Chapter 82.

Amelia's POV

"We did," I said, unable to help the smile tugging at my lips. "We were quite the terrors."

"The best kind of terror," Blaire added, bumping my shoulder playfully.

A comfortable silence settled between us, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Mom," I said gently, "how about we play a little game?"

My mother's brow furrowed in curiosity. "What kind of game?"

"Let's pretend we're children again," I explained. "Just for a little while. Let's chase butterflies and make up stories about the clouds."

A hesitant smile spread across my mother's face. "Alright," she agreed, her voice tinged with a hint of childlike wonder. "But you have to promise to go easy on me. My old bones might not be able to keep up with you."

***

"This is perfect," she said, leaning on Blaire's arm as we walked. "Thank you both for doing this for me."

"It was our pleasure, Mom," I replied, squeezing her hand. "We just wanted to give you a break, a chance to feel normal again."

"You know," she said thoughtfull