She felt the weight of the gold on her neck as she went about gathering suitcases and other items she could pack for her trip. No time like the present to get packed.

The shuffling of several pairs of feet walking through the front door caught her attention. She’d have the kids the week before the wedding. She was supposed to have them the week after too, while Carlos and Kathy were on their honeymoon. How come she hadn’t thought of that? She’d booked her trip to miss the wedding, but hadn’t thought about being needed for the kids while they were on their honeymoon. She’d see if maybe Arianna would stay with them. If she was already heading home maybe she could intrude on Regan, though she didn’t want to do that. It would be too far for her to drive them to school every day.

How come it always happened that the moment she’d done the first selfish thing for herself in almost fifteen years, the guilt was taking over. Her family needed her and she was escaping. Madeline shook it away. No. She was leaving and she was going to enjoy herself. Her kids were old enough not to be a burden to anyone. It was going to be fine—she hoped.

“Hey, Mom.” they all shouted as they passed her on their way to the kitchen.

The thought that she wouldn’t see them for a week, or talk to them either, squeezed her heart. She was going to miss them so much. “Hey, guys. How was school?”

“Boring,” Christian was quick to answer.

“Maggie invited me over for a sleepover this weekend. Can I go?” Clara asked.

“We’ll have to see.” She moved up behind Eduardo and gave his head a rub. His hair had come back in, but it was curlier than it had been. “How are you today?”

“Fine.” He grabbed a bottle of water and a banana and headed to his room.

Unable to resist, she followed him.

“You doing okay?” She leaned on the doorjamb and watched as he situated himself into his room.

“I’m fine.”

“Okay, if you say so.” She watched him. He looked so much like his father. She gave it another moment and then turned to leave.

“Mom,” he called, and she turned with a smile. He opened his banana and took a bite. “Do you remember Tasha?”

“Girl in choir that you wanted to ask to homecoming?”

“Yeah, that’s her.”

She remembered that she was two years older, a junior, and he’d had eyes for her since he started high school.

Eduardo rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “Well, she asked me to prom.”

“Really?” Her voice rose as she spoke. “Well, that’s good, right?”

“Sure. But I can’t drive her. Doesn’t that seem stupid?”

“Not if you don’t have a license, it doesn’t.”

“I really want to go.”

“Doesn’t she drive?”

“Yeah, but I want to do this right. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t want you or Dad to drive us either.”

Madeline gave a shrug of her shoulders. “I can understand that.”

He set the banana on his desk and dropped his shoulders. His eyes were bright, and she knew his head spun with a million thoughts. Eduardo rubbed his hands on his pants and looked up at her. “But what do you think if I asked Uncle Zach if he’d let us use his company’s limo. I’d pay for it,” he was quick to add.

“How do you suppose you’d do that?”

“Well, I was thinking maybe I could work for it.” He sat on his bed; the Tennessee Titans bedspread reminded her that he was still her little boy, while the man inside of him fought for new freedoms. He bit down on his lip. “You know I’d like to be an architect after I graduate from college.” She nodded, pleased he’d added the bit about college. “Well, I was thinking maybe Uncle Zach would let me work at his place for a few hours after school, and I could just learn stuff. I could also help out around the office. Like an intern. I know I can’t touch much, but what do you think if I ask?”

She blew out a breath. “I guess it can’t hurt to ask.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Sure.” She turned to walk away. “You know, he does have a new build not too far from school. And I’m sure John Forrester is overseeing it in some way. Your dad used to work for him.”

“I remember John, sure.”

“Maybe you could work on site too. That would give you some hands-on.”

“Wow, that would be really cool.”

“Should I field this for you? Do you want me to talk to Aunt Regan first?”

He smiled his big toothy grin. “How did you know?”

“I’ve been around you a long time.”

“Thanks, Mom. By the way, you look really good today.”

“I have on my red hair.” She gave the wig a little flip with her hand.

“I like the red hair.”

“So do I,” she said. “Oh, and I wanted to tell you I’m taking a vacation in a couple of weeks. I’m going to Mexico. I’m going to ask Auntie Arianna to stay with you.”

“Okay.” He shrugged. “Why can’t we just stay with Dad?”

“Well.” She tried to keep her voice upbeat. “I decided to go while they were on their honeymoon. It’s not too thought out, but my boss gave me time and I thought I should do it while I could.”

“Sounds great, Mom. You deserve a vacation in a swimsuit.”

“Dear, God! I hadn’t thought about a swimsuit.”

His shoulders bounced as he laughed at her, and his eyes grew bright. “You’re going to Mexico and you didn’t think about that?”

“No. I just wanted to get away for a bit. Well…” She blew out a breath. “I guess I’ll be thinking about it now.” She looked down at her chest and placed her hands on her breasts. “Damn glad I have these.”

“Mom!” Eduardo turned and covered his eyes, forcing her to laugh.

As soon as she left his bedroom, she went right to hers and picked up the phone. First, she’d call Arianna and see if she could fill in while she was gone.

“You’re going to Mexico without me?” Though she was trying to sound put out, she didn’t have Madeline convinced.

“Now is just the time for me to go.”

“Okay, okay.” She laughed. “We’ll plan a weekend though. Don’t you think we should all get away? You, me, and Regan. Just like old times.”