"I just need you to help me get a job somehow, find a slot for me, please." My voice was filled with both hope and urgency.
"Of course, Glimmer’s right here waiting for you," Julie replied eagerly, her tone full of confidence. "You'll surely get a spot here."
Hearing that brought me a sense of relief. Things had been tough, but maybe, just maybe, this would be the opportunity I needed.
Julie continued, "It's right here, and even though the agency isn’t the biggest, but it's something. And the best part is, even while hosting and ushering at events, we can use the time off for other things."
I nodded, sinking into the chair in relief. That was more than I had hoped for. I could still design and make clothes in my free time while still working as a host.
“ I'm going to need multiple streams of income, Julie," I told her with a deep sigh.
She understood completely.
If Mason was going to have that surgery, it was going to cost a fortune, and I needed every bit of extra income I could get.
"We'll move to a different city soon, you'll get see Aunty Julie," I said softly, tucking Mason into bed late that night after a long conversation with Julie about the details of our plans.
Mason looked up at me with wide eyes, his little voice full of innocence and curiosity. "And we can get surgery?" he asked, his small face searching mine for reassurance.
I smiled warmly, brushing a few strands of hair from his forehead.
"Yes, baby. You'll be all better soon. Then you’ll get to go to school and play with your friends," I said, planting a gentle kiss on his head and cheeks. His innocence was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at once.
I had to let him settle from the initial excitement then read him his bedtime stories watching as he drifted off to sleep.
"Goodnight, Momma," he murmured, his voice sleepy, before pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. "Goodnight," I whispered back, watching him drift off into sleep, his little form curled up peacefully in his bed.
Walking back to the living room I sat for a moment looking around.
At just twenty-five, I couldn't say I had achieved everything I dreamed of when I was a little girl, but we weren't doing bad.
I thought about the journey that brought me here—how, just a few years ago, I had practically come to a foreign country with nothing but a baby on the way. It seemed almost impossible to think that I had once faced it all alone. I sighed deeply, reflecting on the past.
There were many things I regretted, mistakes I wished I could undo, but despite it all, I couldn’t help but love my life right now. I had Mason, and he was everything to me. My heart swelled with gratitude as I thought about the little boy just down the hall, his presence bringing me a sense of peace that was priceless.
I stood up and made my way to my workshop, the space I had specifically chosen to create in. The room had large windows that usually bathed the space in soft natural light.
I couldn’t help but smile as I gazed around.
With my thoughts settled, I began making plans for our relocation. The timeline was tight, but I was determined to have everything sorted out within the week.
First things first, I started packing Mason’s clothes. And yes, there were a lot—probably more than mine. My little man had his own style created for him and he was practically a model for my designs.
The number of contracts I received for custom pieces had been growing steadily, all thanks to what we wore. My small brand, Shimmer, was gaining attention faster than I could have imagined.
I designed everything myself, each piece tailored with love, and Mason was undoubtedly one of the best-dressed kids on the block.
It felt surreal that something I started with just a few pieces of fabric, had turned into this small business. Maybe, just maybe, I’d be able to design for a wider audience one day—no longer just for kids, but for everyone.
I opened my social media page to update our followers about the move. “Shimmer Mom and Son will be relocating soon, but deliveries will still be active and available,” I typed, keeping the message short but clear.
Once the post was live, I dove into packing.
The week was a busy one.
Clothes, personal items, documents—everything we’d need for the move. I made sure to grab Mason’s school records and medical papers, all organized and ready for the journey ahead.
Soon the last two days flew by, each one packed with tasks and preparations. It seemed like we were ticking everything off our list in record time.
Mason, meanwhile, was absolutely thrilled about the move. His excitement was contagious, and it made me feel a little more positive about return to that city.
Finally, the day came to leave for the airport. I picked out a matching outfit for us—stylish, yet comfortable. We had the same color scheme, made from the same fabric and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw how well it all came together.
As we walked through the airport, people couldn’t help but stare. Our outfits certainly turned heads.
"Your little man is so adorable," one woman said as she passed us, smiling down at Mason. I grinned, my heart swelling with pride.
"I love your outfit," another mom complimented as she walked up to us. “What brand is that?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I own a clothing brand," I replied, glad to share a piece of my work. She seemed genuinely interested, and we immediately hit it off. We started chatting about kids’ fashion, and she mentioned that she had been looking for a designer to create custom dresses for her daughter.
Without missing a beat, I agreed. “I’d love to help! I specialize in custom pieces. Feel free to check out my page,” I said, handing her a business card.
She quickly pulled out her phone, browsing my page and placing an order for two dresses from one of my most popular designs.
I couldn’t believe it! Right then and there, a new order came through. I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of accomplishment. My business was growing even as we were heading out on a new adventure.
As we settled into our flight, I couldn’t help but feel even more hopeful.
The sudden order wasn’t all that surprising at this point, it had happened several times before. I couldn’t help but laugh, touching Mason’s little nose.
"You little lucky bug," I teased him, giving him a kiss on his cheek. It felt good to have those small wins, especially as we settled into a new chapter.
I knew everything would be okay, as long as we kept our distance from anyone or anything related to Desmond. That was the one rule I’d made for myself—never again.
Several hours later, the plane landed, and I gently maneuvered a sleeping Mason in my arms, carefully gathering our luggage. It was always a little tricky, handling him while managing our things, but I’d gotten used to it.
As we stepped into the crowded airport, I heard a familiar voice calling my name.
"Emily!" Julie yelled excitedly, walking toward us with her arms wide. Mason, still waking up, blinked a few times before his face lit up with a huge, beaming smile.
“Oh, you’re soooo adorable!” Julie exclaimed, sweeping him up in a big hug. The two of them were well-acquainted by now. Julie had visited a few times over the years, and they’d video-called frequently, so Mason already recognized her. He melted into her embrace, laughing as she tickled him.
I smiled at the sight, relieved that Mason felt so at ease with Julie. She’d always been there for us, even from afar.
"Why are the roads so busy?" I asked, glancing out the window as we started our drive. The roads near the airport were clogged with cars, some lanes completely blocked off.
"It’s not usually like this," Julie explained with a sigh, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. "But sometimes, when a big shot is arriving, things get crazy."
“Probably some celebrity,” she added with a shrug.
I nodded absently, watching as Mason’s eyes grew wide, soaking in the sights outside. His curiosity was palpable, as he stared at everything around us. It was a new place for him, and I could tell he was already fascinated by the bustling city. I could almost see his mind racing with excitement as we drove past landmarks and busy streets.
I tried not to dwell on the familiar areas and streets I had been at with the man who I had a dark past with keeping my gaze on Mason instead
And thankfully, a lot of things had changed, I could almost pretend I was in a different city.
It wasn’t long before we were on our way, the streets slowly clearing as we ventured further into the city.
First thing first, meet with the doctor then get settled at my new job.