"He said that he was afraid to come back home, to her. He thought that she'd be better off without him. Well, anyways, they're together now, Louie!" I finish telling Louisa off yesterday's events, a light breeze wafting through the grounds.

She smiles, delighted for Amelia, and nudges me. "That's absolutely amazing, Bia!" A soft voice interrupts our conversation, saying, "Hey, Bianca? Can I please talk to you?"

I look up to see Atticus, and however much I try to repress it, a flutter of happiness curls it's way around my stomach.

"Sure," I reply nonchalantly.

Louisa gets up, pretending to have to go and throw something. She walks leisurely through the grounds, taking her time. Or rather, giving us time.

"I am so sorry that Brittany came in the middle, Bianca, I really didn't want her to, I'm so sorry, I don't know why she's so...ugh!"

I smile slightly, relating to Atticus' hate of Brittany. He brightens at my smile, sending me a sheepish one, and I swear my heart melts.

Maybe this can work out.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hey, mom?" I approach cautiously. She looks up, and offers me a tired smile. Most likely her work is wearing on her; I've never really asked her about it, but I'm sure that a doctor's work is pretty tiring.

"Yep?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Where's...where's dad?"

She stiffens up, like she always does whenever I even try to mention him. I move forward, my eyes pleading. "Please, mom."

She sighs and drops the pen in her hand, moving forward and placing her head in her hands. I wait, bracing myself.

"It happened just five months after you went into a coma. He'd gone to the mall to buy me a gift..." A lone tear forms a solitary path down her cheek. "A man...he, he had a knife. I don't know, doctors say he was mentally disturbed. He...he killed..."

Mom's wall broke; the dam she had built up to hold the tears tore down. I moved forward, engulfing her in a hug.

I think my love for her just increased ten fold. She helped me find Amelia's father, she guided me while I was still shaky and unsure, and now I just found out that mere months after practically losing me, her husband was killed.

She has to be one of the strongest people I know.

Thanks for reading!!