"Thank you again for coming out to meet with us, it really does mean a lot."

"No, thank you for having me," I replied earnestly, pulling the liftgate closed with a heavy thud. "Being so removed, I forgot how fun different celebrations could be."

Even though I got beaned by a ball, tackled into a lake, and had an existential crisis about my taste in men. But they don't need to know that, I added mentally.

"I've scanned over the contract to my team and your representative should be out in about three days or so," I smiled, extending my hand to Roger then to Laura.

There was a small awkward pause before Roger spoke again. "Uh... please drive safe, Allison," he said, lingering between the SUV and his mate as if unsure what to do.

"That's the plan," I replied with a polite smile and nod of my head.

He opened his mouth like he wanted to say more—something kind or apologetic maybe—then settled for a stiff nod instead. I returned it, the silence between us a little too practiced to be unfamiliar.

Laura shifted her weight slightly, balancing a sleepy twin on each hip. One of them stirred, letting out a little whine of protest, and Roger instinctively reached out at the same moment Laura adjusted her grip. His hand met hers briefly as she passed the little boy over to him.

Their exchange was seamless, almost practiced. They didn't look at each other, but they didn't have to. The rhythm was there.

I turned away before the ache in my chest had time to wake up once more and fully remind me of its painful presence.

Just as I was going to turn to my car, I heard the front door to the pack house bang open and the sound of feet thudded heavily against the decking.

"Wait!" called Giselle, skidding to a halt behind my car. "You forgot your crown!"

My crown? I thought, as she held out her hands, palms up. She held a lopsided daisy chain as if it were pure gold.

"I tried watching you work, and copied what I remembered," she said sheepishly. "You... you don't have to take it if you don't want to."

I smiled warmly and knelt down. "Why wouldn't I want it? It's the most magical flower crown I've ever been given. Would you rather I wear it now or stash it for safe keeping?"

"Wear it now!" piped up Mae as she rounded the back of the car holding her middle sister's hand.

"As you wish, my princesses," I grinned, giving as much of a bow as I could while on one knee.

"I wanna do it!" Eva announced like she was claiming sovereign rights.

"I made it," Giselle huffed, already offended on principle.

"Girls," warned Laura, "let's play nice."

"How about," I said, adding to Laura's words, "all three of you place the crown on my head? That way I'm mega blessed and it's that much more special? Think it's a good idea?"

Giselle and Eva stared at each other for a moment before shrugging almost simultaneously.

"I help too!" interjected Mae, shoving forward. After a moment of unhappy jostling, the crown made it safely onto my head.

"Thank you ladies," I said. I could feel my cheeks flushing slightly. "Can I give you three a hug?"

Mae immediately held her arms up before either of her sisters could react. "I wuhv joo," she said, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I couldn't help but hug her slightly tighter.

"Aww kiddo, I love you too. Make sure you're a good girl, ok?" I replied, blinking quickly to get rid of any tears that threatened to form. I gave another quick squeeze before releasing her.

"Me next!" clamored Eva, all but hip checking Giselle aside, and giving me a tackle hug that nearly knocked me over. "Thank you for being nice to us," she mumbled into my shoulder.

The words caught me off guard. Simple. Honest. And far heavier than they had any right to be. Kids don't say things like that unless someone else... wasn't.

I swallowed hard and hugged her tighter. I didn't say anything at first — I couldn't. Not without letting too much slip through.

"You're very welcome," I finally whispered.

As Eva pulled back, I noticed Giselle standing off to the side, fiddling with the hem of her shirt and shifting her weight from foot to foot. She wasn't rushing in like the others, just watching.