I don't see Darcy's Infiniti in the driveway, but there are lights on in the house. Ray parks out front, and Lucas helps me step down. The black SUV stops, engine idling, and the driver comes out to grab my suitcases and take them all the way to the porch.
Lucas cups my face and gives me a hard but brief kiss. "Don't forget to call."
My mouth tingles, and I nod, my fingertips brushing my lower lip.
He inclines his head at Ray. "Nice to meet you, sir."
"Have a good drive home."
Lucas climbs into the car. The SUV gets smaller and dimmer down the tree-covered road before the taillights vanish around a curve.
Ray squints. "So. That's the man."
"Yeah."
He just grunts, which is slightly surprising. I expected him to have more things to say about Lucas.
The door opens, bathing us in warm light coming from inside the house.
"Ava!" Darcy cries out. "My goodness, you're finally home!"
I spin around. "Darcy!" I run over and hug her tightly. "I missed you."
"I missed you too, love." She pulls back and cradles my face between her hands. "Let me look at you."
I smile. Her sleek bob has more silver in it, and her skin is paler now that the weather's colder and she isn't playing tennis as much. But her bright gray eyes are the same-warm and twinkling-and she's in the same simple sort of clothes I remember: a light blue sweater, denim jeans and white tennis shoes. You'd never know she's a trust fund baby.
"You look lovely, but tired. The travel must've been horrendous." She squeezes me again. "Come on in. My goodness, Ray, help with her bags, will you?"
He laughs. "Yes, dear."
She herds me inside, an arm around my waist. She's only five-four, and it isn't easy for her to reach up to my shoulders. "I wanted to go to the airport too, but Ray didn't think it was a good idea."
She doesn't have to say more. It's about Mia, and neither Ray nor Darcy is sure about what's going to happen now that Lucas is back in my life.
Ray helps me drag my two suitcases into the house and closes the door. The high-ceilinged foyer is bright, and Darcy's put up fall decorations: pinecones, miniature pumpkins and acorns, gold and silver ribbons. She adores holidays and all the festivities.
She leads me to the living room with its comfortable couches and a fireplace, not yet lit.
"Where's Mia?" I ask.
"Sleeping. Would you like to see her?"
The nursery is on the first level. Darcy thought it prudent not to risk stairs. "I'm not so young anymore, and my knees do creak a bit," she said, laughing heartily.
The room is dark except for a small nightlight by the crib. I don't need it to know that the walls are pastel pink and cream, and the one to Mia's right has a rainbow, a unicorn and clouds painted on it because everyone knows a little princess deserves rainbows and unicorns-something I never had growing up, but want for my daughter very much.
The floor is covered with soft cork, but I tiptoe anyway.
Mia is sleeping soundly, her breathing fast but easy. Her mouth is pursed like a fresh rosebud, and I carefully brush my fingers along one plump cheek and breathe in her sweet, toddler smell. Hot emotions surge through me, and I blink away tears.
"She's beautiful," I whisper.
"Just like her mother," Darcy murmurs.
I shake my head. "No. She's not going to be anything like her mother. She's going to be exactly like you."
Darcy runs a gentle hand down my back. "My dear, you're an incredible woman. Mia will be fortunate if she ends up as smart, resilient and strong as you are."
Another fresh wave of tears stings my eyes. I look up at the ceiling for a moment, then sniffle once.
I kiss Mia on the forehead and leave the nursery. Ray's already taken my suitcases upstairs.
"Something to drink?"
Darcy goes into the big, open kitchen. It has four burners, a griddle for pancakes and two ovens. Ray loves to cook, and he shows off his skills on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"Water would be great."
Darcy hands me a bottle of water from the fridge. "I'm surprised you're back with … him."
"Lucas," I say, sliding onto a tall chair at the breakfast bar. "His name is Lucas Reed."
She takes the seat next to mine. "I see." A moment of silence. "Are you going to tell him?"
I shake my head, picking at a nonexistent hangnail. "No. I don't think so."
"He has the right to know, dear." Darcy puts a hand over mine.
I flinch. "You'd have me tell him, even though he might try to take her away from you?"
"It would be tough if he insists on taking her. I'm not going to lie about it, but maybe-"
"I'm scared."
"Ava … "