Chapter 5 - Unbreakable Bonds
"They're watching us," Mara said, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Tribeca apartment, watching a dark SUV parked across the street.
"They're trying to intimidate us," I said, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Mother knows she can't win in a court of law, so she’s trying to drag this into the court of public opinion."
While the legal battle raged behind closed doors, my priority shifted to the four little boys who were currently turning my pristine apartment into an obstacle course.
Milo had discovered my model boat collection and was organizing them by size on the glass coffee table. Mason was drawing pictures of superheroes on my notepad. Max and Micah were sitting on the plush rug, engaged in an intense debate over who got to wear my spare silver watch.
"Hey, team," I said, walking over and sitting cross-legged on the floor beside them.
All four pair of gray-blue eyes snapped to me instantly.
"Mister Julian," Milo said, leaning forward. "Mom says we have to go back upstate soon. Is that true?"
I looked at Mara, who looked away with a pained expression.
"Do you guys like it here?" I asked the boys gently.
"It has hot water," Mason offered practical praise. "And the cereal here has real marshmallows."
"And there's a big TV!" Micah added enthusiastically.
"I want to stay," Max said quietly, looking at me with serious eyes. "Mom works three jobs up there and we never see her. Here, she's staying with us."
My heart broke into a thousand pieces. I looked up at Mara, whose eyes were shining with unshed tears.
"Nobody is going anywhere," I promised the boys, reaching out to touch Milo’s cheek where a faint dimple matched my own. "In fact... I have a question for you guys."
"What is it?" Milo asked.
"Do you know who I am?"
The four boys exchanged quick, telepathic glances—the kind only quadruplets share.
"You're the guy in the picture Mom keeps in her lockbox," Micah whispered. "The one she cries over when she thinks we're sleeping."
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Silence descended on the room. Mara covered her mouth with her hand, a soft sob escaping her lips.
I pulled all four boys into a tight, warm hug, closing my eyes as four pairs of small arms wrapped around my neck. "I'm your dad," I whispered into their hair. "And I am never, ever letting anyone separate us again."
