Leo slumped onto the sofa with a thump. Exhaustion didn't describe how he felt. Even with a newborn or immediately after the accident, he hadn't felt as depleted. Aside from the events of the previous days, he had also been afraid to sleep. How could he have a nightmare with Cody next to him? He had to protect his son at all costs.

His mother was the last to enter the hotel suite. She had been so strong supporting him since his parents arrived the day after Autumn passed. His father sat down at the other end of the sofa.

"It was a very nice service. I'm proud of you, son."

Leo felt too weak to nod. Cody climbed onto his lap. Autumn's son felt like a blanket for his battered heart. Riley sat between them and leaned against her granddad. She had handled the events better than Leo.

She told her maternal grandmother that she wouldn't miss her mother more or less. "She stopped doing my hair and hugging me a long time ago. I do my own hair now."

It was true. Even when she struggled she never let Leo or the nanny take care of it.

Leo shut his eyes. His mother-in-law had been gracious to him after the emotions of the first night. He brought her grandchildren to her, and she didn't exclude Leo from the planning. Hopefully, Autumn would forgive him for so many things, divorcing her, Reagan. He cringed. Isla's influence made him regret cheating on Autumn. He hoped his wife would understand his decision to not fight her mother one last time. His wife's shell had been placed in the ground rather than sprinkled among nature. They celebrated Autumn's life in her mother's church which she had hated. Leo allowed all of it in exchange Percy convinced his mother to include Leo as her husband in the obituary. She also allowed Leo to speak. Percy again reminded her how Leo had been her best friend.

Eulogizing his wife was harder than the toughest negotiation. He stood in front of some old friends and strangers, but directed his words to his children. There was a sense of closure in celebrating her life. He didn't speak about what came after her fall and knew it was the first of many times he would share with Riley and Cody.

His mother whispered to Isla who nodded. Maggie turned around. "Is anyone hungry?"

There had been food at the reception following the burial. Leo hadn't eaten anything. He didn't notice if his kids had. Was he hungry? He had eaten very little since Percy's call.

Riley said, "Me."

Maggie said, "Leo?"

"I can try. I'm exhausted."

"I know. The children are going to have a sleepover in our suite tonight so you can rest."

He felt some tension leave his body. Except to shower, he hadn't been alone in days. Maybe food and rest was exactly what he needed. Isla busied herself in the kitchen area. She had been a godsend, but except for the first day he could have left her at home. She hadn't visited the maternal grandparents with them, but she had attended the funeral and sat at the end next to his father. The children sat between him and his mother.

As he took a plate from his mother, his stomach growled. It was the first time he felt hungry. He kept telling himself he would be fine when they returned home. Thankfully, their flight was the next day. No one spoke as they ate. A knock at the door broke the silence and caused him to jump.

His mother answered, and he was surprised to see Percy with his mother. Cody had been chanting their room number 3-2-1. The older woman looked around the room. Leo wondered what she saw. The sofa was cramped with two men and Riley eating. Cody sat at the small table with his mother. Isla stood at the counter.

Leo put his plate down and summoned the energy to stand. Percy approached and grabbed his shoulder. "Man, you look like shh..."

Leo shrugged and turned to the other guest. She looked older in the past two days, and had aged about ten years in the past three. "I wanted to say goodbye to my grandchildren and speak to you for a moment."

He nodded as Bill stood and reached into his pocket. He held out his room key. "Here. For privacy."

His parent's room was down the hall. Leo felt uncomfortable as he led the woman, he had been at odds with for years, down the hall. Once behind closed doors he motioned for her to sit in the small living room.

When she shook her head, he sighed and sat down. "We're both too tired to fight or stand. I expected more closure than pain, but I wasn't prepared."

"I know you think I'm selfish, but I loved her so much."

Leo nodded. "I know. I loved her too. She was my everything, my partner, my wife."

"I wanted to give you this." She held out Autumn's wedding band. "It belongs to you."

"I thought it was stolen." Autumn had worn it hiking and the first hospital removed it. Leo had returned it to her finger when they moved her to the facility after it became clear she would never recover. One day after he filed for divorce it had disappeared.

She shook her head. "I was angry with you."

"And I was angry with you. I'm angry with myself for staying home or letting her go at all. I regret the divorce, but you backed me against the wall. I know in my heart she never wanted to be trapped in her body for all that time."

"I couldn't do it. Please forgive me enough for my grandchildren. They're a part of her."

Leo whispered, "Riley reminds me of her more and more. We are happy out east. It took time. You can visit, and if our schedule allows a trip west..."

"I deserve it."

"It's a long trip and with school. If I have business in the summer, maybe."

She nodded and turned to the door. "I'd like to say goodbye."

Silently they returned to the crowded hotel room. Percy was leaning against the counter talking to Ilsa.

His parents stood and said goodbye to his mother-in-law before leaving. He appreciated them giving the other grandmother space.

Percy turned to him. "You are lucky to have found Isla."

Isla looked down, which reminded him of wool. "She's amazing with the kids."

Percy smiled a crafty smile. If Leo read his mind, his friend remembered the accusation over the summer. She was an amazing nanny, and the last thing he wanted was to make Ilsa feel uncomfortable. He had used her for comfort without giving her anything in return. How could he when he was crying over his wife? For months, he laid in bed wishing Isla wasn't so religious. His divorce was null and void, but it didn't seem right.

Percy turned to the kids. "You're lucky to have a nice nanny." Percy's mother's eyes narrowed and Leo felt guilty for something he hadn't done.

Riley smiled. "We love her. She's teaching me to cook and takes us to..." Please don't say church. "... pick up daddy at the train every night."

Percy looked at Leo. "Train?"

He shrugged. "It's a twenty-minute ride in and out of Boston. It would take me twice that to drive and then pay to park. You've heard of traffic. At least the air is clear."

"But cold." Percy made a face.

"We like snow, Uncle Percy. It's fun." Riley had done an one-eighty since Isla. Before her, she complained she missed California.

"That's good, Rye-ster. You've grown so much." Percy's face didn't hide his grief as he looked at his niece. "You look just like her."

"She can see us now. I can feel her if I'm really still."

Her grandmother said, "Who told you that?" Her voice had an edge to it.

"Isla did. Her grandmother died and when Isla was sad she gave her courage."

Leo looked at Isla who looked at the floor, most likely hoping it would swallow her up. He believed it too. It was the reason he wanted to set her free. "Riley, she's always in your heart. Cody, you too. She loved you both so much."

So much, it was a big deal to leave them that day, especially Cody. At just three, he was still a baby with chubby cheeks and thighs. He grew up fast and three became six in a flash.

"I love you too, my darlings." Riley hugged her grandmother. More guilt for Leo because Cody didn't remember her. Cody yawned, they had kept their schedules close to the eastern time zone. "Are you tired, Cody?"

Percy said, "Leo pretends it's three hours later."

"Then it would be ten o'clock. I'll say goodbye." She held on tight before letting go.

When she looked at Leo, he said, "Thank you." She nodded. He'd let her decide what he meant.

Percy hugged him and the kids. "You'll come out for the movie premiere."

Riley hugged her uncle. "Thank you!" Children were resilient. Why did he worry so much?

After their guests left, he settled the kids down on the pullout bed in his parent's suite. His mother hugged him before he left. "Get some sleep. Don't worry about us. When do you head to the airport?"

"Not until nine." They would arrive home in time for bed.

When he returned to his own room, the door to the girl's room was closed. Leo turned to his room, showered and slipped into bed. Before he turned on his side, he set the alarm on his phone.

He heard screaming and tried to run toward it. His feet were heavy, but he reached the sound, a coffin. He lifted the lid and Autumn stood up and yelled, "Why didn't you save me. I've been in prison and no one heard my screams. My mother cried all day, and you vanished. My husband vanished when I needed him. He begged for her to forgive him. He cried, and she cried. She finally hugged him and he didn't want to let go and whispered he loved her. He felt a peace together until a bright light appeared and she stood up. As she stepped towards it, he begged her not to go. "Don't leave me. I love you. Please, don't go. Autumn, no!"

"Leo. Leo. Wake up, you're okay."

He didn't want to open his eyes until Autumn was gone, but the light became too bright. He woke to see Isla leaning over him shaking his shoulders. The room was bright. Isla's hair fell down around her face.

"What time is it?"

She straightened herself and sat next to him on the bed. "Seven."

"I slept all night."

"Somehow. You were yelling but I couldn't wake you."

"Did I? Did I stop?"

She nodded. "You slept."

He looked at her. Her feet were under the covers. "Isla, I dreamt I was holding Autumn. Was it you?"

"You wouldn't let go. I was glad you were sleeping."

"Did you?"

She nodded. "After you relaxed."

"Thank you. You keep saving me."

"You saved me, so..."

He sat up. "We're even." His alarm sounded. "Time to get up. I never expected to sleep this long."

She stood up and left his room. He ran his hand through his hair trying to remember and groaned. He had kept telling Autumn he loved her. Poor Isla must have heard him.

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