The kid’s face lights up instantly. “Norah!”
She drops Frida without hesitation and runs forward, arms flinging wide. Norah scoops her up like it’s muscle memory, lifting her easily, spinning once as Maisie laughs into her shoulder.
Rufus grabs Frida and trots back into the bedroom.
“Look at you,” Norah says, voice thick with emotion. “You have the most adorable glasses in the whole wide world.”
“I can see everything now,” Maisie announces proudly. “Even leaves.”
Norah smiles, pressing a kiss into her hair. “That is amazing.”
The moment is soft and bright and fragile.
Then the door slams open behind us.
We all turn.
Amber storms inside, eyes wild, face blotchy, hair a mess of fury and grief. Jude follows her, clearly trying to get ahead of whatever is about to explode.
She takes one look at Norah holding Maisie and loses it.
“Who the fuck are you?” she screams.
Norah stiffens, tightening her hold on Maisie. “I’m Norah,” she says calmly. “I’m a friend.”
“A friend?” Amber laughs, sharp and unhinged. “You have my fucking daughter in your arms.”
Maisie twists to look at her mother, confused. “Mommy?”
Amber’s expression changes instantly. The rage cracks, replaced by something syrupy and bright that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Hey, baby,” Amber croons, rushing forward. “Come to Mommy.”
Maisie wriggles down from Norah’s arms and runs straight into Amber, wrapping herself tight around her legs. Amber bends and clutches her like she might disappear if she lets go.
“We are going on an adventure,” Amber says loudly, voice pitched high. “Would you like that? We can go look for Santa together.”
Jude steps forward, fury flashing across his face. “The fuck you will.”
Amber whirls on him. “Do not talk to me like that.”
“You don’t get to promise her things you can’t deliver,” Jude snaps. “Not like this.”
Maisie looks back and forth between them, eyes wide, hands tightening on her mother’s coat.
Norah moves instinctively, crouching down to Maisie’s level. “Hey,” she says gently. “Let’s go sit inside for a minute. Okay?”
Maisie hesitates.
Amber glares at her. “Don’t tell my daughter what to do.”
Norah straightens slowly. “I’m not taking anything from you. I’m trying to help.”
“Help?” Amber scoffs. “So much for complaining about Stella being around my kid when you let some stranger hold her.”
Jude explodes. “That’s not fair, and you know it.”
“I don’t know anything anymore,” Amber screams. “Everything is gone. Everything I had planned is gone.”
