The rain tapped softly against the windows of the studio as Lena examined the folder in her hands.
A single gold emblem on the front: "Valkra International Architecture Fellowship."
Inside, a letter. Thick, cream-colored paper. Words that felt both impossible and inevitable.
"We are pleased to invite you… one year in Paris… global mentorship… legacy design project."
Lena read the letter twice, then folded it neatly and slid it back into the envelope. Her mind buzzed, but her hands were steady.
Across the room, Emma sat cross-legged on the floor, sketching with music in her ears.
"Hey," Lena called softly.
Emma looked up. "What's up?"
Lena handed her the letter.
Emma read quickly, eyes widening. "This is… huge."
"It is."
"And you're going, right?"
Lena hesitated.
"I don't know," she said honestly. "It's a year. Across the ocean. Everything here is finally good. I don't want to lose that."
Emma stood. "You won't lose us. You'll just grow us from a different place."
Lena tilted her head. "When did you get so wise?"
Emma smiled. "Probably from watching you be afraid… and still doing things anyway."
Alexander read the letter that evening, standing by the kitchen island.
He looked up at her. "Paris?"
She nodded. "A year. It would mean designing with global architects. Building something that lasts."
"And what about us?" he asked — not accusatory, just open.
"I'd come back," she said. "This is home. You're home."
He crossed to her, brushed her hair behind her ear. "Then you should go."
Her eyes searched his. "Really?"
"I'd rather miss you than see you shrink," he said. "And I'll visit. Often. Too often, probably."
She laughed. "Emma says the same."
"She's right," he said softly. "You deserve to take this."
Three days later, Lena stood on the rooftop of her studio, watching the city breathe.
Emma joined her, two mugs of tea in hand.
"Made it myself," she said. "It's bad."
Lena laughed, sipping. "It's perfect."
They stood in silence for a while. Then Emma asked, "Are you scared?"
"Yes," Lena admitted. "But also excited."
Emma nodded. "I think that's how I feel about everything lately."
Lena looked at her. "You'll run this place someday. If you want to."
Emma smiled, quiet and sure. "I'd like that."
Then she pulled something from her pocket — a folded piece of paper.
"I sketched this for you."
Lena unfolded it. It was a building — bold, graceful, unfamiliar.
"What is it?" Lena asked.
Emma grinned. "Your first project in Paris. I figured you'd need a starting point."
Lena looked at the sketch. Tears welled in her eyes — not from sadness, but from awe.
"This is beautiful," she whispered.
"It's yours," Emma said. "Just like I am."
And in that moment, the past felt far behind them, the future full of possibility.