Coming down the steps a smile came onto my face at the sight of my mother dancing in the kitchen singing along to the music that played on the radio.
Kyle dancing alongside her.
Waiting at the steps, I watched as she spun Kyle around his laughter ringing through the room as my mom smiled down at him.
Since that night at the diner with Jesse, I couldn't help but noticed how my mother glowed with joy over the past couple of days.
It warms my heart to see her so happy, knowing she deserves it.
"Mylo, come join us!" Kyle said spotting me peeking at the steps.
My mom's eyes shot up to my own her smile widening as she beckoned me to join them in the kitchen.
Moving from the steps, I made my way over to them, the smell of tempeh and broccoli rabe orecchiette filling my senses.
"The food smells great mom," I complimented before grabbing her hand to spin her around.
A small laugh fell from her lips as she twirled around.
"Thanks, honey," She said once she was no longer spinning.
"What's the big occasion?" I asked seeing my grandmother's recipe book open on the counter, which my mom only pulls out for special days like the holidays and our birthdays.
Noticing where my stare fell, my mother's smile faltered a bit.
She looked around the kitchen, seeing that Kyle already snuck out of the room, probably went to watch tv, she released a sigh of relief.
"Well, I was waiting to tell you when Will arrived," She said making me raise my eyebrow at the nickname.
"But, it would be better to tell you now," She said as I looked down at her expectantly, curious to hear what she was going to say.
"Your father and I's divorce has been finalized," She quickly rushed out staring at me warily.
For a second I stood in my spot in shock, her words catching me by surprise.
However, once her words registered in my head, I immediately pulled her into a hug.
"Mom, that's incredible news!" I said genuinely happy for her, glad that she no longer had to have my father looming over her head.
I felt a wetness in my chest as my mother pressed her face into my chest, her shoulders sagging.
"Why are you crying mom, this is good news," I said confused.
"I'm sorry, it's just this isn't what I pictured for myself, for us. I wished so desperately for us to have a happy family, but things worked out differently, and I'm just sorry," She said pulling away, tears running down her face as she peered up at me.
The sight before me breaking my heart.
"Listen to me, this isn't your fault. You showed nothing but love and compassion, doing everything you could to keep Liam happy, despite him not being around and infidelity breaking your heart. You're stronger than anyone I know and I'm proud to call you my mother. You deserve everything and more mom, and it's time you stop sacrificing your happiness. Liam is the one who's missing out, not us. We are happier without him and I'm happy that you once again can find the joy you lost." I said wiping away her tears as she gave me a small smile.
"Thank you, I'm lucky to have such an amazing son," She said pulling me back into a hug.
We stood in each other's embrace for a few more moments before pulling away once more.
"And Kyle?" I asked hesitantly.
"Your father is still fighting hard to get custody over Kyle, he won't even agree to partial, custody." My mother said sighing sadly.
One battle won, and one more to go.
"However, we are making lead way in the case and the jury is starting to see that your father is unfit to take care of Kyle." She said igniting hope within me.
"Is there any way I can help?"I asked wanting to do anything I can to ensure that Kyle stays with us.
"Actually there is. Will thinks that if you appear in court to testify against your father, that can possibly sway the vote in our favor. Though, I completely understand if you don't want to do it. I know your father hasn't always been there, but he's still your fa-"
"I'll do it," Cutting her off as her eyes widen in shock.
"Liam is more of a sperm donor than my actual father. You were the one who raised me and gave me the love I deserve. I would hate for Kyle to experience the neglect, manipulation, and false promises I had to endure for many years by Liam." I said my mother's eyes shining with pride.
"I'll let Will know when he gets here," She said as I nodded in reply.
"So, William is coming over tonight," I said changing the subject, raising my brow in curiosity as my mother moved around me to check on dinner.
"Yeah, he is," Her lips curling into a smile at the mention of his name.
"You two seem to be getting close, I mean you're on a nickname basis," I said referring to her calling him Will instead of William.
"What's that suppose to mean," She said shooting a suspicious glance at me over her shoulder.
"I saw you two at Debby's last night," I said cutting right to the chase.
Her hand froze on the ladle for a second before going back to stirring the pot.
"We're just friends," She said though the red glow in her face said otherwise.
"Mhm, okay," I said deciding not to push for more information.
"You looked really happy yesterday night, I haven't seen you look that happy in years. It was nice," I said before leaving the kitchen, letting her ponder over my words.
Taking a seat beside Kyle on the couch, I smiled at the sight of Squidward.
"How do you feel about William?" I asked Kyle directing his attention away from the yellow sponge and to me.
"Willy?" He asked slightly confused as I nodded in confirmation.
"Oh, I love Willy! He bought me ice cream a couple of times and plays with me at the park." He said taking me by surprise.
"And when did you do all of this?" I asked.
"Oh, sometimes Willy picks me up from school and dance practice when you and mom can't. He's really fun!" Kyle answered said before turning his attention back to the screen.
Before I could ask any more questions, the doorbell rang.
"Can someone grab the door please," My mother yelled from the kitchen.
Seeing that Kyle's eyes were glued to the screen, I eased myself off the couch.
"I got it," I yelled back, heading over to the front door.
Seems like I'm grilling Willaim tonight.
Excuse me,
Will
___
Dinner went surprisingly well.
Better than that, it was really good, actually.
It almost felt natural with Willam there.
He easily got into conversation with mom and Kyle, asking him about dance.
He even managed to spark some conversation with me about boxing, with him being a huge fan himself.
It was now after dinner, and William and I were sitting in the living room to discuss me testifying against my father.
Laughter rang from the kitchen, my mother and Kyle frosting the red velvet cupcakes they made earlier for dessert.
"Are you sure you want to do this? Liam's lawyer is ruthless, he won't care that your his son and go easy on you. He'll try to poke any hole in your story, bring out any flaw, and paint your father as the victim and you as an ungrateful son. Are you sure you can handle that?" Will said, though his face was blank there was a hint of concern in his eyes.
I know that testifying against my father is going to be hard, but I will be damned if I don't and damned if I do.
Kyle deserves to be in a loving home and I will make sure that happens, my father won't get in the way of that.
"I'm sure," I said with a tone of finality.
William nodded his head with an impressed look before explaining the logistics and the details of the case.
Once we were done we rose from our seat, to meet my mother and Kyle in the kitchen.
Hovering at the entrance I watched as my mother help Kyle draw a smiley face on one of the cupcakes.
Their faces light up with happiness, large grins on their faces, making a small smile appeared on my own.
The sight before me gave me more of a reason to testify against my father.
This is where Kyle belongs
Looking beside me I saw that William was staring at the two in adoration, a gentle smile on his face.
"Your mother is an incredible woman, she didn't deserve to go through what she has with your father. Yet, I admire her for her strength, resilience, and kind heart. It's a shame your father couldn't appreciate what an amazing women Elena is and be a better man for her," William said, his voice low so that they don't hear us.
"And you think you're that for her?" I questioned raising a brow at him, curious to hear his response.
"What? A better man?" He asked in confirmation as I nodded in response.
A pensive looked crossed his face, the bunching of his eyebrows showing that he was taking in my words into consideration.
"No, but I want to be," He said breaking the silence.
"I don't deserve someone as great as your mother, but I want to become the man she deserves."
Before I could respond my mother became aware of our presence, beckoning us over to eat some cupcakes.
I watched as William wiped frosting from mother's cheek an amused grin on his face, as her face flushed red in embarrassment, though a small smile was on her face.
William was right, saying that he didn't deserve my mother, but my mother deserves to be happy.
He doesn't know it, but William is a better man because he can give my mother something my father couldn't.
Happiness