Now Theo’s in the back kitchen making me a snack with Alex, a craving I mentioned an hour ago that he immediately decided to accommodate, and I stretch in my seat at the bar, sipping my sparkling water and waiting. The baby shifts inside me, pressing against my ribs in a way that’s uncomfortable but also miraculous. I still can’t believe there’s a whole person growing in there.
The door opens and I turn to see Victoria and Chloe coming in, Chloe’s hand in her mother’s.
Victoria gives me a small wave and a smile. “Hey, Emma.”
“Emma!” Chloe drops her mom’s hand and runs toward me, and I swivel on my barstool to catch her, scooping her up as best I can with my belly in the way.
“Hey, sweet girl!” I squeeze her tight. “I missed you SO much, you have no idea.”
“I missed you too,” Chloe says into my shoulder. “Mom took me to the aquarium and I saw a giant octopus and it was SO cool, I have to tell Daddy about it, where is he?”
“Kitchen,” I say, setting her down. “Go find him.”
She’s off like a shot, disappearing through the swinging door, and I turn back to Victoria with a smile. She’s watching after Chloe with a soft expression. She moved back to Dark River three months ago, got an apartment near downtown, and she sees Chloe twice a week, more during school breaks.
She’s actually showing up, being consistent, trying to be the mom Chloe deserves. And she’s been nothing but respectful to me and Theo. We’re building something that looks like actual co-parenting instead of the mess it could have been. Six months ago I was convinced I was an obstacle in Chloe’s relationship with her mother. Now I understand that there’s room for all of us.
“Hey, thanks for the invitation to the barbecue this weekend,” Victoria says, leaning against the bar. “I know you didn’t have to include me. And I recognized your handwriting on the envelope.”
I smile. We’re having a big bash on Saturday, and the whole family plus some people from town and a few of my teacher friends are all coming. Theo and I have been planning it for weeks, and the menu he and Alex have put together makes my mouth water just thinking about it. I decided Victoria should be there too, and Theo agreed without hesitation.
“Of course,” I tell her, and I mean it completely. “You’re Chloe’s mom. You’re family. You should be part of things like this.”
Victoria’s smile softens. “I can’t wait. Really.” She glances toward the kitchen door, then back at me. “By the way, Chloe has something she wants to ask you. And just know that you have my blessing.”
I tilt my head, curious. “Mysterious. But I’ll take it.”
Victoria squeezes my shoulder once, a gesture that would have felt impossible six months ago, then calls goodbye to Chloe across the restaurant. Chloe’s head pops out of the kitchen door, gap-toothed grin blazing.
“Love you, Mommy!”
“Love you more, baby girl! Be good!”
The door swings shut behind Victoria, and I’m left wondering what exactly I have her blessing for. Before I can think too much about it, Chloe reappears at my elbow, climbing onto the barstool next to me.
“Can I sit with you?” she asks, even though she’s already settling in, pulling her coloring book out of her backpack and arranging a page on the bar in front of her.
“Always,” I tell her, reaching out to smooth a strand of hair that’s escaped from her braid.
I lean over to look at her drawing more closely. It’s composed of two tall figures holding hands, one shorter figure between them, and a tiny baby shape in the taller figure’s arms. A sun in the corner, a house behind them, a tree with a tire swing. A family portrait.
Oh, my heart.
The restaurant feels different now than it did a year ago, calmer somehow, even when it’s busy. Theo hired a second manager four months ago, finally took his own advice about making space for himself, and now he works reasonable hours.
We spend our evenings together, weekends at the farmers market or hiking the trails near the water, and he’s back to spending time on woodworking projects in the garage. He’s balanced in a way I’ve never seen him before, still in love with this place, still taking pride in every dish that goes out, but it doesn’t consume him anymore. He’s content, and watching him find that balance has been one of the best parts of this year.
My phone buzzes on the bar, and I glance down at the screen.
Sophie:Zoom tomorrow at 10 to go over the new literacy module?
I smile and text back a thumbs up. Things with my sisters are good now. Really good, better than they’ve been since before Mom died. After we voted to return KidStream to its educational mission, I started consulting remotely on content development. I review curriculum, join video calls every few weeks, give input on age-appropriate features and learning outcomes.
The company is becoming what Mom and Dad always wanted it to be, a tool that actually helps kids learn instead of just capturing their attention, and I get to be part of that while staying exactly where I belong. In Dark River. Teaching my first graders. Building a life with Theo.
Sloane stayed involved for the first month, then announced she was moving on to launch her own company, something in adult fitness apps where her aggressive approach to engagement metrics might actually be appropriate. Good. I’ll never tolerate her cruelty again, and I don’t have to. The twins found their voices. Sophie’s thriving as the new CEO. Our parents would be proud.
“Emma?” Chloe’s voice pulls me back to the present. She’s set down her crayon and she’s looking at me with an expression that’s suddenly serious, her dark eyes searching my face.
