Eleanor was halfway through dinner when her phone buzzed. It was Simone.


    "Eleanor, the audit meeting for the Phase III clinical trial data is set for this Saturday at nine in the morning. The FDA experts will be joining via video, so make sure you''re there."


    Eleanor paused, fork hovering over her te. "Saturday?"


    "Yes. Do you have other ns?"


    She let out a quiet sigh. There went the mother-daughter trip she''d promised for the weekend-she''d have to make it up to Evelyn over winter break. "It''s fine. I''ll be there."


    That night, Eleanor sat down with her daughter. She could see the disappointment in Evelyn''s eyes, though the little girl tried her best not to cry. Eleanor''s heart ached.


    "Do you want me to call your dad and see if he can take you instead?"


    "I want you toe with me," Evelyn whispered, her lip trembling atst. She couldn''t hold back the tears.


    Eleanor pulled her into a hug, gently rubbing her back. "Okay, sweetheart. When winter breakes, I promise I''ll take you to the forest park myself, all right?"


    Later, Evelyn went off to y with Wiz, her stuffed rabbit, while Eleanor noticed a new message pop up fromn.


    "About the parent-child day at school this Saturday—I saw you didn''t sign up. Are you not going?"


    Eleanor replied, "Evelyn isn''t going."


    "Okay!"n didn''t press.


    After two long workdays, Friday night found Eleanor in her study, reading. Her phone rang again-Simone''s name lit up the screen.


    "Eleanor, sorry for thest-minute notice, but the audit team just called. The meeting''s postponed. You''re off the hook for Saturday."


    Relief flooded Eleanor''s face. "Really?"


    "Really! The change is confirmed. Did you have something important nned?"


    "Yeah, actually, my daughter''s school is organizing a winter field trip for parents and kids."


    "Then hurry and sign up! You probably still have time," Simone encouraged her. "That''s what I''m about to do. Evelyn''s been looking forward to this for weeks."


    Eleanor hung up and immediately called Miss Alice, her daughter''s teacher. Miss Alice was quick to reassure her. "No problem at all, Eleanor. We still have room. I know Evelyn really wanted to go—she''s going to be thrilled."


    "I definitely want to go with her," Eleanor said. It was rare to get a day like this, a chance to join her daughter and her friends outdoors. She wouldn''t miss it for the world.


    This time, Miss Alice didn''t bother updating the list. The next morning, all parents and children would gather at the school and head out together.


    Eleanor rushed downstairs to share the news. Evelyn''s face lit up, and she bounced with excitement. "Yes! I get to go with you-and Vivian too!"


    Eleanor finally breathed easy. If she''d missed this, the disappointment would''ve been crushing.


    Since it was still early, Eleanor took Evelyn to the nearby mall for snacks and supplies for the outing.


    Saturday morning dawned bright and warm. Eleanor dressed Evelyn in a stylish, cozy winter coat and fixed her hair into two neat braids.


    When they arrived at school, someone stood up in surprise-Xavier, dressed casually in a light trench coat. He hadn''t expected to see Eleanor.


    "You made it? I thought you couldn''t get away," Xavier asked her.


    "There was supposed to be a meeting, but it was cancelledst night," Eleanor exined.


    Xavier grinned, unable to hide his pleasure as he held up a pic basket. "That''s great-now the kids can have fun together."