"Hey, Milly... um, I was wondering if you don't mind coming downstairs."

Milly paused mid-step when she heard her mom's voice.

She won't come here?
Or would she?

"You're here?" Milly's voice rose slightly, her feet frozen in place, and she saw Matty paused mid-stride.

"Yes, we're downstairs. Is that okay... or did you have plans?" her mom asked, her voice lowering with each word.

"I'll be downstairs shortly," Milly said, and ended the call.

She looked over at Matty, who shifted from foot to foot, and his hands hidden away in his pockets.

"Who was that?" Matty asked.

"It was my mom. She's here," Milly replied.

"You should hang out with her if you want to," he said. "But if you don't want to, don't. I am willing to be the asshole who tells her I already worked hard to hangout with you," Matty grinned.

Milly's smile faded. "You don't really have to be. But I never really missed a Mother's Day with her."

Matty nodded. "I get it." He held a distant look for a split second as his lips moved but no sound came out at first. "It's your mom."

She thought of the crib he built. The invite she'd accepted. Her heart tugged. Maybe it had been pity but still it counted.

"Matty—"

He walked towards her and placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

"Milly, I understand," Matty said softly." It's your Mom, and it's good to spend time with them when you can," he said and his eyes glazed over at the last words.

And without another word, he headed upstairs, as she walked down.

Once Milly stepped outside, she spotted her mom's old silver Honda in the parking lot. The sight made her slow her steps.

They were all staring her way.

They held smiles that were a little too tight to be natural. Like they'd practiced.

Her dad's hands were on the wheel despite the car being off. Her mom sat in the passenger seat, stiff, and in the backseat was Austin, waving.

Milly's stomach twisted.

Why would they want to be here? It wasn't their tradition, they spent it usually at her grandmother's house. But she kept walking.

It's not like her grandmother was her biggest fan anyway.

Her mom stepped out and swung open the backseat door like it was part of some gentle routine.

"Thank you for coming outside. It means a lot to me," she said gently, like she was testing if every word was okay to use.

"We didn't want you to spend your first Mother's Day by yourself."

Milly's eyebrows knitted. "I wasn't," she replied. "Matty invited me to spend it with him and his grandmother."

Her mom nodded slowly,"Oh," she said softly, "I... I cooked your favorite." She handed Milly the aux cord.

Her dad started driving without a word, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. Her playlist filled the silence, and Austin held a soft smile as he hummed along to the music.

Austin leaned against the back of his chair, grinning, as he brushed his waves. "Mom made cheesecake," he said, like it was a peace offering.

Milly's lips twitched. The thought of cheesecake reminded her of the first time she ever made it.

"Okay, Chef Milly, are you ready," Her mom leaned over as she hugged a five-year-old Milly.

"Yes Mommy." Milly nodded with a smile ready to click the mixer.

"Now." Her mom guided Milly's small hand to the button, watching with a proud smile as the mixer whirred to life.

As she spotted their destination appearing, it was the park they used to attend with her—even somewhere she still visited when she became a teen, but hasn't in a while since it's so far.

Austin opened the door for Milly as they walked to the bench. It still had their names carved in it as Milly's fingers traced over them.

Her name, her mom, her dad, and Austin. It was made when her and Austin were kids.

A tear threatened to fall, but Milly pushed it back.

It's the past.

They ate quietly, peace settling over them like dust. Her Dad passed out rice for the ducks, like old times.

As, she, Austin and her dad were feeding the ducks, Milly saw a flash —her mom had taken a photo.

"You should have said you were taking a picture," her dad kissed her on her cheek.

"Agreed, I could have posed," Austin joked.

As Milly looked at the photo, they were all focused, but smiling.

Her mom bit her lip as she passed over the gift, eyes flicking to Milly's face. "It's nothing big. Just a little something."

Milly unwrapped it slowly. It was a photo of Milly, her dad, and Austin feeding the ducks back when she was a kid. Her mom gave her a half-smile.

"I thought maybe we could take a photo today. Something new. That is old too—for you to decorate the apartment with happy memories. I am learning through therapy to be grateful for you guys."

Her mom's voice cracked, "Mother's Day is not a day to celebrate me. It's a day to celebrate you guys for giving me the best day—being your mom. I love you Camilla and Austin, you are the best gift I could ever get so thank you. I hope to always be allowed in both of your lives.."

Her mom was trying. She'd said thank you. She was getting help. But part of Milly still wondered...

What if she messed up again?
Would her mom hurt her again?

She looked at all three of them—her dad pushing his hair back, her mom staring at her with unshed tears, Austin standing beside her and staring.

Milly wanted to believe her mom had changed Besides, she couldn't deny she loved her.

Despite everything.

"Mom... I love you too," Milly said finally, voice low, as she walked over to her mom and gave her a hug.

Her mom exhaled in relief—and wrapped her arms around Milly. Then she felt Austin's arm wrapped around them. They stood like that for a while.

It felt peaceful.

Two Months Later

Milly worked the register, with muscle memory. It was not the only thing that became routine now given she had stares, insults, and judgmental glances from customers when they noticed her swollen belly.

She'd learned to ignore it. Mostly.

She was allowed more breaks to help with her aching back and swollen feet. But even with that work was exhausting. Given she was currently in her ninth month, due any day now, and every movement felt heavier.

Her jaw clenched when the door chimed. The voices. The laughter. She didn't even need to look.

Former classmates.
And then—
him.

Her fingers gripped the edge of the counter. Her stomach felt heavier  but it wasn't because her daughter started moving. She knew without even turning. She already knew who had walked in.

Jeremiah.

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If you were Milly, would you have chosen to go with your family or stayed with Matty? Why?

How are we feeling now about Milly's parent?

How did you feel about Jeremiah's return at the end, and what do you think it means for Milly's growth?