After our talk, I steady myself. “I have to call Nash,” I tell Matt, reaching for the satellite phone again.
Nash answers on the second ring. “I need you at a family meeting now,” I say, my voice leaving no room for argument.
“I've got Hailey with me,” he says, his tone uncertain. “I'll have to bring her.”
I pause for a moment, considering. “That's fine. Get here as soon as you can.”
“We're on our way,” Nash replies. “What's this abou?—”
I hang up before he can finish. He'll know soon enough.
Matt and I get dressed, the gravity of what I'm about to do settling over me. After a cup of calming tea, we step outside intothe cold, the snow crunching underfoot as we head toward the lodge. My heart pounds, growing heavier with each step. The lodge feels distant, not in space but in what it represents—what I'm about to break apart.
As we walk, I spot Finn and Rhys near cabin one, their voices light, unaware of what’s coming. Kane is a little farther back, standing with his arms crossed, watching over everything as usual. They're so calm, so normal, and for a moment, I hesitate. I wish I could freeze time—keep things like this. But I can’t.
Then, over the crisp air, I hear the distant roar of a snowmobile. My heart clenches, and I stop, turning to see Nash approaching. Hailey is bundled up in front of him, her small hands gripping the handlebars as she bounces with excitement. Nash keeps one arm wrapped protectively around her, steering the snowmobile through the deep snow with practiced ease.
He pulls up beside the others, cutting the engine. The low rumble fades, leaving the crunch of snow under Nash’s boots as he swings off and lifts Hailey into his arms. She giggles, oblivious to the tension. Kane steps forward, his brow furrowing as he watches Nash with Hailey, and then he turns toward me as I pause outside the lodge. His eyes flick from me to the group, his instincts already sensing something’s off.
My breath fogs in the cold air, and for a moment, I can’t move. They’re all here now, together. They don’t know yet, and I can’t help but feel the crushing gravity of what I’m about to do. I glance at Matt, who stands beside me, his expression calm but understanding.
“Take your time,” he says.
I hesitate. “I need a minute,” I whisper before I turn and step into the lodge, seeking a moment of solitude.
Inside, the lodge feels warm and inviting, but it does nothing to ease the icy knot in my chest. I walk to the window, staring out at the snow-covered trail that leads back to the cabins.Nash is now talking with Finn and Rhys, Hailey perched on his hip, her innocent laughter carrying through the stillness. Kane lingers off to the side, his watchful eyes following the group before flicking back to the lodge—right toward the window where I’m standing. It’s as though he’s trying to read my mind, piecing together what’s wrong.
The door creaks open, and Matt steps in. He doesn’t say anything, but comes to stand beside me, his nearness a steadying force.
“You’re not alone in this,” he says softly.
I close my eyes for a moment, drawing strength from his words. “It’s time,” I say, mostly to myself.
Taking a deep breath, I turn from the window and head to the lodge’s entrance. As I open the door, the cold air rushes in, a sharp contrast to the coziness inside. “Can you all come in, please?” I call out, my voice sounding steadier than I feel.
They look up, their expressions shifting from lighthearted to concerned as they notice my serious tone. Nash adjusts Hailey in his arms, and Kane’s eyes narrow slightly, his instincts sharpening. Without a word, they make their way toward the lodge, the tension thickening with every step.
As they file in, shaking off snow and stamping their boots, the gravity of what I’m about to say feels almost unbearable. Nash sets Hailey down, and she immediately toddles over to a nearby table. I guide her gently, handing her a few crayons. “Why don’t you draw me something, sweetie?” I say, my voice as soft as I can make it. She smiles, settling into her own little world, her giggles cutting through the heavy atmosphere. My heart aches, knowing the innocence in her eyes will soon be touched by the sadness we're about to share.
Returning to the group, I ready myself for the task ahead. What I'm about to say feels almost tangible, pressing against me. The heat of the lodge does nothing to ease the chill that'ssettled in my bones as I face my family, preparing to change everything.
“What's going on, Eliza?” Kane asks, his eyes shifting between Matt and me. “Don't tell us you're getting married already.”
The lump in my throat grows as I prepare to shatter their world. “No, it's not that. It's ... it's about Mom.”
As I relay Dad's news, I watch my brothers' faces crumble. Each reaction hits hard—Kane's clenched jaw, Reid's slumped shoulders, Rhys's sigh. I feel tears pricking at my eyes, but I blink them back. I have to be strong for them.
“How bad?” Kane asks, his tone rough.
“Terminal,” I say, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. “Dad couldn't bear to repeat it, so he asked me to tell you. He has one request. He wants us to fill her life with love, not sorrow.”
As I continue talking, outlining Dad's wishes and suggesting ways we can support Mom, emotions swirl inside me like a storm—grief for the time we're losing, fear of the uncertain future, determination to make the most of what we have left, and an overwhelming love for my family that practically brings me to my knees.
Through it all, I feel Matt’s quiet reassurance behind me, his silent support giving me strength. As the conversation continues, punctuated by tears, I glance over at Hailey, still happily drawing, unaware of how her world is about to change. The contrast between her innocent joy and our heavy hearts is almost unbearable. But looking at her also reminds me of the importance of hope, of finding joy even in the darkest times. It's what Mom would want for us.
“We stick together,” I say, my resolve growing stronger. “We make plans. We show Mom how much we love her, and we make every moment count.”
As my brothers nod in agreement, a spark of hope ignites within me. We're Hollisters. We'll face this together, like we always have.
