Moving Forward (Completed)

Chapter Twenty Six

MJ was set to return home Thursday, leaving her with just one night left with Katherine. Social services had set up a visitation schedule, much to Amber Stackers disapproval, to drop in an check on the state of things given the circumstances behind the events leading to Ambers hospitalization. Amber couldn't do much about it considering DCS had been called on her multiple times in the past and if she wanted to keep MJ she had to agree to the visits.

"Hey MJ." Katherine said, glancing up from the student files she was making notes in for the teacher who would have them next.

"Yeah." MJ lifted her nose from the book she was reading. At this point it was a good week into May and neither Katherine nor Ms. Winters were assigning much homework as their end of the year workload increased and the academic year wound down.

"I wanted to let you know that I'm moving this summer." She had debated telling MJ this for a good week now, but she finally decided it would be best. She would feel terrible if MJ came looking for her and she wasn't here.

"You're moving in with Mr. Barba?"

"I am." Katherine gave her a soft smile. "Amanda lives in my building. We talked and if you ever find yourself in a similar situation you can always go to her. She works crazy hours and may not be home but you can try her apartment if you're more comfortable with that than asking for help in the coffee shop or something. Apartment 5H, ok?"

"I honestly didn't even think about the coffee shop." MJ sighed.

"I only mention it in case she's not home."

"5H?"

"I'll show you which one it is on the way to school tomorrow." Katherine smiled.

"Are you going to marry him?"

"Mr. Barba?" Katherine asked buying a little time since she didn't exactly know how to answer.

"Who else?" MJ chuckled.

"We haven't discussed it yet." Katherine decided this was the safest answer.

"But you love him and you want to marry him?"

"MJ..." This was not a conversation she wanted to have, especially with a ten year old.

"You do love him right?"

"Yes, I love him."

"Then is it the marriage thing? I thought that's what happened when you loved someone... you eventually get married." MJ looked confused. She only had the books she had read and the occasional movie to base her understanding on, her mothers constant string of 'friends' being something MJ knew wasn't right.

"It's a bit more complicated than that..."

"So you don't want to marry him?" MJ interrupted.

"I didn't say that." Katherine covered her mouth out of shock at how quickly and adamantly the words had escaped her lips.

"I'm confused." MJ sighed, her brow furrowing even more when Katherine began to giggle. "What's funny?"

"Nothing." Katherine chuckled, unsuccessfully trying to stop her laugher.

"Something's funny..." MJ muttered.

"I'm laughing at myself." Katherine was still trying to get her breathing under control, but had managed to stop uncontrollably giggling.

"Why?"

Considering how well the first one had worked out, Katherine hadn't really thought about getting married again. Sure Rafael had joked about having a ring, but as far as she knew he had only been teasing her. Part of her had thought she'd be fine to never marry again... marriage wouldn't make her love him anymore than she already did. She just hadn't expected to be quite so firm in her response when MJ asked if she didn't want to marry Rafael.