said gently, adjusting her daughter's small

her mouth smudged with blue paint. "Mr. Black

brush slipping slightly from her ha

nfidence of a five-year-old who knew exactly how to charm h

e weariness than amusement. "He did always have

takably calm voice followed the click of polish

p suit, sleeves rolled back slightly, his tie loosened as though he'd rushed from

lit up. "Mr.

ow to meet her, a rare softness flickering across his face. "There's my f

ily," Aria said proudly.

ty space next to Elena's stick figure - a faint outline of someo

asked gently, tappi

nt, her voice smaller now.

faltered, but he recovered quickly. "Well," h

oser. "We're getting ready for the art showc

s light, but his eyes - they lingered on her, searchi

ession polite. "Thank you. T

he asked

ened - too full of things neither had the courage to say. She blinked and turned back to the

eside her, sleeves still rolled up, helping organize the pai

slightly.

ooking up. "Tap your fin

d-motion. "I don't

id, amusement laced w

y. "Old habits di

o," he

he distance filling the air. Adrian looked around the room - bright draw

aid quietly. "You always had that in you, Ele

a beat too long before forcing a small smile. "You should pro

Maybe I'm tryi

eart betrayed her with an uneven

meeting her gaze. "

rs between them had dissolved - like they were still the same two people from col

called out, "Mommy, look! The

e interruption. "We should go.

ing, children showing off their work. The scent of acrylics lingered

er students, forcing herself to stay busy. But

rincipal, but his focus never strayed far from Elena and Ar

nother drawing, he couldn't help but crou

lding up a simple sketch - a tall man in

blinked

ing us," she said proud

else in his eyes now - something sharp, s

r the exchange. "Aria, honey, why do

ily, leaving them in the sof

keep her hands from trembling. "Y

watching Aria from across the room. "Conf

She has her own mind," she managed, forcing

e's something else. The way she looks at the world - c

we think," she said, tryi

t his gaze didn't wa

iffened.

f clinking glasses and distant appl

ft curiosity fading into somethi

outh to speak, b

ice barely above a whispe

eart pounding

k. Didn't move.

breathless, impossible still