The air was thick with tension as Audrey sat across the table from her mother, her father in between. She flashed a glance behind her at Jake, who was waiting for their order by the counter of the airport's cafe.

She forced a smile that she was sure her parents would realise. It wasn't that she lacked happiness at seeing them. Of course, she was over the moon. But seeing her father in this state brought everything to a head. She'd already been worried about all the lost time, but assumed she'd still have a fair bit of time before they were old and decrepit. Yet this man, her father's empty husk, felt like a premature loss. And she still didn't know what afflicted him. She supposed that's why her mother had suggested coffee.

Jake gingerly walked to the table, arms full of steaming coffee in paper cups. He placed them before each before taking his seat at the square table, nestled between Audrey and Grace, and opposite Audrey's father. He, too, felt the air's tension, so thick he might suffocate, but he held it together for Audrey's sake. She had genuinely surprised him. Normally revelations like this heightened her anxiety, and given her panic attack earlier, he felt proud she was doing so well, so far. Sitting back, he crossed his legs, an ankle resting on his knee as he placed his other arm behind his fiancée, rubbing her back, reassuring her.

He gazed about the table. Both Grace and Audrey wore feigned smiles, but he could see an air of guilt in the older woman's eyes. The older man trembled, grasping at his cup, while his wife smiled and assisted. On the one hand, he felt sad for this couple, and their circumstances, but on the other, he envied their devotion. He hoped that he and Audrey would be lucky enough not to suffer the same fate but hoped for that long-lasting love and loyalty all the same.

Grace caught her daughter's eye. It was clear she was hurting. She watched Audrey taking him in. For weeks she'd grappled with whether to tell her about her father's illness, but in the end, she'd chosen not to, to save her worry. But now, she realised that she'd been mistaken. Not that she could turn back time and change things now. But Audrey deserved answers.

Helping her husband with another sip of his drink, she whispered while remaining focussed on him. "It's Parkinson's."

"Oh," Audrey replied. She'd heard of that before, but what it meant left her baffled. Lost for words, she wracked her mind, trying to find something to say, but she couldn't string a sentence together.

Grace's face shifted; sympathy evident as her gaze settled on her daughter. She reached for her hand across the table, giving it a little squeeze, and smiled warmly. "We've been living with it for quite a while now. I forget most people aren't familiar with his condition."

"How long has he had it?" Audrey asked sheepishly.

With a sigh, Grace replied. "About ten years now, I believe. Does that sound about right, Ed?"

Edward nodded, then tentatively replied with a quiver. "Sounds right."

Jake studied Audrey attentively as the cogs seemed to roll in her mind. He, too, had no clue about Parkinson's disease, and was curious. On behalf of both, he spoke up. "You'll have to excuse my ignorance, but I don't really know anything about Parkinson's disease." He leaned in towards them, resting his elbows on the table. "Can you tell me - us - a little more about it?" His eyes flickered between Grace and Ed's, trying not to sound rude, despite his lack of knowledge about the topic.

"Of course," Grace replied sweetly. Turning to her husband, she offered him the choice to explain, but as a man of few words, he proffered the task back to his wife.

They listened intently as Grace explained about Ed's tremor, and how it had impacted his ability to walk long distances, hence the wheelchair. She continued explaining the other aspects of the disease, and how it had progressed over time, before reciting what his specialist had told of what will come. The medication, helping to mask the symptoms and prolong his decline, was intriguing for Audrey. But the revelation that there was no cure crushed her heart. It pained her, hearing it all, especially for the next stage - whenever that might come.

Finishing his coffee, Jake spoke. "We'd better get a move on. We've still got a fair drive ahead of us."

And as they gathered their belongings, Audrey pushed her father towards the car. Time was draining quickly. The urgency gnawed at her, and she knew now, more than ever, that there was literally no time like the present.

As Jake drove through the winding streets, back to the highway, he navigated their guests back towards Lakeview Hollow. They chatted for a while before the car grew quiet and the others fell into a lulled nap. Ascending the mountains, he enjoyed the drive, backdropped by the setting sun with its orange and pink hues.

The town was covered in starry skies when they arrived back at the mansion. With a gentle hand to her shoulder, Audrey woke. Over her shoulder, she glanced at her parents, and gently woke them.

Grace's fuzzy gaze set on her daughter, than moved beyond the windshield. Her eyes grew wide as she took in the home.

"Oh my, Audrey. You've truly outdone yourself," she said proudly.

Audrey couldn't help but grin from ear to ear, as she jumped from her seat to help her parents. Following behind, Jake gathered their suitcases.

Arm in arm, Audrey helped her father navigate the front steps. As they neared the entrance, the door swung open, banging against the wall with gusto.

Standing in the centre of the doorway was Aislinn. At first, she was silent, lost for words, as she perused the two elderly figures approaching her. Grace and Ed both stood still, as if they were glued to the spot. Audrey observed closely, holding her breath that this first meeting would be all that she'd hoped for her daughter, and for her parents.

Something sparkled in Aislinn's eyes, smiling like a Cheshire cat.

"Grandma? Grandad?" she said, sounding more like a question than a greeting.

"Aislinn?" Grace replied similarly.

She nodded, stepping aside. With her arm spread wide and inviting her grandparents inside, she greeted them, "Welcome to Serenity B&B".

Audrey and Jake looked at each other, perplexed about this turn of events. They had discussed figuring out a name for the B&B, but they hadn't so far as come up with a long list, let alone a short list. And they certainly hadn't agreed on that name. It was the first that either of them had heard of it. Yet, it was a good name, and it did replicate what they wanted to achieve with the place. With an unspoken look, they agreed. Aislinn was something special indeed, and she'd somehow selected a name that was perfect in every way. Serenity B&B it was.