Lizzy pov
I don't remember the last time I packed an overnight bag that wasn't for a child.
The realization comes quietly as I stand in James's room, folding his clothes with more care than I probably need to. A hoodie, his favorite one, the one he insists isn't too small yet. A spare pair of jeans. Socks that don't match but somehow still belong together. Underwear, toothbrush, Pajamas.
Evan's bag is worse. He decided to "help" and ended up just throwing half his closet into the bag, along with probably forty toy cars.
"Evan," I say, glancing over at him where he's sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by toys he absolutely does not need to bring. "You don't need all these cars."
"I do," he argues immediately. "What if they want to race?"
"They have toys at Auntie Talia's house."
"But Mom, they don't have my cars."
I press my lips together, fighting a smile. "Pick one."
He looks down at them like he's being asked to make a life-altering decision.
"…two."
"One."
He sighs dramatically, then holds one up.
"This one."
"Good choice," I say, even though I have no idea why that one is different from the others.
James zips his bag himself, quiet and efficient. He tries to be so grown up sometimes that I forget he's only 9.
I watch him for a second.
"You've got everything?" I ask.
He nods. "Yep."
There's something in the way he says it, too quick, but the lingering uncertainty is there.
I step closer, adjusting the strap of his bag even though it doesn't need adjusting.
"Hey," I say softly.
He looks up at me.
"You okay?"
He hesitates.
Then—
"Are you really going out?"
The question lands heavier than it should.
I hold his gaze, steadying myself before I answer.
"Yeah," I say gently. "Just for a little while. Auntie Talia is going too. And you get to see Hazel and Aj."
His eyes search my face, like he's trying to figure something out.
"Are you going to come back?"
Something in my chest tightens.
"Of course I am," I say immediately, softer now. "I'm just going out for the night. And you'll see me again when you wake up."
"Okay," he says, but he still looks unsure.
I reach out, brushing my hand lightly over his hair.
"I will always come back to you," I add quietly.
That seems to settle something in him.
A little.
"Okay."
By the time we're ready to leave, the house feels different.
Not empty.
Just… paused.
I take one last look around before grabbing my own bag, my eyes catching briefly on my reflection in the hallway mirror.
For a second, I don't recognize myself.
It's not a big change.
Just high-waisted jeans instead of the usual comfortable ones. A loose strap blouse that falls softly over my frame instead of something practical and forgettable. My hair is down, long brown waves resting over my shoulders instead of tied back out of the way.
Small things.
But enough.
I hesitate.
Then I turn away before I can think too much about it.
The drive to Talia's is loud, filled with the same energy it always is when the boys know they're about to have a sleepover.
James, clearly the decided spokesperson for the two of them starts arguing their case.
"Can we stay up late?"
"No."
"But it's a sleepover."
"That doesn't mean no sleep."
"It kind of does."
I laugh softly, shaking my head. "We'll see."
Talia's house is already alive when we arrive.
The sound hits first, kids laughing, running, something crashing in the distance followed by a chorus of voices. The front door is unlocked, and as soon as we step inside, the boys are gone.
"Moooom, look—" Evan starts, then disappears mid-sentence when he spots the others.
James doesn't run, but he moves quickly, already being pulled into whatever game is happening in the living room.
I stand there for a second, watching them.
They don't look back.
They don't hesitate.
They just… go.
"Good," Talia says from behind me. "That means they're settled."
I turn, letting out a small breath. "You weren't kidding."
"Told you," she says, stepping forward.
"We've got this under control. Kids, nanny, Mark, Sarah's au pair—there are more adults than necessary."
I glance toward the living room again, where the noise has somehow doubled.
"Are you sure?"
She gives me a look that promises violence if I back out now.
"Lizzy."
I huff a small laugh. "Right. Sorry."
"Go say goodbye properly," she says. "Then we're leaving before you change your mind."
I find them both easily.
Evan is already in the middle of something loud and chaotic, barely pausing when I call his name.
"Mom, look!" he says, holding up something I don't fully understand.
"That's great, baby," I say, crouching slightly.
"I'm heading out now, okay?"
"Okay, Bye." he says quickly, already turning back.
No hesitation.
No second thought.
James is different.
He steps away from the others when he sees me, walking over instead of calling out.
"You leaving?" he asks.
"Yeah."
He nods slowly.
"Have fun."
The words surprise me. They sound far too grown up for a boy of only nine.
I smile softly. "I'll try."
He hesitates, then leans in slightly, letting me hug him.
"I love you," I whisper.
"Love you too."
I pull back, brushing my hand over his cheek before straightening.
"Be good."
"I will."
Outside, the air feels cooler.
Quieter.
For a moment, I just stand there beside Talia, listening to the distant noise of the house behind us.
Then headlights cut through the street as the cab pulls up.
"Perfect timing," she says, already reaching for the door.
I hesitate for half a second.
Just enough to feel it.
That small shift again.
The one that started earlier.
"You coming?" she asks, glancing back at me.
I nod, stepping forward.
"Yeah."
I slide into the seat beside her, the door closing behind me with a soft, final sound.
The house disappears from view as we pull away.
Nerves and excitement start building inside of me and for once I'm not thinking about what needs to be done next.