A Love That Will Not Change

The Long Night

All the way home from the Amusement Park, only silence enveloped them. Not a word came out from among them.

Mateo who was confused by the attitude of the two adults in front of him right now made him wonder.

A towering iceberg confines between them so that they do not talk to each other.

His aura was so cold and desolate.

Mateo thought of a way to break the silence between them.

" Mama! call Mateo.

"Hmmm. Yes baby! Sophia turned towards Mateo.

"May Mateo ask for something? the door with a hopeful look.

"Mateo wants what?

Stephen who was busy driving the car also listened.

" Mateo wants to sleep with Stephen tonight!

Sophia and Stephen were both surprised to hear Mateo's very unusual request. Although somewhat surprised Stephen remained focused on driving his car.

" Why did Mateo suddenly want to sleep with Om Stephen? Sophia asked the reason why the child suddenly had such a wish.

" Mateo longs to feel what it's like to sleep with a father! mateo's reply was very moving for Sophia especially for Stephen.

Guilt immediately hit his heart. Do not ask what the pain is like, like a sharp knife pierced in the eye and bleeding or like a festering wound watered with salt water and vinegar where the pain is lacerated to the bone marrow.

Sophia did not know what to answer. His mind became empty and hollow.

" Can't you Ma? Tanya Mateo made sure because there was no answer from Sophia who allowed or denied her wishes.

" May be darling. Om is willing to accompany Mateo to sleep. Anytime Mateo wants Om ready.! Stephen finally answered Mateo's wishes.

" Right Om? Mateo confirmed what he heard.

" Right dong! Stephen convinced Mateo.

" Mama, can you? Mateo kept asking Sophia. However, Mateo still respects Sophia as her Mama. You must get permission first.

Sophia nodded. Mateo who saw it was of course happy. Maybe this request of his was just a simple thing but for him it was very special. Because after all this time Mateo missed this moment.

But all this time Mateo always harbored this desire. Because he knew that desire could not be realized. But now with the presence of Stephen who has begun to give him the opportunity to feel the presence of a father figure makes him want to realize this hope.

" Today Mateo sleeps with Stephen and Ma!

A blazing, happy face flashed from Mateo's heart. Sophia understood why the child was so happy with an opportunity like this.

It is natural for a child to expect this after so long he has never felt it.

Sophia was very understanding of the loneliness and longing that Mateo had experienced so far. Where all this time he was only able to hold a sense in the depths of his heart. Do not know who to devote to because he considers that his life was never expected by his parents so he had to be dumped at the Orphanage.

Sophia had experienced the same thing. A sense of loneliness and longing for the presence of someone he loves. When Sophia herself was far from her loved ones. So that when his heart misses he is only able to soak the longing in the heart.

Sophia did not want to reject Mateo's request at all, but there was still something stuck in her heart for now. If Stephen's going to sleep with Mateo tonight, it means Stephen's going to stay at his house for the night.

Actually not a big deal because she would only sleep together with Mateo just that, Sophia would definitely feel awkward being on one roof with a man who was not her husband. She is a single woman, unmarried.

Because there are limitations in legal norms or cultural traditions that are less valid. Indeed they do nothing but the views of the surrounding community are not always accepted.

But for now for him is Mateo's happiness. Let the people judge according to their own views. Good or bad, right or wrong humans can measure it but not always human judgment is always right.

Arriving inside the house, Sophia immediately prepared a bed for Stephen and Mateo. At least Stephen can feel comfortable and can sleep well.

And look how happy Mateo is. His face did not stop smiling. Perhaps this is one of the happy events of his life to date.

Tonight he will experience what it is like to sleep together with a father. For him even though he is not a real father but this moment is a moment that is awaited by him. Can't wait to get to bed with "Dad" tonight.

But the thing she doesn't know is that the person she's going to spend the night with is really her real father.

Who could have thought that they would have to be met in this way.

Stephen did not forget to clean his body before going to bed. She also helps Mateo prepare herself before going to bed.

Stephen helped Mateo put on his nightgown, brushed his teeth, then prepared a glass of milk before going to bed.

How a father pays attention to his son, so does Stephen do it for him Mateo. Even though what he did was still a small part. Remembering that a lot of time is wasted. Where all this time Mateo never got it. Maybe this is one of Stephen's apologies to Mateo.

Mateo never thought at all if his biological father was Stephen, who always hoped that someday he would

reunited with his father.

But the question for now is how will Mateo react if he knows the truth someday? Will he be this happy or will he be disappointed?

Stephen lay down next to Mateo who was already lying down first.

He took the boy into his arms. A father's warm embrace to his son.

While stroking Mateo's hair, Stephen began to tell stories. Tells the story of a fairy tale he heard when he was a child.

Mateo listened enthusiastically. This is what it feels like to sleep with my dad.

From behind the door Sophia noticed the two beloved men. Haru's taste was seeping into his heart. His teary eyes held back the blue-drenched novelty.

And without tears, no longer unstoppable. Defense broke. The smooth cheeks were finally drenched in tears. Not tears of sadness but tears of happiness.

For now, this is their happiness. For tomorrow God must have prepared what events they will face together.

Sophia wiped away the tears on her cheeks. Her smile floated happily. The door to Mateo's room closed and moved from there. Letting both men enjoy their moments. Only the two of them without anyone would bother him.

Sophia threw her body on the sofa, enjoying a moment of solitude. He closed his eyes and felt the night wind blowing through the window.

How cold it was but refreshing his body. And gratitude was given in his heart to the Giver of life who still accompanies him to this day. Life and happiness that may not be felt or enjoyed by others.

God darling.