Dane

Dane was stunned. Speechless. If anyone had asked him to describe what peace looked like, this would have been it. He blinked, remembering the little moment he'd had when they were getting ready to leave, and how he'd hoped for this. Willed it.

​​

How had John known?

He and Lila sat, still in the RV, staring at cabin in front of them. The covered porch had a warn, but comfortable looking, thick couch and coffee table. A-frame windows from the second level of the house gleamed above its roof, and the lake glittered off to their right.

Lila was open-mouthed and wide-eyed with joy. "Dane… is this ours?"

"I can't believe I'm saying this but… yes. John said he's been working on an investment for me. He said… he said he had a feeling…"

Dane turned off the engine of the RV, but they both still sat there, staring. Without looking away, Dane reached for Lila's hand and she gave it, twining their fingers together over the space between the seats. "It's a new life, Lila," he whispered, his voice tinged with awe.

"I know. I can see it. Can you see it?"

His stomach twirled with the memory of when he'd asked her that question, what seemed like so many years ago—could it really only have been months? But he swallowed that thought back and nodded. "I can," he rasped.

"What do you see?" she asked.

Dane cleared his throat, the emotion almost overwhelming. He had to blink a couple times. "I see swimming in the lake. I see us getting a picnic table so we can eat out there," he said, nodding towards the strip of grace between the house and the lakeshore. "I see kids running in and out of the water in the summer, and screaming when they get splashed. I see them throwing snowballs in the winter, then coming inside for hot chocolate. And… and I see you, Lila," he said, hushed. "I see you in the window, smiling at me when I come home from work. And you on that couch when it's twilight and dinner's over. And I see you… I just see you," his voice broke, and Lila squeezed his fingers.

"I see you, too," she said.

They turned and looked at each other then. Lila's eyes were sparkling with joy. "This is it, Dane."

He nodded and, without letting go of her hand, stood from the seat and led her to the door of the massive vehicle, and down the little stairs, to outside.

He was hit with the scent of pine and rain, wet leaves, and real dirt. Dane took a long, slow breath. The air was crisp, but not cold. Fresh in the way the city never was. As if the trees washed it clean.

Lila stepped up beside him and he put his arm around her, looking out towards the lake. The water made quiet little rippling noises, but barely moved. They both took deep breaths.

Then, as if they'd agreed on it, they turned and walked towards the cabin.

The porch had a rustic look that initially seemed old, as if it might need work, but when Dane looked closely, the planks had been left rough-edged on purpose. It couldn't have been more than a few years old, and was sturdy as hell.

The railing around the covered porch was made from round logs and slatted pine. The covered deck itself was big enough to fit that couch under the living room window, an outdoor rug, a large, rectangle coffee table, and a box chest that would be perfect for towels and swim toys.

But Lila was drawn to the door into the house. Dane pulled the key from his pocket and handed it to her. She looked at it. "Do you want to do it?"

"No, I really want you to—wait!" Heart thumping, he looked at her and started to smile.

"Dane, what are you—"

With a playful growl he grabbed her, picking her up by the shoulders and knees, and swung her into his chest. "I didn't have a chance to do this properly at the Penthouse," he said, beaming.

"Dane! I need to unlock the door!"

"It's okay, I've got you." And he did.

With her arm gripping his neck, he leaned down so she could reach the lock. She turned the knob and pushed the door open and he turned to walk her in, ducking slightly to make sure he didn't bang his head on the frame—but awed when he walked inside.

But before he could say anything, a tiny "Meeeo-oo-o-ow" sounded from somewhere to their right. They both turned, and Lila gasped as a furry rocket leapt off the couch and streaked across the floor, to rub around Dane's ankles.

"Rupert!" Lila gasped, struggling to get out of Dane's arms. "How in the hell?"

"What the…?"

He was careful to set her down not on top of the cat who purred so loudly when she picked him up, that Dane was afraid he might break something.

"He's skinny and... there's a note on his collar!" Lila said, peeling the tape off quickly and unrolling the little piece of paper. "Dear Lila, I'm sorry you were led to believe the cat was dead. But I couldn't let anyone know I had entry to the building. I took Rupert to a friend's shelter after Dane left. He arrived rather ill. We thought we might lose him. I meant to return him to you as a surprise when things settled down. I hope you can forgive me for the deception. I didn't want to return him to you, only for him to pass after all. Kindly, John. PS. Welcome home."

She looked at Dane and he shook his head. Then she hugged Rupert to her, and he rubbed on her chin and jaw, purring so loudly he could be heard across the room.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Daniels," Dane said.

"Mrs. McDane, remember," she quipped, but her heart wasn't in it. She put the cat down and turned towards the room, and Dane did too, his eyebrows climbing as he took it in.