For weeks the silver urn sat atop the shelf in the living room. I continued on with life navigating between the role of a mother and building a career for myself as a writer.

The day my book was finally published, it was marked with mild joy knowing that someone important was missing to celebrate the moment with me.

Each day David grew I was hit with periods of immense sadness knowing that Nicky wasn't there to see him smile in the same manner he did. However, I grew to believe that somewhere in the lining of the clouds in the sky he was there watching.

My parents had been a great help offering me support. I insisted they go back home and assured them multiple times that I would stay in touch with them. With Eva along with even Marcie and Aunt Elle there I could breathe easily knowing that should anything happen David was in good hands. Even Joseph, Daniel and Leo would be there to break anyone's neck should anyone try hurt him.

Though I spent most of my days keeping to myself a number of the women had begun making it a habit to often take me out of my shell.

It was a shell I had unknowingly created for myself. However, it's not as if I took pleasure in it. I just didn't particularly see the use for being out of the house unless I needed something especially since I had grown tireless of the city. There was no allure to it anymore, the light it once held had grown increasingly dim to the point I was struggling to see any good in it with all the fog surrounding me.

Throughout this entire journey I've been on, most of the time whenever something unexpected happened it usually had a negative impact on my life. I had grown convinced it would be that way for a long time.

With Winter fast approaching the idea of spending more time indoors seemed like a certainty at that point. However, fate had other plans when I woke up one morning to the sound of knocking at my door. I felt groggy at the disruption after finally having a moment of sleep after struggling to put David to sleep. Getting out of bed I marched towards the door ready to curse the individual on the other end but the moment I swung the door open I was shocked to find Eva there.

Before I could say anything she walked in shoving me lightly aside telling me I needed to get dressed and come out for a drive with her, "W-Wait, what?" I asked rubbing my eyes gently to see her taking a seat on the couch.

"You heard me, I refuse for you to spend another day indoors, so go bath and get the baby ready," she ordered pointing in the direction of my room.

"I already struggled to put him to sleep last nigh –"

"He can always sleep in the car, go on..." she shooed taking out her phone immediately dismissing me. For a moment I stared at her as if she had grown two heads at how she made making an infant go to sleep sound so easy. I was rather perplexed by her behaviour even as I walked into my room to get ready no longer in the mood to argue knowing that eventually I wouldn't get my way.

Keeping my lips sealed once we walked out of the building I found Leo and Daniel waiting by the vehicle. I turned questioningly at Eva who grinned at me, "Come on. I want to take you somewhere."

"Another road trip? I'm not so sure if I'm prepared for being out too long, Eva," I replied stopping by the car to greet Leo and Daniel. "Trust me, you'll be in the mood for this one," she spoke confidently ushering me into the car where I got David settled safely into his car seat.

Trying to keep the questions in my head from slipping out I kept my mouth shut once more and decided not to fight the woman who seemed set on getting her way. Though I had never verbally admitted it to Eva, I had begun to fear her the same way I feared my own mother. Although I had been against the little trip the second we left the city I couldn't help the smile that made its way on my lips.

In that moment I managed to escape to the time Nicky and I went out for a ride to Bovina. It was probably on that drive as we danced in that little bar where I knew with all certainty that I loved him.

A small part of me grew giddy that we might be going to explore another place like that.

However, when the vehicle came to a complete stop at an airport I stiffened in my seat. Looking back at Eva no longer able to keep my curiosity under control when I caught sight of a private jet she was already watching me awaiting the questioning, "What's going on?"

"Did I forget to mention this trip involves a little air travel?" she joked reaching out to grip my face gently when she noticed my jaw ajar at the piece of information unveiled my way.

"No, you didn't. And honestly I can't accept thi –"

"You can and you will. Both you and your son will be taken care of now stop asking any questions nor wasting any time and get in there," she said firmly leaving no room for objection.

When I looked at Daniel and Leo for some form of back up they both avoided my pleading look, "Seriously, you guys are in on this too?" I scoffed shaking my head.

"Just trust her. I've never been one to believe in much but I'd get on that plane if I were you," it was Daniel that time who spoke up. Taking a look at Leo once again I found him nodding his head in agreement to what Daniel said, "But I'm not prepared, I haven't packed anything nor do I know how long this trip is going to last nor where we're going and why don't you come with u–"

"All those questions will be answered once you get there. Besides this trip is one you and your son need more than I do. Now stop ruining the surprise and get in there," she interrupted smiling at me.

Despite how hard my heart was hammering against my chest I took one last look her way to gain some more assurance to get out. Breathing in and out slowly I got out of the vehicle with David in my arms with his bag. I took a few steps towards the jet to find a flight attendant appear. I stopped to glance at Eva only to find her chucking lightly at the way I was behaving. But I was apprehensive to receive any surprises. However, the last thing I wanted was to come across as scared. Squaring my shoulders I marched up the stairs. Greeting the staff I truly hoped that I wouldn't live to regret stepping on that plane.

As I settled into my seat I glanced out of the window to find Eva out of the car waving at me and I couldn't help but mumble under my breath, "What do you have up your sleeve?"

***

It had been a long flight and if one was to think within that time I had managed to relax and get my nerves under control, they were wrong. However, I must confess at some point in the flight I found myself for the first time in a long time excited about the unknown.

As much as I didn't want to think my luck was changing I began to truly believe for a second the trip would be one I'd never forget.

Once I arrived I was escorted into a town car that whisked us away. With my body alert it didn't take long for me to realise we were in France. Everyone around me had refused to reveal much to me which irked me a little. Indeed it seemed Eva had given them strict instructions not to say anything.

Sitting there watching the buildings cascade effortlessly before my eyes, I took them in greedily. When I began studying history particularly French history I had always been in awe of the architecture. Unlike other countries in Europe, France embraced the fundamentals offered by Renaissance classicism and took those fundamentals a lot further. It's quite evident the amount of detail paid was done to ensure the buildings were grandiose. I vowed the day I ever got a chance to come to France I would explore all it had to offer.

As the city of Paris faded I was at a loss of what to do or say as the car finally came to a halt in front of a grand stately home. It held a beautiful mix of elegance that didn't feel too overindulgent in its appeal.

It was the kind of place one could easily find comfort in and be able to call home. Opening the door the natural colors of beige and soft gold made the place welcoming.

Walking further into the house the hardwood floors were a part of the aim by the architect to make the place both luxurious yet intimate. When the baby squealed at the environment he was equally taking in eagerly I kissed his cheek.

"Looks like we have this place all to ourselves, huh?" I cooed running my hands through his soft hair only to freeze in my spot when I heard another voice say, "Yes we do..."