And my classes transfer to an online program or take a semester off. 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?