Page 31 of A Play for Love

“Can I, Mom?” Ella asked.

“Of course.” I smiled.

Aunt Barb stood up from her seat and took hold of both girls’ hands. “Let’s go tell your mom you’re coming with me,” she said to Lily. “Are you going to be okay here by yourself?” Barb asked me.

“I’m totally fine. Have fun shopping.” I grinned.

“I love you.” Ella ran over and kissed my cheek.

“I love you too, baby. Have fun.” I hugged her.

After they left, I heard Nicholas waking up. I sat and listened briefly to see if he’d go back to sleep. He began to cry, so I stood and hobbled up the stairs. Smiling, I took him from his crib and held him up.

“Did you have a nice nap?”

I took him over to the changing table and changed his diaper. Picking him up, I felt this overwhelming sadness wash over me as I thought about my mother. I sat in the rocking chair with him and held his head firmly against my chest as I slowly rocked back and forth.

“I will always love you unconditionally, my sweet boy. Nothing in this world you could do would ever make me love you any less. I will always be here for you and never abandon you. I will always support whatever choices you make in life.”

* * *

Nathan

I arrived home early and didn’t see Sofia downstairs, so I walked up the stairs and quietly listened to her talk with our son. My heart broke for her because I knew all too well what it felt like to be abandoned by your mother and not feel loved.

“Hey.” I smiled as I walked over and kissed the top of her head.

“Hi. You’re home early.”

“My last patient canceled at the last minute.”

I took Nicholas from her and held him up.

“How is my little man?” I grinned, and he smiled at me. “I saw all the invitations and two cups of coffee on the table. Was someone over?”

“Aunt Barb.” She stood up from the rocking chair.

“Really?” My brows furrowed. “Why?”

“Checking up on me and to see if I needed any help.”

We walked out of the nursery and headed downstairs.

“That was nice of her. Did she help with the invitations?”

“For a while, until Ella and Lily walked in, and she decided to take the two of them shopping.”

“Isn’t she leaving for Sedona tomorrow?” I asked as I set Nicholas in his activity chair.

“Yeah, and she said she’s all packed.”

“I researched the wellness center she’s staying at, and I think it’ll be really good for her.”

“I think so too. She seems excited.” She sat on the couch and put her leg on the coffee table.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.” I sat down next to her. “I received a call today from Dr. Charlie Trent, and he asked me to come and give a lecture to his medical students at Columbia. It’s next Thursday. I thought you and the kids could come with me and turn it into a long weekend in New York. We could shop, go to Central Park, maybe some museums.”

“Two things.” She looked at me. “One, I can’t do all that walking with my leg in this fucking brace, and two, I don’t ever want to step foot in New York again. Besides, the clock is ticking with the wedding coming up, and there’s still a lot to be done. I just can’t fly off to New York.”

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