Chapter 33: Unspoken Understanding
The quiet of the townhouse was interrupted by the faint rustling of blankets. Ethan and Laura both turned toward the guest room just as a small, sleepy voice mumbled something unintelligible. The little girl stirred, shifting beneath the covers before sitting up, rubbing her eyes.
Ethan set his plate down and moved toward the door, but Laura was already there. She stepped inside, crouching beside the bed.
"Hey," she said softly.
The girl blinked up at her, her small hands gripping the blanket. "Where are we?"
"A safe place," Laura assured her. "Go back to sleep."
The girl hesitated, glancing past Laura to see Ethan standing in the doorway. Her grip on the blanket tightened.
Ethan crouched down so he wasn't towering over her. He offered a small, reassuring smile. "You hungry?"
The girl hesitated, then nodded.
Laura sighed, but there was no real annoyance behind it. She stood and gestured for the girl to follow. Together, the three of them returned to the kitchen. Ethan plated another grilled cheese, cutting it into smaller triangles before setting it in front of the girl.
She eyed it warily but took a bite. A moment later, her expression brightened.
Ethan smirked. "That's what I thought."
Laura, watching the exchange, leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "You're surprisingly good with kids."
Ethan shrugged. "She's been through a lot. A warm meal helps."
The girl chewed quietly, her small feet swinging beneath the chair. She still looked cautious but less tense than before. After a while, she glanced up at Ethan.
"What's your name?" she asked.
Ethan hesitated. His real name, Kal-El, meant nothing to her. Clark Kent wasn't who he was anymore. And Ethan Carter… was still a mask.
But right now, with Laura and the girl sitting in his kitchen, he realized something—this moment was real.
So he went with what felt right.
"Ethan," he said. "Just Ethan."
The girl considered this, then nodded. "I'm Lily."
Ethan smiled. "Nice to meet you, Lily."
Laura watched the exchange with something unreadable in her expression. A few minutes later, Lily let out a small yawn, her head drooping slightly.
"You should get some rest," Ethan said gently.
Lily looked at Laura, waiting for her approval. Laura hesitated, then nodded. "Go on. I'll be there soon."
Lily slid off the chair, rubbing her eyes as she made her way back to the guest room. Once she was gone, Laura turned back to Ethan.
"You didn't ask for this," she said.
Ethan leaned against the counter. "Neither did you."
Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
Finally, Laura sighed. "She's not my kid."
Ethan didn't react. He just waited.
Laura's fingers tapped against her arm before she continued. "But I made a choice. To protect her. To keep her safe."
Ethan nodded slowly. "That's all that matters."
Laura studied him. "And what about you? Why do you care?"
Ethan exhaled. He could have given her a dozen answers, but none of them would explain everything—not without revealing who he really was.
So instead, he simply said, "Because someone once did the same for me."
For a long moment, Laura just looked at him. Then, without another word, she pushed off the counter and headed toward the guest room.
Ethan watched her go, knowing she still didn't fully trust him.
But tonight, she stayed.
And for now, that was enough.