Leo woke with a start covered in a pool of sweat. He had dreamed he was sitting next to Autumn, and she woke up. When he repeated all the things he told her, she grew angry when he mentioned Reagan. He kept saying he was sorry and he loved her. When he mentioned they were divorced her bed fell through the floor. It morphed into the vision of her falling off the cliff which haunted his dreams.

He rolled over. It was five am, eight at home. His heart pounded, and he knew he wouldn't go back to sleep, so he sat up. School had started and Isla had her daily Mass. Life went on, but he felt cemented in the past. A part of him regretted his visit but would had regretted it if he hadn't gone.

"Not tonight," he said to himself.

He got up and pulled out his laptop. His stomach interrupted his work, it thought he missed breakfast. He showered and dressed in order to go to the hotel's restaurant. He was one of a few patrons and received his bagel quickly. A large screen aired CNN which kept him occupied, but he missed Riley complaining and Cody announcing he tied his shoes. His visit to Autumn had left his heart battered. Meanwhile, on the television politicians were playing the blame game. Life continued on.

He returned to his room and checked in with Chelsea at the office. He had filled her email inbox. After hanging up, he called his house. It rang four times before Isla answered.

"Hi. It's Leo."

"In California."

Leo chuckled. "Yes. It's not even nine, and I feel like it's almost time for lunch."

"I struggle with daylight savings. I wouldn't want to travel out of the time zone."

Leo smiled. "Not even for a vacation?"

"When would I go on vacation?"

With us. Visions of her in the pool filled his mind. "Is everything going okay at home?"

"Fine. They're at school. I'm cleaning. They miss you."

"I miss them too." He would have liked a hug after his visit.

"Riley. Riley said." Isla's voice cracked.

Leo waited. After a few seconds, he asked, "What did Riley say?"

"You will see her mother." Her voice trailed off.

"I did last night. It was something I needed to do."

"Do you still love her?" Her question was faint across her lips.

"I will always love her."

Her voice grew stronger. "Why did you get divorced?"

Leo held his secrets close. "It's complicated. You may not understand. I wouldn't want you to think less of me."

"Why would I ever think anything like that? You are a kind person and a good father."

But the church opposed divorce. "I'm not religious like you."

"Why?"

"Also complicated."

"Faith can be."

Her faith appeared straight forward and unwavering. "Why did you leave Philly? What did you run from?"

"It's complicated."

He laughed. "We are a pair. I need to get ready for my meeting. Isla, thanks for caring for my kids."

"I love them." The smile in her voice came through.

He met Matthew in the lobby to wait for the car to take them to the studio.

Matthew smiled, "I've put in a full day already."

"Me too. I'm ready for lunch."

Matthew laughed and nodded.

The car arrived promptly, and Percy was waiting for them when they stepped out in front of an office building. It had been over a year since he had seen his brother-in-law. The studio exec promised to visit but never took time off. He used to. Autumn's fall turned her brother into a workaholic. Did he have visions at night too?

Percy grasped his hand. "You look good. Not as pale as I expected."

Leo laughed. "Should have seen me this winter." He turned to the man beside him. "Matthew Clark."

Percy introduced himself. "You look like you live in California."

Matthew laughed. "I live on the beach. My hours are flexible."

The three men laughed. "Let's hope we're as cordial at the end of the week. Leo and I used to be very competitive." Percy joked with his usual charisma.

Hiking. Leo felt the color drain from his face. No one noticed as they stepped inside. An assistant appeared once they entered a conference room and asked if they wanted coffee.

Both asked for water. Leo said, "We'll need to break early for lunch. Both of us have been up for hours."

Percy laughed and mumbled, "East Coast." He straightened himself. "Our writer will be here this afternoon. We need to hash out some nuts and bolts first."

As they settled into business, Leo loved the pulse it invigorated him. Work could keep his mind focused. It had saved him, so he could cope in the early days after Autumn's prognosis.

The discussions stayed high level on the first day, and they broke early. Percy wanted to grab dinner with him.

Leo said, "At the hotel. I need to call the kids before bed."

Percy looked at his watch. "I have some urgent calls. Seven?"

Leo shook his head. "I can't wait three hours. Tomorrow then."

Even before his sister's accident, Percy worked a lot. Leo had been certain Percy would cancel out on the trip he and Autumn had planned. Leo's ankle was sore from a tough climb at the rock gym, so he had been glad to stay with the kids. His mother-in-law would have watched them, but she always insisted on taking them to church. Once she had left Cody in the church nursery, and he ended up with the infection, RSV, and was hospitalized. It was scary to see a seven-month-old so very sick. His relationship with her mother had always been strained. If only he were there, maybe he would have changed everything.

Percy winked. "We'll get the early bird special."

Leo laughed. "Save you some money. I expect you to expense it."

Back in his room, he spoke to Riley and Cody. He heard about their day. Riley complained it was too hot for school. Summer vacation was two weeks away. Leo doubted it was as hot as in LA.

He sighed. "Riley, school's almost through."

"Can Lucy swim after school? Please, Dad."

He had never let friends swim when a nanny was in charge. "I don't know. I need to discuss it with Isla. Tell her to call me when you're in bed."

He ordered room service and watched TV. Other than movie night and some sports, he rarely sat in front of the television; he preferred to read. When he read for pleasure, he liked nonfiction. Austin had given him a few interesting books. He flipped and settled on the history channel to watch a show on the building of the Golden Gate Bridge.

He had switched to the news when his phone rang. Isla's voice greeted him. "Riley told me to call."

"She's begging for Lucy to swim. How do you feel about being responsible for another child?"

"She's a nice girl."

He smiled. Lucy's personality wasn't his concern. "Last summer, I didn't let them have friends swim unless I was home, but it was a battle. I didn't trust the agency nannies. You're different."

"I am? Why?"

"Because." He bit his lip. "Because you're family."

"Family. Me?"

"Yeah, you live with us, and eat with us. The kids love you."

She sniffed. "I haven't had a family in so long."

"Isla. Who did you run from? Not a boyfriend, but who? And why won't they be looking for you?"

"Because I'm an adult. I left where I was living. I didn't want to go back, so I took the first train."

Leo sat up. "You came to Boston, because it was the first train."

"Yes."

"Boy, am I lucky fate intervened. I would still be without a nanny."

"You believe in fate, but question your faith."

"Fate isn't always good and has punched me in the face a few times." Kicked me in the groin too. "But it benefited me when I chose the diner that night."

"Me too."

He slid down the bed to be more comfortable. "Isla, do you trust me?"

"Yes." Her voice was soft.

"Please tell me. I won't judge."

He heard her breathing. "When I graduated high school, one of my teachers, a sister, gave me a job and a bed. My job was to cook and clean and take care of the older sisters."

Leo's jaw dropped, as unexpected as it was, it explained so much - her clothes, innocence, religiousness. "You lived in a convent. Were you a nun?"

"No, some of the sisters wanted me to be. Sister Agnes protected me until she passed. I tried, but I didn't have the calling."

"The sisters aren't worried about you?"

"I left a note. I knew I needed to leave or I would go back. I didn't think about where I would live."

He smiled. "See fate. I'm lucky you are wonderful with children."

"I didn't know until I met Riley and Cody. They are easy to love. What happened to their mother?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because a mother would fight for Riley and Cody."

Leo sighed. "She would if she could." He said too much.

"Some in the order worked with the addicted."

"No! Autumn would never touch drugs! It's late for you. Goodnight."

It was close to ten o'clock for Isla. He felt tired but had lain awake wondering if he should tell Isla his secret. He regretted his divorce. If he wasn't so stubborn, he could have given in to Autumn's mother. He had to protect his kids from a publicized court battle. His career could have suffered too, but also there were the financial implications. He had a college friend who got a divorce, but reunited a few years later. Leo's divorce was final. He let Autumn down in sickness. Isla's pure mind would never understand.

He tossed and turned and dreamed of Isla falling.

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