“His new place. He’s taking over Ella’s lease in town.”

“You sneaky devils.”

“I’m really sorry, Lu. I didn’t mean to totally punch out while you had Simone.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. That’s exactly what you should do when I have her. You never get a break. You’d be crazy not to take full advantage of me while you can. Besides, Colton and I love being with her. She’s never a burden to us.”

“Even when her elbow is dislocated?”

“Especially then.”

Emma reached out to stroke Simone’s silky red hair that was so much like Lucy’s. “Did she cry?”

“Um, how to answer that without adding to your guilt?”

“Poor baby. Poor you, too.”

“I was a disaster. Colton was the hero. He was great with her.”

“He’s going to be an awesome dad someday.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Emma turned to her sister. “That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement.”

“He will be great. I just wonder if it’s ever going to happen. We never talk about it anymore.”

“Like ever?”

Lucy shook her head. “It would come up once in a while when we were first engaged, but it’s been months since we last talked about the future.”

“Have you asked him what he’s thinking?”

After a long pause, Lucy said, “It’s weird because I feel like I can talk to him about anything—except this. Any time I try to bring it up, I freeze.”

“You want the fairy tale, and you need to tell him that.”

Lucy scowled. “I’m a modern kind of girl. Who needs fairy tales?”

“You do, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting that, especially since your relationship with him has already been right out of a fairy tale.”

“I still feel silly.”

Grayson appeared in the doorway, seeming uncertain of his welcome. “How is she?”

“Out cold,” Emma said.

“Could I see her?”

Touched that he would ask, she said, “Sure. Come on in.”

Lucy stood to make room for him. “I’ll be downstairs if you need me. I hear people are coming over for the annual holiday game night tonight.”

“Ah, yes, the dog-eat-dog blood sport known as Abbott game night,” Grayson said. “It’s got to be seen to be believed.”

“Looking forward to it,” Lucy said on her way out of the room.

Grayson came over to the bed and reached out to touch Simone’s hair. “She’s so beautiful,” he said softly. “Just like her mother.” He glanced at Emma. “Are you okay?”

“I’ve been better.”

He sat next to her, taking Lucy’s spot and putting his arm around her. “I’m sorry this happened while we were off the grid.”

“It’s not your fault. It was an accident. I’m just thankful Lucy was with her. She’s the next best thing.”