Six years later.

JFK International Airport.

“Oaky, come here. Let’s get your jacket on—and your little cap.” Axton Bradley held up a pink jacket for his little sister, Oaklynn Bradley. She stood there with her pacifier, eyes barely open, letting her brother fuss over her. Axton shot a glance at their mom, Clare, who was still dawdling. “Mom, it’s barely fifty degrees out. You trying to turn into a popsicle?”

Clare stood up, pulled on her coat, and pouted. “Axton, show a little respect. I’m your mother, you know!”

“Mommy, your buttons are all wrong,” Oaklynn pointed out in that adorable baby voice, staring up at Clare with big eyes and a tiny finger aimed at her crooked coat.

Clare sighed and didn’t bother with the buttons. “Alright, you two ready? If so, let’s move!”

Axton took Oaklynn’s hand as they stood in the plane aisle. Axton wore a sharp little racing outfit, looking proud and cute, while Oaklynn was in the pink version, pacifier still in place. A few passengers couldn’t stop staring at the adorable pair.

“Come on, hurry up. Aunt Harley’s waiting for us. Your mom has to go make amends, and it’s no easy task,” Clare said, scooping up both kids. They’d grown a lot lately; they definitely felt heavier.

“Mommy, what does ‘make amends’ mean?” Oaklynn asked, clinging to Clare’s neck, her big eyes full of questions.

Clare quickly carried the kids off the plane, set them down, and caught her breath before explaining, “It means I have to say sorry to Aunt Harley, even when it’s hard.”

Still confused, Oaklynn tilted her head. “But Mommy, why don’t you have a burden?”

Clare rubbed her forehead and turned to her son with a pleading look. She really couldn’t handle all of Oaklynn’s questions on her own.

Axton flashed a mischievous grin and held up three fingers. Clare bit her lip and raised two. Axton countered with four.

“You drive a hard bargain!” Clare said.

Axton smirked, cheeky as ever. “Sweetheart, I’m driving this bargain because I can.”

“Fine, three times a week. I’ll only eat salad three times,” Clare huffed. She’d never liked salad, but the doctor said she needed the vitamins. Three times a week was her absolute limit.

“Deal!” Axton gave her a smile so charming that Clare nearly lost her train of thought. She had to admit, some things just didn’t change.

Clare finally handed her lively little Oaklynn over to her son, Axton. The two kids walked hand in hand through the airport terminal, drawing admiring glances left and right from travelers.

"Wow, look at those kids—they're absolutely adorable!"

"Do you see that little girl with the pacifier? She's just too cute!"

"Oh! That little boy is going to be a heartbreaker one day!"

Once Clare exited the gate, she spotted Harleywaiting, and the sight of her friend filled her heart with warmth. They rushed into each other's arms, holding on tight.

"Clare! You vanished without a trace back then, and now you just show up out of nowhere. Honestly, I thought I'd never want to speak to you again..." Harley said, faking anger while tears streamed down her face.

Clare was crying too, and she understood perfectly. During those years away in an unfamiliar place, she'd often ached to come back to her dear friend.

"Aunt Harley, my mom came back to make things right," Oaklynn piped up, tugging on Harley's pants, her innocent eyes looking up at the tearful women.

Harley let go of Clare and looked down at the teary-eyed child, then glanced at Clare, incredulous. "This... this is...?"

"I want you to meet my most cherished family members," Clare said, lifting Axton with one arm and Oaklynn with the other. "This is my son, Axton Bradley, and my daughter, Oaklynn Bradley. I promised you a huge surprise!"

"What?!" Harley was completely floored by the sheer size of the surprise.

Oaklynn reached out for Harley, who quickly took her into her arms. Oaklynn planted two sweet kisses on Harley's cheek, making Harley smile involuntarily at the little girl's soft lips.

"Aunt Harley, aren't Oaklynn's kisses the best gift?" Oaklynn asked, her dimples deepening as she flashed a sweet smile, totally melting Harley's heart.

Harley nodded. "Oaklynn is so sweet!" She shifted her gaze to Axton, who was still held by Clare, and chuckled.

Axton felt a chill run down his spine and quickly buried his face in Clare's shoulder, determined not to give up his first kiss so easily!

"Wow, Clare, your son isn't the friendliest type!" Harley teased, secretly charmed by him.

Clare laughed. "Axton already has a little admirer. Belle can't resist him."

"Mom!" Axton protested, sliding down from Clare's hold.

"Mom!" Oaklynn echoed, sliding down from Harley's embrace.

Clare watched her two precious kids standing hand in hand before her, surrounded by the bustling crowd. She felt a rush of gratitude and met Harley's gaze, saying after a pause, "Harley, I'm really back. You have to take me in."

"Of course, my balcony has the perfect view," Harley replied, linking arms with Clare as they made their way out.

As Axton Bradley turned to check on his sister, he called out, "Keep an eye on Oaklynn, alright?"

He didn't need to say more—he knew exactly how to look after his little sister, and the feel of her tiny hand in his never failed to warm him.

"Brother, I need to use the restroom," Oaklynn whispered, tugging at Axton's hand as she came to a stop.

Axton jogged over to Clare to let her know he was taking Oaklynn to the restroom, promising to meet her at the exit in a bit.

"I'm scared, brother," Oaklynn admitted, squeezing Axton's hand tighter. Having grown up in Canada, the noisy bustle of this new place made her uneasy.

Axton knelt down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry, I'll be right here waiting," he reassured her with a smile, pointing toward the end of the hallway. "Be brave."

Oaklynn nodded and cautiously made her way to the restroom. Not long after, she came hurrying back with her head down and bumped right into a man.

Lucien Bradley quickly crouched to steady the little girl before she could fall. A jolt of concern hit him—but her face struck him with a strange, nagging familiarity that tugged at his heart.

"Thank you," Oaklynn said, stepping back from his hold with a small smile that showed off her dimples. It warmed Lucien in a way he didn't expect, and oddly, the moment she moved away, an unexpected emptiness washed over him.

"What happened, Oaklynn?" Axton asked, jogging over to take his sister's hand. He gave Lucien a brief nod before turning back to Oaklynn. "Mom's probably worrying now. Let's head back."

Lucien watched the two children walk away hand in hand, a lingering smile touching his lips.

Later that evening, after Clare had tucked her kids into bed and switched off the nightlight, she drifted into the living room. She found Harleyoutside, casually flipping through a gossip magazine with a glass of red wine in hand. Harley motioned for her to join.

"So, is this my trial by fire?" Clare joked, pouring herself a glass and taking a small sip.

Harley set down her glass, studying Clare while lazily swirling her own. "Six years without a word, and now you're back with two kids? Motherhood suits you—gives you a certain polish."

"I didn't think the years would fly by so fast, or that I'd end up back here," Clare said with a wry grin toward Harley. "Things went south with my uncle's business, and life got rough there. Raising two kids on my own wasn't easy. I figured it'd be better to come home. I'm counting on you to have our backs."

Harley listened to Clare's brief account, all too aware of the unspoken weight of being a single mom with two kids. She wrapped an arm around Clare's shoulder with a friendly laugh. "Don't worry. As long as I've got food and drink, I'll make sure you three are taken care of!"