Chapter 26

As Catherine loaded the last few bags into the car, she glanced back at the house to see Erika standing on the porch, bouncing on her heels with a mixture of eagerness and determination. Catherine couldn't help but smile. She knew Erika's excitement was genuine, yet part of her suspected it came from the anticipation of being involved in the preparations, too.

"I can help, you know," Erika said, watching Catherine heave a large duffel bag into the trunk.

Catherine chuckled and dusted her hands off. "I know, sweetie. But I've got it. Why don't you hop in the car?"

Erika's face fell slightly. "But I could at least carry a few bags or something," she insisted, edging closer. "I don't want to just sit around and watch. I want to be helpful."

Catherine's heart softened. She appreciated the sentiment, but her desire to keep Erika in a comfortable, protected role won over her willingness to let Erika share in the physical work. To Catherine, it felt essential to maintain this dynamic, especially on a big trip like this where she could embrace the role of caretaker fully.

"You'll be plenty helpful by sitting tight and staying comfortable," Catherine said, closing the trunk. "Besides, I've got one more special spot ready just for you." She motioned to the backseat, where a car seat was positioned snugly in the middle seat, secured and waiting.

Erika's eyes widened, her earlier eagerness replaced with surprise and a hint of defiance. "I don't need a car seat," she said quickly, crossing her arms. "I'm not a kid."

Catherine tilted her head, her gaze soft but unyielding. "I know you're not a little kid, but it's just a long trip. I think it'll make you extra comfy, and it'll make me feel better too." She reached out to brush Erika's hair behind her ear, but Erika stepped back, her brow furrowed.

"Cat, please." Erika's voice was pleading. "I don't want to sit in that. I'll be careful. Just let me sit like a regular person. Please?"

Catherine's heart tugged at Erika's frustration, but she could see the exhaustion that would follow a long trip like this. "It's just a safety precaution. We'll both be happier this way, I promise."

Erika's frustration was mounting, her cheeks flushed. "I want to sit in the front, like an adult. I can't believe you're making me sit in a car seat."

"You're doing this because you want to feel grown-up, right?" Catherine's voice remained calm, laced with warmth as she moved closer. "And I want you to feel loved and safe, which is why I want you in that seat. Now, come on. Let's get going."

With a huff, Erika climbed reluctantly into the back, slumping into the car seat with her arms still crossed, eyes fixed ahead as Catherine fastened her in. "This is ridiculous," she mumbled, her face turned away.

Catherine gave her a light pat on the shoulder. "You'll be thanking me when we're three hours in, and you're still cozy." She moved around to the front and got behind the wheel, catching a glimpse of Erika's sullen expression in the rearview mirror. She decided not to dwell on the frustration; she knew that Erika would soften up soon enough.

As they pulled away from the house, the tension slowly dissipated. Catherine pointed out familiar landmarks, the way she used to with her mother on road trips. Erika's initial irritation gradually shifted as they settled into a rhythm on the highway, miles ticking by in silence at first, then punctuated by conversation.

"So," Erika piped up eventually, "tell me about California. You've been there before, right?"

Catherine glanced back at her, smiling. "I grew up there. Small coastal town, lots of sunshine and beaches. We didn't have big city lights or bustling traffic like we will going into Los Angeles."

Erika's eyes lit up, eager for more. "Did you surf? Were you on the beach all the time?"

"Oh, not quite," Catherine said, laughing softly. "Surfing wasn't exactly my thing, and honestly, I wasn't on the beach too often. We lived a bit inland. My family kept busy, and I usually had more studying than surfing to worry about."

"But didn't you ever go on adventures?" Erika pressed, leaning forward in her seat. "Did you have friends that you'd explore with or get into trouble with?"

Catherine paused, her gaze drifting out to the open road ahead. Memories flickered in her mind—moments she hadn't revisited in years. But there was a hesitance to share too much, to relive details she'd once tried so hard to leave behind.

"Not as many as you might think," she said finally. "I kept to myself a lot. Books and studies were my best friends back then. My family wasn't very adventurous."

Erika didn't seem satisfied with this vague answer. "So no stories of sneaking out or late-night beach bonfires?" she asked, undeterred.

Catherine's smile grew a bit strained. "Not exactly. California wasn't as glamorous as it might seem in my little town. Besides, I liked having my own space, like I have now."

They reached a gas station shortly after, Catherine pulling off the highway and parking by the pumps. She got out, stretching her legs before moving around to Erika's side.

Erika stepped out, taking in the scenery with wide eyes as she adjusted to the stillness after the constant movement of the car. Catherine saw the opportunity and grabbed her phone. "Come here," she said, motioning for Erika to stand in front of the pump.

"Why?" Erika asked, looking puzzled.

"I want to get a picture of you. Just a little memory," Catherine said with a grin.

Erika turned red, her shoulders bunching up. "Cat, no, come on," she protested, instinctively covering her face. "I'm not photogenic."

"Oh, come on. This is just for us," Catherine coaxed, holding the phone steady. "You look adorable—don't hide."

Erika shifted from foot to foot, her face reddening further as she awkwardly posed, still visibly self-conscious. Catherine snapped a few photos, zooming in on Erika's blush, delighted by her shyness.

"One more!" Catherine called, laughing.

"Cat, no! That's enough," Erika finally insisted, breaking into a sheepish smile despite her reluctance.

But Catherine didn't relent. As they walked back into the gas station to grab snacks, she took a couple more candid shots of Erika's profile, catching her bashful expression as she browsed through the aisles. Erika rolled her eyes each time she noticed, but her irritation had softened into something closer to fond exasperation.

After stocking up on snacks—chips, soda, and a few chocolate bars—Catherine guided Erika back to the car and helped her back into the car seat. Erika was still embarrassed, but she was smiling now, the earlier tension from the morning finally starting to dissolve.

As they merged back onto the highway, Erika began asking more questions, her curiosity resurfacing. "So, did you ever want to live somewhere else? Like, besides California?"

Catherine thought for a moment, keeping her eyes on the road. "At times, yes. I used to imagine what it would be like to live somewhere different, maybe a big city where no one knew me." She gave a small laugh. "But life doesn't always work out exactly the way you plan."

"Do you like it here now?" Erika asked.

"I do," Catherine replied warmly, glancing back at Erika with a soft smile. "I think I've found everything I need."

The sincerity of her response hung in the air, and Erika seemed thoughtful, her gaze shifting to the window as she processed the answer.

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i kind of lost my love for writing and have a less time on my hand so sorry if chapters become more few and far between !