Page 62 of Finding the Pieces

“They talked to their manager and got me worked into their budget, so they paid me for the photos I took.”

“Wow, Ellie. That’s incredible. I’m so proud of you. You always had an eye for that when you were in school. Plus, Aiden can’t stop talking about the engagement photos. The guy might like them more than his fiancé.”

“Not true.” Bec is obsessed with the pictures and already has them framed.

He smirks. “No, not true.”

“That’s not all they said,” I continue, wringing my hands together in my lap beneath the table. “It’s probably crazy, but they suggested I try to do somethingmorewith photography. I guess I looked happy while I was working on the project and they thought I could really do something with it.”

“What do you think? Would you like that?” he asks, unfazed butattentive.

“I mean, yeah, I’d like it, but that’d be crazy. I would have to invest so much time and energy to get something like that up and running, plus the cost of equipment and building a portfolio takes time. I’d have to figure out my marketing strategy, what kinds of sessions I’d want to offer, and pricing. I’d need to consider studio space or using space in our home or in public spaces. Plus, that’d be more work for you, solo caretaking while I take on extra work.”

He smiles at me, biting his lips. “So just a little bit of thought, huh?”

“I guess more than a little,” I say, my nerves skyrocketing just talking about taking a leap like this. “I’m afraid to want it. I’m afraid of what it would mean if I wanted it, tried to make it happen, and failed.”

“What would failing look like?” he asks thoughtfully.

“People hate my pictures.”

“So, find new clients. What else?”

“I don’t make any money.”

“We dip into savings until you iron out the details of your pricing and build a client base. Anything else?”

“Well, yeah. I mean, I’m a mom now, and Luca needs me. You and I are a team, and I need to carry my weight. It’d be selfish to leave a stable job for something that could tank so easily.”

“Stop.” His tone changes and he looks more serious than I’ve seen him in a long time.

“Don’t lessen the importance of your wants because you are a mom and wife. Those are reasons to pursue your dreams, not to bury them. If this is what you want to do, then I want you to do it.”

“What do I do about my job? I’m still working there part time and I’m afraid I won’t be able to handle both.”

“We’ll figure out the details. Let’s come up with a plan and figure out how we can get you up and running. We’ll make it happen.” He says it with conviction. Like it’s not anifscenario, but awhen.

I’m grateful to have a partner who wants me to chase my dreams so badly that everythingIneed to do becomessomethingweneed to do.

“Okay,” I whisper with a smile, finally letting the excitement bleed into my tone.

“Okay,” he says with a nod, like it’s decided. His confidence in me is unmistakable.

Chapter thirty-one

Ellie

Ibrowse the aisle for the third time while Dad meanders around the store with Luca propped on his side. Luca reaches for my dad’s beard, pulling as hard as he can whenever he’s given the chance. My dad, as patient as ever, always responds to each tug with a deep laugh.

They join me as I look over the pottery options.

“Which will it be?” Dad asks.

“There are too many options. I think you should pick. It’s your puzzle piece,” I say.

He gives a thoughtful hum. “I was kind of hoping you’d ask for my opinion. I was thinking it could be fun to use…something like this.” He gently picks up a clay bowl, more decorative than functional by design, and I consider it.

“Why this one?” I ask, taking it from him and turning the piece over in my hands, looking at it from all angles.

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