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“We can wait outside if you don’t mind,” I replied.

“It’s right where we brought the kids out last time Katy. I hope you know where it is.” Lucia eyed Katy.

“Yes.” Katy flashed her a smile, and Lucia nodded before disappearing down the long corridor.

Katy and I exited through the same door we came in and ventured to the path around the back, which led to a neatly kept open space that had a lawn with autumn trees on one side and a sandbox playground on the other.

“I hope you like him,” Katy whispered while we waited, our eyes trained on the back door of the building which burst open seconds later. Lucia came out holding a little boy’s hand who had his brows pinched in an adorable frown.

One look at him and I knew why Katy wanted him to be ours.

I felt it—the need to protect him, the need to give him everything before I even spoke a word to him.

He was so tiny for his age, wearing a black jumper that swallowed his frame over his uniform. His brown eyes, almost the same shade as mine, held the kind of emptiness that made my heart tug. I suddenly felt an immense rush of anger to destroy every single person who put that look in his eyes.

Lucia crouched lower and whispered something to him, which made Luka look in our direction, and my breath hitched when his lips spread into a wide smile.

“Katiew,” he shouted before running toward her, and Katy caught him in her arms, her eyes brimming with love and adoration as she held him tight.

Looking at them both, something painfully hopeful filled my chest.

It was then that I knew Luka would be our son.

No matter what.

“Luka, baby, let me see you,” Katy said, holding him by his shoulders. “Wow, is it just me, or did you grow up since the last time I saw you?”

“You only saw me thrwee days ago, Katiew,” he said quietly, but the emptiness in his eyes vanished at the sight of her.

Only my angel could do that.

“More like five,” she whispered, rubbing a soft thumb over his cheek. “But I missed you so much.”

“I did too,” he replied. “Is Mr. Matty with you? Why did you ask me to come? Did you bring me a chocolate milkshake?”

“No baby, sorry,” Katy mumbled, pointing toward me. “I brought someone to meet you.”

“Who?” His lips pouted in question as he lifted his eyes to me.

A smile pulled my lips as I crouched beside Katy. “Hey, buddy. I’m Lan, or you can call me Landon.”

His eyes squinted as he thought for a long moment. “Lawndon? I have never heard that name before.”

“That’s because only strong boys get to have that name,” I said in a serious tone. “Do you want to know another name they give to strong boys?”

“No.” His eyes widened as he shook his head.

I leaned closer to his ear. “Luka,” I whispered, cupping a hand over my mouth.

“Really?” His eyes shone with excitement. “That’s my name.”

“Let me see your muscles then.”

He proudly showed off his biceps.

I poked my finger on his tiny arm. “Wow,” I said in a shocked whisper. “You’re definitely strong.”

“Does that mean we get to be superheroes, Mr. Lawndon?”