“Breakfast.”
“You cooked?”
“Don’t insult me.”
She laughed.
Marcus sat beside her.
“Everyone’s gone.”
She looked at him.
“Really?”
“Really.”
She was quiet.
Then she asked:
“Are you angry with me?”
Marcus stared at her.
“Why would I be angry with you?”
“Because your family left.”
Marcus shook his head.
“They left because of their choices.”
He took her hand.
“Not yours.”
Elena leaned against his shoulder.
For a while, they sat in silence.
Then Marcus said:
“I’ve been thinking.”
“That’s dangerous.”
He smiled.
“I think we need to change some things before Sofia arrives.”
“Like what?”
“No more surprise family weekends.”
Elena smiled.
“No more people staying overnight without asking.”
“Definitely.”
“No more letting your mother reorganize our bathroom.”
“Absolutely.”
“And…”
He looked at her.
“No more you trying to make everybody happy.”
Elena sighed.
“I don’t know if I can do that.”
Marcus kissed her hand.
“Then I’ll help you.”
She looked at him.
“How?”
“Every time you want to say yes because you’re afraid someone will be upset, look at me.”
“And?”
“I’ll remind you that saying no doesn’t make you selfish.”
Elena smiled.
“You really mean that?”
“I do.”
She rested her head against his shoulder.
