Chapter Sixteen
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Chapter Sixteen
Tasha’s POV
As the plane began its descent, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The flight attendant’s voice came over the intercom, a calming and professional tone that broke through my
thoughts.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are now beginning our descent into New York City. We hope you’ve had a pleasant flight with us today. Please make sure your seatbelts are fastened and your seats are in the upright position as we prepare for landing. The local time is approximately 3 PM, and the weather in New York is clear and pleasant. We hope you’ve enjoyed your flight and have a great time in the city.”
I looked out of the window as the skyline of New York began to come into view. The city’s iconic landmarks and bustling streets were spread out below.
Ethan, sitting beside me, looked out the window with wide eyes. “Mum, is that New York?” he asked, his
excitement evident.
I nodded, smiling at his enthusiasm. “Yes, sweetheart, that’s New York. It’s been a long flight, but we’re almost there. Just a bit longer.”
Once we landed and had made it through customs, Ethan’s excitement was palpable. “Mum, look at all the big buildings!” he exclaimed, his eyes wide as he gazed out of the airport windows.
I smiled, feeling a mixture of relief and anticipation. “I know, Ethan. New York is full of surprises. Let’s get our bags and find a cab.”
After retrieving our luggage, we headed outside to the taxi stand. Ethan was practically bouncing with excitement as we climbed into the cab. The city was buzzing around us, and he kept pointing out all the
new sights.
The drive to our new apartment felt like it took forever, but finally, we arrived at the building where Robbin had arranged our new home. It was a modern high–rise, and the apartment was on the 15th floor. As we entered the building, I could feel the weight of the move lifting off my shoulders. This was going to be our new beginning.
The elevator ride up to the 15th floor was filled with Ethan’s enthusiastic chatter. He was thrilled by the view from the elevator, watching as the floors passed by. When the doors finally opened on our floor, he practically ran down the hallway, eager to see our new home.
The apartment itself was spacious and bright, with large windows that offered a stunning view of the city. I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of excitement and nervousness. This was our fresh start.
Ethan immediately started exploring, running from room to room with a big grin on his face. This move was more than just a change of scenery; it was a chance tomorrow embrace new opportunities.
Robbin would be joining us soon, and with his help, we’d get settled in and make this place truly ours. For now, I focused on getting Ethan comfortable and preparing for the exciting adventure that lay ahead in our new city.
After everything was set up, the apartment finally felt like home, but the day had drained me. It was already evening, and I could feel the exhaustion pulling at me. I collapsed onto the couch, sighing deeply. I wish Aunt Linda was here,” I muttered to myself. Everything would have been so much easier with her
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Chapter Sixteen
around. She always knew how to take the weight off my shoulders, especially when it came to Ethan.
“Sweetheart,” I called out to Ethan, who was playing with his iPod on the floor. “How about you and Mommy go out to eat tonight? I’m far too tired to cook.”
Ethan perked up immediately, his face lighting up. “That sounds amazin“, Mum! Where are we goin‘?” the way he talks made me smile every time. He had never lost it, even after spending all this time with Robbin and Aunt Linda.
“I’m not sure yet,” I replied with a laugh. “But we’ll find somewhere nice. How about we look for a place with chips?”
“Yes! I love chips!” Ethan jumped up excitedly.
I chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Alright, give me a few minutes to get ready, and we’ll head out.”
As I changed into something casual and comfortable, I reflected on how much had changed. Here we were, in New York City, two weeks until the big presentation, and I still had so much to prepare. But for tonight, it was just going to be me and my little boy, enjoying the city together.
“Okay, I’m ready,” I said, grabbing my bag and walking over to Ethan. “Let’s go explore New York.”
Ethan took my hand, grinning from ear to ear. “This is gonna be so fun, Mum! Can we ‘ave dessert after?”
I smiled down at him. “Of course, sweetheart. Tonight is all about having fun.”
After a lovely dinner at the cozy restaurant down the street, Ethan and I headed back to our apartment. The evening air was cool as we walked through the bustling streets of New York, Ethan’s excitement palpable.
“Mommy, I can’t believe how big the buildings are ‘ere!” Ethan exclaimed in his accent, his eyes wide with wonder. “And the lights, it’s like Christmas all year ‘round!”
I smiled, holding his hand. “It’s definitely a bit different from home, isn’t it?”
“Do you think Uncle Robbin likes it here too?” Ethan asked as we entered our building.
“I’m sure he does, sweetheart. He’s been working here for a while, so he’s used to it by now.”
We took the elevator up to the 15th floor. Once we were back in the apartment, I felt the exhaustion of the day wash over me.
“Alright, little man, it’s time to get ready for bed,” I said
“Can I talk to Granny? That’s Aunt Linda he calls Granny Ethan asked.
I looked at the clock. “It’s 8 p.m., sweetheart. She should be fast asleep.”
“But Granny doesn’t sleep by 8 p.m.,” Ethan protested.
I sighed, feeling tired and exhausted. “The time zone is different here, honey.”
“What’s a time zone?” Ethan asked, puzzled.
“Well, I began, trying to explain to a five–year–old, “London is several hours ahead of New York. So when it’s 8 p.m. here, it’s already much later in London.”
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Chapter Sixteen
Ethan looked thoughtful but still didn’t seem quite convinced. I could see he missed Aunt Linda as much as I did.
“Can I have five more minutes before bed?” Ethan asked, trying to change the subject.
“Okay, five minutes,” I said with a smile, “but no more. We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow.”
The next morning, Ethan woke me up with his usual burst of energy. The thought of making breakfast made me miss Aunt Linda even more.
“Alright, Ethan, mommy’s going to step out to get groceries. I want you to stay put. I’ll be back in five- ASAP,” I said, chuckling as he laughed at my use of the word.
“Alright, mom, I’ll stay put, won’t move,” he promised.
After picking up groceries, I headed back to our apartment on the fifteenth floor. As I exited the elevator, I noticed the door was slightly opened. My heart skipped a beat.
“Ethan?” I called out, my voice trembling slightly. “Sweetheart, I’m home!”
There was no response. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, scanning the room anxiously. “Ethan? “I called again, my voice growing more urgent.
I dropped everything I was holding, my heart pounding in my chest as I rushed through the apartment. I checked every room his bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen but he wasn’t there.
“Ethan?” I called out again, my voice echoing through the now eerily quiet space. My mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last.
Where could he be?
