Maya sat across from Carina, sipping her coffee while Alex happily munched on his cereal, his legs swinging beneath the chair in his usual energetic rhythm.
Maya exchanged a glance with Carina, giving her a small nod. They had been discussing the move for a few days now, but they both knew it was important to include Alex in the conversation. They wanted him to feel excited about the change, not overwhelmed.
"Hey, buddy," Maya said, her tone light as she set down her cup. "We need to talk to you about something really cool."
Alex looked up from his cereal, his big eyes curious. "What is it, Mommy?"
Carina smiled warmly, leaning forward a little. "Well, you know how much we all love our home, right?"
Alex nodded, still chewing, clearly interested but not quite understanding yet.
"Well," Maya continued, glancing at Carina before focusing back on Alex, "we're going to move to a new house soon. It's a bigger place with more room for you to play and run around. And guess what? You'll get your own special room!"
Alex blinked, pausing for a moment. "We're moving?"
Carina nodded gently. "Yes, tesoro. The building we live in now was sold, so we're going to move to a new home. But it's not far away, and you're going to love it."
Alex's brow furrowed slightly. "Do I have to leave my toys?"
Maya chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No way! All your toys are coming with us. And you can help us pick out how to decorate your new room."
Carina chimed in, her voice warm and excited. "How would you feel about having a superhero room in the new house?"
Alex's face lit up instantly, and he dropped his spoon. "A superhero room? Like, with all the superheroes?"
Maya nodded, grinning at his reaction. "Yep, all your favorites! We could get posters, superhero bedding, and maybe even a wall with your favorite characters. What do you think?"
Alex bounced in his seat, clearly thrilled by the idea. "Yes! I want Spider-Man and Batman, and the Ninja Turtles too!"
Carina chuckled, leaning in to ruffle his hair. "We can definitely make that happen, tesoro. You'll have the coolest superhero room ever."
Maya smiled at Carina, then looked back at Alex. "We're going to work together to make it perfect, just the way you want it."
Alex beamed, his excitement overflowing. "I can't wait! It's going to be the best room ever!"
"We can head over for you to pick which room you want to be yours later." Maya said as Alex started dancing across the apartment.
Carina turned to Maya. "If we are going to make a trip over, I think I'll start packing up some of the things in the closet. Might as well be productive."
Maya nodded. "Good idea. I'll help."
They headed back downstairs, and while Alex explored the penthouse, Carina began pulling out boxes from the closet and sorting through them. As Maya helped her pack, she opened one of the boxes and paused, her eyes softening. "Hey, Carina… look what I found."
Maya held up a few baby books, worn but well-preserved. Alex's name was written on the cover in Carina's handwriting.
"Oh, those are Alex's baby books!" Carina said, her face lighting up as she moved closer. She took one of the books from Maya's hands, flipping through the pages. "I made these right after Alex was born. There are so many pictures in here."
Alex, hearing his name, wandered over, his curiosity piqued. "Pictures of me?"
Carina smiled, patting the floor next to her. "Come here, tesoro. I'll show you."
Alex plopped down beside her, and Maya sat next to them as Carina gently opened the book to the first page. It was a photo of newborn Alex, bundled up in a tiny blanket, his big brown eyes blinking sleepily at the camera.
"That's you on the day you were born," Carina said, pointing to the photo. "You were the tiniest, sweetest little baby."
Alex's eyes widened as he stared at the picture. "That's me? I was so small!"
"You were," Maya said softly, leaning over to kiss the top of his head. "But even superheroes are small when they are born."
Carina crouched down next to him, gently turning the pages. "Look, tesoro. Here's a picture of you when you were just a few days old." She pointed to a photo of a tiny baby Alex wrapped in a soft blue blanket, his eyes barely open.
Alex's eyes went wide with fascination. "That's me?"
"Yes, that's you!" Carina said, her voice filled with warmth. "You were so tiny but had lungs of a giant when you wanted to cry back then. And here," she flipped to another page, "is your first time trying solid food. You made such a mess, but you loved it!"
Carina flipped through more pages, showing them pictures of Alex's first steps, his first birthday cake, and moments of his early years. Each photo brought a story, and Carina's voice filled with fondness as she shared memories.
"And this one," Carina pointed to a picture of a smiling, toddler-aged Alex covered in cake frosting, "was your first birthday. You decided the cake was too good to eat with a fork."
Alex giggled. "I ate the cake with my hands?"
"Yes!" Carina laughed, shaking her head at the memory. "It was everywhere—on your face, your clothes, even in your hair."
Maya grinned, looking at the photo with a sense of awe. "He was so cute."
Carina turned the page, revealing another picture of Alex playing with a toy firetruck. "And here's one of your favorite toys, a firetruck. Even back then, you wanted to be like Mommy."
Alex looked at Maya with wide eyes. "Like you, Mommy!"
Maya's heart swelled at the sweet connection. She wrapped her arm around Alex, pulling him close. "That's right, buddy."
By the time they finished looking through the books, Alex was beaming with happiness, and Maya and Carina exchanged a knowing glance. This new chapter was going to be filled with just as many beautiful memories, if not more.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and Alex bounced excitedly as Maya and Carina led him into the spacious penthouse. The place had an open, airy feel, with large windows letting in natural light, and Alex's wide-eyed wonder said it all.
"Wow! This is so big!" Alex exclaimed, running into the living room and spinning in circles. "Where's my room?"
Maya chuckled, watching him with affection. "Let's go upstairs, buddy. You get to pick which room you want."
The three of them made their way up the sleek staircase, with Alex darting ahead, eager to explore. As they reached the second floor, Alex peeked into each room, taking his time. The penthouse felt huge, full of possibilities, as Alex ran excitedly from room to room. His little feet padded across the floor as he explored every corner, his energy bouncing off the walls. Maya and Carina trailed behind him, watching with warm smiles as he soaked in the new space that would soon become their home.
After a few moments of running back and forth between the rooms, Alex came to a stop in front of the biggest room in the house. He stood in the doorway, a look of triumph on his face, as if he had found buried treasure. His eyes were wide as he looked around, clearly impressed by what he saw.
"This one!" he declared, his voice full of excitement. "I want this room! It's the biggest!"
Maya exchanged a knowing look with Carina and couldn't help but laugh softly. Of course, he had chosen the master bedroom—the most spacious room with large windows that bathed the room in natural light, complete with an en-suite bathroom. It was the kind of room any kid would find impressive.
Maya walked over and crouched down to Alex's level. "That's the master bedroom, buddy," she said, grinning. "That's where Mamma and I are going to sleep."
Carina joined them, chuckling as she gently touched Alex's shoulder. "You can choose one of the other three rooms. But don't worry, we'll make sure your room is just as amazing."
Alex furrowed his brow, clearly confused. "But this room is the biggest! I want lots of space for my toys and superhero stuff!"
Alex thought about it for a moment, still glancing back at the master bedroom longingly. After a brief pause, he let out a little sigh and nodded. "Okay, but can it still have lots of space for my superhero toys?"
Maya smiled, relieved that he was on board. "Absolutely, buddy. And we can pick out some cool decorations to make it really awesome."
"Maybe even a superhero mural on one wall," Carina added, her tone playful. "What do you think about that?"
Alex's eyes lit up again. "Yeah! That would be so cool! Can I have Spider-Man and Batman on the wall?"
"Of course!" Maya said, ruffling his hair. "You get to choose who goes on the wall. It's going to be your superhero headquarters."
With that settled, Alex's excitement returned in full force. He dashed off to explore the other rooms, this time with a different perspective. Maya and Carina followed behind him, exchanging smiles, feeling the joy of the moment.
As they walked through the other bedrooms, Alex eventually settled on one that was still big enough for his imagination to run wild. It had a large window overlooking the city, which he declared would be perfect for watching for "bad guys" like a superhero.
"This one! I want this one!" he announced, standing in the middle of the room with his arms outstretched.
Maya and Carina laughed, pleased with his choice. "Great pick, buddy," Maya said. "This is going to be the coolest superhero room ever."
"Mommy, Mamma," he asked, his little brow furrowed in thought, "if I get this room, and you and Mamma stay in the big room, who's going to stay in the other two bedrooms?"
Maya and Carina exchanged a look, amused by his question. Maya chuckled, walking over to him and crouching down. "That's a good question, buddy. Right now, those rooms are empty."
Carina smiled as she stood beside them, adding, "But we can use them for lots of things. One could be a guest room for when people visit. And the other could be a playroom or an office."
Alex's eyes lit up with excitement at the mention of a playroom. "A playroom? With toys and games?"
Maya laughed, wrapping an arm around him. "Maybe. Or, we could set it up with a little table where you can do arts and crafts."
Carina smiled warmly, watching Alex's face fill with wonder as he processed the possibilities. "What do you think, tesoro? Should one of the rooms be a playroom for you and your friends?"
Alex nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! And we can have a place to play with all my toys! And when Nonna comes to visit, she can sleep in the other room."
Maya grinned, impressed by his thoughtfulness. "We'll make sure there's space for everyone."
Carina knelt down beside Maya, wrapping an arm around her. "You've already thought of everything, haven't you?" she teased.
Alex smiled proudly, feeling like he was part of the big decisions. "Yep! This house is going to be the best!"
As Alex continued running through the penthouse, his curiosity grew with every corner he explored. He peeked into closets and glanced at the furniture that was already in place, his eyes lingering on some of the personal items scattered around.
"Mommy," Alex called out, running back to Maya, "does someone live here? There's stuff everywhere!"
Maya chuckled, kneeling down so she was at eye level with him. "That's actually my stuff, buddy. This is where I used to live before you and Mamma came into my life."
Alex's eyes widened with surprise. "You lived here by yourself?"
Maya nodded, smiling softly. "Yep, I lived here for a while before I met Mamma. It was my place to come home to after work. But now, it's going to be our place. A home for all of us—me, you, and Mamma."
Alex tilted his head, glancing around the room with newfound interest. "So this is where you stayed when you weren't with me and Mamma?"
"Exactly," Maya said, her tone gentle. "But now that we're all together, this place is going to be different. It's going to be a home for the three of us. Your toys, Mamma's books, and all the fun stuff we do as a family will be here."
Carina, who had been listening from the doorway, stepped forward with a warm smile. "Maya's right, tesoro. This place isn't just hers anymore. It's ours now. We'll make new memories here, and everything we do together will make it feel like home."
Alex nodded thoughtfully, starting to understand. "So we're going to put all our things here?"
Maya smiled, pulling Alex in for a gentle hug. "That's right. You'll have your own room, and Mamma and I will set up everything so that it feels like your home, too. And you'll see—it'll feel just like the place we're leaving, but even better because we're all together."
Alex grinned, hugging Maya back. "Okay! I like that. But can we still bring my toys?"
Carina laughed softly, ruffling his hair. "Of course we will, tesoro. All your favorite toys are coming with us."
Maya kissed the top of Alex's head, feeling a sense of relief as she saw the excitement return to his face. "Exactly. So don't worry about the stuff you see now. Soon, this place will be full of your toys, Mamma's cooking, and all the fun things we do together."
— — —
The sound of soft music played through the penthouse as Maya and Carina worked side by side, the smell of fresh paint still lingering in the air. They had taken the week off from work to focus on their move, and now, with most of the boxes unpacked and Alex's room coming together, they were in the final stages of making the penthouse truly feel like home.
In Alex's room, the superhero mural they had planned for weeks was nearly complete. The vibrant colors of Spider-Man, Batman, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles jumped off the wall, creating the perfect backdrop for Alex's new space. Carina was busy placing superhero-themed pillows on his bed while Maya stood back, admiring the progress they had made.
"This room is going to be his little paradise," Maya said with a grin, stepping over to Carina.
Carina turned, her smile lighting up the room. "I think he's going to love it. He won't be able to stop talking about it once he sees all the superheroes watching over him."
Maya chuckled, leaning in to brush a streak of paint from Carina's cheek with her thumb. "You've got a little something here," she teased, her voice playful.
Carina laughed, swatting at her lightly. "You're just using that as an excuse to touch me."
Maya raised her hands in mock innocence. "Maybe. Can you blame me? We've got the whole place to ourselves for once. Alex is at school, and we've made it through most of the moving without losing our sanity."
Carina's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I suppose we do have a few hours to ourselves before he gets home…"
Maya stepped closer, slipping her arms around Carina's waist. "You know, I think we've earned a little break."
Carina smiled, leaning into her. "I agree. Maybe we can make the most of our time before Alex sees the final touches."
Maya lowered her head to press a soft kiss to Carina's lips, her heart swelling with love. "This place is perfect because you're here with me," she murmured between kisses.
Carina's smile deepened as she kissed Maya back. "And it's perfect because we're building something beautiful together."
as the room neared completion, Maya's playful side got the better of her. With a mischievous grin, she suddenly lunged toward Carina, wrapping her arms around her waist and tackling her gently to the soft carpeted floor.
"Maya!" Carina laughed, her voice filled with surprise and amusement as she fell back. Before she could protest further, Maya began peppering her with playful kisses, her lips moving from Carina's cheeks to her neck, all while her hands roamed teasingly over Carina's sides.
"You know we're supposed to be working, right?" Carina managed between bursts of laughter, her body shaking as Maya's kisses became more insistent.
"We've worked enough," Maya replied with a grin, continuing to plant soft kisses along Carina's jawline, her hands wandering. "You deserve a reward."
Carina laughed harder, trying to catch her breath as she kissed Maya back, her heart swelling with affection. "Maya Bishop, you are impossible!" she said, her tone full of love and exasperation.
Maya pulled back just slightly, looking into Carina's eyes with a playful glint. "Impossible? Or irresistible?"
"Both," Carina replied, cupping Maya's face and pulling her in for another kiss, lingering for a moment as they enjoyed the closeness of the moment.
But as much as Carina loved their playful banter and the feel of Maya's hands on her body, the practical side of her kicked in. She gently pushed Maya's shoulders and whispered, "Amore, we have to finish the room. The movers will be here in two days, and we still have some work to do."
Maya grinned mischievously as she leaned in to kiss Carina again, her fingers teasing at the hem of Carina's shirt, about to pull it over her head. But just as she was moving to take the shirt off, her phone suddenly rang, breaking the moment.
Maya groaned in frustration, glancing at the phone on the floor where she'd tossed it earlier. "Of course," she muttered, rolling her eyes.
Carina chuckled, lying back on the floor with an amused smile. "Looks like the universe has other plans."
With a sigh, Maya leaned over and grabbed her phone, checking the screen. "It's the soccer league," she said, her tone shifting from playful to curious. "I should probably take this."
Carina nodded, still smiling. "Go ahead. I'll be right here."
Maya answered the call, sitting up. "Hello? This is Maya."
"Hi, Maya, it's Coach Parker from the little league soccer league," came the cheerful voice on the other end. "I wanted to let you know that Alex has been placed on a team. We'll be emailing all the details, like practice times and game schedules, but I just wanted to touch base and make sure you're all set."
Maya's face lit up as she stood, her excitement bubbling. "That's great! Thank you so much. Alex is going to be thrilled. He's been talking about soccer non-stop."
Coach Parker laughed warmly. "That's what we love to hear. I'll make sure all the information gets emailed over to you by the end of the day, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out."
"Thanks again, Coach," Maya said, already imagining Alex's excitement when she told him. "We'll look out for that email."
After hanging up, Maya turned back to Carina, her smile wide. "Alex got placed on a team! The coach just called to confirm it. We'll be getting all the info soon."
Carina sat up, her eyes sparkling. "That's amazing! He's going to be so excited."
Maya nodded, her mind already racing with thoughts of their little soccer player. "I can't wait to tell him when he gets home."
Carina leaned in, giving Maya a quick kiss on the cheek. "And here I thought we were about to get some quiet time together," she teased, her voice playful.
Maya chuckled, slipping her arms around Carina's waist again. "Oh, don't worry. I haven't forgotten about our plans." She gave Carina a wink. "We just had a little soccer-related interruption."
Carina laughed softly, kissing Maya back. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Maybe," Maya said with a grin. "But that's part of my charm."
As the final touches of Alex's superhero mural were placed on the wall, Maya stood back, admiring their handiwork. "I think that's it," she said with a satisfied grin. "Alex is going to love this."
Carina, who was carefully adjusting the last corner of a Spider-Man poster, smiled back. "It's perfect," she said, just as her phone buzzed on the dresser nearby.
Maya's eyes flicked over to the screen and saw the name: Gabrielle. A slight tension formed in her chest. She knew Gabrielle was Carina's best friend, but she couldn't completely shake the lingering unease about their past relationship—especially after learning they had been intimate in college. Maya had done her best to push those feelings aside, but now, hearing Gabrielle's name again, those old insecurities crept up.
Carina picked up the phone without hesitation, a bright smile spreading across her face as she answered in rapid Italian, her tone filled with warmth and familiarity. Maya couldn't understand most of what she was saying, but it was clear that Carina was excited to hear from Gabrielle.
Feeling a sudden need for space, Maya forced a smile. "I'll, uh, start unpacking some of the boxes in the kitchen," she said, her tone casual but tight. Carina, still immersed in her conversation, gave her a quick nod, waving her hand as if to say, "Sure, go ahead."
Maya quietly left the room, making her way to the kitchen. As she unpacked, the sound of Carina's laughter drifted down the hallway, mixing with the rapid Italian words she couldn't fully comprehend. Maya tried to focus on the task at hand—sorting the kitchen utensils and placing them in drawers—but her mind kept drifting back to the conversation in Alex's room.
She knew it wasn't fair to feel this way. Carina had been open and honest about her relationship with Gabrielle, assuring Maya that they were just friends now. But the ease with which they spoke, the laughter, the fast-paced conversation in a language Maya wasn't completely fluent in yet—it made her feel like an outsider, a little disconnected from a part of Carina's life.
Maya let out a quiet sigh as she pulled out a stack of plates, setting them on the counter. She wasn't usually one to dwell on insecurities, but something about Gabrielle brought out a vulnerable side she wasn't used to.
She knew she needed to trust Carina, to believe in the strength of their relationship. After all, they were building a home together, creating a life with Alex. But the emotions swirling inside her wouldn't just disappear in an instant.
As she continued unpacking, she mentally prepared herself to have a conversation with Carina later—one that would help her navigate these feelings without letting them build up inside her. She didn't want to harbor any doubts, but she also didn't want to ignore how she was feeling.
Carina walked into the kitchen with a soft smile on her face, her arms wrapping around Maya from behind as she rested her chin on her shoulder. "Guess what," she said warmly. "We might need to get the guest room ready soon."
Maya raised an eyebrow, glancing back at her. "Oh? Why's that?"
"Gabrielle just booked her flight," Carina explained, stepping around to lean against the counter. "She's coming to visit soon. I told her all about how we're settling in, and she's excited to see the new place—and, of course, meet Alex."
Maya felt a small knot form in her stomach. Gabrielle visiting. She had known it would happen eventually, but hearing that it was soon made her emotions swirl. She didn't want to seem unwelcoming, especially since Gabrielle was an important part of Carina's life. But there was still that lingering uncertainty she couldn't quite shake.
"Oh, that's… great," Maya said, forcing a smile. "It'll be nice to meet her."
Carina, not sensing Maya's unease, continued excitedly. "I'm sure you'll get along great. She's so much fun, and she's been looking forward to this trip for a while."
Maya nodded, turning back to the box she was unpacking. "Yeah, sounds like it'll be a good time."
But despite her outward reaction, Maya couldn't help but feel a slight tension building inside. As much as she wanted to feel comfortable with Gabrielle's visit, those old feelings of unease about their past relationship were still there, lurking just beneath the surface.
Instead of voicing those feelings, Maya took a deep breath and pushed them down. She didn't want to ruin the excitement Carina felt, and she knew she'd need to work through her own emotions on her own terms.
"I'll make sure the guest room's ready," Maya said, keeping her tone light as she focused on the task at hand. "When's she coming?"
"Gabrielle's going to be in Seattle in a month."
Maya paused, her hand lingering on the coffee cup she had just picked up. She gave Carina a small smile, though inside, her stomach tightened again. A month. She had a month to prepare, both mentally and emotionally, for Gabrielle's visit.
"Wow, a whole month to get ready," Maya replied, keeping her tone light. "That'll give us plenty of time to finish up around here."
Carina smiled brightly, clearly excited about the visit. "Exactly! We can make sure the guest room is ready, and maybe even take her to see some of our favorite places. I think she'll love it here."
Maya nodded, sipping her coffee. "Yeah, Seattle's pretty great. I'm sure she'll have a good time."
As Carina rambled on about plans for Gabrielle's visit—places to go, restaurants to try—Maya kept her responses positive and supportive, but the small knot of uncertainty in her chest remained. She was determined to keep her feelings in check, at least for now.
The day had flown by as Maya and Carina moved from room to room in the penthouse, unpacking the boxes they had gradually brought over from Carina's apartment. They worked in comfortable silence, the rhythm of settling into their new space keeping them busy and content.
As Carina placed the last of the kitchen items in the cupboard, she glanced at the time and realized it was almost time to pick up Alex from school. "Oh, it's getting late," she said, looking over at Maya, who was rearranging some picture frames on a nearby shelf. "We should go pick up Alex soon."
Maya, still focused on the task at hand, nodded. "Yeah, you're right."
Carina smiled and walked over to her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do you want to ride with me? It'll be nice to have a break from all the unpacking."
Maya paused, glancing at Carina with a thoughtful look. "Actually, I was thinking of going for a run instead. I haven't had a chance to get out, and I could use some time to clear my head."
Carina raised her eyebrows, surprised by Maya's decision. After a day filled with packing, organizing, and setting up their new home, she thought Maya would want a break. But Carina knew how much running meant to Maya—it was her escape, her way to process everything and release the tension that often built up inside her.
"Of course, amore. I understand," Carina said softly, her smile reassuring. "Running always helps you unwind."
Maya smiled in return, grateful for Carina's understanding. "Exactly. I won't be long."
"Okay," Carina said, kissing Maya's cheek lightly. "Alex and I will stop by the grocery store on the way back and pick up dinner. Anything specific you want?"
"Surprise me," Maya replied with a grin. "Whatever you two pick will be perfect."
Carina nodded, watching Maya lace up her running shoes and stretch by the door. "Enjoy your run, then. We'll see you in a bit."
Carina stood there for a moment, absorbing the quiet of the penthouse now that Maya had left. She took a deep breath, feeling a wave of contentment as she picked up her keys and headed out to pick up Alex from school. She imagined his excitement as they planned dinner together—perhaps pizza night or his favorite pasta—and smiled at the thought.
When she arrived at Alex's school, he came running toward her, his little backpack bouncing on his back. "Mamma!" he called out excitedly. "Did you finish my room yet? Is it ready?"
Carina laughed, bending down to scoop him up into a hug. "Almost, tesoro. We've been working hard all day. But it's going to be perfect when you see it tonight."
Alex grinned. "Can we have pizza for dinner?" he asked eagerly.
Carina ruffled his hair. "We'll see what we can do. How about we stop by the grocery store first and pick something up? Maybe we'll surprise Mommy with a good dinner."
"Yeah! Let's get lots of stuff!" Alex agreed, bouncing with energy.
As they drove to the grocery store, Carina thought about how much their lives had changed in the past few months.
— — —
The rhythmic sound of Maya's feet hitting the pavement should have been comforting, the familiar cadence of her run usually clearing her mind. But today, the thoughts swirling in her head only seemed to grow more chaotic with each passing mile.
Gabrielle.
Her name lingered in Maya's mind, stirring emotions she couldn't quite shake. As much as she tried to push those feelings down, they kept bubbling to the surface, gnawing at her. The thought of Gabrielle and Carina's connection—so deep, so long-lasting—left her feeling unsettled, no matter how much she trusted Carina. It wasn't that she doubted her relationship with Carina; it was more that Gabrielle represented a part of Carina's life that Maya sometimes felt she couldn't fully touch.
They had been through so much—Carina was her person, and Maya knew that. But the past had a funny way of creeping up on you, no matter how much you wanted to ignore it. Gabrielle's visit in a month was looming in the back of her mind, making her wonder how she would handle it when the time came. Would she be able to push her insecurities aside? Or would they bubble up, threatening to spill over?
Maya shook her head, willing herself to focus on something else. Something easier. Something that wouldn't make her heart race in the wrong way.
Alex.
Her thoughts shifted to her little boy, and for a moment, a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Alex had been so excited about his new soccer team, and Maya was thrilled to see him find something he loved. But as the excitement of soccer crept into her thoughts, so did a sudden worry.
At their old place, they had a backyard. A place where Alex could kick the ball around, practice his dribbling, and have fun without any concern. But now, in the penthouse, they had no such space. Panic began to rise in Maya's chest as she imagined Alex wanting to practice, only for them to realize they had no backyard to accommodate his new passion.
Maya's pace quickened, her mind spiraling with concerns. What were they going to do? How would Alex practice? She couldn't take him to a park every single day. And what if he lost interest because they didn't have a proper space for him to play?
Her breathing became shallow as the panic set in, her thoughts racing too fast to keep up with.
Then, just as her mind was on the verge of spiraling further, a solution hit her.
The terrace.
Maya slowed her pace, her heart still pounding but for a different reason now. The penthouse terrace. They didn't have a backyard, but they had a large terrace. What if they made a kicking cage for Alex there? A safe space where he could practice kicking the ball without it flying off the building or rolling into dangerous spots.
She imagined a sturdy net, enclosing a section of the terrace where Alex could practice freely. They could even make it fun for him, like a mini soccer field with goals. It would solve the problem and give Alex his own special place to play.
Maya's breathing began to steady as the idea took shape in her mind. She could already picture it—the perfect compromise. Alex wouldn't lose out on his soccer practice, and they wouldn't have to worry about any mishaps involving soccer balls flying off the terrace.
As she continued her run, Maya felt the tension in her chest slowly begin to ease. The worries about Gabrielle were still there, lingering in the back of her mind, but at least now she had a plan. She had a solution for Alex's soccer dilemma, and that was something she could control.