There was an unusual silence during dinner. The mood was depressed. Camille gave Logan a concerned look, then said to Mia, "Honey, please start packing some of your things after dinner."
Mia raised her head with interest. "Are we going on a trip, Mommy?"
"No, honey. We're going home."
"No!" Mia jumped down from her chair and looked at Camille angrily. "I don't want to go home!"
"Mia, the holidays are almost over. We have to go back."
"No, that's not fair!" Mia called with tears in her eyes and ran out into the garden. Camille sighed heavily. Logan stood up. "I'll check on her."
When he found Mia, he knelt down in front of her. "Hey, princess. Please don't cry."
"Daddy ..."
He pulled her close and struggled to keep his own feelings under control.
"I don't want to go."
"But don't you miss your home?"
"No," she said defiantly. "I want to stay with you."
Logan sighed and thought. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. "Are you really sure you want to stay here?"
She nodded. "Yes, Daddy."
He gently stroked her hair. "If you really want that, I'll talk to your mommy about it."
"Really?" She asked excitedly. Logan nodded, smiled, and held out his hand. "Come on, let's go inside."
Logan knocked softly on Camille's door and went inside. She was sitting on the bed but didn't look at him when he closed the door and sat down next to her. They were silent for several minutes, until Camille finally said, "I was afraid of this reaction all the time."
"But would it really be that bad if she stayed here?"
Camille looked at him in surprise. "What?"
He shrugged. "She can live with me and go to kindergarten."
She hesitated. "I don't know …"
"Why not?"
She shook her head, got up, and went over to the window. "I ... I'm scared."
Logan went to her and put his arms around her. "What do you mean?"
She sighed. "You don't understand this. Mia was with me all the time, even though I didn't know it at first. Without her, I would be ... alone."
"You're not alone, Cam," Logan murmured softly, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Everything is different this time. We'll never be alone again."
She turned around and hugged him tightly. "I miss you already," she whispered, leaning her head against his chest.
"I feel the same way," he replied, kissing the top of her head. She stroked his cheek tenderly. "Maybe it's a good idea if Mia stays with you. You will be too busy to do anything stupid."
He was silent for a moment and then took her hands in his. "Never again. I promise."
She smiled faintly. "You've made this promise before."
He nodded seriously. "Yes, I know. But this time I want to try to keep it. For our family."
She gently kissed his lips. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"Thank you for everything," Camille said to Carlos and Alexa, hugging them.
"Anytime, Cami," Carlos said, smiling.
"Take care of yourself," Jo said, hugging her. Camille smiled. "Only if you promise to take care of Logan in return."
"Don't worry, we will," Alexa assured her. Camille knelt down in front of Mia and hugged her. "Be good, okay?"
Mia nodded. "Are you angry, Mommy?" She asked worriedly. Camille smiled and shook her head. "No, honey. I'm not angry. I can understand why you want to stay here. And we'll see each other again soon. But while I'm gone, you have to do me a favor, okay?"
"What favor, Mommy?"
"You have to take care of your daddy. Sometimes he's very sad and then he needs someone who is there for him. Can you do that for me?"
"I promise, Mommy," Mia said, and Camille hugged her again. Then she kissed Mia on the forehead and walked over to Logan. His smile was a mixture of encouragement and pain. "Take care of yourself," he said, putting his arms around her. "And remember that you are not alone."
"Thank you, Logan." She hugged him. They would see each other again in three months, because then Camille's current movie project would be over. After that they would finally be able to live together as a family. They stayed in this position for several seconds until Logan gently pushed her away from him. Camille knew he didn't want to prolong the farewell and maybe it was better that way. She looked into his beautiful dark brown eyes for a moment, then she kissed him and Logan returned the kiss lovingly. Despite his inner pain, he gave her his best smile, which triggered the all too familiar tingling sensation in her body. She took his hand and went back to Mia. The two hugged one last time.
"I love you, honey," Camille whispered.
"Love you too, Mommy."
Camille forced herself to let go of her daughter. She straightened up and smiled one last time at everyone before making her way to the gate. Mia snuggled up to Logan and together with the others they waved after Camille until she was gone.