His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

He showed me how to balance on the skis and how to slide down the slope without falling. It was harder than it looked, but with his encouragement, I started to get the hang of it.]

Just as I was feeling more confident, Cyrus came racing over on his little snowboard, his face lit up with excitement. "Look, Mum!" he shouted as he zoomed past me.[]

I laughed and cheered him on. "You're doing great, Cyrus!"[]

Carlos turned his attention to Cyrus. "You're getting faster! Just remember to control your turns," he called out.

Cyrus nodded eagerly, trying to follow Carlos's advice. I watched them, feeling a warm sense of happiness. Carlos had a natural way with Cyrus, guiding him effortlessly. It felt so nice to enjoy this moment together.]

We spent the rest of the morning skiing and snowboarding. I might not have been the best skier, but with Carlos's help, I was improving. Cyrus, on the other hand, was a natural, gliding down the slopes with ease and laughter.]

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange, we finally decided to take a break. We settled at the bottom of the slope, breathing in the crisp air.[]

"I think I'm getting the hang of it," I said, feeling proud of my progress.]

Carlos smiled. "You did great today. Both of you."]

Cyrus grinned widely. "Can we come back tomorrow? I had so much fun!"[]

"Absolutely," I replied, beaming at them both. "We all had a great time today."]

Carlos nodded, his expression warm. "Yeah, it was perfect."

We were together, enjoying the snow and each other's company, and we had a great time.

In the evening, Carlos prepared a luxurious dinner. The three of us-Carlos, Cyrus, and I-happily enjoyed it together. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed, the perfect end to our short holiday at Snowmass.]

As we ate, we talked and laughed, feeling grateful for the time spent together. The flickering candlelight made the room

feel cozy and inviting. We shared our favorite moments from the trip, and I felt a sense of happiness. We had a delightful time together.

Later that evening, as we were winding down, my phone rang. It was Blair, and he sounded serious. "Doris, there's a big

business deal on the table, and they've specifically asked for you to come over to talk about it. The client insists that you handle the discussion in person."]

I felt upset and disappointed because I didn't want to end my holiday early. We had just started to relax, and now I had to leave. "I really have to go, don't I?" I said to myself, walking around the room. The cozy atmosphere of the evening faded as I wrestled with my thoughts.

Carlos overheard my mumblings. He gave me a reassuring smile. "It's alright, Doris. You're needed, and we understand." He glanced at Cyrus, who was playing quietly with his toy. "Besides, Cyrus's training is finished. The tests went well, and he can go home now."] His Knees. His Pleas. But Our Son's in Peace

I blinked, surprised. "Really? That's quicker than I expected," I replied, a mix of relief and disappointment over me.

Carlos nodded, his expression calm. "Yes, his results were excellent. There's no reason to stay longer." His calm confidence made me feel better, yet a part of me still felt regret.

Cyrus looked up from his game and asked, "Are you leaving today? I thought we were going to have more fun."]

I knelt down beside him and said, "I wish I could stay, but I have to go handle some important business."

He frowned, his small face full of concern. "Can't you just tell them no?"]

I smiled gently. "I can't, sweetie. It's part of my job. But promise we'll have more fun when I get back."

Carlos spoke up, "And don't worry, we'll keep the fun going while you're away. Right, Cyrus?"]

Cyrus nodded slowly, but I could see he was still a bit sad. "If you say so," I said hesitantly, weighing my options. After a moment, I finally agreed. "Alright, we'll head back tomorrow. I'll make it up to you both when I return."]]

The next day, we returned to the city where we live. The transition back to everyday life was quick. After arriving home, I settled Cyrus in and immediately got busy with work.

The morning was hectic, as I juggled a conference call with Blair while dressing Cyrus and getting him ready for daycare.]ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Blair, on the other end of the line, paused mid-conversation and chuckled. "I can hear Cyrus in the background. How's he doing?"

I smiled as I buttoned Cyrus's shirt. "He's great, healthy as ever."]]

Blair's voice softened. "That's good to hear. It's a blessing he's been doing so well."

I looked down at Cyrus, his bright eyes looking up at me as he wiggled into his shoes. "Yeah, I'm happy with his progress."

After getting Cyrus dressed and making sure he looked as cute as ever, I dropped him off at his daycare. His little wave as he entered the building made me smile-he was adjusting so well, and I was content with his current state.[] With Cyrus settled, I drove to the location where I was supposed to meet Blair and the big client.

The place was a grand, noble garden. It was beautifully quiet and lovely. The courtyard is filled with people playing different musical instruments. The music floats through the air, blending with the gentle breeze. It creates a calm yet lively atmosphere. The scene was peaceful as I walked through the garden. I could hear soft sounds of nature all around me. In the distance, I saw a young woman painting.

She was using oil paints, and her movements were smooth and graceful. Even from far away, I could see she was very skilled. I became curious about what she was painting and wanted to see the beauty on her canva

I was fascinated by her painting and wanted to see it up close.