Chapter 131 The Choice

Chapter 131 The Choice
The morning sun streams into the living room, filling the space with warm, golden light. A soft breeze blows through the cracked window, carrying the smell of clean air into the apartment. The threat over Klaus's contract is officially gone, and for the first time in what feels like forever, the quiet inside our home feels safe.

I sit on the big rug in the middle of the floor, holding a cup of warm tea in my hands. Beside me, Leo is lying on his stomach with a set of bright markers spread out across a big sheet of white paper. His knees kick up behind him as he colors carefully inside the lines.

Klaus left an hour ago to attend a brief wrap-up meeting with Coach Vance, leaving the two of us alone for the morning. I look down at my laptop sitting open on the low coffee table nearby. The offer email from the Global Sports Media Group is still sitting there in my inbox, waiting for a final answer before the end of the day.

"Leo," I say softly, setting my tea down on a coaster. "Can I talk to you about something important?"

Leo stops his marker, turning his head to look at me with his big, clear eyes. "Is it bad news?"

"No, buddy," I say, offering him a warm smile to ease his mind. "It’s not bad news at all. It’s just a decision I have to make, and I wanted to hear what you think."

Leo rolls over to sit cross-legged, pulling his knees up to his chest. "Okay. What is it?"

"A big photography company sent me a letter," I explain, keeping my words simple. "They like the photos I took during the championship games. They offered me a big job to travel to different countries and take pictures of international hockey games."

Leo tilts his head slightly, listening closely. "Would you be taking pictures of Klaus?"

"Some of the time, maybe," I say gently. "But the job means I would have to be on airplanes a lot. I would be away from home for nine months, traveling to places far away."

Leo grows silent, looking down at his small hands resting on his knees. The happy look on his face softens, and my chest tightens as I watch him process what I just said.

"Would you be gone for my birthday?" Leo asks quietly, his voice small.

"I might miss a few weeks here and there," I admit, my throat feeling tight as I reach out to rest my hand on his knee. "That's why I'm thinking really hard about it. I worked hard to build my career, but you and Klaus are my family. Having us all together here in this apartment is the most important thing to me."

Leo doesn't answer right away. He turns back around, pulling his big drawing paper toward his chest. He picks up a dark blue marker and spends five quiet minutes adding extra lines to his picture, his small face set in deep concentration.

I sit patiently, letting him take his time.

Finally, Leo cap the marker with a small click. He stands up on his bare feet and walks over, placing the big sheet of paper right in my lap.

"Look," Leo says softly, pointing his little finger at the page.

I look down at the drawing. In the center of the paper, he has drawn three figures standing side by side under a bright yellow sun. On the left is a tall figure with dark hair wearing a team jersey—Klaus. On the right is a small boy holding a tiny stick—Leo. And right in the middle, holding a small black camera with a big smile, is me.

Right above our heads, written in Leo's messy, uneven handwriting, are the words: THE BEST TEAM.

"I drew you with your camera," Leo says, looking up into my eyes with a pure, honest look that makes my chest ache with love. "Because you look happy when you take pictures, Liam."

Tears well up in my eyes, blurring the bright colors on the page. "Leo..."

"I don't want you to be sad," Leo says, his small hand reaching up to touch my arm. "When I was sick in the hospital, you stayed by my bed every single day. You stopped doing everything else just to take care of me. Klaus told me yesterday that you worked so hard to get your photos in the papers."

He takes a deep breath, his small chin trembling slightly, but his voice stays clear. "I will miss you if you travel, but I want you to take your pictures. I want my big brother to follow his dreams."

A tear slips down my cheek, and I pull Leo into a tight, warm hug. He wraps his small arms around my neck, holding on close. I bury my face in his soft hair, my heart swelling with a deep, overwhelming pride. My little brother, who went through so much pain and fear in hospital rooms, is standing here telling me to be brave.

"Thank you, Leo," I whisper, my voice thick with real emotion. "You are the strongest kid I know."

We stay like that for a long moment until the sound of the front door unlocking echoes through the hall. Klaus steps inside, setting his car keys down on the counter. He looks into the living room, his dark eyes immediately softening when he sees us sitting together on the rug.

"Everything okay here?" Klaus asks softly, walking over and crouching down beside us.

"Leo just gave me the best advice in the world," I say, wiping my cheek with the back of my hand and showing Klaus the drawing.

Klaus looks at the paper, a soft, radiant look filling his face. He reaches out, pulling both of us close to his broad chest, wrapping his strong arms around us in a tight circle.

"He's right, you know," Klaus murmurs into my hair, his deep voice rough with feeling. "We want you to shine, Liam."

I look between Klaus and Leo, feeling the steady warmth of the life we built together. Sitting right here in the quiet sunlight, the path forward becomes completely clear in my mind. I don't have to choose between my family and my dream. I just need to find the right balance.

I stand up, walking over to my desk nook. I sit down in front of the open laptop and click the reply button on the email from the Global Sports Media Group.

My fingers move smoothly across the keys as I type my response:

Dear Hiring Board,

Thank you for this extraordinary offer. I am honored by your interest in my work. However, my primary commitment remains with my family and my position here in the city. I am open to signing a custom contract as a Lead Regional Photographer—covering all domestic games, major national tournaments, and local features while remaining centered at my home base.

If these terms align with your needs, I would be delighted to join your team.