Chapter 34

Annie's POV

Sitting at my desk in Howard Technologies, I found myself reviewing Lucy's therapy plan while working on some sketches. The upcoming meeting with her maternal grandparents was an important step, but something about it kept nagging at me. Lucy had made such progress in our small family circle - the way she'd chat happily with me during our drawing sessions, how she'd share stories with Howard about her day. But around strangers or even casual acquaintances, she'd retreat into complete silence,her bright personality hidden behind an invisible wall.

What if we could build on her comfort with us to help her connect with others? As I absently doodled in my notebook, a new idea began taking shape. Lucy loved the stuffed animals in her room, often acting out conversations with them that she couldn't have with people she didn't fully trust yet. She'd even started teaching them about her drawings...

The solution crystallized with sudden clarity. I quickly gathered my tablet and notes, my steps purposeful as I headed toward Howvard's office.This wasn't about changing the plan to meet her grandparents - it was about creating a gentle bridge to make that meeting more successful. Susan looked up from her desk with a knowing smile as I approached.

"He's between meetings," she said before I could ask. "Go right in." Howard was standing by his desk, reviewing something on his tablet. He looked up as I entered, his expression softening almost imperceptibly."Annie. Is everything alright?" "I've been thinking about Lucy's therapy approach," I began, settling into one of the chairs across from his desk. "With the upcoming meeting withyour parents, I think we could add something to make the transition easier for her."

Howard set down his tablet, giving me his full attention. The intensity of his focus might have been intimidating if I wasn't so caught up in explaining my idea.

"Lucy needs a bridge," I continued, pulling up some quick sketches I'd made. "Something that feels safe and familiar before she meets them in person. What if we created custom dolls? Detailed ones, designed to look like her maternal grandparents?"

I watched understanding dawn in his eyes as I explained further. "We could place them in her environment, let her get used to their presence.She could practice talking to them, play out scenarios she finds challenging.Her grandparents could even be present sometimes, responding through the dolls until Lucy feelscomfortable enough for direct interaction."

Howard leaned forward, his interest evident. "A transitional object."

"Exactly. It gives her control over the situation, lets her set the pace." My hands moved animatedly as I spoke. "We could start with simple dolls,then gradually introduce more detailed ones with voice recordings or interactive elements. The key is making the transition to meeting her mother's parents gentle and natural."

"You've really thought this through," Howard said softy. The warmth in his voice made my cheeks heat slightly. "Lucy's shown us she can connect with things that feel safe to her-her drawings, her notebook. This builds on that foundation." I pulled up more reference sketches on my tablet. "We could have the dolls made to exact specifications. Quality materials, careful attention to detail. Everything designed to make Lucy feel secure and in control."

Howard stood, walking around his desk to look at the sketches over my shoulder. His presence behind me was distracting, but I forced myself to focus on the tablet screen. "These are remarkable, Annie. The level of detail you've considered..."

"It's just preliminary," I said quickly. "We'd need to consult with child psychologists,get the design exactly right-"

"I'll have the team start working on it immediately." Howard's hand came to rest briefly on my shoulder, the touch sending warmth spreading through my chest. "Thank you, Annie. For always seeing what Lucy needs."

I turned to face him, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. His expression held something I couldn't quite read - gratitude, certainly, but also something deeper, more complex. Before I could analyze it further, he stepped back, clearing his throat.

"Would you join me for lunch? We can discuss the details further."

The invitation shouldn't have made my pulse jump the way it did. "Of course.For Lucy's project."

"For Lucy," he echoed, though something in his tone made me wonder if we were both trying to convince ourselves of the same thing. We settled at a quiet corner table in the restaurant near the office. Howard's usual commanding presence softened as we reviewed the menu together,the conversation flowing easily between us. It felt dangerous,how natural this all seemed -sharing lunch, discussing preferences, these small moments that blurred the lines between professional and personal.

"Annie?"

I realized I'd been staring at my water glass, lost in thought. "Sorry,I was just thinking about the doll project. We should probably start with-"

I was explaining the details of the doll therapy project when Howard's shoulders tensed slightly. It was such a subtle change that I might have missed it if I hadn't been sitting across from him.

A moment later, Catherine Morgan appeared at our table. Her presence seemed to fill the space with practiced elegance, though I couldn't help noticing how her arrival felt somehow...prepared.

"Howard," she greeted with carefully measured warmth. "What a pleasant surprise." The way she said it made it sound anything but surprising.

The slight tightening at the corners of Howard's mouth suggested this wasn't the coincidence Catherine was presenting it as. But before I could analyze his reaction further, Catherine turned to me with a smile that didn t reach her eyes.

She turned to me and her eyes bored into mine.

"And You are?"