Maggie

Asher said he and Greer will be moving into his house while I'm in L.A.

If I said my heart wasn't shattering, I'd be lying. We sat down with her and told her about moving, and also about Josie. She ran to her room and slammed the door shut after begging Asher to change his mind, then accused me of not wanting her.

Asher is torn in two different directions, so my leaving is probably a godsend to him. I guess it's best for me to be the bad guy in all of this, but it hurts.

I have nobody. No mom, no dad, no sister, or grandparents. Not even an uncle or an aunt to stand in for them. I had Greer, and right now she's upset with me. I blame Asher, but I won't show it.

I told him I needed to distance myself, but he tugged and pulled at my heartstrings. I gave in because I didn't want to miss a moment I had with them. Now it's over, and I'm catching a flight to LAX with a heavy heart.

I still have my apartment in L.A. that I share with Victoria, but even she is gone. She's already in Paris, so in one week, I'll be with her for an extended amount of time.

My stylist changed my hair color back to its darker shade and I'm back in my career. On Saturday I did the interview. I didn't manage much of a smile and my manager is getting frustrated, but I needed time. I'll survive just like I did after my parents died.

The weekend went slow, and Asher has called several times. I don't want to speak to him yet. I need some space and to adjust to being alone again. I'll call him when I get back to town.

I went out Saturday night, but didn't stay out long. I couldn't get Greer off my mind, and the fact that she's now got a stepmom tucking her in at night and putting her hair up in pigtails. I wonder if they're playing dress up and giggling at each other.

Maybe she comforts her at night when she cries for her mommy, and sneaks ice cream with her when nobody is watching.

On Sunday, I got a text from Asher.

"Dammit, Maggie. I've been calling for two days. Please stop by the house tomorrow. Greer misses you."

Funny, I don't even know their address.

I made it home late Monday night, actually it was early Tuesday morning. The mansion had life inside it, but it was so dull. No giggles traveling through the halls, no Asher telling me I'm a stubborn pain in his ass. This house is cold and dark again.

I slept through the night and part of the next day, until the curtains opened in my room and the sun assaulted me.

I figured it was Clara Ann, but the bed dipped and a warm finger moved the hair from my face.

I opened my eyes and saw Asher starting down at me. "It's almost five o'clock. Are you going to sleep your life away?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I was on my way home from work and I was worried. You won't call me back or answer my texts."

"I was busy, and my flight was canceled. I got in about three this morning."

"Since when have you been too busy for Greer? She's upset that you haven't called." He said.

I sat up in bed. "It's time to go on with life Asher."

"Yeah, a life that includes your niece."

"How can you even say that to me? You took her away, and I was made out to be the bad guy."

He looked at me with confusion. "Is that what you think? That she's upset with you because I moved her into my home?"

"With a stranger," I remarked.

"They're getting along really well, Maggie. She even took a few days off to take care of Greer while I worked yesterday and today. Greer misses you, but it's working out okay."

"Good, I was right, and you don't need me. I'm leaving early for Paris tonight."

I slid out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. He stood in the doorway and crossed his arms.

"You're running away." He said.

I rinsed my mouth then started the shower.

"I'm putting my life back together. I was invited to walk the runway for André Courrèges. It's kind of a big deal for me."

"You changed your hair." He commented.

"They wanted my hair darker." I stepped in the shower, then threw my bra and underwear over the shower door. He shouldn't be able to see because of the steam.

"What's going through your head, Maggie? What do you want with Greer? Not having you with her is killing me. You're the one that brought her to me, and I can't stand what this is doing to you."

"Write your address down, and I'll stop by on my way to the airport."

"You didn't answer my question."

Like what I want matters. Greer has a built-in family now. She's cared for, and has a chance to be happy.

"I want you to back off and let me live my life. I'll call Greer once a week, but don't put ideas in her head that I'll be home for an extended amount of time. Traveling is my life once again."