12 Days of Forever(2)

This is exactly why I needed a break. My head is swimming, and I know that once I see everyone, after I give it a few days, my mind will be back to where it needs to be: focused on my goal. I’ll be levelheaded and fully functional when I return to New York after New Year’s. Oliver won’t know what hit him when I take the stage. I’ll be in shape, just the way he expects me to be. I’ll be en pointe and deliver every step of the routine without faltering.

I pull my hire car into the driveway and park. The lights are on in the house, and there are shadows moving behind the curtains. Harrison is probably wondering who just pulled into his driveway so late. He’s going to be worried, scared even, that something is wrong. I’ve never shown up unannounced before. This is out of the norm.

Harrison and Katelyn’s house is huge. Her former father-in-law gave it to her so her girls could live in the house in which their father was raised. My brother is the most generous man I know. From the pictures I’ve seen, there are family photos of Katelyn’s former husband everywhere, and he’s talked about all the time. Ever decision they make, they do so with Mason’s beliefs in mind. My brother has made it his mission to keep Mason’s spirit alive for the twins. And I think for Katelyn and Liam, too. I’m not sure there are too many men out there that would do that. When I think about it, Oliver would be completely against how Harrison lives. Maybe that’s a sign he’s not for me.

Before I can put one foot on the step, the front door opens and the tall, looming figure of my brother emerges.

“Yvie? What are you doing here?”

I shrug and take the steps until I’m level with him. “I needed a break, I guess.”

Harrison gives me a half smile. “So you thought you’d come to a house with three loud kids?”

I can’t help the tears that start to glisten my eyes.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he questions softly.

“I think I’m homesick. I don’t know. Oliver and I haven’t been getting along and the show is on hiatus until after the New Year. I packed a bag this morning and caught the first available flight out. All I could think about was waking up on Christmas morning with Quinn. The last couple of years have been really hard when he wasn’t home, and I couldn’t bear another year without him.”

Harrison pulls me into his arms, holding me to his chest as tears fall from my eyes. I’m such a girl, crying because I missed everyone. I know most of my emotions are coming from my failed relationship, but seeing Harrison has really brought it all out of me.

“Hey Dad, Mom says we’re not heating the outdoors.”

I pull away at the sound of Quinn’s voice. His eyes go wide and brighten when he sees me. “Auntie Yvie!” he shouts with such joy that my response is stuck in my throat. He’s happy to see me.

Quinn wraps his arms around me just as I bend down. This hug is what I needed. I needed to feel the love that this little boy has for me and to be able to give it back. Maybe this is what I’ve been missing these past few months.

My family.





I bundle the collar of my coat tighter around my neck as I walk against the wind. For the most part the weather is Beaumont is mild, but we do get these days when it’s so cold the wind chills your bones. It only lasts for a few days and right now we’re going on day three of one too many. This is my first winter in Beaumont. I didn’t have a lot of expectations when I moved here, but I was hoping for a calmer winter. I can’t complain though. I have A-list clientele and a thriving business. Being the only gym in town can do that for you, especially when I’m keeping my rates low and my hours flexible. I’m catering to the working class, both men and women.

Beaumont is a mix of blue-and white-collared workers, and I’m working to meet their needs. I’ve been able to hire a full complement of staff, and that enables me to dedicate myself to personal training and physical therapy. Most of this is in part to landing a lucrative deal with local band 4225 West. They’re based out of Beaumont, but I’ll be travelling with them when they go on tour in the spring. It’s mostly due to precaution with their keyboardist, Jimmy Davis. He was shot and almost died when a bullet ripped through his lung. He was in a coma for about a month and had extensive physical therapy to regain his full lung function.

Opening the door to Whimsicality, the scent of Christmas hits me hard. I’ll be staying home during the holidays so I can give my employees the time off. They have families, and all I really have are the Westburys, James’ and Davis’. I’ve been invited to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with them, and I’ve accepted. I enjoy hanging out with them, but it does make me long for something more. My parents married young, and I always thought I’d follow in their footsteps. But life has a funny way of steering you down the path you least expected. I can’t complain though because I’m happy. I own a successful business, some of it thanks to Liam, but mostly because I know what I’m doing.