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“How is that going?" I asked, looking at the highlighted days on my calendar – the days Vitoria had exams.

“I’m actually looking forward to it.” She giggled. “I know last year was kind of terrifying, but this year, I feel a lot more prepared.”

“Brilliant.” I smiled. “And how’s Mom doing?”

“She’s okay, just missing you as always.”

“Well, when you get home, tell her she doesn’t have to miss me much longer.”

The other end of the line was silent for a little while, long enough that I worried that the call might have dropped. “Vitoria?”

“You’re coming to visit?” she asked, her excitement obvious. It warmed my chest.

“Yeah, Reid and I have business in Brazil,” I explained. “So I’ll be coming to see you and Mom soon.”

“How soon?” she demanded.

“We’re flying down next Thursday,” I said, checking our flight schedule for what felt like the hundredth time. I knew the itinerary by heart by now. “And I’ll probably only be able to visit on the weekend, but if you have plans that’s okay. We’ll be in Brazil for a while.”

“I’m canceling all my plans.” She giggled. “Oh my gosh, Mom is going to be so excited!”

“I’m excited, too.” I chuckled. “Hey, let her know that I’ll call her a little later on today, okay?”

“I will,” she said.

I wished her luck with her studying and hung up, excitement bubbling in my gut.

I hadn’t been home in four years.

As the company grew, so had my role, and even though Reid had offered to pay for my flights on many occasions, work had always taken precedence. It was how I was able to keep them safe, fed, and happy. But now, with my visa situation under control, I felt like maybe I could enjoy being back home.

Besides, while Reid hated flying, I’d always wondered what it would be like to travel with her, and I always wanted to show her my city. It was something precious to me, and after everything she’d done for me, I felt that was the only repayment I could offer. Even though we’d be missing Carnaval, there was still so much to do and see that I found myself reaching for my iPad and sketching out a new itinerary.

This one would be dedicated to my and her free time.

Just the two of us.

“Reid!” I called up the stairs, checking my watch. “Are you ready to go?”

She appeared at the top of the stairs, her shoulders squared as if she was going into battle.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, descending the steps cautiously.

“You look pale,” I observed, my stomach twisting a little. “Have you eaten yet?”

“If I eat,” she said, “I will throw up.”

“Okay, okay,” I said, biting down a smile. I held out a glass of water and two pills. “Take this.”

“What is it?” she asked, but took them anyway, swallowing the pills and chasing them with the water before I’d even answered.

“They’ll help with the nausea and the altitude,” I explained.

Reid nodded and glanced around nervously. “Did Henry already take our luggage out to the car?”

“Yeah, they’re waiting for us if you’re ready to go.”

“I guess it’s now or never.” She sighed. “Let’s get going.”