"Mommy, I wanna go with you." Ethan's arms went around me, his face burrowed on my stomach.

I tousled his hair, bringing him to my arms. "I thought you'd want to spend more time with your grandparents and your Aunt Kathie. And you said you were making more birdhouses with your daddy."

"But I want to be with you," he whimpers, finding the crook of my neck to bury his head on. He then looks at me, looping his fingers over my nape. His bottom lip quivered, and his eyes brimmed with tears. He sobs.

"Baby," I sat on the edge of my bed with him straddling my lap, "mommy will be back really soon. You won't even know I was gone."

"But you won't have me. You won't have daddy. You'll be alone. Who will kiss you goodnight?" His blue eyes widened, his tears falling down his cheeks.

I wipe them gently with my fingers. "You will kiss me goodnight when I call."

"I don't want you all alone. You'll be so sad."

"If I talk to you every night, I will never be sad."

He shakes his head, sobbing. "I don't want to miss you really bad. Please, let me go with you."

"I know, baby. But I need you here."

Ethan straightens. "I need to be here?"

"Yes." I reached for the Kleenex on my nightstand that had kept me company in the past few nights. I dab his face dry. "I need you to keep women away from your daddy."

"Of course. I don't want another mommy." He frowned at the thought. "I only love you."

I smiled. "I love you too."

"Can I get a baby brother in return?" His voice raised to another octave.

I shrug. "Sure. As many as you want."

"Really?" His whole face lit up.

"Yes."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

His lips stretched into a toothy grin. "You'll be back soon, right? Like, maybe, on Saturday?"

"I don't know about that." I chuckled. "But I promise I'll be back. Mommy had to do some stuff and then we'll be together again."

"Can I call you anytime?"

I peck on his forehead. "Anytime."

"Okay. I love you, mommy." He rested his cheek on my chest, arms around me.

"I love you too, baby." I hugged him back. As tightly as I could. "You want some cookies?"

He looks up. "Yes, please."

"Okay. Mommy needs to pack. You go ask Tessa for a cookie."

"Can I have two? Pretty please?" He put his palms together.

I kiss the tip of his nose. "Okay. Just two, okay?"

He nods hurriedly and crawled off the bed. He scurried out of my bedroom and down the hall. "No running, Ethan," I called.

"I'm not running, mommy," he calls back.

I look over to my phone. It's been so tempting to ring him. To send crazed text messages. To leave teary and sobbing voice mails. But I don't want him to come running because I sobbed on the phone.

My Nathan deserves better.

I want to make things right the right way.

My mother and sister appeared in my doorway with identical disapproving frowns. Mom stepped inside my bedroom. "Why are you going alone? You're not going back with Tessa?"

"I'm not," I answered.

"Why? You don't have to be alone," she reprimands.

"I know, but—"

"You're going with her." She tilted her chin in a way I could never refuse her. Her rich brown eyes went stern.

Kathie flops down on the bed next to me. "Just go with Tessa, bunny."

"I'll be fine on my own. I would make her come with me if I were to bring Ethan."

"Chassie, just do as I say." Mom had her hands on her waist, a deep frown on her beautiful face.

I shake my head. "I won't be gone for that long."

Her arms slowly slid to her side, confusion ironing her drawing brows flat. "What do you mean?"

"You're coming back?" Kathie suggested.

"I'm quitting my job. And selling the house. So, yeah. I'm coming back."

Kathie's hand clutches my elbow, turning me to her. "Wait, hold on a minute. Does that mean you're coming home for good?"

I nod.

"Oh, my God." She squeals loudly, tugging me into a hug.

Our mother gasped, her hands going up to cover her mouth. "Really? Honey, are you sure?" She lowered herself on the bed beside me. "I mean, that's great news on my part, but I haven't guilt trip you into quitting, have I?"

I snorted, watching in delight as their identical brown eyes warmed with excitement. "Of course, not."

She spreads her arms for me. "Come here, sweetie. I'm so happy I could crush you right now."

I obliged. Kathie joined in, so we were in an awkward trio hug. Mom pulled back and she was already on her feet, straightening her skirt. "I'm telling your dad." She beams before heading to the door.

"So, why the change of heart?" Kathie elbows my arm.

"Because I miss home." I smiled.

She nods, unsatisfied. "It won't hurt my feelings if you tell me you're not coming home for me, you know."

"It might," I played along.

"Come on, just tell." She gives my arm another jab.

I look at her. "I'm tired of trying to prove myself to other people. That I could still be a somebody without "daddy's wallet." But, mostly, I'm trying to get Nathan back."

"You don't have to prove anything to other people. We're just lucky to be born into a wonderful family. And envy is just another form of flattery. You know, people think that I'm just this brainless socialite who knows nothing but parties. But they'll just talk. You don't have to listen." She takes my hands in hers.

"You're the bravest person I know. You're a great mother to Ethan. You are a wonderful daughter to our parents. And you are the best sister I ever had." Her palms cupped my cheeks.

"That was sweet."

"And true."

"I'm your only sister though. So, that means I've won by default."

She giggles. "Maybe."

"Kathie," I sighed. "I'm not too late, am I?"

"Nope. You're just in time."