And my accountant has access to the house accounts, so if you need anything, Adrien," she put a hand on his arm. "We'll be fine. Stop spiraling. I'm not spiraling. You're definitely spiraling.
He laughed short and tight. Maybe a little. Then his expression sobered. Lena, if this is too much, it's not. You don't have to.
I know I don't have to. I want to. And the scary thing was she meant it. He studied her face for a long moment. When did you become indispensable?
Probably around the time you stopped leaving Post-it notes with instructions on where everything is. I still do that. Not as many. She handed him his briefcase. When do you leave?
Tonight, red-eye to JFK. He checked his watch. I should be back by the 18th. Maybe sooner if the meetings go well. The 18th was Sophieie's birthday. Lena had already ordered the cake, planned the party, sent invitations to half of Sophieie's second-grade class.
Adrien had been stressed about missing it, but they'd agreed it would be fine if he was back by evening. We'll hold down the fort, Lena said. Just try not to murder anyone in New York. No promises. The kids took the news better than expected.
Thomas just shrugged and said Lena knew his schedule anyway. Marcus asked if he could stay up later since dad wouldn't be there to enforce bedtime. Nice try, Lena said. Bedtime's not changing. Worth a shot.
Sophieie was quieter. She helped Lena pack Adrien's suitcase that night, carefully folding shirts the way he taught her, making sure he had enough socks. "You're going to miss my birthday," she said, not quite accusing. Adrien knelt down to her level. "I'll be back by dinner.
I promise." "What if you're not?" "Then Lena will make sure you have the best party anyway, right?" Lena nodded from the doorway. "Right."
Sophieie didn't look convinced, but she hugged her dad tight when the car came to take him to the airport. They all stood on the front porch, watching the tail lights disappear, and Lena felt the weight of responsibility settle over her shoulders like a physical thing. "All right," she said, more to herself than the kids. "Let's go inside before we freeze." The first two days were fine.
Lena had their routines down cold by now. Morning rush, school drop-off, afternoon pickups, homework supervision, dinner, bed. She could do this in her sleep. Day three. Thomas came home with a fever.
"I'm fine," he insisted, face flushed and eyes glassy. Lena pressed the back of her hand to his forehead. "You're burning up couch now." "But I have homework. We'll still be there tomorrow.
Go." She texted Adrien. Thomas has a fever. taking him to urgent care if it's not better by tonight. His response came immediately. Keep me posted.