Part 14:
Whatever you need. Mason’s voice was urgent. I’ll make it work. I promise. Elena thought about Sophie’s sticky hands and Ethan’s dry humor and Mara’s slow smiles. thought about Mason’s steady presence and the family they’d accidentally built. “Okay,” she said. “Okay, I’ll come with you.” Mason pulled her into his arms. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’ve never been to New York. I’ll probably hate it. Then we’ll hate it together.” That night, they told the kids. Sophie immediately started planning. “Can we see the Statue of Liberty in Time Square? And we’re going there to work, not sightsee.” Mason said, “We can do both,” Elena said. “Why not?” Ethan looked worried.
“What about school? Online classes, same curriculum. What about my friends?” “You’ll make new ones and visit the old ones when we come back.” “If we come back,” Mara said quietly. Everyone looked at her. “What?” she said defensively. “I’m just being realistic. These things always become permanent.
” This won’t, Mason said firmly. 6 months. That’s it. You don’t know that, Mara. Every time an adult says temporary, they mean forever. That’s how it works. She left the table. Elena followed her upstairs, found her in her room, aggressively sketching. Hey, I don’t want to talk about it. Okay. Elena sat on the floor. Can I just sit here? Mara shrugged.
They sat in silence for 10 minutes. Finally, Mara spoke. What if we get there and you decide you like New York better than here? I won’t. You don’t know that? You’re right. I don’t. But I know I’m not going to abandon you. Everyone abandons everyone eventually. Is that what you really believe? Mara’s pencil stilled.
My biological parents gave me up. My mom died. Every foster placement before dad lasted less than a year. She looked up, eyes wet. “So, yeah, that’s what I believe.” Elena’s heart broke. “I can’t promise nothing bad will ever happen,” she said quietly. “But I can promise I’m choosing to stay every day, no matter what.
Even if you and dad break up, even then.” Why? Because you’re important to me. You and Sophie and Ethan, you’re not accessories to my relationship with your dad. You’re people I care about independently. Mara wiped her eyes. That’s the right answer. It’s not an answer. It’s the truth. Mara sat down her sketchbook. Okay, I believe you. Yeah.
Yeah. They sat together for a while longer. Then Mara said, “Can you help me pack? I have no idea what to bring to New York.” Elena smiled. I have no idea either, but we’ll figure it out together. The next two months passed in a blur of preparation. Mason coordinated the business logistics.
Elena transferred her classes online. The kids said goodbye to teachers and friends with varying degrees of drama. Sophie was excited. Ethan was anxious but trying to hide it. Mara pretended not to care but created an entire sketchbook of places she wanted to see. 3 days before they were supposed to leave, David called. Elena almost didn’t answer, but she did.
What do you want? I heard you’re moving to New York. Elena’s blood went cold. How did you know that? I have my sources. Interesting that you can afford to move across the country when you claim to be broke during the divorce. I’m not paying for it. Right. Your rich boyfriend is very convenient.
David, what do you want? I want you to know that I know what you’re doing. Playing house with someone else’s kids. Pretending to be something you’re not. I’m not pretending. You’re broken, Elena. You can’t have children. You can’t build a real family. And eventually, he’s going to figure that out and replace you with someone who can actually give him what he needs.
The words were designed to hurt. They did. But Elena had spent months learning to recognize poison. “You’re wrong,” she said quietly. “Am I?” “Yes, because family isn’t about biology. It’s about choice. And these people chose me every single day. They choose me for now. Forever. Keep telling yourself that. I will. And David, what? Don’t call me again.
Don’t file complaints. Don’t try to interfere with my life because I’m done letting you make me feel small. She hung up. Her hands were shaking, but she felt powerful. Mason found her 10 minutes later. You okay? I heard you on the phone. David called. Mason’s expression darkened. What did he want? To remind me I’m broken. To tell me this won’t last.
Elena. But he’s wrong. She looked at Mason. He’s wrong about all of it. Mason pulled her close. Damn right he is. That night, Elena couldn’t sleep. She wandered downstairs and found Mara in the kitchen, also unable to sleep. Hey. Hey. Mara was eating cereal directly from the box. Can’t sleep either. Too much on my mind.
Same. They sat in comfortable silence. Then Mara said, “I’m glad you’re coming with us.” Yeah. Yeah. It wouldn’t feel right without you. Elena felt tears building. That means a lot. Don’t get weird about it. Too late. Mara smiled. You’re such a mom. Is that a good thing? It’s the best thing. 3 days later, they boarded a plane to New York.
