"You okay? " she asked. "Yeah, just thinking about about how different everything is. Six months ago, I was drowning, barely keeping my head above water. And now, and now, now I have you. And the store is actually working.
And Ava is happy. It feels too good to be real. Victoria sat beside him. It is real. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.
It won't. You can't know that. No, but I can believe it. He looked at her. When did you become the optimist?
When I found something worth being optimistic about. He kissed her soft and grateful. When they pulled apart, she was smiling. I have something to tell you, she said. Okay.
The board approved my restructuring proposal. I'm officially stepping down as CEO. He sat up. What? I'm staying on as chairman.
Strategic oversight, big picture decisions, but day-to-day operations go to someone else. Victoria, I know what you're going to say. That I'm giving up too much. That I work too hard to walk away. But I'm not walking away.
I'm just making room for other things. Like what? Like this? Like us? Like having a life outside of work.
Are you sure? I've never been more sure of anything, Ethan. I spent 15 years building a company and it nearly killed me. Literally. That accident.
It was a wakeup call. Life is short. I don't want to spend what's left of it in boardrooms. What do you want to spend it doing? Living with you, with Ava?
Maybe even expanding the bookstore. I've been thinking, what if we opened a second location? He blinked. You want to open another bookstore? Why not?
This one's working. We have a model. We could replicate it. That's ambitious. I'm an ambitious person.
I've noticed. She grinned. So, what do you think? I think you're insane. Is that a yes?
It's a maybe we'll discuss it later. I'll take it. They stayed up late that night talking about possibilities, about futures they'd never imagined, about dreams that suddenly felt within reach. The next morning, Ethan woke to find Victoria's side of the bed empty. He found her in the kitchen, surrounded by craft supplies, looking frustrated.
What are you doing? Making something for Ava for her birthday. Her birthday two weeks away. He'd almost forgotten. What are you making?
A book. A handmade book. About what? Victoria looked up and he saw vulnerability in her eyes. About us.
About how we became a family. His chest tightened. Victoria, I know it's sentimental. I know it's not really my thing, but I wanted her to have something. Something that shows how much she means to me.
He crossed the room and looked at what she'd created so far. Pages covered in careful handwriting, illustrations that were clumsy but earnest. It was imperfect. It was beautiful. She's going to love it, he said.
You think so? I know. So she smiled, relieved. Good, because I've been working on it for weeks, and I was worried it was stupid. It's not stupid.
It's perfect. It's really not. My drawing skills are terrible. They're unique. That's a nice way of saying terrible.
It's a nice way of saying they're yours and that's what matters. She set down her pen and looked at him. I love you. I love you, too. And I love Ava.
I know. I want to make it official. He froze. What do you mean? I mean, I want to adopt her if that's okay with you and with her.
The world stopped. You want to adopt her? Yes. I know it's a big step. I know it's complicated, but I'm not going anywhere, Ethan.
I'm here for good. And I want Ava to know that. Really know it. He couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe.
Say something. Victoria whispered. Are you sure? I've never been more sure of anything in my life. It's a huge commitment.
I know. You'd legally be her mother. I know, Victoria. I know I'm not perfect. I know I don't always know what I'm doing, but I love her and I want to be there for her for everything.
School events and homework and teenage drama and college applications. All of it. Tears blurred his vision. She's going to be so happy. Is that a yes?
That's a hell yes. Victoria laughed, pulling him into her arms. They stood there at the kitchen holding each other. Both crying and laughing and overwhelmed. When do we tell her?
Victoria asked. On her birthday. Along with the book. Along with the book. The next two weeks passed in a blur of planning.
They threw together a birthday party. Nothing elaborate, just family and a few of Ava's friends. Ethan's sister came along with Victoria's assistant Diane, who'd become an unexpected friend. The day of the party, Ava woke up vibrating with excitement. "I'm nine," she announced, bursting into Ethan's room.
"You are," he said, still half asleep. "That's almost double digits. " "It is. Can we have cake for breakfast? " "No. " "Why not? " "Because I'm a responsible parent," she pouted, then noticed Victoria wasn't in bed. "Where's V? Probably already up.
You know her. " They found Victoria in the kitchen making pancakes or trying to. She'd improved over the months, but cooking still wasn't her strength. "Happy birthday," Victoria said, turning around with a slightly burnt pancake on the spatula. Ava giggled. "Thanks, V. " "I made your favorite chocolate chip. " "Of course. " They ate breakfast together, Ava chattering non-stop about what she wanted to do that day.
The party wasn't until afternoon, so they had the morning to themselves. "Can we go to the bookstore? " Ava asked. "Why? " Ethan said. "We're there all the time. " "I know, but I like it there. " Victoria and Ethan exchanged glances. "Okay," Ethan said.
"Let's go to the bookstore. " They spent the morning there, just the three of them. Ava showed Victoria her favorite hiding spots, the corners she'd claimed as her own. Victoria listened with the attention she usually reserved for business presentations. "This is where I come when I'm sad," Ava said, pointing to a nook behind the poetry section. "You come here when you're sad? " Victoria asked gently.
"Yeah, it's quiet and books make me feel better. " "What do you get sad about? " Ava shrugged. "Sometimes I think about my mom, the one who left. " Victoria's face softened. "That makes sense. Do you ever get sad all the time? About what?
About time I wasted people I didn't let in. Chances I didn't take. Like what? Like you and your dad. I could have met you both years ago, but I was too scared.
Of what? Of wanting something and losing it. Ava considered this. But you're here now. I am.
So you're not scared anymore? Victoria smiled. "Oh, I'm still terrified, but I'm here anyway. " Ava hugged her suddenly, fiercely. Victoria held her close, looking at Ethan over the girl's shoulder. He saw tears in her eyes.
The party that afternoon was perfect chaos. Kids running everywhere, cakes smashed into carpets, presents torn open with abandon. Ava was radiant, surrounded by friends and family. When it was time for the final present, Victoria pulled out the handmade book. This one's for me, she said, sitting beside Ava.
Ava's eyes went wide. You made this? I did. For me? For you?
Ava opened it carefully. The first page showed a drawing of a woman standing alone in a tall building looking out a window. Once there was a woman who had everything, Victoria read a company, an apartment, success. But she was lonely. So lonely she didn't even realize it anymore.