Ivy saw the light at the end of the tunnel. There were more tunnels ahead, but as she walked to her last day of classes before final exams, she felt a tremendous relief. The snow had been falling lightly since they woke. Both she and Baxter sat quietly and watched it fall with coffee cups in their hands.

Baxter was the first to break the silence. "Snow always reminds me of our time in Aspen."

Weighing heavily on him was his family's Christmas tradition in Aspen. He said little about it, but Ivy knew him. He masked his burden with excitement over the new house.

Ivy pinched herself with her gloved hand. It was something she did often to remind herself she wasn't dreaming. Her prince loved her and they were meeting with a designer to discuss furnishings for their future castle.

Baxter hadn't told his family he was purchasing a home. It was one more obstacle that they would need to hurdle. The meeting with her parents had gone well enough. Baxter looked less important wearing jeans and carrying a pan of Pad Thai they made in the Walnut Street kitchen. Ivy had been reluctant, but he promised it would be fine. As it turned out, they hadn't seen a single family member. She had tea with the famous Mrs. Moran while Baxter cooked. At least, the Kanes' help liked her. She enjoyed meeting them. Percy was the antithesis of Charles.

Ivy smiled as she stepped into the building and wiped her feet on the mat. Ellen was still skeptical, but Baxter had impressed Carl Krasinski.

As she turned into the lecture hall, Tyler barreled into her. "Watch where you're going!"

Ivy froze to let him push past her. Never seeing Tyler again would be too soon. She had learned not to mention him to Baxter or Jimmy. When she took time to get ready for class, she smiled and conceded with a strong response. "Sorry Tyler. Please go ahead."

He didn't turn back and Ivy was just as happy to sit down after him in front so he couldn't snap her picture.

After her second class, her older friend with kids asked if she wanted to study together. "I have two hours before I need to head home for the bus."

Ivy agreed and followed her into the cold to the popular coffee bar near campus. Ivy found a table in the corner while her friend stood in line. After dropping her bag, she joined her classmate. With a traditional coffee in her hand, Ivy sat down and pulled out her notes.

"So you're done?"

Ivy smiled. "After six and a half years. What about you?"

"I have another semester. It's taking me four years, and it hasn't been easy."

"I can imagine. What are your plans for after school?"

"Not a trillion hours like you." Ivy wondered what she was getting herself into. "My father has a practice in our town. It's general law, but I can work the hours I need."

"That sounds nice."

"It's been my dream forever, but marriage and kids got in the way."

"Financial constraints got in my way."

Christina smiled. "You won't have those problems anymore."

Ivy shook her head and couldn't believe she would never worry about paying her credit card bill between her new salary and Baxter paying for all their expenses, she could pay off her loans and buy work clothes.

"I would love him even if he was poor."

"It's easy to see it's mutual."

Ivy blushed. "Let's study."

The review had reassured Ivy. The material interested her more than her friend. "I only took these because my father has represented some clients with labor injustices."

"I'm afraid I'll be defending the offenders, not the ones with injustices." Not all large companies would be as willing as Baxter to compromise.

"You are thinking of him."

Ivy smiled. "I'm always thinking of him."

"Aw." She smiled. "I love my husband, but my kids take up all my thoughts, except maybe when I wonder if we have enough bread for his sandwich. Enjoy it."

Ivy laughed. "You sound like my mother. Life definitely got in the way of love. I hope it never happens to me." She thought of Elena and Joseph.

Christina looked at her watch. "Well, time has gotten in the way of studying. See you for the final."

Ivy sat alone reading over her notes. When she looked up, Tyler had slipped into the seat across from her. "So studious. I know the truth."

"There are lots of truths starting with the earth is not flat."

"How would you like for your secret to be revealed?"

"What secret? I don't like broccoli. It's true."

He smirked and shook his head. "No, juicier."

Ivy's only closely guarded secrets were the truths about Aspen and Ellie. "Tell me and let me be the judge."

"Your boyfriend's mother hates you."

"Hate is a strong word. It's not a secret I didn't grow up wealthy. Mrs. Kane expected her son to choose a debutant, but he didn't."

Tyler laughed. "You are so naïve. You really think he'll marry you? Men like Kane always do what's best for their family. I look forward to your fall from the pedestal."

"You'll be waiting forever." Doubt seeped in. "Why do you hate me?"

He laughed and stood up. As she watched him leave, Ivy picked up her phone. She had learned the fastest way to reach Baxter was through Dani.

"Ivy, he's in a meeting. I can't interrupt him."

"Tell him I called." She hung up and tried Jimmy.

"Princess, I'm on it."

"Is he right?"

Jimmy's voice boomed through her phone. "No. You know how much Bax loves you. Go home. My mother will talk sense into you."

She thought about Eleanor and didn't want to end up alone with a broken heart. Ivy had considered moving back to provide comfort, but her friend was tight-lipped about her secret lover, and Baxter was adamant they keep their knowledge to themselves.

She was on the subway when Baxter called. "What the hell is wrong with that jerk?"

Ivy shut her eyes. She hadn't looked to see if Tyler released his information. "I called you to warn you."

"But you didn't say it was an emergency."

"You were busy. I'm on the train. We can discuss it later."

For the first time, Baxter's authoritative voice hadn't sounded hot. It made her want to cry. She looked to see her face trending. 'Kane matriarch won't accept Cinderella!'

Ivy stayed on the train towards Cambridge. She needed space to clear her head. Eleanor wouldn't mind. Instead of studying, she curled up in front of the TV.

Eleanor arrived home and was startled by the TV. She shook Ivy awake. Sleep had always been a way to avoid unpleasant things.

"Darling, why are you here?"

She shook her head. "It's too much. I can't end up like you."

"You're too smart to end up like me. Plus, Baxter won't allow it. He's fought to be with you and won't stop over a little social media. If you ask me, it's about time the truth came out."

"The truth that I'll never be good enough."

"No, that Mrs. Kane thinks about appearances over her own son's happiness."

"Baxter loves his mother."

"As he should, but he loves you more. Tate was upset too."

Ivy was afraid to look at her phone. "Baxter's angry with me."

"I doubt that. I'm sure it's the situation, not you."

He left two texts one reiterated they could talk later, the other, he wrote that his mother had summoned him home.

"Can I stay here? I don't want it to end?"

"Darling, it won't."

"He's meeting with his mother. She's not someone to underestimate."

"Neither is Baxter." Ivy opened her mouth to argue, but Eleanor put her hand up. "When did you last eat?"

"Breakfast."

"Tsk. I'll fix you something. You'll feel better."

When her phone chimed, she picked it up apprehensively. Jimmy texted, maybe now the kid will learn his lesson. He included a link to a news article. 'Sinclair Financial steps back from talks to provide capital to expand major law firm.' Ivy gasped as she read the article. Jimmy had been doing business with Tyler's father's law firm.

Ivy mumbled, "All because of me."

Eleanor, who had stepped back in the room, looked over her shoulder. "I never met Sinclair, but I like him."

"Why would he affect his business like that?"

"He cares about you and that kid has done nothing but cause you trouble. Why can't people be kind?"

"I never did anything to him."

"Tate thinks he went to school with the twins."

Ivy hoped this wasn't because of something that happened in highschool. Baxter would be even angrier. "I have my final exams and then I hope to never see him again." Working with Priscilla might be better than at the firm with Tyler. "Maybe I should plan to move back in with my parents."

Eleanor stood with her hand on her hips. "I have clung to love even when it hasn't clung to me. Why don't my boys come to see me? Because they blame me for the divorce. They prefer their father over me, but I still love them and would welcome them home. Just as I still love my true love. He's not a perfect man, but if he came around again, I would let him in. Call me a fool, but don't be a worse fool. Your Baxter loves you. Whatever you're upset about, the two of you can talk it out."

Ivy stared at her. She didn't realize her boys purposely stayed away. "I'm upset because I'm going to end up like you, alone."

"No, darling. Baxter will never let you. You're the lucky one. Now come eat. You'll feel better."

They sat silently and ate some homemade chicken soup. It was the ultimate comfort food on a wintery day. Ivy slowly felt better as the warm liquid filled her belly. A loud knock at the door caused her to drop her spoon with a clatter.

Eleanor stood. "I'll let him in."

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