Although I didn’t mind Fred hugging me, his bear-like grip was such a sharp contrast to my lean frame that I genuinely thought he might crack my ribs. I caught my breath only after he let go. He’d always been a big guy, but now… he was a damn giant.

Still reeling, I stared at his face, trying to reconcile the person before me with the Fred I remembered. His features were completely different. His eyes, those unmistakable amber eyes, and the warmth of his smile were the only familiar pieces.

“Why the hell does your face look so different?” I asked, honestly baffled.

“Long story,” he replied with a sheepish grin. “Where’s Champ?”

“He’s over there,” I said, nodding toward Twen’s seat.

“Perfect,” he grinned, “Wait there, I’ll get your food,” and with that, he disappeared behind the counter.

I walked back slowly, still dazed. It had to be Fred. No one else would call Twen ‘Champ’—that was his thing. I sat back down, only to be met with Twen’s pout.

“Mommy, you didn’t order food?” he whined, rubbing his stomach.

I chuckled. “Of course I did, Munchkin. My friend’s bringing it.”

That seemed to appease him for a moment. Then Fred came back, balancing a tray with practiced ease: two ham and cheese sandwiches and three orange juices.

“Here we go,” he said cheerfully, serving us before grabbing one of the juices for himself. With the restaurant packed, he had no choice but to remain standing.

Fred gave me a once-over and scowled. “When did you get so skinny?”

“Work,” I replied flatly.

He frowned, clearly unimpressed with the answer, before turning his attention to Twen with an awed look. “Goddamn, I can’t believe how much Champ has grown. Last time I saw him, he was a baby.”

“He was a toddler, not a baby,” I laughed.

“Mommy, does this uncle know me?” Twen asked, eyeing Fred with a suspicious little frown.

“Oops,” I chuckled, “I forgot to introduce you. Twen, this is Fred, the friend I told you about. He’s the one who took care of us when we first came to this city.”

Fred looked a little bashful at the praise and ruffled Twen’s hair. “How are you doing, Champ?”

Twen’s eyes narrowed. His little lips puckered into a scowl.

“If you’re here to take my Mommy,” he said, voice high-pitched and sharp, “I’m not giving him to you!”

I choked on my juice.

“Twen! What—what are you saying?!” I gasped, face going red hot.

Fred, on the other hand, gave a full-bodied, chest-deep laugh. “Wow. You’ve got a bold kid there, Tony. At least he knows what he wants.” Then, looking at Twen with a conspiratorial smile, he added, “Don’t worry, kiddo. Your mommy’s already taken. I can’t have him.”

“FRED!” I snapped, scandalized.

He just shrugged, nonchalant as always. Twen, meanwhile, sulked and focused on chewing his sandwich, clearly unsure how to process Fred’s answer.

Eventually, Fred found a seat beside me. I studied his face again: new skin, different jaw, healed scars barely visible under the tan. My mind reeled with questions.

“Do I look that handsome?” he asked with a wink, catching my stare.

I rolled my eyes. “When did you get back? You didn’t even reach out.”

His smile faltered.

“I thought… You didn’t want me to,” he said quietly.

Immediately, a cold silence fell.

“I’m sorry, Fred,” I murmured. “I should’ve explained everything back then.”

He nodded. “Sam told me what happened. And even if he hadn’t, I knew something was off. I’m not stupid, Tony.”

I didn’t reply. Fred wasn’t to blame for what happened. But he bore the brunt of it more than anyone.

“I just… I hate that we drifted apart because of something so stupid,” I said, the words tight in my throat.

Fred exhaled slowly. “It wasn’t your fault. It was my dad’s. I never blamed you.”

“Then why didn’t you say something?”

“I tried. You wouldn’t let me. After a while, I figured I should just… respect your silence.”

The guilt tightened in my chest. I’d been too angry, too scared, too proud to give him a chance.

“How’s Uncle?” I asked after a pause, unsure if I had the right.

Fred barked a bitter laugh. “Still breathing. He’s in Hawaii now, married to his new wife.”

My eyes went wide. “He what?”

“Oh yeah. Married a woman three years older than me. Told me to call her ‘Mom’.” Fred chuckled darkly. “We had a huge fight. I got drunk and crashed my car. That’s how this happened,” he said, gesturing at his face.

“Jesus Christ, Fred!”

“What? I lived.”

“Did the cops—?”

“Yep, it was a mess. The other driver was hurt too, but not critically. My car flipped and exploded. It took the media by storm. Dad nearly had a heart attack. I woke up in the hospital with a new face and a new perspective.”

I swallowed hard. “You’re insane.”

“I know,” he said softly. “But it gave us closure. He confessed some stuff. I didn’t even need to ask. After that, we agreed to keep out of each other’s personal business. We’re civil now.”

I nodded, a slow breath easing out of me. Uncle Fernando had made a lot of mistakes, but I knew he loved Fred. I was glad they’d found a way back, even if it took an explosion to get there.

“So… now you work at this beach restaurant?” I asked, biting into my sandwich.

He looked at me, eyes soft. “This is my restaurant.”

I nearly dropped my food. “Wha–?”

He chuckled. “I’m 23, Tony. I’m not a damn high school kid anymore.”

“I should’ve made you pay, then,” I teased. “Missed a prime opportunity.”

Fred laughed, and for a moment, it felt like no time had passed between us. Just two idiots sharing jokes and food by the sea.

Only Twen wasn’t smiling. He kept glancing between us, wary, arms folded across his chest.

Fred waved us off when we left. He wanted us to stay longer, but I had things to do—unpacking, job hunting, trying to make a life again. Still, seeing Fred lifted something heavy off my chest. I felt lighter, grounded.

As we walked back, Twen, still in my arms, looked up at me with those wide, serious eyes.

“Mommy… you won’t choose that uncle over me, right?”

My heart clenched. That was what all this was about. I kissed his forehead and whispered, “Twen, I’d always choose you. No matter who the other person is.”

He smiled, wrapping his arms tightly around my neck.

He didn’t know it yet, but nothing in this world meant more to me than him.