„Blair, sweetie, wake up,“ Mia said, softly stroking Blair's hair and gently pushing her shoulder. „Come on, pumpkin.“
„Mommy?“ Blair moaned, still asleep.
„We're going to go to aunt Catherine so we can spend some time with her. Come on, hurry up,“ Mia responded.
Blair stretched and blinked. „But it's late,“ she complained.
Mia swallowed the lump in her throat, „I know, but we can,“ Mia bitt her lip, searching for something that would make Blair want to go to Catherine's place, at this hour. „We can have a slumber party,“ Mia said, managing a small smile as she remembered the talk between her and Catherine just less than an hour ago.
Mia succeeded at her mission, and now Blair was fully awoke, and with a huge grin on her face, she asked if this was real.
Mia nodded and smiled, even though she was crying on the inside. This can't be happening, she thought. She can't let Blair or herself, for that matter, to go through this. Running and hiding as long as they live. Damn you, Benjamin! Mia thought as she watched Blair scream and jump on the bed with excitement. Mia took something off of the suitcase that was on the floor and handed Blair her clothes, „Put this on.“ Blair grabbed the clothes and ran to the bathroom to get ready, all the while squealing at the endless possibilities of a slumber party. As she tried keeping her composition on for Blair's sake, a tear rolled down her cheek. What if this really was Benjamin? What are his plans? Why this, why now? Will she ever return to her apartment, to her life? Mia let out a huge sigh, putting her hands in the back pockets of her jeans. This is it. She looked around the room, and then took the bag which was full of Blair's and her clothes. It was carelessly thrown in it, and not carefully folded, one by one, as Mia usually did the packing part, being a perfectionist. Mia spent an hour violently opening draws and grabbing anything that was useful and necessary. As she put her purse over her shoulder, having a sports bag in one hand and dragging the full, heavy suitcase with the other, Mia smiled at the sight of Blair eagerly standing by the door, her pink little backpack full of barbies and other girlie things. „How long are we gonna be there?“ Blair asked. Mia blinked and responded: „I don't know, Blair. I don't know...“ As soon as Blair was in the hallway, Mia turned and whispered a goodbye to the empty rooms, wondering the same as Blair. How long is this going to last?

*

 
As Blair went on and on about the endless plans she had for the slumber party, Mia zoned out, looking the road only. She knew it wasn't the best thing a mother could do, but she simply couldn't make herself present at this time and place. No, Mia was far, far away from this. She thought of every possibility that could happen, and how she would prevent or deal with it. This wasn't a kid's game. This was real. This was life.

*

 As Mia pulled over, she looked at Blair. She needed to make some new rules. „Honey?“ She called.
Blair looked up to her, „Yes, Mommy?“
„I don't want you to go outside to play without auntie Catherine or me by your side, even if it's just going to the yard. Don't talk to any strangers and if you see someone suspicious, let me or Catherine know, okay?“
Blair looked confused, and wanted to ask the reason for this, but instead she replied, „Okay, Mommy.“
Mia leaned in and kissed her on the top of her head, whispering, „Thank you.“

*

„Why don't you go to your room and sleep, hm?“ Catherine smiled at Blair. „I'll come to tuck you in later.“
Blair nodded, gave her a hug, and exclaimed „Okay!“ as she ran up the stairs.
As soon as Blair outside of earshot and her sight, Mia broke down and cried into Catherine's shoulder, „I can't do this.“
Catherine smiled, soothing Mia's hair. „There, there. It's okay. Everything will be okay. I promise."