Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

M egan unlocked the door to their new apartment, her hands trembling slightly as she turned the key. She pushed the door open, revealing a sleek, modern space filled with clean lines and neutral tones. The apartment was everything the photos had promised. It had polished hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, and large windows that let in the bright California sunlight. It was perfect, at least on paper.

Ruby walked in ahead of her, clutching her stuffed bear in one hand and dragging her tiny suitcase in the other. She looked around with wide eyes. “Mama, where’s the beach?”

Megan smiled faintly, setting the larger suitcase by the door. “It’s not far, sweetie. We’ll see it soon.”

But even as she said the words, Megan’s heart ached. This wasn’t Palmar Island. There were no gentle ocean breezes carrying the scent of salt and wildflowers, no weathered porches or cheerful holiday lights strung between shops. The clean lines and muted tones of the apartment seemed to echo the emptiness she felt.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to focus. Ruby needed stability, and this was the first step. “Let’s get unpacked, okay?” Megan said, trying to inject some cheer into her tone.

Ruby nodded, her curls bouncing, and followed Megan to the living room. Megan opened a box labeled “Ruby’s Things” and began arranging her daughter’s favorite toys on a small shelf by the couch. She placed the wooden Cupid ornament carefully on her daughter’s nightstand where it would be visible and in easy reach whenever Ruby needed it. Her fingers lingered on the smooth wood, and memories of Scott giving it to her daughter played in her mind.

“Mama, where’s Cupid?” Ruby asked, her voice tinged with curiosity as she plopped onto the floor with her stuffed bear.

Megan froze for a moment, her chest tightening. She knelt beside Ruby, brushing a stray curl from her daughter’s face. “Cupid stayed with Santa Scott on the island for now, sweetie,” she explained gently.

Ruby’s eyes widened, and she clutched her bear closer. “Do you think he misses us?”

Megan swallowed the lump in her throat and wrapped Ruby in a hug, holding her close. “I’m sure he does,” she whispered, her voice wavering despite her best efforts to stay strong. “But we’ll always have good memories of him, won’t we?”

Ruby nodded against her shoulder, her small arms tightening around Megan’s neck. For a brief moment, Megan allowed herself to hold on to the comfort of her daughter’s presence, grounding herself in the warmth of Ruby’s trust.

That evening, after unpacking and settling Ruby into her new room, Megan stood in the kitchen staring at the pristine welcome packet from her new job. The bold logo of the law firm was embossed on the front, and inside were neatly printed schedules, benefits information, and a welcome letter from the managing partner.

The sight of it should have filled her with pride. It was everything she’d worked toward. It promised financial security, career growth, and a chance to prove to herself that she could rebuild. But instead, the weight of it sat heavily on her chest.

Megan turned the packet over, leaning against the counter as she stared at the darkened window beyond the sink. The city lights of San Diego twinkled in the distance, but they felt cold and distant compared to the warm glow of Palmar Island’s holiday lights.

She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze landing on the photo album Scott had made. It sat on the small side table near the couch, its polished surface catching the soft light from the lamp. Without thinking, she walked over and opened it.

Inside were the same images she’d looked at again. Megan’s fingers brushed over the photo of Ruby and Santa, her throat tightening as memories surfaced. The way Scott had looked at her when he gave her the album. The quiet strength in his voice when he told her how much she and Ruby had brought to his life. The kiss they’d shared that had left her breathless and shaken in ways she hadn’t expected.

She sank onto the couch, holding the photo in her hands. “Am I ready for this?” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet apartment. “Is this really the right move for us?”

Megan’s mind raced as she thought about the life they’d left behind. The community that had embraced them, Ruby’s laughter as she ran through Santa’s Village, the quiet nights filled with the soft sound of waves. And Scott.

But then the other side of her mind chimed in, the practical side. The law firm offered stability, a clear path forward, and the financial security she’d promised herself she’d provide for Ruby. It was everything she thought she needed to build a better future.

Yet, sitting in the stillness of the apartment, the future felt less certain than ever.

A soft whimper from Ruby’s room broke her thoughts. Megan set the album aside and walked quietly to her daughter’s room. Ruby was curled up in her bed, her small frame tucked under the blanket. Her stuffed bear was nestled beside her, and the Cupid ornament sat on the nightstand.

Megan knelt by the bed, brushing a hand over Ruby’s hair. “Sleep tight, sweetheart,” she whispered.

Ruby stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. “Mama,” she mumbled sleepily, “do you think Scott will visit us?”

Megan’s breath caught, her chest tightening at the question. “Maybe,” she said softly, her voice steady even as her emotions threatened to break through. “But even if he doesn’t, we’ll always have good memories of him, won’t we?”

Ruby nodded drowsily, her eyes already closing again as she drifted back to sleep. Megan stayed there for a moment, her hand resting on Ruby’s blanket as a wave of longing washed over her.

She rose slowly, returning to the living room. Her gaze fell on the welcome packet again, the bold logo staring back at her like a challenge. Taking a deep breath, Megan sat down and opened it, reading through the neatly printed documents. But even as she read, her thoughts drifted, the words blurring together as doubt crept in.

“Am I doing the right thing?” she murmured, her voice barely audible in the quiet apartment. She glanced toward the photo album. For the first time, the life she thought she wanted felt more like an escape than a destination.

Megan leaned back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling as her mind swirled with questions she couldn’t yet answer.

The trendy brunch spot, Morning Glory, was buzzing with energy when Megan and Ruby arrived. The restaurant’s eclectic decor—a mix of bold colors, vintage posters, and whimsical touches like hanging plants and neon signs—was as lively as the crowd. Megan spotted Lauren near the window, waving enthusiastically from a cozy corner booth.

“Megan!” Lauren’s voice carried over the chatter as she stood to greet them. Her smile lit up the room as she scooped Ruby into a hug. “There’s my little princess! And look at you, Megan. You’re glowing!”

Megan laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Hardly glowing. It’s been a whirlwind.”

“Well, you look amazing anyway,” Lauren insisted, placing Ruby back on her feet. “And I want to hear everything.”

They slid into the booth, Ruby immediately reaching for the crayons and paper provided by the restaurant. A friendly server arrived, and after a quick rundown of the menu, Lauren ordered the soufflé pancakes while Megan opted for the chilaquiles. Ruby’s face lit up when the server suggested a mini fruit and waffle plate just for her.

As they waited for their food, Lauren leaned forward, her hands clasped on the table. “Okay, spill. How’s the new job? The apartment? San Diego?”

Megan hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. “It’s fine. The apartment is nice. Clean, modern. Ruby seems to like it, at least.”

Lauren tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly. “And the job?”

Megan let out a small sigh. “It’s a great opportunity. Amazing, really. But I can’t shake this unease. I’m just not sure about leaving Ruby in daycare all day. And honestly? I feel like I’m abandoning everything we built on Palmar Island.”

Lauren waved her hand dismissively, her bracelets jingling. “Megan, this is just first-day jitters. You’re taking a fantastic job, one that shows Ruby what it’s like to be a powerful, successful woman. What could be better than that?”

Before Megan could respond, Ruby held up a drawing she had been working on—a brightly colored picture of Cupid and Scott. “Look, Aunt Lauren! This is Scott!” she exclaimed, beaming with pride.

Lauren raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a teasing smile. “Tell me more about Scott.”

Megan flushed, her cheeks heating. “He played Santa on the island,” she explained quickly. “He was good with Ruby.”

“Good with Ruby?” Lauren repeated, her tone playful as she shot Megan a knowing look. “That’s a pretty glowing review for Santa.”

“He’s not the real Santa,” Ruby said, recalling the conversation they’d had after their early morning visit to the holiday village. “But he’s a special helper. He reports directly to the big guy. And he has a real reindeer.”

Megan busied herself with her coffee, hoping the warmth of the cup would calm her suddenly racing heart. “He’s just a friend,” she said, her voice quieter. “Someone who made things easier while we were there.”

Lauren smirked but let the subject drop as the server arrived with their food. Ruby’s eyes widened as the mini waffles were placed in front of her, a rainbow of fruit decorating the plate. Megan’s chilaquiles smelled heavenly, and Lauren’s soufflé pancakes were a work of art, dusted with powdered sugar and adorned with fresh berries.

As they ate, Lauren shifted the conversation back to Megan’s new job, asking questions about her coworkers and the cases she’d be handling. Megan answered as best as she could, but her responses lacked enthusiasm.

Lauren put down her fork and fixed Megan with a gentle but firm look. “Megan, listen to me. You’ve worked so hard to get here. It’s natural to feel a little unsettled. This is a big change. But this job is exactly what you need. Stability, security, a future for Ruby. Don’t let a little homesickness cloud your vision.”

Megan nodded slowly, her mind churning. “Maybe you’re right,” she said, though the words felt hollow. “This is a great job, and it’s what I worked so hard for.”

Lauren reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand over Megan’s. “You’re going to crush it, Meg. Just give it time. Besides, I for one am happy to have you back.”

Ruby giggled, oblivious to the weight of the conversation, as Lauren cut her waffles into bite-sized pieces. Megan watched her daughter, her chest tightening as conflicting emotions swirled inside her. She wanted to believe Lauren’s words, to trust that she was making the right choice. But no matter how many times she told herself this was what she’d worked for, she couldn’t shake the nagging sense of loss.

After brunch, Lauren hugged Megan tightly outside the restaurant. “Call me if you need anything,” she said. “And don’t overthink it. You’re doing amazing.”

“Thanks, Lauren,” Megan said, her voice softer than she intended. She held Ruby’s hand as they walked back to the car, the bright San Diego sun doing little to ease the heaviness in her heart.