Page 102 of Back to You
Sebastian leans down, resting his elbows on the table so he’s at eye level with his niece. "Alright, bebecita. What kind of adventure are we talking about?"
Maya taps her chin, thinking hard, her little face scrunched up in concentration. "Something big," she decides. "And fun."
Sebastian tilts his head. "How big? How fun? Like, going to the park fun? Or like, jumping out of an airplane fun?"
Maya’s jaw drops in horror. "Nooo, tio, that's too scary! Mommy would be so mad at you."
I snort into my coffee. "Lyse would murder you."
Sebastian chuckles, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. No skydiving. How about the lake?"
Maya’s entire face lights up, excitement bursting through her tiny frame. "YES! Can we bring snacks? And my floaties? And can we catch real fish?"
Sebastian reaches over and ruffles her curls. "We can bring snacks, definitely bring floaties, and—" he shoots me a look "—maybe we leave the fish alone, huh?"
I nod solemnly. "Sounds fair."
Maya beams, bouncing in her chair. “That. Sounds. AWESOME!”
Sebastian leans back, shaking his head. "You’re so easy to impress."
Maya shrugs. "You’re just that cool, tio."
I laugh as Maya takes another triumphant bite of her toast, already planning out the details of our little trip. She’s talking a mile a minute—listing the exact snacks we need to bring, debating whether or not she should wear both of her floaties or just one, because she’s a big kid now, after all.
Sebastian just listens, nodding along with the occasional uh-huh and good idea, but every now and then, I catch him sneaking glances at me—taking this in, holding onto it, fully present in the moment, just as much as I am.
Sebastian meets my gaze from across the table, something soft, something sure in his expression. Like maybe this, these mornings, this quiet kind of happiness, is what he’s wanted all along.
I set my mug down, exhaling slowly.
"You know," I say, voice quieter now, more thoughtful, "my therapist asked me something the other day."
Sebastian raises a brow, intrigued. "Yeah?"
I nod. "She asked me if I believed I deserved to be happy."
Sebastian’s expression shifts, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. "And what did you say?"
I glance down at my coffee, tracing the rim with my finger. "For a long time, I didn’t. I think I got used to expecting the worst. To bracing for impact. But… I don’t want to live like that anymore."
Sebastian leans forward slightly, his gaze unwavering. "And now?"
I lift my eyes to his, my chest tightening. "Now, I think I’m starting to believe it."
His lips part like he wants to say something, but instead, he just reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine. He doesn’t have to say anything. I feel it.
For once, I’m not caught up in the what-ifs or the ticking clock of what happens next. I’m just here, with him, with Maya—anddamn, it feels good.
CHAPTER 49
Mariana
The drive to the lake is easy, the winding road flanked by towering pines, their scent mingling with the crisp morning air. The distant shimmer of water peeks through gaps in the trees, a quiet promise of the day ahead.
Sunlight filters through the branches, casting shifting patterns across the dashboard — golden light that makes everything feel softer, slower.
In the backseat, Maya swings her legs, unable to keep still, her tiny hands clutching her backpack like it holds something precious. Every so often, she bounces a little, barely containing her excitement, and I catch her in the mirror, her face alight with anticipation. It’s impossible not to smile.
