~Brie~

“Did you hear?” Amy whispered to a colleague.

Tameka rolled her eyes.

“And I'm the trouble maker around here? Please” she muttered.

I chuckled and gestured to her to focus on her work. Close to thirty minutes later, we sat in silence, doing our work, till Amy and her group cracked up over something. I glanced at Tameka who sat there like a ticking time bomb.

“Can't you just ignore her?” I asked.

“Easy for you to say. Everyone likes you.”

Not true. Especially your little crush.”

Tameka looked at me, chuckling, and towards the conference room.

“What are they doing in there? I miss his face” she sighed dreamily.

I frowned.

“Please stop. Or else I'm going to be sick.”

She chuckled.

“I'm going to get a coffee. Would you like some?” she asked.

“Yes please. Thank you, Tam” I said.

She nodded and got up. Amy and her group laughed again. Tameka stopped in her tracks and glared in their direction. I watched her frown slowly disappear and a mischievous smile replace it.

Ah jeez!

I opened my mouth to stop her but stopped.

“It never stops her anyway so” I muttered.

Tameka slowly approached the group and in a loud voice, she exclaimed, "Snake!". The laughter suddenly turned to screams and I chuckled as they scampered around. Tameka quickly darted through the chaos and straight to the break room.

“What is going on here!” I heard Mile's loud call out above the chaos.

The noise died down.

“Can someone please tell me what this madness is all about?!”

Amy and her people glanced at one another.

“W-We saw a s-snake, Mr. Herve” Amy stammered.

“A snake? On the eight floor?” he questioned.

“It probably crawled through the vent” Tameka spoke up as she stepped beside Miles.

He looked at her and she smiled. Then he scowled.

“Before you blame me, I'm not a snake whisperer so it wasn't me” she defended. “Ms. Nolan sent me get coffee and so I did.”

“Maybe Breanna let the snake out” Amy accused. “She's the only one seated comfortably here.”

I furrowed my brows at her.

“I let the snake out?” I asked. “I don't own a snake, Amy.”

“Why aren't you freaking out then?”

“Because it's too cold in here for a snake to make this its chill out zone” I said in a 'duh' tone.

Tameka snorted out a laugh.

“Who has the last laugh now?” she asked Amy who scowles at the both of us.

“Ms. Nolan” Miles called out.

I looked at him.

“Follow me, if you'd please.”

I internally rolled my eyes.

Why's he even still here? Aiden was back, was he not?

I got up and grabbed my coffee from Tameka before following me. He led me into the conference room where Mr. Martin and Aiden were seated, going over some files. Aiden stopped talking and stared at me.

“What's going on, Herve?” he asked. “Did something happen?”

“No, no” he smiled. “I just thought you'd like to brief her about the conference yourself.”

Aiden sat up.

“I thought you told me you had it covered, Miles” Mr. Martin said.

“And why the hell does she need to be briefed?” Aiden asked.

“Because she is among the people who will be going with us to the conference in Berlin.”

I swallowed my coffee, ignoring the fact that it was too hot and winched at the pain it left in my throat.

“I'm sorry, Berlin?” I questioned.

Miles smiled at me.

“Congratulations Ms. Nolan. You get to come with us to the two week conference to Berlin. The company was personally invited so it's a huge honor. And you get to be there to do your thing and raise publicity.”

I chuckled.

“Two weeks? Across the country?”

“Starting on Monday morning so we leave on Sunday morning” he explained.

I let out a short laugh.

“I'm sorry but I can't go.”

Miles frowned.

“You can't go” he repeated.

“I'm sorry. But I can't” I repeated.

He looked at Mr. Martin who looked at Aiden who hadn't looked away from me for a second.

“You do know it part of your job, right? As a member of the company's photography staff.”

“I do know that, Mr. Herve but Germany? I can't go to Germany, Mr. Herve. And for two weeks? Absolutely not.”

Aiden leaned back, finally breaking his gaze on me.

“You're refusing?” Mr. Martin asked.

“I'm not, sir. I'm letting you know that I can't go” I said.

“And your reason is?” Miles asked.

“My son” I said, looking at Aiden.

“Your son” Miles repeated again.

I nodded.

“My parents are out of town for a month. There's no one to watch him for.”

“Call his father. Make an arrangement.”

I looked at Miles.

“He's not in Virginia. He's back in New York with his new wife.”

“Tell him it's urgent.”

“I can't do that.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Because my son has to start a new school on Monday and he can't miss it. He's on a scholarship and he can't afford to miss classes for two whole weeks!” I said exasperated.

Miles crossed his arms.

“Get a sitter” he said.

I scoffed.

“A sitter” I repeated this time.

He nodded and I shook my head.

“I'm sorry Mr. Herve, Mr. Martin, Mr. Corleone... but I can't go with you. You could aways ask someone else to go in my place” I said.

“Then I'm afraid I'll have to fire you then, Ms. Nolan.”

My eyes snapped to his face.

“Excuse me?”

“What are you doing, Miles?” Mr. Martin asked.

“Not bending the rules, Ronbie” he replied and picked up a file. “You signed a contract with the company, Ms. Nolan. If you refuse to do your job, or show any signs of not being capable anymore, we have to fire you. And before you think I'm making this up, here's Aiden's signature on the rules.”

I glanced at where he was pointing and my stomach sank.

“If you refuse to come with us to the conference as required, you turn in your card and that's the end for you and this company” Miles said.

I looked at Aiden.

Why isn't he saying anything?

“Mr. Corleone...” I started. “Isn't there a way around this, sir?”

“Of course you'd ask that, Ms. Nolan” Miles scoffed nastily. “And why wouldn't you when he's been playing favorites with you, huh?”

“Herve!” Aiden warned.

“This whole teacher's pet thing is over, Ms. Nolan” Miles continued. “You don't make the trip, you lose your job. Your choice.”

My nose began to burn.

“B-But my son” I stammered. “He's only nine years old. I can't leave him all by himself. Please. He has asthma and severe allergies. And I can't possibly find a sitter in two days who's willing to care for him for two whole weeks! Please... you can't possibly force this on me.”

“Force?” Miles chuckled. “No one's forcing you Ms. Nolan. Choose your words carefully. You have to the choice to not go. You would be refusing to do your work and that would be equal to you losing your job.”

My teary eyes moved from Miles Herve to Aiden. He just looked at me.

Say something, Aiden!

“I'm sorry, Ms. Nolan but that's the rule. What happens next is your call.”

I drew in a sharp breath.

My call?

I bit my lip and nodded.

“Excuse me.”

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Roman lingered in the doorway as I packed my suitcase. Dash barked, getting my attention and I saw him at the doorway with Roman.

“Hey you two” I smiled.

Dash rushed in and curled himself at my feet. I scratched behind his ears and smiled. Roman stood still, his expression sombre. I sighed.

“Manny...”

Then he broke out into sobs.

“Baby boy no, no” I said, carefully crossing over Dash as I moved towards the door.

“I wanna go with you mommy.”

“Roman...”

“No, mommy. Let me go with you, please? I'll be good. Don't leave me mommy.”

He sounded just like he did when Beck was leaving. I pressed his face into my stomach and hugged him.

“Mommy...” he sobbed.

I lifted him and he buried his face in the crook of my neck.

“It's okay, baby. Don't worry. I won't go okay?” I whispered.

He didn't stop crying. My sighed painfully and patted my hip, getting my dog's attention.

“Let's get you some fresh air okay?” I whispered to my son and turned to Dash. “You up for a walk, buddy?”

He barked and I smiled a little. Grabbing Roman's astronaut toy and my handbag, we moved downstairs. With Roman still glued to me, I hooked on Dash's leash and we headed out. He was quiet the entire ride to the park, his fingers fidgeting with a loose thread on his sleeve.

I found a good spot to park the car and Dash and I got out. Roman stayed behind. I sighed.

“Dash, sit” I instructed.

He lowered his buttom onto the grass, panting heavily.

“Good boy” I smiled at him.

Then I turned to my boy.

“Manny” I called out.

He started at his fingers.

“Manny... say something baby boy” I called out again after some time.

He refused to look at me.

“Kendrick.”

He met my eyes.

“Do you wanna go, mommy?” he asked.

I pursed my lip.

“I don't want to get fired, Roman. But even more, I don't want the person I love most in the whole wide world to be sad if I go” I confessed.

A small smile crept up his face and I frowned in confusion.

“What are you smiling about?” I asked.

“You sound like me a couple of weeks ago” he said.

I chuckled.

“This is nothing like that, Manny. I'm not dumbing myself down to make you happy.”

“You're willing to get fired for me and it's sweet mommy, but also very dumb if you do it.”

I arched a brow.

“No offense” he whispered.

I chortled.

“You should go mommy. I'll be okay with uncle Zach.”

I picked fuzz from his socks.

“There's a reason I always watched his brother, Manny. Zach is not always very responsible.”

“But he's better than daddy right? So I'll be okay” he said, looking like he was feeling a lot better now.

“Manny...”

“I'll be fine, mommy. You should go. Grandma and Grandpa said it's okay for me to come visit them on the weekends and I get to take turns spending nights with Iris and uncle Zach. So I'll be okay, Mommy. Don't worry” he smiled.

“Are you sure? Because just say the word and I'll turn in my card.”

“I'll be fine” he giggled and jumped out of the car.

I smiled at him and opened my arms. He gave me a hug and I kissed the top of his head.

“I love you, baby boy.”

“I love you more, Mommy.”

Dash barked and we chuckled at him.

“You too buddy” I said.

Roman suddenly gasped, pulling away from the hug, and his eyes fixed firmly at something in the distance.

“What is that?” he gasped dramatically.

I looked at the poster.

“It looks like six million calories” I chuckled. “Why? You want one?”

“Can I, Mommy?”

“Of course baby” I smiled.

He grinned and tugged my hand toward the tent as Dash followed. The woman behind the counter grinned at us.

“Hi. What can I get you today?” she asked.

“A lemonade, a pack of cookies and... what was it you said you wanted, Manny?”

“The cool thingy on the poster” he smiled.

“One lemonade, cookies and our limited edition Halloween alien cocoa surprise” she wiggled her eyebrows.

Roman smiled up at me.

“You will be home in time for Halloween, Mommy!”

“Yes and it'll be great!” I pinched his cheek.

“Would you like toppings, sweetie?” the woman asked Roman.

“Extra whipped cream. And if you could separate the sprinkles, it would be great.”

The woman looked at me.

“You've got yourself the perfect gentleman, miss.”

“The best” I added.

“You can go ahead and take any seat. I'll have them out shortly to you” she smiled.

I nodded and followed Dash as he picked a seat for us. A few minutes later, a waitress delivered our drinks and I paid for the order.

“So cool, Mommy!” Roman giggled.

I chuckled at his excitement and pulled out my phone to take a picture. Afterwards, I fed Dash some of the cookies and sipped my drink. Roman took a big sip of his drink, then immediately jerked away, fanning his mouth.

“Mama ith hat!” he exclaimed, his tongue stuck out of his mouth.

I chuckled and blew on his 'ectoplasm' drink. He leaned over and took a sip of my lemonade. He made a sour face and I was quick to capture the moment.

“Hey! Now you're just trying to recreate my terrible twos moments” he pouted.

I chuckled.

“You look super cute even now. See?” I showed him the picture.

I brushed my hair out of my face and fed Dash more cookies when I heard a camera shuttering.

“Two can play it Mommy! he chuckled.

I laughed. He handed me back my phone and I pointed to his drink.

“Take smaller sips now mm?”

He nodded.

“Roman sweetie” I said. “Listen, things might get funky for a while... a long while... as I'm gone...” I exhaled, “... but I'll be fine, okay?”

He swallowed his drink.

“I know Mommy.”

“And whatever happens, ten thousand miles apart or not, we're still a team and I'll always have your back, you hear me baby?”

“Yes mommy. And I'll always have your back.”

I smiled and blew him a kiss. Then a mischievous smile quirked at the corner of his mouth.

“Manny, what are you—”

He dipped two fingers in his whipped cream and dabbed it on my nose.

“Rudolph” he snorted out.

“Let's see how you like being frosty the snowman huh?” I challenged, smearing whipped cream on his cheek.

He squealed and laughed harder. My heart warmed. Roman darted his tongue out to lick off the whip cream that was close to the corner of his mouth. I passed him a wet napkin to get the rest.

We finished our drinks, thanked the woman at the desk and hopped back into the car. When we got to the house, Roman jumped out, tugging my purse across his arm. I smiled at him and kissed the top of his head after locking the car door.

“Hey Manny?” I whispered, on our way down the pathway.

“Mommy?” he replied, slowing down for a moment.

“You know you're my entire world, right?” I asked.

“Yes Mommy.”

“And you know I love you right?”

“Yessss Mommy. I love you toooooo ughhhh!” he groaned playfully, the brightest of smiles on his face.

“I love you more” I sang.

“And I loveeeee you first!”

Roman rolled his eyes, his bright smile even brighter. He took my hand and tugged me down the walkway to the house.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

“Mommmmmyyyy... I can't breathe...”

I let go of him and stared into his face as he giggled.

“I love you with every fiber of my being, baby boy.”

“I love you more, Mommy” he smiled.

“I'll call you every day mm?” I assured him, “So you better pick up the phone” I directed my gaze at Zach.

“Breezy bee,” he chuckled, “... we'll be alright, relax.”

“Remember the list okay, Zach? And Roman, what do you do when you're about to eat anything in a box or a packet?” I asked.

“I check the ingredients to make sure there's no soy or peanut ingredients in” he answered. “I'll be fine mommy, I promise.”

I nodded.

“Okay. I should get going then” I sighed, kissing Roman one last time.

“Would you buy me Brikenstocks when you're coming back?” he asked.

I studied his face.

“I thought you wanted Ampelmännchen?” Zach asked.

“And chocolate cake” he giggled.

I smiled lovingly at my son.

“We'll send you a list” Zach whispered to me.

I chuckled and gave him a hug.

“I owe you Hart” I exhaled.

“You did Dove and I favors by watching Shawn and Carmen all those years ago. You owe me nothing, Bee” he told me.

I let him go and they smiled at me. Squeezing Roman into a hug one last time, I thanked Zach and walked towards my respective gate.

Two weeks... two weeks with Aiden Corleone everyday... even on weekends. Was I going to survive?

Thank you for reading! ✨