**Steps Toward Tomorrow**

The worn-out sound of an old alarm clock echoed through the small apartment as Rose rolled over to silence it. She rubbed her tired eyes and glanced at the sleeping figure of her 8-year-old daughter, Alice, curled up in the bed they shared. The faint morning light crept through the blinds, illuminating the room that doubled as their bedroom and living space. Rose sighed, mentally preparing herself for another long day.

Life hadn’t been easy for Rose. After her husband left without warning three years ago, she had been thrust into the daunting role of sole provider for Alice. Working double shifts at a local diner barely paid the bills, and dreams of a better future seemed like distant stars she could never reach. Yet, despite the struggles, Rose remained fiercely determined to make a better life for her daughter.

Her strength, however, didn’t come from her alone. Rose’s mother, Nana, had been her rock through it all. A retired schoolteacher with a calm demeanor and a sharp wit, Nana spent her days looking after Alice while Rose worked. She often reminded Rose, “Hard times don’t last forever. You just have to keep moving forward, one step at a time.”

One evening, after a particularly grueling shift, Rose walked into the apartment and slumped onto the couch. Nana sat at the small dining table, helping Alice with her homework. The sight warmed Rose’s heart but also filled her with guilt. She felt like she wasn’t doing enough.

“Rough day?” Nana asked gently, looking up.

Rose nodded, burying her face in her hands. “I just… I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. I want more for Alice, Mom. She deserves better.”

Nana stood and placed a comforting hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You’re doing more than enough, Rose. But maybe it’s time to think about what *you* want. What’s your dream?”

Rose hesitated. Her dream? She hadn’t allowed herself to think about that in years. But deep down, she knew the answer: she had always wanted to open a small bakery. Baking had been her passion since she was a teenager, a skill she had learned from Nana. But dreams required time and money — two things she didn’t have.

As if reading her mind, Nana said, “You’ve always loved baking. Maybe it’s time to take a chance on yourself. Start small. Bake from home, sell to neighbors, see where it takes you.”

The idea seemed impossible, but the spark it ignited in Rose’s heart was undeniable. That night, she stayed up late, scribbling plans in an old notebook. She listed recipes, calculated costs, and imagined a life where she wasn’t just surviving but thriving.

The next morning, with Nana’s encouragement, Rose used her last $50 to buy baking supplies. She started small, making batches of cookies and cupcakes, selling them to coworkers and neighbors. At first, business was slow, but word of her delicious treats began to spread. Nana helped by watching Alice and spreading the word to her friends.

Alice, too, played her part. One evening, as Rose packed a fresh batch of cookies into boxes, she said, “Mom, can I help? Maybe I can draw pictures for the boxes. People will like them more!”

Rose smiled, her eyes misting. “That’s a great idea, sweetheart.”

Alice’s hand-drawn illustrations became a signature touch, and soon, customers began ordering not just for the treats but for the charm they brought. Each sale, no matter how small, was a step forward.

Months turned into a year, and Rose’s home bakery gained traction. She saved every penny, working tirelessly to grow her dream. The turning point came when a local café owner tasted her cupcakes and offered her a contract to supply their desserts. The deal was modest but steady, enough for Rose to finally quit her job at the diner.

The day she signed the contract, Rose returned home to find Alice and Nana waiting with a surprise. They had decorated the apartment with handmade banners that read, **“Congratulations, Mom!”**

Tears streamed down Rose’s face as she hugged them both. “I couldn’t have done this without you,” she whispered.

Nana, her voice filled with pride, replied, “You took the first step, Rose. That’s what matters.”

Over time, Rose’s bakery expanded from her small kitchen to a rented storefront. She named it **“Steps Toward Tomorrow,”** a tribute to the journey that had brought her there. The bakery became a beloved spot in the community, known not just for its treats but for the warmth and resilience it represented.

One evening, as Rose closed up shop, Alice sat at a table, munching on a cookie. “Mom, do you think Nana was right? About hard times not lasting forever?”

Rose smiled, brushing flour off her apron. “She was absolutely right, Alice. And you know what? We made it through because we kept moving forward, one step at a time.”

Nana, now a regular at the bakery, sat nearby, her heart swelling with pride as she watched her daughter and granddaughter. She knew life would always have its challenges, but seeing Rose’s success was proof that hope, hard work, and love could overcome even the darkest days.

And as Rose turned off the lights and locked the bakery door, she felt something she hadn’t in years — a deep, unshakable belief in tomorrow.