Savannah gazed through the window, shifting in her seat as the engines roared and their plane touched down. The aircraft slowed, the murmur of voices filling the cabin, along with the bleats of cell phones as the aircraft turned for the short taxi to the Logan International Airport terminal.

She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, holding onto the vivid memories of long sunny days at sea. It had required some serious sweet talk, along with major support and encouragement from her Uncle Tom, but Savannah coerced her dad into allowing her adventure. Tom's endorsement had filled her with confidence. Savannah is a mature young woman, Aiden. She's seventeen. You spent years away from your family, starting at a much younger age, and you managed just fine.

Not that her dad worried needlessly—he had solid reasons for concern. But, he'd understood her longing to experience life and become self-reliant, and after some discussion, they'd reached a happy compromise.

She'd never regret the three months away from home. As part of a small, but tight-knit sailboat crew, she'd shared the on-board duties in addition to studying Greek history, mythology, marine biology, and earning valuable sailing certifications. All with one of her best friends at her side.

A smile touched Savannah's lips as she studied the handsome young man who'd risen to retrieve their backpacks from the overhead bin.

"I'm sad we're home," Justin said in a deep low voice, a dimple appearing as he rewarded her with a heart-stopping grin. He'd morphed from the cute teenage boy Savannah had dated at fifteen into an attractive fully grown man. "But it's great your dad is allowing me to stay in Boston for a few days."

"Thanks, sweetie." She accepted her bag. "You do realize it's your reward for taking care of me while we were overseas. If you hadn't come, I swear he would've said no! Like he doesn't trust me to take care of myself!"

Fresh air rushed into the cabin as a crew member opened the outer door. They joined the crowd of eager passengers traipsing through the jet-way.

"It wasn't about trust." Justin frowned. "You've had several rough years, and he didn't want you to be alone, halfway around the world. With the panic att—"

"Don't remind me." She smacked his arm. "Besides, I kept it all under control."

"You did great." Justin nodded, his expression remaining serious. "I've noticed a huge change in how you handle things."

Savannah entwined their fingers, giving his a light squeeze. No doubt his words were sincere. During their three months abroad, she'd nurtured her inner strength, focusing on each new experience, refusing to waste a moment of the unique opportunity she'd been granted. Personal growth, her therapist would call it. For Savannah, it equaled a new perspective and appreciation of everything and everyone in her life.

Justin pulled her aside as they stepped onto the main concourse. "I meant every word, Savannah. And, I respect your dad for taking care of you. When you left Portland to live with a virtual stranger on the opposite side of the country, I worried."

"You didn't need to. Aiden's amazing." She cupped his cheek in her palm, rewarding him a gentle smile and a light kiss. "But, thank you for caring."

"Always. I will never forget our summer together." He linked his fingers with hers. "I bet your dad's waiting. Let's get out of here."

Savannah's smile widened as she tugged Justin toward the baggage claim. She dodged other passengers, while searching the endless sea of faces. "Dad!" She hurried forward, pulling from Justin's grasp.

"Vanna!" Aiden opened his arms, hugging her tight before he lifted her and swung her around. "Have I missed you!" He planted a kiss on her cheek before setting her on her feet. "You look great! How was it?"

"Amazing! The places we visited were incredible, and I have a zillion new pictures." Savannah patted her bag, reassured by the solid feel of the case that protected the high-end camera her dad and stepmother, Emily, had given her last Christmas. She'd put it to good use during the trip. "I missed you so much!" She glanced around, seeking the other two faces she longed to see after her extended absence. A few stolen minutes here and there for a video chat wasn't the same as seeing her family daily. "Where are Emily and Kellan?"

"They wanted to come, but it's a constant challenge to keep up with our little man these days. Neither of us felt like playing hide and seek with a toddler in a crowded airport, so they're waiting at home."

"He's running around now?" Tears sprang to her eyes as she pictured her little brother, who'd only managed a few wobbly steps before she'd left for her trip. "I can't wait to see him!"

"He's missed his big sister." He slid an arm around her waist and guided her to where the younger man waited by the baggage carousel. "Justin. How are you?"

"Great, sir. The trip was incredible. Thank you, for everything." Justin grinned. "I've never flown in seats where you can be comfortable and sleep."

"We couldn't have you banished to economy while Vanna lounged in first class." Vanna's dad gave the boy a warm smile. "And none of that sir stuff! You're making me feel old. It's Aiden."

"Right, Aiden." Justin shook the offered hand.

"Bags are coming down." Aiden pressed another kiss to his daughter's temple. "I'm glad you enjoyed the trip."

"Thank you for sending me, Dad," she said. "I may never have the chance to do that kind of trip again. In a week, I start at Harvard. Can you believe it?"

"Nope. Having a seventeen-year-old daughter still freaks me out." He laughed as he grabbed her bag from the carousel and took her hand in his. "Let's go home."

✵ ✵ ✵

Vanna settled onto the couch beside Justin, patting his knee as she sighed in relief. "The last of the preparations are done for the barbecue, and the caterers arrived to take over." She rested her head against his shoulder. "I can't believe the summer is over, and you have to go home tomorrow. I'll miss you."

"And I'll miss you, but..." He entwined their fingers. "We knew this couldn't last forever. I start Stanford in less than a week, and you'll be at Harvard, which is crazy!"

"Yeah, my underachieving self got in." She laughed. "I can't believe it, either."

"You're brilliant, and you know it. I'm so proud of you." He gave her one of his crooked, adorable grins.

"There's my girl." Tom appeared. "I heard you were back. How was your trip?"

Vanna bounced to her feet and threw her arms around him. Out of all her honorary aunts and uncles, she'd grown the closest to Tom over the years since she moved in with Aiden. "Wonderful and completely amazing! I'll show you my pictures when we have time. Uncle Tom, this is my friend, Justin, from Portland."

"Right! You joined Vanna for the summer." Tom shook Justin's hand. "And you're off to Stanford soon for undergrad?"

"I am. I would've liked to attend Harvard or Yale, but..." Justin shrugged.

"Stanford is a great school. Our good friend, Ryan, went there and loved it. I've been after Vanna," he gave her an affectionate squeeze, "to apply at Yale once she's finished her undergrad. You could do the same."

"It would be amazing to be near Savannah again." Justin's expression softened. "We've missed her."

A group appeared on the well-appointed rooftop patio.

"That's Piper Nelson, our newest intern." Tom waved and beckoned to a petite young woman with auburn hair. "Piper, come meet Savannah and her friend, Justin. You and Vanna will be working together once school starts, and you may be in some classes together at Harvard."

Piper grinned. "Hi, Savannah."

"I should greet the rest of the guests." Tom patted Vanna's shoulder. "Glad to have you home."

Savannah watched as he strode across the patio, joining her dad who was talking with a woman she didn't recognize.

"It's nice they invited us. I just moved from Montana to attend school," Piper said. "This is some place. I heard it belongs to one of the partners, but I haven't met him yet. Tom hired me."

Savannah nodded, and sipped her drink.

Piper glanced toward the bar where Tom, Aiden, and Joel chatted and poured drinks. "Wonder who that is with Tom and Joel." The girl's eyes skimmed over Aiden, appraising him. "Wish he worked at the office. We could have a hot lawyer trifecta!"

Justin snorted, a laugh erupting.

"What?" Piper stared at him.

"That's Aiden Hamilton." Savannah raised a brow at Piper. "He's the silent partner. He's a doctor, not a lawyer." She bit back the sigh that begged to escape. "And he's my dad."

"No way. He looks barely thirty!" Piper giggled. "You're teasing! How old are you?"

"Eighteen in January." She studied Piper. "My dad's thirty-three."

"You're not kidding?" Piper looked between her and Justin, her cheeks flaming as she peered out of the corner of her eye at Aiden.

"It makes me uncomfortable when girls my age get gushy over him. And he's married."

"Sorry. I didn't know, but I understand. Girls get that way about my stepbrother. He's twenty-three, and my friends think he's super hot. They get weird and flirtatious around him."

"Exactly!" Savannah threw her hands in the air. "I get tons of messed up comments. One time we attended a parent-teacher conference, and the Dean told Aiden she wanted a parent, not a sibling." She giggled. "You should have seen her face when he told her he was my dad. And then, when she realized he was single, she slipped him her phone number! Like I wouldn't notice?"

"Ewwwww!" Piper laughed but then gave her a serious look. "So, this might be nosy, but your mom and dad had you when they were pretty young. Like fifteen? What's your mom like?"

"She's never been part of my life. Emily," Savannah pointed to her stepmother, "has been like a mother to me. She's amazing." She fell silent for a moment, her mind wandering to her other parents. She missed Ross and Jayde, though every day got easier.

"So no wicked stepmother for you! Lucky. Mine's a troll. She looked positively thrilled when I announced I'd be moving all the way across the country to attend Harvard. I'm living in the residences, and I hope to stay in Boston next summer. I never want to live with that woman again!"

Vanna studied the girl. "What about your mom?"

"She died." Piper looked away, brushing at her tears. "Sorry, I'm getting weepy."

"Don't apologize for missing your mom." Vanna shook her head. "How did it happen?"

"Cancer. Our lives were spent in the hospital for about two years. My mom passed five years ago, and Dad married the troll two years later."

"I'm sorry. It's hard to lose someone so special." Tears pricked at Vanna's eyes, and she couldn't hold back her own sniffle.

"Oh, don't cry! I'm sorry. I shouldn't tell sad stories."

"It's okay, but it makes me think of people I've lost." Vanna blotted at her eyes.

Justin wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "How about we get some drinks?"

"Thanks." Savannah smiled at him.

Piper nodded. "Sounds good. People will wonder about us, standing here weeping."

"Do you have any other siblings? Or just your stepbrother?" Justin asked as they moved toward the bar.

"I wish it were only him. I have a stepsister, and she's a nightmare. She's fifteen, and we hated each other on sight." Piper rolled her eyes. "My stepmother is always _Mia this_ and _Mia that_ like the girl's a damn princess. At least Brandon is cool, and we get along." She smiled. "I hope we have some classes together, Savannah."

"Me too."

✵ ✵ ✵

You can do this. Savannah gazed at her reflection, taking a long breath and pushing it out slowly, hoping to still the butterflies flitting around her stomach. She pushed her shoulders back and straightened, drawing on the new found confidence in herself, hoping it wouldn't desert her.

Savannah grabbed her snacks and a water bottle from the fridge and patted down her bag one more time, taking a mental inventory. Laptop. Check. Charger. Check. Ample supply of pens and her notebook. Check, and check.

"Morning." Aiden wandered into the kitchen, rubbing a hand through his hair.

"Hey, Dad. You just get home?" She stretched to kiss his cheek. "You look tired."

"We have a whole new batch of medical students to keep tabs on, and the ER was crazy busy last night. And then every kid in Boston came in needing emergency medical care. So much for them enjoying their last day of freedom." He kissed her in return. "You ready for your first day?"

"I'm excited! I still can't believe it." She smiled. "Wish me luck!"

"I can't believe it, either. The last year flew by, and here you are, starting undergrad. And you don't need luck, Vanna, you'll be great."

"Papi."  Kellan charged into the room, his tiny feet pounding across the floor as he careened toward his dad. He threw his arms around Aiden's legs before stretching his arms. "Uppeeeeee."

Aiden tossed him into the air, making the boy giggle. "Morning, little man." He planted a kiss on the boy's cheek before tucking Kellan on his hip.

"Manna!" Kellan pointed at Savannah, before stuffing his fingers into his mouth.

"That's right. Vvvanna," Aiden said.

Emily wandered in moments later, her dark hair piled in a messy bun. "Good morning! The gang's all here." She accepted a kiss from her husband before relieving him of his armful of squirming toddler. "Let's have breakfast, Kellan. I bet Daddy needs to sleep."

"Bekfas, mami?" He clapped his hands and pointed to the bowl of fruit on the gleaming counter. "Nana."

"Oh, banana, yum!" Savannah grinned. Her baby brother always brought a ray of sun into her day. Her grin widened as Aiden brushed a hand over his son's dark hair, absolute joy reflecting in his eyes. Savannah had wondered many times what it would have been like growing up with him. Would Aiden have been as great a dad at fifteen as he was at thirty-three?

"Can I drive you, Vanna?" Aiden scrubbed a hand over his rough stubble.

"Thanks, but you were on shift all night. Go to bed. The subway only takes twenty minutes." She stopped to give Kellan a kiss and waved. "Bye-bye."

"Bye, Manna." Kellan fluttered his chubby hand in her direction.

Emily and Aiden's goodbyes echoed after her. She enjoyed family time, but she didn't want to be late on the first day.

✵ ✵ ✵

She spotted Piper chatting with a group of other students, who she assumed to be some of their classmates. After the barbecue, they'd compared schedules and found they were in many of the same classes.

"Hi, Savannah. Nervous?"

"A little, but I'm sure it'll be fine." Savannah smiled at Piper. "Did you get your room setup?"

"Yup. We have limited space, so I couldn't bring much." Piper beckoned to the nearby group. "Hey everyone, this is Savannah." Piper pointed around the circle. "This is Rochelle, Jackson, Pete, and Gray."

Savannah waved. "Call me Vanna."

"So, we're planning to form a study group. You interested?" The boy who'd been introduced as Gray swept a hand through his blondish hair, studying her with intense blue eyes framed by long dark lashes.

Savannah's heart flipped as a smile lit up his face. "Sure. Maybe." She noted the wide-eyed look Piper threw her way. "Yes?"

Piper giggled. "She's in, Gray. And trust me, you want her in our group." She nudged Savannah with her elbow.

"Oh?" Rochelle gave Vanna a long cool look. "Why's that?"

Savannah looked her straight in the eye. "I'm planning to work hard."

The girl gave her an assessing look. "We'll see."

"Don't mind her." Jackson casually slung an arm around her shoulder. "You're in."

"Thanks." Savannah tried relax as the handsome young man gave her a light squeeze, while thinking he reminded her of a younger version of Shemar Moore.

"Time for orientation." Pete tapped his watch.

Shouldering her pack, Savannah joined the group as they wound their way through the open courtyards to their orientation.

By the end of the day, she'd met most of her new classmates and had started to feel comfortable on campus.

"We're going for pizza to celebrate our first day." Piper motioned her over to join the group loitering in the common area. "You in?"

"Of course!" As she fell into step beside Piper and Rochelle, her phone buzzed and a text popped up from Justin.

How was it?

As they walked, she typed her reply.

Great! How was your first day?

Incredible. Wish you were here, or I was there.

Vanna grinned as they shot texts back and forth.

Piper eyed her. "What has you so happy?"

"Justin. He started at Stanford today."

"Ohhhhh, right!" Piper smirked. "He's a cutie, that one. How long have you been dating?"

"We're not dating." Savannah shrugged. "Not now, anyway. We used to when I lived in Portland, and we reconnected over the summer, but it's nothing serious. He's in California, and I'm here, so we agreed we'd date other people."

"Reconnected, huh?" Rochelle smothered a laugh. "You have pictures?"

Savannah pulled up a favorite photo from over the summer and held out her phone. "This is Justin."

"He's not a cutie! He's a hottie!" Rochelle snickered. "You're letting that boy go?"

"He's thousands of miles away, and I love him, but I'm not in love with him."

"Smart choice." Piper nodded. "Long distance never works, and you get to keep your options open." She tilted her head toward the group of boys who were immersed in discussion and lowered her voice. "Gray's had his eye on you all day."

"He has not!" Heat rose in Savannah's cheeks. "Anyway, it's too soon to be dating someone else."

"Ah, so you did date him!" Rochelle said.

Savannah rolled her eyes but smiled at the teasing of her new friends.