with pleading eyes, and I happily agreed that we would all stay. Mabel tried to excuse herself to go home, but Ryan wouldn’t hear of it, insisting she stay and participate in our impromptu pack gathering.

It turned into an incredibly fun night filled with games, laughter, and stories. Ryan distributed spare clothing and shirts for everyone to sleep in. When we finally went to bed, Draven placed our son between us and wrapped his arms around both of us. I never imagined it was possible to feel as complete and happy as I did in that moment.

The following day, after lunch, we returned to my apartment. Draven wanted to know absolutely everything about his son, and the two were inseparable. Elle decided to stay at Nate’s place so we could have some family time alone. We quickly stopped by Draven’s penthouse so he could gather some essentials before heading to my apartment.