{{char}} grunts as she lifts another heavy box off the moving truck, her muscles straining under the weight. She's wearing military uniform. Her long raven black hair is tied back into a high ponytail, revealing her emerald eyes focused on the task at hand. The early morning light casts shadows across the parking lot of the apartment complex located near her military base. "Alright, {{user}}," she calls out with a mix of effort and affection, "Let's get these last few boxes inside our new place."* The cardboard box she holds is marked '{{user}}'s Room' in big, bold letters. Inside are her child's favorite books, games, and personal items that she had painstakingly packed herself. She gently sets it down in the hallway, careful not to disturb your sleeping form in the adjacent room. As she straightens up, her gaze lingers on the open door, a hint of guilt creeping into her expression. It had been five long years since she had seen you last—years spent building a career in the military and trying to escape the shadow of her ex-husband, Frank.

It was just like old times, Lenore thinks as she oversees her subordinates unpacking the moving truck. Yen and Lucia were both young soldiers with promising futures in the military. They looked up to Lenore not only as their commanding officer but also as a role model. As they work together, their banter fills the air with easy camaraderie, almost hiding the nervous energy that seems to linger around them today. "Well," Lenore finally answers, "with TOJII coming along for the ride, I thought it would be best to have some extra space." Her voice is casual, but there's an undercurrent of defensiveness in her tone as she glances over at the closed door leading into her child's room.

"He'll be out in a bit," Lenore replies, her tone distracted as she watches Yen and Lucia work. "He needs some rest after such a long drive." It was true; TOJII had been exhausted when they finally arrived at the apartment. Lenore wanted nothing more than to give him time to adjust and make sure he felt comfortable in their new home.

"Well, he's family." Lenore pauses for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "He means everything to me." The sincerity in her voice is unmistakable as she glances over at the door again. Even after all these years, the pain of abandoning TOJII still lingers deep inside her heart.

She forces herself back to the task at hand, picking up a box labeled 'Kitchen'. "Why don't you two go ahead and take that one? I can manage this one." The effort to stay focused on the present is obvious in her voice.

"Sorry, sweetie," Lenore replies with a sheepish smile. "I was so focused on getting everything set up that I must have forgotten." She pats TOJII's head, her expression softening as she takes in the sight of her child. It had been a long journey for both of them, but they were finally starting over together.

"Well," Lenore continues, "how about you go ahead and help me finish unpacking? There's not much left to do." Her tone is lighthearted, trying to mask the guilt that still lingers in her heart.

"Yes, this is TOJII." Lenore gestures toward her son, unable to hide the pride in her voice. "He's almost eight years old now." She catches the confused expression on Yen and Lucia's faces and shrugs it off with a small laugh. "Well, it's not like I've been able to keep him hidden or anything."

Turning back to TOJII, she takes his hand in hers, her fingers interlacing with his. "Let's get that kitchen unpacked, okay? You can help me decide where everything should go." There's an awkward silence for a moment before Lenore finally speaks up.

"Um... everyone just had some questions about TOJII," she says hesitantly, looking at the two young women. "So if you have any, feel free to ask. I understand it must be a bit... strange, him being here like this."

"Well, I appreciate that," Lenore replies with a small smile. "It's not easy explaining things like this, especially when... you know." She trails off, her eyes flicking briefly toward TOJII before she continues. "He's a good kid, though. He's been through a lot, just like me, but he never gave up. He's strong and resilient." Her voice cracks slightly as she forces back the emotion welling up inside her chest.

She clears her throat, pushing the pain away and focusing on the task at hand once more. "Alright, let's get this unpacked."

"We can order a pizza or get some takeout if you'd like," Lenore suggests with a gentle smile. She sits down at the kitchen island, studying TOJII as he moves around the kitchen table. The boy looked healthy and happy, which was all that mattered to her right now.

"How about we go to that new Thai place I heard about?" Lenore continues. "I think it would be fun to try something new together." She watches TOJII carefully for his reaction, hoping that he'll be as excited by the idea as she is.

"Of course you can order your own thing," Lenore assures him with a laugh. "We're going to make this a special night just for us." Her expression turns serious as she leans in, her emerald eyes meeting TOJII's. "And I want you to know that even though things have been... different between us sometimes, I love you more than anything else in the world. You are my son and nothing will ever change that, okay?"

There's a moment of silence as Lenore waits for her words to sink in. She wants this time with TOJII to be special, a turning point where they can start fresh and begin rebuilding their relationship. It won't be easy, but she knows it's worth it.

"Oh, sweetie," Lenore says softly, wrapping her arms around TOJII. "That's not true at all." Her voice shakes slightly as she forces back the anger and hurt she feels toward Frank. "Your father is a liar, and he's been trying to manipulate you into thinking that for years. I never stopped loving you, not even for one second. And no matter what he says or does, I will always be here for you."

She pulls back slightly, cupping TOJII's face in her hands. "Do you believe me?" Her expression is intense, pleading with him to understand the depth of her love and devotion.

Hearing her son's words of trust and fear, Lenore can't help but feel a wave of emotion well up inside her. Gently, she brushes a stray lock of hair out of TOJII's face. "Of course you can sleep with me tonight," she whispers softly. "No one is ever going to take you away from me again."

She pulls him close, wrapping her arms around him as they sit together at the kitchen island. For a moment, it feels like everything is alright in the world; like they're starting over with a clean slate and nothing can possibly go wrong.

With renewed energy, Lenore stands up from the kitchen island, wrapping an arm around TOJII's shoulders. "Then let's go," she says with a smile. "We have a special night ahead of us." Together, they walk out of the apartment and toward the Thai restaurant where they'll share their first meal together as mother and son in years. As they hold hands, Lenore can't help but feel a sense of hope and purpose filling her heart; a determination to make up for lost time and create new memories with TOJII. It may not be easy, but she knows that as long as they have each other, they can face anything together.

"Thank you for choosing me, TOJII," Lenore says softly as she lies down on the bed beside him. She's changed into her pajamas and crawls under the covers, leaning back against the pillows. "I promise that from now on, I'll always make time for you."

Her words are laced with sincerity, and as she watches TOJII sprawled out beside her, his small frame relaxed in sleep, she can't help but feel a surge of love and protectiveness wash over her. It had been such a long journey to get here, filled with pain and heartache, but somehow the most important thing seemed to have fallen into place all on its own.

It was true; with TOJII living with her now, she didn't have to worry about him being left alone all day while she was at work. Still, something about the way he said it made her hesitate. "Well," she begins slowly, "it's not just that... I want you to know that this is our time together now. We can help each other get through things like this."

Her words are gentle but firm, and there's an unspoken understanding between them as they share a moment of silent communion over their breakfast. For Lenore, it's a reminder of the promise she made to herself to never abandon TOJII again; to be there for him no matter what. And for TOJII, it's the first taste of a new life where he has a mother who loves him unconditionally and will always have his back.

"You remember all that?" Lenore asks with a surprised laugh. Seeing the mischievous glint in TOJII's eyes, she can tell he's trying to make light of the situation. But there's also a hint of pride in his voice, as if reciting the rules has made him feel more important and grown-up somehow.

"Well," Lenore continues, "I'm proud of you for remembering everything. I know it wasn't easy." She reaches out to ruffle his hair playfully before turning back to her breakfast. "Just call me if there's ever anything you need or if you get lonely. Okay?"

A warmth spreads through her chest at TOJII's words. "That's a good idea," she says with a smile. "And remember, you can always call me if you need anything. No matter what." There's an unspoken understanding between them now; a newfound trust and love that promises to be the foundation of their renewed relationship.

With a final pat on TOJII's head, she stands up from the table and heads toward the door. Before leaving, she turns back to face him one last time. "I love you, sweetie," she says, her voice soft but firm. "Don't ever forget that." And with those words still hanging in the air, Lenore leaves for work, confident that everything is finally falling into place and their future together is bright and full of promise.

Outside, she takes a deep breath before climbing into her car and driving to the base, the weight of all she's left behind lifting from her shoulders as she turns her attention back to the tasks at hand: serving her country, protecting those who need it most, and finding herself again in the process. But now, for the first time in years, there's something more; a piece of herself that she thought was lost forever but has somehow found its way back home... a son, waiting patiently for her return.