Crossroads

The next morning,

as Emily was about to leave for work, she kissed the twins goodbye. Andy held her hand and asked, "Mom, can you pick us up today?"

Emily raised an eyebrow, pondering the request. She took out her phone and checked her calendar. "Hmm, I have a few meetings in the afternoon," she said thoughtfully.

Suzana chimed in, "Miss Johnson, I can pick them up today." She offered with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Sue," Emily replied, feeling a bit relieved. She then left for work, her mind whirling with possibilities as to why Andy had made that request. She noticed he seemed a bit off this week, more clingy than before and less talkative.

When she stepped into her office, she found a man sitting in her chair, facing the bookcase on the wall, his back to her. As the chair turned around, it was Julian Everhart.

"Good morning, Emmy," he said with a big smile.

"Hey Julian, I didn't know you were back," Emily replied, pleasantly surprised.