Systems, methods, and processing nodes for communicating with a wireless device via at least two access nodes include communicating with a wireless device via at least two access nodes includes receiving, at a relay access node coupled to a donor access node, downlink data intended to be transmitted to an end-user wireless device attached to the relay access node; determining that a signal condition at the relay access node meets a criteria; and in response to determining that the signal condition meets the criteria, forwarding the downlink data to the donor access node. The donor access node transmits the downlink data to the end-user wireless device, and the relay access node maintains a control channel with the end-user wireless device.