Page 74 of Worth the Fall

Celine and I both laugh softly, glancing at each other with a shared understanding. For all the chaos, this feels like a step in the right direction.

The crisp evening air greets us as we step out of Dr. Grant’s office. Felicity skips ahead, clutching Princess Waddles in one hand and a purple bouncy ball she somehow convinced Dr. Grant to let her take home in the other. Celine and I walk side by side, the silence between us not uncomfortable, but full of unspoken things.

As we reach the parking lot, Celine surprises me by stopping abruptly. She turns to face me, her expression softer than I’ve seen in a long time. "Miguel," she says, her tone careful, "I think we should reschedule that dinner that never happened."

I blink, caught off guard. "The one at Morton’s?"

She nods. "Yes. We never got the chance to sit down and… just talk. Without everything blowing up."

A slow smile spreads across my face. "I agree," I say simply.

Before either of us can say anything else, Felicity spins around, her face lighting up. "Come over tonight, Mommy!" she says, her voice full of excitement.

Celine laughs nervously, glancing at me. "Oh, I don’t want to intrude on Daddy and Mia’s time."

I shake my head, chuckling softly. "Why don’t you come over? We can have a family pizza and game night."

Celine’s eyes widen slightly, and for a moment, she looks genuinely touched. "Are you sure?" she asks, her voice uncertain.

"Of course," I say, my voice steady. "Felicity would love it. And honestly? So would I."

Celine hesitates, her gaze flickering between me and Felicity, who’s already hopping in place, chanting, "Pizza and games! Pizza and games!"

"I don’t know," she says softly, biting her lip. "I just… I don’t want Mia to feel uncomfortable. Or like I’m intruding on her space."

I smile reassuringly. "Don’t worry. Mia will be more than happy. She meant it when she said she never wants you to feel replaced or left out. She doesn’t hold any judgment against you, Celine."

Her shoulders relax slightly, and a small smile tugs at her lips. "She said that?"

"She did," I confirm, my voice firm. "And she meant it."

Celine takes a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Okay," she says finally. "Let’s do it."

Felicity squeals with delight, running ahead toward the car. Celine and I exchange a glance, a quiet understanding passing between us.

It’s not perfect—there’s still so much to work through. But for the first time in a long time, it feels like we’re heading in the right direction.

"Let’s make it a good night," I say, holding her car door open for her.

Celine smiles, her eyes soft. "I think we can manage that."

As we head toward home, Felicity’s excited chatter filling the car, I can’t help but feel a sense of hope. Whatever comes next, we’ll figure it out. Together.

The house is alive with laughter and the smell of dough and cheese. Felicity is at the counter, her tiny hands covered in flour as she carefully places pepperoni slices on her personal pizza. She’s already used half the bag, the slices arranged in a chaotic pile that vaguely resembles a smiley face.

Celine leans over, a grin on her face as she tries to redirect Felicity’s creative process. "Sweetheart, maybe we spread the pepperoni out a little?"

"But I want it to look happy!" Felicity protests, sticking her tongue out in concentration.

Mia stands next to me, her hands also dusted in flour, as she tries to roll out her dough into a circle. It’s more oval-shaped, and she keeps mumbling about how pizza shouldn’t look like a football.

"Here," I say, stepping behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist. I place my hands over hers, guiding the rolling pin gently.

She glances up at me with a smirk. "Is this your move? Helping a girl with her pizza dough?"

"Works every time," I reply, winking.

Celine lets out a mock gagging noise from across the counter. "Good grief, you two. At least wait until the pizza is in the oven."

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