Mia settled between them, one hand holding Lucas's, the other holding Victoria's. Within minutes, she was asleep again. Lucas and Victoria sat on either side of her, not looking at each other. She's right, Victoria said quietly. You do smell good.
Lucas almost laughed. That's what you got from that? I'm trying to lighten the mood. It's not working, Victoria sighed. I know.
They sat in silence. Mia's breathing evened out, deep and steady. The storm continued its assault outside. My parents know, Lucas said finally. About us.
Victoria's head snapped toward him. What? I told them. They asked, and I couldn't lie anymore. What did you say?
The truth. That we dated, that we broke up because of them. Victoria closed her eyes. How did they take it? About as well as you'd expect.
My mom cried. My dad got angry, told me I was an idiot for giving you up. He's not wrong. No, he's not. Victoria looked at Mia sleeping peacefully between them.
She's amazing, you know, your daughter. She's smart and funny and kind. You did good. Thanks, but she's not why you can't move on. You know that, right?
Lucas stiffened. What are you talking about? You use her as an excuse, as a reason to keep everyone at arm's length, but the truth is you're scared. Not of bringing someone into her life, of letting someone into yours. That's not It is, Victoria said firmly.
I know because I do the same thing. I tell myself I'm too busy, too focused on work, too dedicated to my career. But the real reason I'm alone is because I'm terrified. Terrified of feeling what I felt with you and losing it again. Lucas couldn't argue because she was right.
So what do we do? He asked. I don't know. That's not helpful. I don't have helpful right now.
All I have is honest. Mia shifted in her sleep moving closer to Victoria. Victoria froze then carefully put her arm around the girl. The gesture was so natural, so right that it made Lucas's chest ache. She likes you, he said.
I like her, too. If things were different They're not. But if they were Lucas, don't. Victoria's voice cracked. Please don't do this.
Don't make me imagine something we can't have. Why can't we have it? Because She pulled away slightly careful not to wake Mia. Because 7 years is a long time. People change.
We're not the same people we were. So what? We get to know the new versions. It doesn't work like that. Why not?
Victoria stood abruptly. Because I can't go through losing you again. Once almost destroyed me. Twice would finish the job. She walked toward the stairs.
Where are you going? Lucas asked. Anywhere that's not here. Victoria. But she was already gone.
Lucas sat there with his sleeping daughter and wondered when everything had gotten so broken that he didn't even know how to start fixing it. The next morning brought unexpected news. Richard managed to get a weak cell signal near the front window. Just enough to make one call. He reached a plow service that promised to try to clear the main road by evening.
So we might be able to leave tomorrow, Eleanor said relief clear in her voice. Margaret propped up on the couch with blankets and tea nodded weakly. That's good. I need proper medicine and a real bed. You'll have both soon, Richard promised.
Lucas caught Victoria's eye across the room. She looked away quickly. The day passed in a strange limbo. Everyone knew they'd be leaving soon, but no one seemed to know how to act about it. Conversations were stilted.
Silences stretched too long. Even Mia was subdued, picking up on the tension. "Dad, are you mad at Victoria?" she asked while they were cleaning up after lunch. "What?
No. Why would you think that?" "Because you won't look at her, and she won't look at you. That's what happens when people are mad." Lucas scrubbed a plate harder than necessary.
"We're not mad, sweetheart. Just tired." "Oh." Mia didn't sound convinced. "I hope you're not mad, because I think she's sad.
And when people are sad, they need friends." "She has friends." "Not here, she doesn't. Here, she just has us." Lucas looked at his daughter, 7 years old and already wiser than he'd ever be.
"You're right," he said. "She does need a friend." "Then you should be one." "It's not that simple." "Why not?"
"Because I kissed her in the kitchen, and now everything's a mess," Lucas thought. But he couldn't say that. "Grown-up stuff," he said instead. Mia rolled her eyes. "Grown-ups make everything complicated."
"Yeah, we really do." That afternoon, while Mia was napping and the others were occupied, Lucas found himself alone with Eleanor. She was organizing supplies in the kitchen, methodically sorting through what remained of their food. "We'll have just enough if we're careful," she said, more to herself than to him. Lucas grabbed a box from the top shelf for her.
"Here." "Thank you." She set it down, then turned to face him. "Can I ask you something, Lucas?" "Sure."
"Do you blame me for Richard and Margaret's problems?" The question caught him off guard. "What?" "No. Why would I?"
Eleanor leaned against the counter. "Because I'm the one who came into their lives. The therapist who was supposed to help them fix their marriage and instead she gestured vaguely. Instead, I complicated everything. That's not how I see it.
How do you see it? How? Lucas thought about it. I see two people who are struggling and found someone who helped them. Separately and together.
That's not a bad thing. Even if it hurts other people in the process? She was talking about Victoria and him. We hurt ourselves. Lucas said quietly.
You didn't make us break up. We chose that. Eleanor studied him. Victoria told me about what you two gave up. Did she?
She's furious with me, you know. Has been for months. Ever since I told her about Richard and me becoming serious, she thinks I betrayed her somehow. Did you? I don't know.
Eleanor's voice was soft. I didn't mean to. But intentions don't always matter, do they? The damage is the same either way. Lucas didn't know what to say to that.