Leo had been hammering out a deal all day. Matthew met with the screenplay writer while Leo charged and retreated and charged again. He pinched between his eyes.

"It will take years to complete the first three we offered. We already conceded on the merchandise. We retain the right to existing inventory, but nothing else. You can sell whatever you want for the first three books. Make Happy Meal toys if that's what you want." Leo knew the end of production would make the figurines more valuable. The studio's toys would look like the actors.

The studio lawyer nodded. "We can agree to that."

"And the first three stories." Thankfully, Imogen hadn't sold full rights to Roche-Sumner or he would never have been able to shop a deal."

Percy sighed. "Fine. I want the standard option of eighteen-month for the first, thirty-six for the second. We can all do the math."

Leo smirked. "Fifty-four." It wasn't time to smile yet. "Film and merch only. Publisher has print and we're not interested in giving up anymore."

Percy pushed. "Electronic." Matthew did want to include video games.

"No! Not happening. Film and Happy Meal toys."

Percy sighed. "Then it can't resemble our actors. It's a two-way street."

"Fine. Creative collaboration?"

Percy pounded his fist on the table. "Studio has creative control. Matthew can consult, but our writer, director, and everyone in between down to the lighting gaffe have final say."

Leo stood. "Let me talk with my client."

He slowly stood. As he walked out of the room, he heard whispering behind him. So far he got everything he wanted including the nice round numbers thrown around.

He found Matthew alone looking at his phone. Leo shut the door. There were ears everywhere. "They won't budge on the creative. You can hang around, but they can veto you."

Matthew frowned. "Bloody hell, we tried."

"It never happens. Seriously, do you think Rick wanted Lightning Thief to turn out the way it did?"

Matthew smirked and held up his phone. "I could ring him and ask."

Leo laughed. "I got everything else."

"How many books?"

"Three. They have eighteen months with the first one. Are you okay giving up your toys?"

Matthew nodded. "Yeah. I was excited, but hell it's been a few years."

Leo frowned. A few years felt like a lifetime. Shaking his thought away, he squeezed Matthew's shoulder. "Do you want to do this?"

"I trust you, Leo."

He nodded and returned to the tense room. "Okay." He looked at Percy. "What's still outstanding?"

A lawyer said, "Advertising."

Leo sighed as they hashed out the details. He was exhausted when he shook hands with the lawyers. He held his hand to Percy, and he shook it tightly. "You still got it "

"I told you I got nothing left to lose."

Percy shook his head. "Not true. You have Riley and Cody."

Leo smiled. He was ready to call them. They had finished a day early, but he had some clients he wanted to see before he flew out on Thursday night. He would send a few texts and call his kids. He was kidding himself that he wouldn't go back one more time, so he would say goodbye to Autumn.

Riley said, "Daddy, I miss you."

"I miss you a ton. I'll be home on Friday morning."

"Before school?"

"I hope so, if I'm not delayed." There were no promises in air travel.

He didn't ask to speak to Isla, but Cody handed her the phone. "I'll call you later. I'm going to say goodbye to Autumn, but I won't be too long."

He didn't wait for a response. He wanted to get it over with. Retracing his steps from three days before he apprehensively stepped into her room. Her blond hair had been braided. Her braid used to be thicker. He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. "I came to say goodbye. I'm not sure when I'll be back."

No response, there never was. He sat quietly, before speaking again. "I told Isla, our nanny, about your accident. I'm not sure she understands why I did what I did. Sometimes I don't either."

He was about to say goodbye when he sensed someone in the doorway. He turned to see Percy. His friend stepped in hesitantly.

"I. I figured you were here. I hate coming here." Leo nodded. He knew. Percy's voice cracked. "Hey Sis. I had an exciting day. I argued with a book agent who wanted all the rights."

Leo smirked. "I'm sure you did. I only wanted to give two books. Besides, Matthew's neighbor has already mentioned a video game."

"He'd go with an amateur!"

Leo shook his head. "Nope, the guy is the real deal. He created one of the biggest games."

"Whatever. Thank Autumn because of my guilt for being with her. I look at you and remember what you lost. It made me give in to you."

"It wasn't my cut throat negotiation skills?"

"We know each other too well." He looked at his sister. "She should be giving us shit for excluding her."

Leo frowned. "She always did, but she loved how we were friends."

Only the sound of the machine keeping her alive filled the room. Leo could shut his eyes and see images of the good times they had shared. Percy had a habit of crashing in on him and Autumn, on their family. Laughter. Her laughter filled his life no matter who they were with, alone, their babies, or her brother. He looked at her pale face with faint laugh lines around her eyes which would never grow worse. He closed his eyes as he silently pleaded with God.

Percy jumped. "Oh! Damn Autumn! This is why I don't come."

Her eyes had opened. Leo shuddered. His Autumn wasn't inside, but he didn't know where she went. The orbs had no sparkle and were dull with a haunting stare. He thought of the overused science fiction premise of extraterrestrial creatures taking over human bodies. An imposter caused her eyes to open. She hated sci-fi. He read some from his colleague in the LA office who specialize only in sci-fi and horror stories, and cut a lot of movie deals.

Ignoring his own beliefs, Leo took her hand and told her to go to sleep, much like he would his children. "Sleep, darling. I love you, Percy too." Slowly he stroked her small hand and encouraged her to sleep. Then he gently closed her eyes and took a deep breath after only shallow ones.

Percy said, "I hate when you do that Autumn."

Leo agreed. "I was hoping to avoid it too." And his nightmares.

"I need to go. You wanna go drink."

Leo shook his head. "I want to check in at home and crash."

Percy complained. "It's six-thirty. Plus, your kids are in bed."

"So."

"You want to talk to your hot nanny."

"Stop!" He looked at Autumn. "I need to say goodbye."

"I'll give you privacy."

Percy left without saying goodbye. Leo sighed. Autumn's brother needed to get help for his guilt, but Leo couldn't volunteer. He never blamed Percy.

Alone with his wife, he studied her sleeping face. "I love you, but I have to keep living for Riley, Cody, and myself. Please let go." He stood and kissed her forehead before whispering goodbye.

He stood on the curb as he waited for his ride and called Isla. Her voice caused a sliver of lightness in his heavy chest.

"I went back to say goodbye."

"To your wife?"

"Yes. How do you feel about what I told you?"

"Sad. She should be with her children and you."

He smiled. "Your heart is full of compassion."

"Do you mean I care about you and the children?"

"Yes, but you are also kind. I thought you might hate me."

"I could never hate you." She yawned.

"You're tired. Go to sleep. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

After he climbed in the car, he checked his messages. Matthew texted. Since they finished early, he rescheduled for an overnight flight. Leo had only set up a breakfast with an author. Perhaps he could get an earlier flight too.

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