Her track record with love was far from perfect, but that didn’t stop her from longing for something lasting. The idea of a true partnership—someone to share the quiet evenings and life’s big moments—had always tugged at her heart. And now, with Jewel growing up so quickly, the thought of growing old alone loomed larger than ever.
As much as she valued her independence, the idea of facing the years ahead without someone by her side unsettled her. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to wonder—could Nick be that person? And perhaps the bigger question—could she let herself believe in forever again?
Reva leaned against the kitchen counter, the faint laughter of her girlfriends still echoing in her ears as she rinsed the last of the martini glasses. The evening had been a perfect blend of banter, heartfelt confessions, and a sprinkling of ridiculous jokes that left her smiling long after the door closed behind the last of her friends.
Truth was, she cherished these women like sisters, their bond forged through decades of shared laughter, heartaches, and triumphs. They had seen each other through every season of life—first loves, shattered dreams, weddings, and babies—and no matter how busy or complicated things became, they were her constant, her safe place. To Reva, they weren’t just friends; they were family, the kind she chose and would fiercely protect, no matter what.
The sound of the front door creaking open made her pause mid-motion, a smile already forming. The familiar rumble of Kellen’s voice and Lucan’s gleeful giggles spilled into the entryway, filling the house with a warmth she hadn’t realized she’d been missing all evening.
“We’re back!” Kellen called, carrying a very sleepy, but still wriggling, Lucan in his arms.
Reva set the glass down and turned toward them with a smile. “Did you have fun at the hockey rink, buddy?”
Lucan’s face lit up as Kellen set him down, his little legs wobbling with excitement. “Mama! I skate! I go fast!” he said, running while holding his arms out like airplane wings.
“And Daddy hold me! I not fall—‘cept one time.” He scrunched his nose in concentration, then broke into a giggle. “Ice so slippy!”
“It was awesome,” Kellen confirmed, grinning. “This kid’s got a future on the ice. He’s likely to have a slapshot that’ll knock your socks off.”
Reva ruffled Lucan’s dark curls and kissed his forehead. “I’m so glad you boys had fun. You’re amazing, Lucan. But I think it’s time to get you ready for bed. What do you say?”
Lucan yawned dramatically and rested his head against Kellen’s knee. “Tuck me in, Mommy.”
Contentment washed over Reva as they headed upstairs together. After a quick bedtime story about a daring moose and his snowy adventures, Reva pulled the blankets up to Lucan’s chin and kissed his cheek. “Sweet dreams, my little champion.”
“Night, Mommy. Night, Daddy,” Lucan mumbled, already drifting off.
In their bedroom, Reva tugged off her earrings and set them on the dresser while Kellen peeled off his sweater, tossing it into the laundry basket.
“Thanks for taking our son out tonight,” Reva said, disrobing. “I think he really needed it. He has so much energy and being cooped up in this house all winter hasn’t been easy.”
“He wasn’t the only one who needed it,” Kellen teased, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “How was your girls’ night?”
“Good,” Reva said, pausing as she reached for her moisturizer. “But I’m a little worried about Capri. She’s signed up for this snowmobile race next weekend, and you know how unpredictable the mountains can be this time of year. Avalanches, hidden obstacles—she’s fearless to a fault.”
Kellen stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders and squeezing gently. “Capri’s a grown woman, Reva. She knows the risks, and you can’t keep her from living her life.”
“I know,” Reva admitted, her voice tinged with reluctance. “It’s just…I feel like I’ve always been the one to keep us all together, to look out for them when they can’t see what’s coming.”
Kellen raised an eyebrow as he sat down on the edge of the bed. “Always? Even back in your rebellious, Doc Martens-wearing, late-to-class high school days?”
She laughed softly, sitting beside him. “No Doc Martens for this group. Only hiking boots or Tony Lama cowboy boots.” She paused thoughtfully. “Except for me, Nike Air Force 1 was my shoe of choice.”
Kellen smiled, his eyes softening. “Guess even back then, you were marching to your own beat.” He tilted her chin toward him with a gentle hand. “And now you’re the heart of this family. But you can’t be everything to everyone, Reva. You’ve got to trust your friends to take care of themselves sometimes.”
She sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I just…can’t help it.”
“Good thing I married a woman with such a big heart,” Kellen murmured, his lips brushing her temple. “Now, let’s see if I can distract you from saving the world for a little while.”
Reva laughed as he eased her back onto the bed, his hands warm and insistent on her waist. “You always have a personal agenda, don’t you?”
“Only when it comes to you,” he said, grinning as he leaned in to kiss her.
Lila turned onto her quiet street, her shoulders heavy with the weariness of a long day at the clinic. The temptation to skip tonight’s girlfriend gathering had tugged at her earlier, but she knew better than to even suggest it. Reva would have none of that—these nights were sacred, a lifeline they all clung to in the rush of their busy lives.
The snow clung stubbornly to the curbs, piled high from last week’s storm, but the clear sky gave her a momentary sense of calm. The sight of her little house at the end of the block was always a welcome reprieve. She glanced up at the front porch as she approached, her headlights sweeping over the steps.
Someone was there.
