The trip took three days, spending their evenings in hotel rooms. It would have made more sense to fly, but Sophie needed time to think. She didn't, however, consider the sing-alongs and license plate games when she'd made that decision. Or the crying coming from Ella on the first day. Or the silent treatment from Justin that lasted until the second day. 

Still, they all made it in one piece, Sophie never once stopping at a gas station for the sole purpose of selling off her children, as tempting as the idea was. Although they'd made plenty of pit stops and spent took sleep breaks every night, Sophie still felt as though she'd spent a month in that car by the time her fist tapped her mother's front door. 

It was time to get back to the basics, as pained as she was to leave everyone behind. Learn how to stand on her own two feet with only a little help. Learn how to smile again without a certain someone bringing out the joy in her. Learn how to be a true single parent. 

Sophie remembered growing up how much she idolized all her friends with two parents, often resenting her own mother for always working on never seeming to have time for her, or the money to give her all the fancy gifts her friend Kristin received. Now she could look back and see all her mother did for her and all the lessons she bestowed upon her without realizing it.

She learned to do things for herself; not lost in an overwhelming world when it was time to move away. 

She learned independence, acceptance of all things out of her control, and forgiveness for the man who chose not to remain in their lives. Though he left them early on, they stood strong and persevered through all life's trials. 

She learned not to complain about the luxuries she went without, but to appreciate what they did have and know that everything they owned was earned.

Now a full-blown single mother without rich grandparents there to lavish her children with gifts, or a certain gentle giant Disney prince there to rescue her from the every day trials of life, Sophie hoped to teach her children these lessons, as well as learn ones of her own. 

Her mother had sent her a letter after she left, but at the time Sophie was such a mess that she hadn't truly appreciated it. 

You are now the head of this household. There is no one there to dictate how your children are raised. But as Spider-Man's uncle once said, with great power comes great responsibility. Everything about you (your mood, your strength, your energy) sets the mood your children will be raised in. 

You must come first, Sophie. You must take care of yourself always, and find your happiness so your children can find their own. 

Know when to ask for help, because there are people around you who are ready and willing to help. It's okay to need a break, and it's okay to be overwhelmed. 

You are the ground of which your family thrives or falter's on, so stand strong, baby girl, and never waiver in the storm. There is no prouder moment than seeing your children grow into beautiful people, and knowing that you shaped who they were and led them into adulthood. When they thrive, you thrive, and when you thrive, they thrive. 

The letter was part of the reason she decided to leave, if only for a while. She came here to put herself first. To be able to have help when she needed without relying on it too much. 

"Oh, my sweet girl," her mother sang out as the door to her apartment opened. Arms held out, beckoning Sophie. 

She obliged, already feeling like it had been a lifetime since she received one of her mother's hugs that could have solved world hunger and brought peace throughout the land. Another thing she hadn't fully appreciated when she was Justin's age, and probably not appreciated fully until she'd left for college. 

"Right now I just want to crash for a week straight," Sophie confessed. 

Both her children latched on to their grandmother's side, squeezing the laugh out of the aging woman. 

When her mother swayed, Sophie was almost knocked over by the weight of all the luggage she carried up. There was still more in the car, but all the necessities were there. The rest could wait until morning. 

"Kids, why don't you take your bags and put them in the guest bedroom?"

"Oh, honey," her mother began, her face looking serious despite a glimmer hiding in the background. "You aren't staying here."

Sophie's lips pressed together as she separated from her mother in an attempt to get a better read. The woman's serious exterior was wavering, but still impossible to decipher. "You're kicking us out before we've even stepped fully in?"

"Oh, your fully welcome to come in," her mother said, waving her hand as if brushing off the comment. "You just won't be staying."

Sophie crossed her arms and stared the woman down. "Okay, then. Where are we staying?"

The serious expression finally faltered, and her mother beamed, like she was in on some big secret and wanted you to know that you couldn't know. Except instead of keeping her in the dark, her mom shut her apartment door and trotted up the hallway, Sophie and kids in tow, until she reached the elevators. "Two floors up."

"Mom, you didn't!" Her mom had worked hard to provide for her, and didn't have the money for this sort of gesture. 

"Not me. Joel. We were talking last month-"

"How did you get his number?" Sophie asked. 

Her mother ignored her question, and stepped into the elevator once it opened. "We were talking last month, and I was saying how excited I was to have the three of you come stay with me, but that there really wasn't enough space in a two bedroom for four people. Then I brought up how a four bedroom had just opened up upstairs. So much more spacious in every room, honestly. If I wasn't trying to downsize, I would have treated myself. My friend Marie lives up there, and I feel like I'm in one of those fancy hotels every time I go and visit."

Once the elevator door closed, Sophie turned to her mother. "Mom, did Joel buy me an apartment?"

Her mother laughed it off. "You don't buy apartments, honey, you buy condos. You rent apartments. He paid for the first year and had it furnished. Don't worry, though. He hired an interior decorator and was very clear on your taste, and the kids tastes. He wanted to make sure it reflected who you were, and no one else."

If Sophie wasn't so damn tired and possibly in shock, she would have fallen to her knees right then and there and started bawling her eyes out. 

Joel had warmed up to her since Jason's death, and even shared a few sweet moments with her. But never in a million years did she imagine he would do something like this. "Why? Why would he do that?"

"Because you came here to find yourself and some independence. That means your own space while still being close enough to me for a little bit of help. There's also a family with a teenager who lives right next door in case you need a babysitter. She's a sweet girl and on the honor roll. You'll love her. A bit of a weirdo, just like you."

If that had come from anyone else, Sophie would have wondered if she were just insulted. 

The doors parted in front of her, and Sophie stepped out, readjusting the luggage on her back to shift the weight. Her mother trotted ahead, seeming to know exactly where she was going, and within a minute, she pulled a key out of her pocket and turned a lock. 

When she entered the apartment and her mother turned on the lights, Sophie worried she just might muster up the energy to cry. Everything was brightly colored, looking like one giant art piece, with several actual art pieces hanging on the wall. No more white on white on white. No more home journal picturesque living. This was a chaos of colors. From the yellow shade of the wall, to the teal furniture, to the red small appliances in the kitchen. 

And then she saw it. How it got there, Sophie had no idea. But amongst the bright colors in the dining area was the long farmhouse table made of different shades of reclaimed wood. The one she had to look away from to avoid losing her shit when she visited the house Lucas had renovated for her. With matching chairs, it stood out like a sore thumb. And yet, like the rest of the house, fit her so perfectly. Just another side of her. The quiet waves within her rather than the bold artist she used to be. 

"How?" Sophie asked, tears dripping onto her cheeks and lips, flowing like a wild river. 

"He drove it up late last week, along with some other things, then flew back home. He also made the bedroom furniture and a patio set for you. I swear, that man would move oceans for you if you asked." Her mom took the bags from Sophie's arms, set them on the ground, then cupped her cheek. "Do you love him, honey?"

Sophie shook her head, still staring at the table with absolute bewilderment. "I thought I loved Jason. There were hard times, but at the end of the day I still thought he was my person. Then I met Lucas, and I feel like I had no idea what love really was before he came along. Loving him has made me feel so strong or so weak and vulnerable. I've never felt so flustered and confused in my life."

Her mom's thumb wiped some of the tears away, then fell to her side. "Sounds like real love to me, honey. That boy is a keeper, and I'm not just talking about the perfect hair or the body that can stop traffic. Do what you need to do for you, let him do what he needs to do for himself, then let yourself have the real love that you deserve."