Mars leaned back in the red vinyl booth of the cozy, slightly rundown diner, blinking at Zaine as if she hadn't heard him right. His small, serious face stared back at her, brows drawn together, looking every bit like a businessman closing a deal over pancakes. She fought the urge to smile and put her phone face down on the table.

"Alright, wagwan, kid?" she said, amusement dancing in her hazel-and-grey eyes as she rested her elbows on the table.

Zaine leaned in, lowering his voice like they were about to hatch a master plan. "Okay, so, I live with you now, right?"

Mars nodded slowly, playing along. "Right."

"And you're very rich, correct?" he added, his tiny hands still clasped on the table.

Mars snorted at the bluntness, biting back a laugh. "I do well for myself, yeah."

Zaine gave a satisfied nod, like that was exactly the answer he was hoping for. "Okay, good. I don't care what you do for the money, but let's agree on something."

Mars leaned closer, both curious and entertained. "Alright, shoot."

Zaine straightened up like he was delivering a serious negotiation. "Lifetime supply of dino nuggies."

Mars couldn't help the laugh that escaped her this time, the sound loud and warm. "Dino nuggies, huh?"

"Yes," Zaine said, completely unbothered by her amusement. "It's important. I need them. Lots of them."

Mars tapped a finger thoughtfully against her chin, pretending to consider the offer. "Umm... how about we ask Billie when she comes home tomorrow?"

Zaine grinned, pleased by the mention of Billie. "Okay. I like her."

Mars smiled, feeling a little flicker of warmth at the simple, honest way Zaine said it. "Me too, kid."

There was a moment of quiet as Zaine traced patterns on the table with his fingers, then his little voice cut through the comfortable silence with a question Mars hadn't expected.

"JJ said you're a girl... but can I call you Dada? I called Mommy, Mom."

Mars blinked, her breath catching for a moment. Of all the things she'd been prepared for—temper tantrums, late-night wake-ups, the fear that she wasn't enough—she hadn't expected this.

"Yeah?" she asked gently, trying to gauge how serious he was.

Zaine nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It feels right. And I liked calling Mommy, Mom... but you're Dada."

Mars swallowed hard, feeling something deep inside her chest shift. It was such a small thing—a word—but it carried so much weight. "You sure about that, buddy?" she asked softly, not wanting him to feel like he had to call her anything he wasn't comfortable with.

"Yeah," Zaine said simply, with the unwavering confidence that only a four-year-old could manage.

Mars's heart felt like it was cracking open, and she nodded, giving him the softest smile. "Alright, kid. Dada it is."

Zaine's face lit up, and before Mars could say another word, he slid out of his seat and climbed into the booth beside her, snuggling into her side like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Mars draped an arm around him, pulling him close. She kissed the top of his curly head, the scent of maple syrup and kid shampoo filling her nose. "You're somethin' else, you know that?"

Zaine giggled, kicking his little feet under the table. "I know."

They sat like that for a while, Mars scrolling through her phone with one arm wrapped around him, until the waitress came by to refill their drinks. Zaine ordered a chocolate milk, with an air of authority that made Mars chuckle.

The waitress gave Mars a knowing smile as she set the milk down. "He's got you wrapped around his little finger, doesn't he?"

Mars laughed. "You have no idea."

When Zaine finished his milk, he poked Mars in the ribs, his eyes wide with excitement. "Can we FaceTime Billie now? I wanna tell her 'bout the nuggies plan."

Mars grinned, already pulling out her phone. "Alright, let's see if she's free."

She tapped Billie's contact, and it wasn't long before the familiar dial tone was replaced by Billie's face on the screen. She looked tired but happy, her makeup slightly smudged from rehearsal, a soft smile spreading across her face the moment she saw Mars and Zaine together.

"Hey, you two," Billie said, her voice warm through the speaker. "What's up?"

Zaine wiggled excitedly in Mars's lap. "Hi, Billie! I have a plan."

"A plan, huh?" Billie asked, raising an amused eyebrow. "Let's hear it, little man."

"Okay, so Dada says I can have a lifetime supply of dino nuggies if you agree," Zaine said, holding the phone close to his face like it was a business deal.

Billie laughed, the sound soft and genuine. "Oh, is that so?"

Mars smirked. "Yup. He's already trying to negotiate, baby."

Billie gave them a playful look, her eyes bright with affection. "Well, if Zaine needs dino nuggies, we better make it happen, right?"

"Yes!" Zaine cheered, pumping his little fist in the air.

Mars shook her head, laughing as she kissed the side of Zaine's head. "See? Told you she'd be on board."

Billie leaned closer to the screen, her voice tender. "Hey, Zaine... I can't wait to see you tomorrow, okay? We'll have so much fun."

Zaine grinned. "I can't wait either. And we can play with Shark, right?"

"Absolutely," Billie promised. "Shark's been missing you."

Mars felt her heart swell at the sight of the two people she loved most bonding over something so simple. It was moments like this that made everything—every challenge, every late-night worry—completely worth it.

After a few more minutes of playful conversation, Billie glanced off-screen, her brows furrowing slightly. "I gotta go wrap things up here, but I'll see you guys soon, okay?"

"Okay!" Zaine said enthusiastically.

Mars gave Billie a soft smile. "We'll be waiting."

Billie blew them a kiss through the screen, and Zaine giggled, pretending to catch it. Mars felt her chest tighten with love as she watched Billie's image disappear from the screen.

As Mars set the phone down, Zaine looked up at her with a sleepy smile. "Dada... can we get the nuggies now?"

Mars chuckled. "We'll get 'em soon, buddy. I promise."

Zaine snuggled deeper into her side, his little body warm and relaxed against hers. "I love you, Dada."

Mars's throat tightened, and she wrapped both arms around him, holding him close. "I love you too, kid. So much."

And in that moment—sitting in a random diner with a four-year-old who had just become her entire world—Mars knew without a doubt that she was exactly where she was meant to be.