Commitment by Nancy Ann Healy Page A

wife. It was a small price to pay for the sound that she had missed over the last few weeks and months. By eight o’clock, Dylan had become punchy. He was overtired and continued to fight his need for sleep. When she gently suggested it was time for bed, Dylan uncharacteristically began to argue. “Dylan,” Cassidy cautioned.
    “I’m not tired,” he complained.
    “Speed,” Alex urged. “It’s late. We’re all tired. Even me.” Dylan looked at her skeptically. “Come on, I’ll go up with you.” Dylan stared at Alex but made no move to accept her hand.
    “Dylan,” Cassidy’s voice became firm.
    “I want to stay with you,” he said plainly.
    Alex looked to Cassidy and immediately understood. The day had been filled with playfulness. It was the first day that Alex had set all work aside in several weeks. The first day that they had simply been together, without any interruptions, in longer than Alex cared to admit. She scratched her head and sat back down next to the boy. She had been looking forward to some alone time with Cassidy, but it seemed to her that something else was more important right now. “How about this?” she began. Dylan looked at her carefully. “Pajama party in our room.” Alex looked at Cassidy, who winked her approval. “But, that means no more arguments, Speed. You go brush your teeth and get your pajamas on. Mom and I will be up in a few minutes.”
    Helen beckoned her grandson to follow. “Come on, Dylan. This old lady needs her rest too. I’ll go up with you while your mom and Alexis finish down here.”
    Dylan began following his YaYa and stopped. “Can you tell me more about the reindeer?” he asked Alex hopefully.
    “Sure,” she responded. “Go on, we’ll be there before you know it.” He scampered up the stairs, and Alex pulled Cassidy to her. “I know we were hoping…”
    Before Alex could continue her thought, Cassidy silenced her with a kiss. “Are you going to sprinkle glitter on the roof?” she asked.
    “She told you that, huh?”
    “I love you, Alex.”
    “I’m sorry, Cass.”
    “For what?”
    “For not being here. For being distracted so much. You don’t deserve that. Neither does Dylan.”
    “Alex, you haven’t done anything wrong. We just miss you. Both of us.”
    “Yeah, well….I didn’t intend to tell you this now,” Alex sighed.
    “Tell me what?” Cassidy asked, feeling a lump of worry form in her throat.
    Alex chuckled. “No, it’s not what you are thinking.”
    “I’m not sure what I am thinking,” Cassidy’s voice broke slightly.
    “It was supposed to be a Christmas present.”
    “What?”
    Alex sighed. “I’m moving my office in January. Actually, I am moving the executive offices completely.” Cassidy searched Alex for her meaning. “I can’t be this far from you anymore, not daily.”
    “Alex, what about Marta and…”
    “We’ll keep purchasing and marketing in Natick. The executive offices are moving to New Haven. We already have a small office there…” Before Alex could continue, Cassidy was kissing her passionately. “I guess that means you approve?” Alex asked. Tears had begun to escape Cassidy’s eyes. “It’s okay, Cass.”
    “Alex, are you sure? This is your father’s…it’s…”
    “I told you before. You and Dylan are the most important things in my life. I wish I could have done it sooner. It’s taken some time to figure out the logistics. I promise; this year will start differently.”
    “Thank you,” Cassidy whispered hoarsely.
    “Thank you for putting up with me,” Alex said as she rose to her feet. “Do you want to go tell Dylan?”
    Cassidy shook her head. “Tomorrow,” she suggested. “Tonight reindeer and glitter stories, tomorrow we’ll tell him when he gets home from school.” Alex nodded her understanding. Dylan needed rest, and the news would no doubt excite him. “You are going back with your mom Tuesday?” Cassidy asked gently as they climbed the stairs.
    Alex