Zayden listened. He asked questions. He didn’t smile, but he didn’t shut down either. That night, he said he wanted to see her again. So we arranged more visits.

Gradually, he began to open up.

Micah didn’t say much.

Then one night, as I tucked him in, he whispered, “If she takes him, I won’t have a best friend anymore.”

I shook my head. “Nothing can take away what you two share. No matter where he lives.”

“I made a promise,” he said again, as if that explained everything.

“I know,” I said softly. “But sometimes, loving someone means letting them have more people to love them.”

He nodded, eyes wet.

A few months later, Zayden made his decision.

He wanted to stay with us—but visit Helena during school breaks.

It was the best of both worlds. And it worked.

Helena became family too. She came to soccer games. Helped with Halloween costumes. Sent the boys cards for every holiday imaginable—even National Donut Day.