Saturday morning...
For the first time all week...
Emma wasn't thinking about Project Phoenix.
She wasn't thinking about deadlines.
Or Adrian.
She only wanted one peaceful day with her children.
After breakfast...
Ella tugged gently on Emma's sleeve.
"Mommy..."
Emma smiled.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"You promised."
Emma frowned.
"Promised what?"
"The bookstore."
Ethan looked up from his cereal.
"You said if we behaved all week..."
"...we could go."
Emma let out a quiet sigh.
"I did say that, didn't I?"
Ella grinned.
"You did!"
Emma hesitated.
There were hundreds of bookstores in the city.
Unfortunately...
Ella only wanted one.
"The one with the Bookstore Mister!"
Emma silently regretted ever taking them there.
Half an hour later...
The familiar bell above the bookstor
