"I get it. I do the same for Mia." "Speaking of Mia, how's she handling all this? Better than I am, honestly. She treats Victoria like it's the most natural thing in the world that this woman is suddenly in our lives all the time.
Maybe it is natural. Maybe you two were always meant to find your way back to each other." Lucas didn't believe in fate or destiny, but he believed in choices. And they'd chosen each other, finally, completely. The first real test came in August.
Mia's mother showed up. Lucas got a call on a Thursday afternoon. Unknown number. He almost didn't answer. "Lucas?"
"It's Amanda." His blood went cold. "Amanda?" Mia's biological mother, the woman who'd signed away custody 7 years ago and disappeared. What do you want?
I'm in Denver. I want to see her. Mia. Absolutely not. Lucas, please.
I know I don't have any rights. I gave those up. But I'm asking one human to another, let me see my daughter. She's not your daughter. She stopped being your daughter the day you walked away.
I know. I know I don't deserve Her voice cracked. I made a mistake, Lucas. A huge mistake. And I've regretted it every day for 7 years.
I'm not asking to be her mother. I just want to see her once. Please. Lucas hung up. He was shaking.
Victoria found him sitting on the couch, head in his hands. What happened? He told her. Everything. The call, the request, the rage burning in his chest.
Victoria sat beside him. What are you going to do? Nothing. She has no legal rights. She can't force me to let her see Mia.
But she's asking. That's different. She gave up the right to ask when she signed those papers. Lucas, I'm not saying you should do it. I'm just saying maybe consider why she's asking now.
I don't care why. Victoria took his hand. Yes, you do. You care because somewhere in your head you're wondering if Mia deserves to know where she came from, who her biological mother is. She knows.
I've never hidden it from her. I told her the truth in age-appropriate ways. She knows her mom wasn't ready to be a parent. That I chose to be one. Knowing and meeting are different things.
Lucas looked at her. You think I should let Amanda see her? I think you should think about what's best for Mia. Not what's easiest for you. He hated that she was right.
That night, after Mia was asleep, Lucas called Amanda back. You get 1 hour, he said, supervised, in a public place. And if Mia gets upset or uncomfortable, it's over. Thank you, Amanda whispered. Thank you so much.
They met at a park on Saturday morning. Lucas brought Mia, telling her only that someone wanted to meet her. Victoria came too, for moral support. Amanda was waiting on a bench. She looked older than Lucas remembered, tired, nervous.
When she saw Mia, she started crying. Hi. She said softly. You're so big. Mia looked at Lucas.
He nodded. This is Amanda. She's She knew you when you were a baby. Oh. Mia studied her.
Are you my mom? My real mom? Amanda flinched. I'm the woman who gave birth to you, but your real mom? No, your dad is your real parent.
I just I wanted to see you, to know you're okay. Mia seemed to process this. I'm okay. I have my dad and Victoria and my grandparents. I have lots of people.
That's good. That's really good. They sat awkwardly for a few minutes. Amanda asked about school, about soccer, about Mia's favorite things. Mia answered politely but without much warmth.
She didn't understand who this woman was or why she mattered. After 30 minutes, Mia tugged Lucas's sleeve. Can we go? I'm bored. Lucas looked at Amanda.
She nodded, wiping her eyes. Thank you for letting me see her, Amanda said. She's beautiful. You did an amazing job. Yeah, I did.
They walked away. Mia skipped ahead, already moving on. Lucas glanced back once. Amanda was still sitting there, crying quietly on the bench. Victoria squeezed his hand.
You okay? Yeah, I think I am. That was brave. What you did. Or stupid.
No, brave. You put Mia first, even when it hurt. Lucas pulled her close. I'm learning from you. From me?
You moved across the country, left everything you knew because you decided that scary was better than empty. That's brave. Victoria smiled. We're both idiots then, brave idiots. The best kind.
September brought new challenges. Victoria's company hit a rough patch, stock prices dropped, investors panicked. She spent 2 weeks flying back and forth to San Francisco putting out fires, reassuring her board. I might have to go back, she told Lucas one night, not permanently, but for a few months until we stabilize. Then go.
Just like that? Just like that. Your company needs you. I'm not going to ask you to choose between your career and me. What if I want you to ask?
What if I need you to fight for me? Lucas cupped her face. I don't need to fight for you. You're already mine, and I'm already yours. A few months apart doesn't change that.
You sure? I'm sure. Go save your company. I'll be here when you get back. Victoria left the next week.
Lucas tried not to let it feel like 7 years ago, tried not to spiral into old fears and insecurities, but it was hard. Especially when the week stretched into a month, then two. Mia noticed. Is Victoria coming back? Yes.
When? Soon. But you don't know for sure, I Lucas said. No, kiddo, I don't know for sure. That's scary.
Yeah, it is. Mia climbed into his lap. But you love her. So she'll come back. Because people who love each other always come back.
Lucas held his daughter and hoped she was right. Victoria came back on a Friday in late October. No warning, no dramatic airport reunion. Just a knock on the door. Lucas opened it.
She was standing there with her suitcase, looking exhausted but smiling. "I'm done," she said. "Company's stable. I hired a new COO to handle day-to-day operations. I'm officially semi-retired."