Before getting to the Bear Valley, Martin wanted to make sure everything at home stayed settled. After a brief phone call with a bar manager, he stood inside the walk-in closed, trying to choose what to pack for the weekend.

Since he felt unsure what type of activities Kennedy had in mind, he decided to take two sweaters and warm pants for the occasion. The weather mostly stayed humid, so it seemed the best choice to have warmer clothing.

"Don't you think it's strange that Kennedy didn't tell you why you are all meeting?" Stacie asked, giving Martin a green sweater.

Martin sighed, "We are talking about K, so everything is strange when it comes to her," he said, folding his sweater and stacking it in his bag.

"I still don't like this idea. You being away for the entire weekend," she said, stepping closer to Martin. "What if something happens?" Stacie caressed her growing belly, keeping her gloomy eyes on it as well.

"I will be just thirty minutes away, darling," Martin clarified, walking closer to her. He rubbed Stacie's tummy. "And you still have six weeks to go," he added and leaned closer, kissing his wife's cheek.

"What if someone will break in or something?" Stacie asked, lifting her eyes to meet his sight.

"We have the best security system, darling, and besides, there were no break-ins here for the last two years," Martin reminded her.

Her soft hand slid through his cheek, the thick bristles seemingly tickling her palm. "Still don't understand why you can't meet here or even at the bar?" Her warm smile melted Martin's heart.

It held difficult to say no to his wife, but Martin knew Stacie appeared a bit more paranoid in her third trimester. Even with him in the house, she seemed jumpier. He guessed she dwelled on a crime that happened a few years back. A pregnant woman was attacked and robbed, and she lived down the street.

But with a new mayor, the neighborhood seemed cleaner, on more than just a crime rate, people seemed nice as well.

"Right, the bar," Martin said and nodded, stepping back from her. "I left Joe in charge of that, so you don't have to worry about it."

The pair's main income came from owning a bar, it wasn't something Martin felt too passionate about. He inherited the bar after his father passed away. His true desire stayed with animals and nature, and he even had a veterinarian degree.

But life formed differently and pressured by Stacie, Martin kept the bar instead of selling the establishment. The bar belonged to his grandfather and then to his father so it was a family business.

Although Martin dreamt to open a veterinary clinic he never did. First, he had to take care of the bar and all the money they saved went into buying a house after they found out Stacie was pregnant.

"I thought so," she said and nodded. "And Dylan came back too?"

Martin looked at his wristwatch. "He should be on his way there," he said, moving back to the bed, and zipping his bag.

"How long has it been?" Stacie asked as Martin took his blue jacket.

"Ten years, well you have seen his photos, but he has not been back in Alaska for ten years," Martin explained with a sigh. "Maybe he is bald by now?" He wondered at loud, lifting his head to the ceiling.

"You need to let go of those insecurities, darling," Stacie said with a laugh. "And look, you have a very real beard now," she added, smiling lovingly.

"Yes," Martin agreed and nodded, tossing his jacket onto his bag. "After ten years of many tries. He always mocked my beard, and all I want is some justice."

"Him being bald is justice?" Stacie asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Yes," he replied and took the bag into his right hand, shivering it.

"He is twenty-eight, so I'm very doubtful he is bald," Stacie said, rolling her blue eyes.

"One can only hope. I bet he has a bigger smirk by now," Martin added, leaving the bedroom.

"Seems like you need this meeting." Stacie followed him from the bedroom. "A lot of wondering about him," she added as they reached the foyer.

"I guess," he agreed and climbed down the wooden stairs.

"And you haven't seen Kennedy in two years," she stated.

"Yeah, since the wedding," he said and lightly nodded. "But as you know, she saw Dylan just before our wedding."

"I remember," Stacie said, puffing deeply, climbing down the last steps. "Even she didn't convince him to come for the wedding."

"The sketchy trip," Martin said and nodded. "Still not sure what happened there."

"Maybe you will find out now," Stacie replied as they reached the entrance area."Maybe I should come too?"

"Is that why you are so worried?" Martin asked and turned around to his wife.

"Maybe," Stacie said and shrugged. "We are a couple, so we should go together."

"Like I'm invited to your girl's night out," he pointed out, smirking.

"True, but this is slightly different." Stacie squinted her eyes.

"Kennedy is like one of the guys, I never was close to anyone else as much as I was close to them," he stated. "And it has always been the three of us, not even time can change that," Martin explained. "You have nothing to worry about, darling."

The conversation felt repetitive to Martin. Every so often, he would have to reassure his wife about his friendship with Kennedy. Although the group seemed less tight now, Stacie remained wary about Kennedy.

"You mean not even me?" Stacie asked, lifting her eyebrow.

He dropped his bag on the tiled floor with a hushed thud. Martin noticed Stacie was biting her inner cheek, the last thing he wanted to stress her more. He didn't mind her tagging along for the trip, but he wanted time for himself before the baby comes. He stepped toward her, stretching out his hands.

"I meant until I met you," Martin explained as his hands traveled around her waist.

Stacie's hands rested on his neck. She leaned closer for a light kiss. As his lips brushed against hers, the doorbell rang, interrupting the mood which lingered between the pair. They looked at each other and separated as the second doorbell rang.

"Expecting someone?" Martin asked, moving towards the entrance door.

"Lydia is coming over," Stacie said. Martin rolled his eyes in response. "I don't want to stay alone," she added, knowing well the expression on her husband's face.

Martin opened the door, a light breeze reached him as he observed his sister-in-law. Lydia, as usual, looked sharp. Her long faux leather coat almost reached the porch floor. She seemed prepared for the longer stay as a small bag occupied her left palm.

"Martin," Lydia said, holding her lips in a thin line.

"Lydia," he replied with a nod as she stepped inside.

Lydia dropped her bag on the floor and turned her back on him, unbuttoning her coat. He rolled his eyes once more and helped her take off her upper attire. A citrus smell reached him, tickling his nose as Lydia moved toward her sister.

"Stacie," Lydia screeched, stretching her hands toward her sister. "Growing every day," she remarked as the women separated from a brief embrace.

"It's my cue to go," Martin said, picking up his bag.

"Because I got here?" Lydia teased, lifting her thin eyebrow.

"No, of course not," he said with a shudder. "I just want to reach the cabin before it gets too dark," he explained, putting his jacket on.

"I will give you a moment," Lydia moved toward the kitchen.

"Shoes," Martin yelled as Lydia walked further.

Lydia ignored his remark and left the pair alone. Martin zipped his jacket and stepped closer to his wife. She smiled lightly and clung to his chest. His left hand rested on her back as the right one held occupied by his bag.

"It will be fine," Martin whispered, kissing her temple.

Stacie nodded, her eyes seemed glassy. "I know," she said with a nod. "Still going to worry."

"I love you, darling, with all my heart," Martin said.

"I love you, darling, with all my heart," she replied, lifting her head and kissing him lightly.

"Coffee would be nice," Lydia shouted from the living room.

"Seriously?" Martin whispered, separating from the embrace.

"It's fine, go," Stacie said, pecking his lips.

He shook his head lightly before leaving the house. The only flaw his wife had was her family. More so, they held themselves above anyone else, for no apparent reason. He tossed his bag to the passenger's seat before climbing into his pickup truck. The car slowly heated as the light snow dampened the windshield.

Martin turned on the wipers and backed from the driveway. Lifting his hand in a wave to Stacie as she watched him through the unsealed living room window.

Snowy Flattop Mountain hid the light as he turned onto a forest road. Martin wondered once more why Kennedy dragged all of them to Bear Valley. If not for coordinates, he wouldn't even find the location. His car swayed to the side as the snowy road led him to a forest clearing. First, he noticed a silver Mercedes near the big oak tree. He stretched out his neck, seeing there was some space left for his car near the black Lexus.

His car engine worked in a steady rhythm as the headlights enlightened the silhouettes of the pair standing near the fir tree. He felt sure he had never been here before, but the scene held some familiarity. He shook his head lightly before turning off the engine of the truck and stepping outside.