Ella felt the tears roll down her cheeks as she pulled the carrier back off the desk, toward her. Her job paid enough for her to keep Mia, she had enough time, she just hadn’t thought she could do it. She retreated to one of the chairs, sat down and pulled the squirming bundle into her arms.

She rocked the child, just a few months old, and kissed her forehead. She’d kept her this long out of guilt and obligation. She glared at the Exit sign, not knowing where else to direct her anger. Why did she feel like this? Was it because of Adrien? Because he left? Could she really blame Mia for Adrien’s decision, that parenting just wasn’t his “thing”?

She looked down, and Mia grinned up at her, her face full of unadulterated love. Ella smiled back, finally knowing that she felt that same love, so bright on Mia’s face. As she was cooing to Mia, placing her back into the brightly-colored plastic carrier, a security guard came into the room.

“Can I help you?” he murmured. Ella shook her head and walked out the door.