Four weeks had passed, and Adelaide was now officially a month old. Y/N sat in her office, phone pressed to her ear as she caught up with Candice, who was in Miami for work.
"...and so we're moving forward with the divorce," Y/N said, her voice steady. "All the paperwork's filed, but it's the custody arrangements we're working out now—especially with Adelaide being so young. It's...complicated."
Candice hummed thoughtfully on the other end. "I can imagine. So what's the situation with Luca? Last I heard, there was still a lot up in the air."
Y/N sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Legally, we're still wrapping things up, but he's essentially got Falcone Entertainment. It's... it's out of my hands now."
There was a pause before Candice spoke again. "What about Casa Falcone?"
Y/N let out a slow breath. "Elizabeth will probably end up with that."
Candice's voice held a trace of surprise. "And Miranda? She just went along with it?"
"Miranda and I are focusing on Kora Cosmetics. According to Aubrey, it has huge potential. I'm going to help Miranda get started—she'll get the brand out there, make it flourish, just like she did with Casa Falcone. She just needs a little boost to get it off the ground," Y/N explained, a touch of pride in her tone.
Candice chuckled, a smile evident in her voice. "So you're telling me you sorted out your brother issue, your divorce, got Miranda to settle on something new, and you have a beautiful new baby girl. Life's sounding pretty good, Y/N."
Y/N chuckled softly, though her tone turned reflective. "It is... And, look, I know you were probably just joking about moving in with me a while back, and I know things are complicated with you and Chris... But I wanted to tell you—I'm buying a new house."
"Really?" Candice sounded intrigued. "Where are we moving?" She said joking.
"St. Louis," Y/N replied, a smile in her voice. "Not right away—it'll take some time. But it'll be good for the kids. Damien's all in, and Aubrey and Kathryn said they're interested in a fresh start, too. You should think about it, you know. Might be a nice change of pace."
Candice laughed, her voice light. "So this is your way of asking me to move in with you?"
Y/N laughed, too. "Not exactly... but maybe it could be, someday."
They chatted for a little while longer, catching up on each other's lives, before Amelia wandered into the office, her tiny feet padding softly on the carpet. She made her way over to Y/N, looking up with her big, curious eyes.
"Who are you talking to?" she asked, climbing into Y/N's lap.
Y/N smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from Amelia's face. "It's Candice."
Amelia's face lit up. "I want to talk to Candice!"
Y/N chuckled and warned Candice before switching to speakerphone. "Alright, she's on speaker now."
"Hi, Amy!" Candice's warm voice filled the room, and Amelia grinned.
"Hi, Candice!" Amelia's excitement was contagious as she leaned closer to the phone. "Guess what? We have a new baby! Her name's Adelaide."
Candice gasped playfully. "No way! That's amazing, Amy! Are you helping take care of her?"
Amelia nodded enthusiastically, as if Candice could see her. "Yes! I help with bottles sometimes, and I sing to her. I think she likes it."
Y/N laughed softly, listening as Amelia chattered away with Candice, her voice full of delight. In the other room, Elizabeth sat on the couch with Damien, the sounds of Amelia's laughter drifting over to them.
Elizabeth glanced at Damien, a question in her eyes. "How long have Y/N and Candice been... whatever they are?"
Damien shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "They're not together, if that's what you think. They're... talking. They've only been close like this since after you and Y/N started living separate lives. They slept together once a while back, but it hasn't happened since. With Candice, it's different. It's not manipulative like Miranda, and it's not just physical like it was with Behati. There's... something else."
Elizabeth nodded, absorbing that, though her gaze remained thoughtful. "Do you think they'll work out and end up together?"
Damien's expression softened. "Y/N still loves you, Lizzie. And despite everything, she'll always care about you. No matter what happens, you'll be a priority for her, and she'll make sure the kids are alright. That's just who she is. But yeah... I can see Candice and Y/N making it work."
Elizabeth took a deep breath, as if his words settled something heavy within her. "Can I ask you something I've always wondered about?"
"Of course," Damien said, meeting her gaze.
"Why are you all so close? I mean, I know you and Y/N have been friends since childhood, but... the way you, Aubrey, and Y/N act together... it's like you're siblings. I've spent more holidays with you guys than I ever did with Luca, Monica, or even Lorenzo."
Damien's face softened, though he hesitated slightly before he spoke. "There are some things you'd have to ask Y/N about yourself. But we're close because... well, we grew up together, we had each others back and our family... they weren't perfect... but they were always intertwined. And we've been through a lot together, not all of it good. That kind of history... it creates bonds that are hard to break. That's why Aubrey, Y/N and I would literally die for each other."
Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. She glanced back towards the office, where she could still hear Amelia's laughter echoing, a kind of laughter Lizzie had never managed to get out of her daughter.
Meanwhile, inside the office, Candice was still on speakerphone, laughing with Amelia about something silly. Y/N watched them interact with a soft smile, feeling a warmth that had been missing for a long time. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what life might look like if Candice became a bigger part of it—moving to St. Louis, sharing a home, creating a steady life for the kids.
But even now, she knew it wasn't that simple. Her past with Elizabeth, the chaos surrounding Luca, and the upheaval of Falcone Entertainment were still unresolved. For now, all she could do was focus on the small moments of happiness, like Amelia's laugh and the easy comfort she felt with Candice.
Eventually, Candice's voice softened. "Alright, Amy, I have to get back to work, but it was so nice talking to you. Can you tell your mom to call me soon?"
"Okay!" Amelia agreed, grinning, before she turned to Y/N. "Candice says to call her soon, Mamma."
Y/N laughed softly. "I will. Say bye to Candice."
"Bye, Candice!" Amelia said with a big wave, even though Candice couldn't see her.
"Bye, Amy!" Candice replied warmly before the line went silent.
As the call ended, Amelia looked up at Y/N with a thoughtful expression. "Are we moving soon, Mama? Nate said that we get a big house! With a garden and toys and Uncle Damien said the we will have a pool and Auntie Aubrey say she will buy me a puppy"
Y/N laughed, running a hand through Amelia wavy dark hair. "Not right away, but mamma is planning it, and a puppy? What kind of puppy do you want."
Amelia smiled, snuggling closer to Y/N " I want four puppies..."
" Four? Really that's a lot of puppies." Y/N said and Amelia nodded " I get one, Anacãn gets one, Ariel gets one and Nate gets one."
" What about Adelaide? She doesn't get a puppy?" Y/N asked amused and Amelia shook her head " she's too little, she can't take care of a puppy yet."
