So, in typical Easter Sunday fashion for her, she ignores them all in favor of hanging out with her nieces and nephews. It’s the best part of any holiday, as far as she’s concerned.

She’s laying on her back in the grass – ignoring her mom’s shouts about grass stains because, “I do my own laundry now, mom!” – as she alternates hoisting Connor and Erin, as the youngest of the brood, up into the air with her feet, allowing them to put their arms out like airplanes.

She grabs Erin’s hands to balance her as she jiggles her feet, and her niece giggles loudly. “Dear passengers, we’re experiencing a bit of turbulence. You’d better hold on for dear life!”

She very nearly drops Erin when Hannah appears above her. “I hate to interrupt, but can I steal your aunt for a second?” Hannah’s voice is soft and sweet as she talks to Erin.

Caroline lowers her to the ground and promises to join her for the egg hunt soon, before Erin runs off to join her cousins by the swing set. And Caroline gazes up from where she’s laying on the ground, stupefied for a long moment as she stares. The sun is just behind Hannah’s head from Caroline’s vantage point on the ground, giving her the most ethereal halo, making it seem like her impossibly soft looking blonde locks are glowing.

Quickly, she pushes herself up and brushes herself off, knowing she must look just as surprised as she feels. “What are you doing here?”

Hannah doesn’t look like she did the last time she’d seen her. Her body language doesn’t scream angry or hurt and for that, Caroline almost melts in relief. Almost, because she’s still too anxious.

But Hannah looks anxious herself. “Your mom invited us. And Abbie had so much fun coloring eggs with your nieces and nephews… she doesn’t have any cousins, so –” She breaks off and clears her throat. “But I also wanted to see you.”

“You did?” I wanted to see you too, almost slips out, but she manages to keep it in. What’s the point in saying it when she’s realized she kind of always wants to see Hannah?

Hannah nods and tangles her hands in front of her, before she pushes out. “I don’t ever want Abbie used as a bargaining tool. That’s not – she’s my daughter. I don’t care about anything else in this divorce.”

Caroline has thought about little else in the last few days, but Hannah doesn’t give her a moment to say any of the apologies she’s thought of.