Saturday evening finds them in a rare moment of peace. The twins are fed, bathed, and deposited in front of a movie that features singing animals and questionable plot logic. Dom has ordered pizza from the Brooklyn place, the one that smells like his childhood, and they eat on the floor of the living room because Luna declared that "tables are for boring people."
Allie watches him with the twins. He is learning, still, always learning. How to cut pizza into pieces small enough for Luna without making her feel like a baby. How to discuss dinosaur evolution with Leo without talking down to him. How to be present, truly present, in a way that makes them feel safe and loved and seen.
He is not perfect. Last week, he burned the toast so badly the fire alarm went off. He does not know how to braid hair, despite three tutorials and Luna's increasingly desperate instructions. He works too much, still, though he is trying to leave the office at a reasonable hour, to be home for dinner, to read bedtime stories even when his phone buzzes with crises.
But he is trying. And that trying means more than any perfection could.
"Mommy," Luna says through a mouthful of cheese, "Daddy said we could get a dog."
"I said we could discuss it," Dom corrects quickly, catching Allie's eye. "Discuss. Not decide. That is different."
"What is there to discuss?" Luna demands. "Dogs are good. We are good. It is a perfect match."
"We live in a penthouse," Allie points out. "Dogs need space. Grass. Places to run."
"We have a rooftop," Leo observes. "And elevators. The dog could ride the elevator. It would be good exercise."
"And security," Luna adds. "Dogs bark at bad guys. We need more security. Leo says so."
Leo nods seriously. "Perimeter defense is inadequate. A canine unit would significantly improve our safety profile."
Allie looks at Dom, who is trying not to laugh. "You see what you started?"
"I see a family discussion," Dom says, grinning. "Democracy in action."
"Democracy," Leo repeats, tasting the word. "That is when everyone votes, correct?"
"Correct."
"Then I vote for a German Shepherd. They are intelligent, loyal, and highly trainable."
"I vote for a fluffy one," Luna says. "A fluffy one that wears a pirate hat."
"I vote for no dog until we have a house with a yard," Allie says.
Dom raises his hand. "I vote for whatever makes my family happy, provided we research breeds, responsibilities, and the appropriate timing."
"That is not a real vote," Luna complains.
"It is a diplomatic response," Leo says approvingly. "Well played, Dad."
The word hangs in the air. Dad. Daddy. Father. The titles Luna throws around freely, that Leo uses sparingly, carefully, like they cost something to spend.
Dom's face transforms. Every time. Still. After weeks of hearing it, he lights up like a child on Christmas morning, grateful and overwhelmed and trying to hide it because he thinks he should be used to it by now.
"Thank you, Leo," he says, his voice thick.
Leo nods, returns to his pizza, but he is smiling. Small, secret, proud.
After dinner, they put the twins to bed. Luna demands three stories, two songs, and a detailed explanation of why the moon follows the car. Leo wants to discuss the security protocols for the night, the escape routes, the check-in times.
"Leo," Allie says, kneeling by his bed. "You are safe here. Daddy's security is excellent. You do not need to worry."
"I am not worried," Leo says. "I am prepared. There is a difference."
"Is there?"
"Worry is fear without action. Preparation is action without fear." Leo looks at her with those grey eyes that see too much. "I learned that from a book. And from watching you."
Allie kisses his forehead. "You are too smart for your own good, baby."
"That is what Mrs. Chen says. But she says it like it is a bad thing."
"It is a good thing," Allie promises. "The best thing. Now sleep. Dream of architecture and security systems and whatever else makes you happy."
"And dogs?"
"And dogs," Allie agrees. "We will discuss it more tomorrow."
She closes his door, finds Dom waiting in the hallway. He pulls her close, holds her in the quiet dark.
"They are amazing," he whispers. "You are amazing. I do not deserve this."
"Stop," Allie says, but gently. "You deserve love. You deserve family. You deserve happiness. And I am going to make sure you get all of it."
They go to the living room, clean up pizza boxes, settle on the couch with wine they do not finish. The city spreads below them, lights and life and danger they cannot escape but are learning to manage.
"I need to tell you something," Dom says, his voice serious. "About the business. About the future."
"Okay."
"The board is pushing for a merger. With a shipping company that has... connections. The old kind. The kind I am trying to leave behind."
"And you are considering it?"
"I am considering everything. The company needs growth. The legitimate side needs capital. But the merger would mean... it would mean working with people I do not trust. People who would use our name, our reputation, to do things I cannot control."
Allie sets down her wine. She turns to face him, cross-legged on the couch, giving him her full attention.
"What do you want? Truly?"
"I want to build something clean. Something we can be proud of. Something the twins can inherit without shame." Dom runs his hands through his hair, frustrated. "But I also want to win. To prove that the legitimate path works. That we do not need the shadows, the violence, the old ways."
"Then find another way," Allie says. "There is always another way. We found one with the Kovacs. We found one with Viktor. We will find one for this."
"There is no time. The board meets Thursday. They want an answer."
"Then we give them one." Allie pulls out her tablet, starts typing. "I have been researching. Competitors, alternatives, companies that need what we offer without bringing baggage. Let me show you."
They work through the night. Allie presents three alternatives to the merger, each viable, each clean, each offering growth without compromise. Dom argues, refines, pushes back, accepts.
By dawn, they have a plan. A presentation for the board. A path forward that does not require selling their souls.
"You are remarkable," Dom says, watching the sunrise paint the city gold. "You know that?"
"I know," Allie says, stretching, exhausted and exhilarated. "And so are you. We are remarkable together."
They make love on the couch, slow and sleepy and sweet. After, they fall asleep tangled together, the city waking around them, the future uncertain but shared.