Her daughter's dark curls framed her head on the pillow as she smiled up at Alara.
"Does it really say that in the book, that the princess went to sleep? Or are you just saying it so that I will?"
Alara chuckled. "It really says it." She opened the book again and ran her finger under the words. Zia's little eyebrows drew together as she followed along—not really reading but at least recognizing the shapes of some of the words.
"Okay, thank you. I'll do like the princess then and go to dreamland."
Alara pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I'll wake you early in the morning. We have to go out."
"We do? Are we going on an adventure? Or… Or do we have to leave now?"
"No, we don't have to leave. Nothing like that. It's just that I have an appointment."
Zia let out a little huff. "I could stay here, you know; Grandpa Grape wouldn't mind."
"Maybe. We'll see. But for now, good night. Get some good sleep, okay?"
"Okay."
Alara hesitated at the door, watching Zia toss and turn until she found a comfortable spot. When she did, she shot her a sleepy smile. "Good night, Mom. See you tomorrow. I love you."
"Love you too, Z."
She left the door open a little. Even though Charles had given them adjoining rooms, it still felt strange, after years of living in the camper, to sleep so far away. She sank down onto her own bed, then forced herself to her feet, knowing that if she didn't wash and undress, she'd fall asleep where she sat.
Once she was ready for bed, she took out her phone—the phone that Reaves had loaned her when she and Zia had set out for Oregon. It had only been a few weeks ago, but it was starting to feel like a different lifetime. She caught herself. She needed to remember that it wasn't a different lifetime. That was her life. This time she was spending here was only a little detour.
It was like one of Zia's stories—as if they'd found their way into a magical kingdom, with a kind old king, and a handsome prince, a place where good things happened and happily ever afters came true.
But like the books, that was a fairytale, and her life had never been one of those. She clicked onto the health insurance website and started to read through the details again, wanting to be prepared for whatever happened tomorrow. At least, thanks to Ollie and the salary he'd been paying her, she didn't need to worry about being able to cover the copay.
She rested the phone on her lap as she stared at the wall. She was grateful, of course she was but the money had never been the scariest part.
Reaves was right, though. Before she stood even a chance of fixing whatever might be wrong with her, she first had to discover what it was. And that process would begin in the morning, at the appointment.
She allowed herself a small smile—the appointment that Reaves would accompany her to.
~ ~ ~
When he arrived home, Reaves stopped at his mailbox in the lobby and was disappointed to find only junk mail. He'd ordered a book of fairytales for Zia, and he'd hoped it might have arrived so that he'd be able to leave it with his dad in the morning. He didn't doubt that the two of them would find plenty to do while he and Alara were at the doctor's appointment, but he figured that reading stories might be a more peaceful option for his dad.
He locked his mailbox and dumped the junk mail in the trash can before approaching the front desk, where Frank the doorman was sitting, smiling at him.
"Evening, Reaves. Have you been flying today?"
"Only this morning. I've been over at Dad's this afternoon."
"And how's he doing?"
"He's doing great, thanks. He sends his best—he always asks me to, when I mention you, but I usually forget. Sorry."
"It's good to know he remembers me. We haven't seen him over here in a while."
"There's not much reason for him to come visit me. I'm over there most days."
Frank winked at him. "That's understandable. How's that girl of yours doing? Her and her little one."
Reaves let out a breath. He should probably protest, clarify that Alara wasn't his girl, but he let it go, only to keep the conversation flowing. No other reason. "Alara seems to be doing better, and Zia's loving being at Dad's place."
