Million Years Ago by Adel played in the background.

A song that took Jody back to a time long gone.

Usually, she would wait for a good track to finish. Take another round in the neighborhood before parking by the house, but today she did not.

She drove straight into the driveway, slowly parking in front of the garage.

I know I'm not the only one
Who regrets the things they've done
Sometimes I just feel it's only me
Who never became who they thought they'd be
I wish I could live a little more.
Look up to the sky, not just the floor
I feel like my life is flashing by
And all I can do is watch and cry
I miss the air, I miss my friends
I miss my mother, I miss it when
Life was a party to be thrown
But that was a million years ago
A million years ago

In a state of sudden awakening, she raced the lyrics, clicking off the radio button before turning the car switch, killing the engine, hand clenching the colorful beads of the rattling keychain.

"A million years ago," her smothered voice whispered in the sullen silence of the closed space.

Hollow.

That is how she felt at that moment and every moment since Alex's departure four years ago.

The song brought him back in a way she did not expect, ripping open her unhealed wounds, resurrecting the past.

She missed how it was. She missed him, her old Alex, the love of her life, and the father of her three children. The man she thought she would grow old with.

For so long, she has resisted acknowledging her emotions, for he was unworthy of any, forcing herself to move on, to forget, miserably failing.

She exhaled, closing her eyes, her head on the headrest, clearing her mind, imagining the ebbing beachside, the bright sunlight on her closed eyelids, her nostrils breathing the mist of the salty waves crashing by.

It was those little stolen moments of daydreams that kept her calm. Helping her to carry on, baring the tremendous pressures life weighed on her. 

She opened her eyes, sight falling on the blinking clock on the panel.

Dinner! I am late, again!

With a deep breath, she extended her arm, snatching the large brown-leather purse from the seat next to her, opening the door with the other, stepping out, slamming it behind her, two loud beeps of its lock piercing her ears.

Jody's tired legs ascended the steps of the porch, crossing the tea party her daughter's dolls appeared to be having, marching towards the glazed red front door. She buried her feelings, putting on a smile.

And as her palm wrapped around the cold, smooth metallic doorknob, she smiled, burying all that she felt deep within her because behind that door, mischievous as they may be, her kids anxiously awaited the return of their superhero mother, capable of it all. 

Love she had to give and strength she had to fake.

She turned the knob, and the door clicked open. A blast of red confetti blinded her as soon as she stepped in.

'HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!'

Gaping, Jody held both hands to her chest, words failing her, moist eyes lost in her children's excited faces.

Valentines! Today? She had absolutely forgotten. She had no reason to remember.

Irene, her youngest, thudded to her, hugging her leg,

"Did we scare you, Mummy?"

Jody crouched, her eyes locked on her daughter's, unable to stop the hot tears from coursing down her cheeks,

"No, baby girl. I am so happy," she said, gently brushing her bangs, landing a kiss on her forehead before standing.

"We got you a cake too, Mum. It's red velvet, your favorite!" said Dave, her son, who, under the orange hues of the setting sun penetrating the great room's large window, appeared taller, a hint of a mustache above his upper lip.

"Aunt Luise and Mr. Miller helped with the decorations, so don't worry. We did not climb the step ladder," said Diana, her eldest, detaching herself from her aunt's wrapping arm, stepping forward, placing a hand over the back of the long grey sofa, hanging decorations twirling above her from the ceiling.

She was suddenly aware of the music playing in the background.

Her sister approached, taking the purse off her shoulder, "Happy Valentine, lil sis," she uttered, bashing it on the bench by the entrance before returning to face her, slowly picking the heart-shaped confetti from her hair. "Be nice to our guest, please," said Luise smiling, barely audible, "I've asked for his help for a reason," she winked, "It's time to move on."

With a kiss, Luise backed away, "The kids wanted to cheer you up," she uttered, turning at them,  her hands expressively waving, "They've noticed how hard you've been working lately and thought 'what's better than be our mum's valentine!'"

"Thank you..." her voice shook, heart thudding in her chest, panicked gaze searching the room's corners.

Luise placed a hand on her shoulder; eyes rolled in the kid's direction.

Jody focused, wiping the tears off her flushed cheeks, "Thank you, all of you. I love you so very much!"

Dave and Diana rushed to hug her, joined by Irene. They rained her with their kisses as she giggled, tightly hugging the three of them to her chest for a long moment.

"Who'll get the cake first?" challenged Dave.

The three of them slipped out of her grip, racing each other to the kitchen. Only then did she notice the man standing by the archway leading to it, arms crossed, delightfully dodging their passing.

"Don't drop the cake!" shouted Luise at the top of her lungs before meeting Mr. Miller's gaze coyly smiling, "Tyler, I did not wish for you to witness the demonic side of me." she chuckled, hands on her waist.

"I can relate," he said, walking closer to them, "My sister's kids drive me nuts too." he laughed, hands in the pockets of his pale blue denim jeans.

"Thank you, Mr. Miller, for your help," said Jody, tucking a strand behind her ear, feeling her bob, hazel eyes tracing the glimmering streaks of grey hairs around his temples.

"Don't mention it," he smiled, "Please, call me Tyler."

"I apologize for not properly welcoming you into the neighborhood." Her cheeks flushed a bright crimson, cursing her sister for putting her in such a situation.

"No worries, I know how hectic it can be. It isn't easy being a single mum, who is at the same time a nurse! I salute you for it all."  

"As truthful your words are, I still can't forgive myself. After all, it is what a good neighbor should do!"

"You can make it up to him now." said Luise, glancing between them, sight landing on her sister, "Dinner! Invite him to it, and to some of that cake, which I fear I'm unable to taste," she glanced at her watch, "Charlie is probably home waiting for me, I have to go."

"Luise is right, Tyler. Stay for dinner. It's the least I can do to thank you."

He scratched his head, "It's your Valentine with the kids. I should not force my presence. Maybe some other time."

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Tyler. The kids have probably devoured that cake and headed back to their rooms," said Luise, a hand on the ajar door. 

"Alright, If you insist."

"Great!" she burst, closing the door behind her, the sound of her heels echoing through the door till it disappeared.

A moment of stillness forced its self between them.

"Shall we go in and eat some of that cake?" She looked into his deep blue eyes.

"Sure, if any was left!" he chuckled.