"Have a good day at school, Declan!" Giving him a warm smile, he returned the gesture before joining his class for circle time.

He was still pretty shaken up about last night's events. So hopefully being in class will help to take his mind off things.

Getting back in my car, I headed to my next destination. "Welcome back, Laurel!" Kara exclaimed when she saw me walking into the nursing home.

Giving her a polite smile, I signed myself in. "Something seems different about you." I looked up at Kara as she squinted her eyes at me, analyzing me closely.

Silence lingered between us a moment longer than comfortable. I myself didn't know what was different about me and wanted to hear what she would say.

I wear the same shirt, jeans, and worn out converse. I also still wear minimal makeup. Besides the fact that I've been wearing my hair down since I gave Levi my favorite pink scrunchie, that's the only thing I can think of that has changed.

"I got it!" Kara said enthusiastically, popping the gum in her mouth. "You look happy."

I gave her a confused look, not sure what she meant by that. I was happy before. I admit that I have been tired from all the payments I've had to make towards my student loans and paying my grandmother's living expenses here. But that doesn't mean I've been unhappy.

"What's your secret?" Kara leaned forward, resting her chin on a propped up fist. Her eyes sparkled, seemingly interested in what I had to say as if I was revealing some kind of government secret.

I shook my head. "There's no secret. Things are just finally starting to fall into place."

It was an honest answer, and one Kara wasn't looking for. "Boring," she said, pretending to yawn. "I was hoping you were going to say something about finding 'the one' or some romantic shit like that."

I shrugged. "Sorry to disappoint."

"It's okay." She focused her attention on her newly painted nails, the lime green color just as bold as the last color. "I'm still happy for you though."

"Thank you," I told her, stepping away from the front desk, so I could go see my grandmother. Nodding, she didn't bother looking up. So I took that as my cue to leave.

I made my way through the building, heading straight outdoors where I knew she would be.

Watching her happily converse with some of the other elders here, she stopped talking when she saw me. Waving, she signaled me over.

Approaching her, I greeted her friends, which took quite a few tries as they were all hard of hearing.

Hooking her arm around mine, my grandmother pulled me towards the garden. "What's this I hear about Levi's house being broken in to last night?"

Damn it.

"Where did you hear that from?"

"It was all over the news this morning." I sighed. "Do you really want me to have another heart attack?"

"No, of course not! That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to worry."

She pulled me in for a hug. "I'm just glad you're okay. If it wasn't for Levi calling to let know that you were alright-"

"Wait, what? When was this?"

"This morning. I think it was around five. Why?"

"No reason," I lied.

What Levi did was sweet. But I can't help but be a little frustrated by the fact that he told her without my permission.

I know that she would have heard about it sooner or later, but I would have preferred it to be from me.

"Exactly how much did he tell you?"

"Oh not much. Just that you were safe and that he would do anything to protect you." She blushed. "I thought it was cute."

My grandmother looked at me with narrowed eyes, realizing something was wrong. "Alright, spill it young lady."

"Even though what he did was thoughtful, he should have asked me about it first."

My grandmother pinched and pulled at my cheeks. "Ow!" I rubbed my sore red cheeks, frowning at her.

"I love you dear, but sometimes you are a stupid, stupid child."

"What?"

"That man cares about you, and you're complaining."

Hearing my grandmother say that made me realize just how stupid it was of me to be upset by something that Levi had done purely out of the kindness of his heart.

I didn't complain then when he paid off my rent. So why am I complaining now? He's been nothing about kind towards me.

"I know he cares about me," I murmured, still rubbing at my face. "I'm just not used to someone caring about me."

I've always been on my own. I may have been surrounded by family, but I have never felt more alone than with them.

It just never felt like they cared about me. It was always about my sisters and what amazing things they've done. No one cares about me unless they want something. My parents are living proof of that.

Not that I mind much now. I love my grandmother and would do absolutely anything for her.

But it still would have been nice to not have to carry the world on my shoulders for once.

All I've ever wanted to do is help children. My family, although I'm sure they tried their best, wasn't there for me.

So I hope that with my dreams of becoming a teacher, I will be there for children, who like me didn't have anyone to lean on. I want to be that person they can come to about anything, because I care enough about them to prioritize their wants and needs above anything else.

"You're right, grandma."

"I know I'm right. Now you let that man take care of you, damn it!"

Chuckling, I nodded. "I'll try."

****

While I was signing Declan out of school, I took my grandmother's words into consideration.

I don't know what kind of relationship is currently brewing between me and Levi. I don't know if it will progress past anything other than late night cuddles and sex.

But what I do know is that he cares about me. He's made that abundantly clear. And so now it's my turn to return the favor. He needs to know I care about him just as much as he does me.

It may be a complete and total failure, but I was thinking about asking him out on a date. That way we can see if there's something more outside of the bedroom. And because I know after last night, he's been dying for some alone time.

"Bye Declan!" His teacher said with a smile and wave.

Declan waved and smiled back, which made me smile because it meant he was finally breaking out of his shell.

Holding his hand, we made our way out into the parking lot and towards my car.

I stopped abruptly, protectively shoving Declan behind me when I saw someone standing by my car.

I made note of the woman's long blonde hair, modelesque figure, and bright blue eyes.

The wedding photo Levi always kept under his bed in a shoebox flashes in my mind like a camera.

It's definitely her. There's just no mistaking it. Natalie Isaacs is indeed back.