Heartprints in the Void
⊰ 4 ⊱ Shadows in the Light

The familiar scent of home envelops me as Cade and I step through the front door, Naomi balanced on my hip, her little head resting on my shoulder. It's strange how quickly this place has become "home", considering I've lived here less than a week.

But I suppose home isn't always a place. Sometimes, it's a feeling, a sense of belonging. And right now, with my husband by my side and our daughter in my arms, I've never felt more at home.

*My husband. Our daughter.*

It's surreal.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Sinclair," Cade murmurs, planting a kiss on my temple as he sets our bags down in the entryway.

I smile up at him, my heart so full it feels like it's going to burst. "I like the sound of that."

Together, we settle Naomi into her playpen, her eyelids already drooping with the promise of an impending nap. Just as I'm going to suggest that Cade and I take advantage of the quiet moment, my phone buzzes in my pocket. With furrowed eyebrows, I pull it out.

*Ava.*

"Hello?" I answer, my tone quizzical.

"Hey, Elys!" Ava's voice is bright and bubbly, almost too cheery. "Are you home?"

"Yeah, just got here. Why?"

"Kewl. Open the door."

I blink, confusion washing over me. "What? Ava, where are you?"

"Outside your apartment, silly! I wanted to surprise you...again."

My jaw drops, a gasp escaping my lips as realization dawns on me. In the midst of everything that's happened in the past week, I never got the chance to call Ava and tell her about it all.

"Oh my God, Ava... I moved. I'm so sorry, things have been so crazy. I haven't had the chance to call."

*There's so much I need to tell you. About Cade, David, Naomi, and... Bubbles. Oh God, Bubbles...*

A lump lingers in the edge of my throat, but I swallow it down in the beat of silence that hands on the end of the line. Then, Ava's voice, tinged with concern. "Moved? What's going on? Are you okay?" I can't help but chuckle, a half-nervous half-joyful sound. "I'm okay, A. I promise. Look, I'll text you the address. Come over and I'll explain everything."

We say our goodbyes and I hang up, turning to replace Cade watching me with a quizzical look on his face.

"Everything alright?" he asks, moving to wrap his arms around my waist.

I lean into him, nodding against his chest. "Yeah. That was Ava. She's in town to visit, but I forgot to tell her I moved. Is it okay if she stays with us while she's in town? I know we just got home, but..." My voice trails off as I feel Cade stiffen slightly, his hold on me loosening. I glance up at him, my brow furrowed, to replace him staring down at me with an odd expression.

"Ava," he says slowly, as if testing the name on his tongue. "She's your best friend, right?"

I nod, my heart clenching at the reminder of all he's lost, all he's still fighting to regain.

"Yeah, she is. Is it... is it okay if she comes over? I understand if it's too much, too soon..."

Cade's shaking his head before I can finish, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "No, it's fine. It'll be good to see her. Maybe it'll help jog some more memories loose."

Relief washes over me, a fresh wave of love and gratitude mingling for his unwavering support and understanding.

"Thank you," I murmur, rising up on my toes to press a soft kiss to his lips.

It's only a short while later that the **visitor at the gate** notification buzzes at Cade's phone and the crunch of tires on gravel announces Ava's arrival. Cade and I are in the kitchen, preparing a light lunch.

At the sound of a car door slamming, I practically sprint to the front door, throwing it open just as Ava begins slow steps towards me, her eyes scanning her surroundings in awe.

Her jaw drops as she takes in the house. The pristine white exterior gleams in the sunlight, its expansive windows a small cry from my old apartment. The meticulously manicured lawns stretch out in every direction, dotted with carefully tended flower beds and sculpted hedges. In the center of the circular driveway, a massive fountain sprays crystal-clear water into the air, the sound of its cascading streams filling the air.

"Holy shit, Elys," she breathes, her eyes wide as saucers. "What the hell happened? Did you win the lottery or something?"

I laugh, but before I can respond, she's grabbing my left hand, her gaze zeroing in on the glinting pair of rings.

"Wait..." she whispers, her face draining of color. "That's..."

I swallow hard, nerves fluttering in my stomach. "I know. I was going to tell you, but-"

My voice falters as movement over Ava's shoulder catches my eye. I turn to see Cade stepping out onto the front steps, his expression unreadable as he takes in the scene before him. For a moment, I see a flicker in his eyes-confusion? recognition? before it's quickly masked.

Ava follows my gaze, her eyes widening even further as she catches sight of him. She looks like she's seen a ghost, her face pale, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly.

"Ava, you remember Cade," I say, trying to break the sudden tension.

"Duh," she manages, but her voice sounds strained, forced.

Cade steps forward, his hand outstretched. His jaw is set, a muscle ticking in his cheek as if he's clenching his teeth. "It's good to see you again, Ava," he says, his voice carefully neutral.

Ava stares at his hand for a long moment before reaching out to shake it, her movements stiff and mechanical.

An awkward silence descends, heavy with unspoken words and unanswered questions. I look back and forth between them, my brow furrowed, trying to mak sense of the strange energy crackling in the air.

"You okay?" I ask, concern lacing my tone as I glance at Ava.

She nods, slow and jerky. "Y-Yeah," she stutters. "It's just... wow."

*What the hell is going on?*

I want to press, to demand answers, but something holds me back. A sense that now isn't the time, that whatever this is, it's bigger than a simple case of surprise at seeing an old acquaintance.

So I plaster on a smile, determined to push through the awkwardness, to salvage what should be a happy reunion.

"Come on in," I say, looping my arm through Ava's and tugging her towards the door. "I'll give you the grand tour and then we can catch up over lunch."

She follows willingly enough, but I can feel the tension in her body, the slight resistance in her steps. And as we cross the threshold, Cade trailing behind us, I can't shake the feeling that we're stepping into something more complicated than a simple visit from a friend.

*Something's going on. Something happened.*

And the truth is, I'm not sure I'm ready to replace out what it is.