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Jace

"Mom, she's good. I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, she's—"

"Just ask her for me, will ya?"

I sigh, sandwiching my phone between my shoulder and my ear as I walk closer to the group. "How are you feeling?" I ask, signing to V.

My little sister looks at me, brows high, blinking slowly as if she can't be bothered by my question. "Fine," she says simply before turning back to pop the Trouble bubble in the middle of the game board.

"More than fine," JJ grumbles.

Ruthie laughs, and I purse my lips, nodding once as I drift toward the far end of the ballroom. "She's good, Ma."

Mom blows a heavy breath into the receiver. "Okay." There's a long pause before she starts again. "But you know she'd put up with anything to be there with you guys."

Back at the table, Vienna presses the bubble again, leaving her palm resting on the hard plastic as the pop vibrates through her hand. She moves her peg into the final slot and throws up a quick high-five to Ruthie while JJ drops his head back in dramatic devastation.

"I know," I admit. "But I swear, she's okay. Plus, Ruthie's here, remember. She's been with her the whole time."

"Okay," she breathes. "Yeah, she's a good girl."

I'm not sure if she means my little sister or Liam's daughter, but before I can decide, V's laugh calls my attention back toward the group.

I huff out a chuckle of my own. "We got her," I say. "Don't worry."

"I know you do." She gulps down her nerves. "Just give her a squeeze for me."

"I will."

"And tell Ruthie I said thank you."

"You got it."

"Oh and Jace!"

I suck in a deep breath, squeezing the phone a little tighter before I settle again.

"Yeah, Ma?"

I can almost picture her body relaxing back into her favorite brown leather chair. "I love you," she says.

Exhaling, I grin. "Love you too."

The phone call ends, but I don't immediately move toward the group. Rolling my shoulders, I look back at them, Vienna and Ruthie smothering laughs as JJ packs up the game board with a childish pout and a deep crease in his brow.

I know recovering has been pretty boring for Vienna. I also know Mom watching her every move has been exhausting for everyone. So, when our away series in Grand Oaks came up, I called Dr. Parth to get V the all-clear to travel with us—and her favorite babysitter of course.

For the past two years, Vienna's come down during spring training. If Liam doesn't come, he sends Ruthie with us anyway to keep an eye on things while I'm stuck in meetings or at practice. And V and I squeeze in as much time together as we can.

She loves feeling like a big girl traveling away from home, and I love having her close by when I'm gone. But we've never done a trip like this during the season.

In fact, I didn't even think of it—