Yael waited near the lake in Central Park, running a thumb over the tattoo on her wrist. Sitting still was impossible with the churning in her stomach and a fluttering heart. Glancing down at her cuffed jean capris and flowery tank top, she hoped it didn't look like she was trying too hard, or too little.

Idly, she ran a hand over her hair, making sure the ponytail was straight. Ordering herself to stop freaking out about her appearance, she watched the commotion of the park instead. Children ran screaming among scattered picnic blankets. A toddler wobbled between his parents, chubby fingers clutching theirs in a death grip. Bicyclists pedaled past. Dogs barked and frolicked. There were even a couple of men with dreadlocks playing steel drums nearby. Midsummer brought Central Park to life with fresh green trees and the smell of cut grass, a true urban oasis.

Haustin arrived, followed by two tweens with differing expressions and body language. The girl, tall and dark like her father, sported indecently short shorts and a scowl that distracted from her pretty features. The boy's infectious grin stretched his soft, pre-teen face. He appeared to have just hit a growth spurt judging from his gangly arms and legs and feet that were too big for his body.

As they got closer, Yael sucked in a fortifying breath.

"Hey, Yael." Haustin cleared his throat, crossing and uncrossing his arms before stuffing his hands in his pockets. "This is Luna and Miles."

Fixing a bright smile on her face, she offered her hand. "I've heard a lot about you guys."

The kids reacted in polar opposites. While Miles shook her hand and gazed up at his dad in wonder, Luna regarded her with boredom.

"Funny, we haven't heard about you until today," the girl said.

"Luna," Haustin barked.

A few seconds of awkward silence passed until Yael spoke in a jumbled rush. "You guys want ice cream? I forgot how hot it can be in the city."

Miles nodded eagerly, so she acted on instinct and threaded her arm through his as they headed in the direction of a cart selling waffle cones. She half-expected him to put some distance between them, but he shot her a shy smile and whispered, "Dad did talk about you a little on the way here."

"Thanks."

"Are you from here?"

"I grew up here and left after 9/11. I went to L.A. for a few years."

"And you met my dad at Ground Zero?"

"Yes." She didn't go into detail. The day was too beautiful for dark shadows.

"Is it really sunny every day of the year in L.A.?"

She waited until they gave the vendor their orders before answering. "It's closer to ninety percent of the time. It might sound nice, but the sun got old pretty fast. You know how on a cold, rainy day you want to stay inside, snuggle and read or watch movies?" He nodded. "Constant sun made it impossible. And I missed snow."

"Yeah, but you could go to the beach and read," Luna added in a friendlier tone than before.

After Haustin paid, they crossed to the lake and settled on a wooden bench. "Very true and I did a little, but the beaches there can get crowded and it's hard to concentrate on a book when you can people watch instead."

"Ever meet any celebrities?" Luna perked up even more, and Yael wished she had a better answer, one that didn't involve Nova.

"I saw some, no one too exciting. To be honest, I've seen more since I've been home. Jimmy Kimmel nearly knocked me over the other day. In L.A. everyone looks and acts famous, so it's hard to tell."

The girl's face clouded over again, and Haustin jumped in. "Hey, we saw Derek Jeter that time."

"Ew, he's like, old." Luna's nose wrinkled in distaste. "Who cares about baseball, anyway?"

"Ouch." He clutched a hand over his chest and slumped on the bench. "You know exactly how to hurt a guy."

His dramatic reaction drew a slight grin from his daughter before she smothered it again. Yael caught Haustin's eye, and he shrugged.

"Dad told us your last name. Do you own the crane that crashed? I saw the video." Miles's question vibrated with curiosity.

"I don't own it, the company does. I haven't been involved with Malkah Enterprises for a long time, not until recently."

"She's an amazing baker," Haustin supplied. "She needs to open her own place."

"Can you make brownies?" Miles asked, but he was derailed by Luna's more personal inquiry.

"Are you rich?"

"Luna," Haustin warned her again. "Inappropriate."

Yael laid a hand on his arm. "It's okay. I wasn't for a while, but my parents left me some money. I forgot what it was like to be wealthy and had to hit rock bottom to appreciate it." She returned her attention to Miles. "And yes, I can make you brownies. How about with salted caramel swirled in them?"

"Oh, wow. Yes!"

"Speaking of food, should we grab an early dinner?" Haustin asked.

Yael stood and tossed her napkin in a trash can. "How about we go to Times Square and pretend to be obnoxious tourists? It'll be crazy there, but it might be fun, too. Besides," she bumped Miles with her elbow, "I hear there's a pretty awesome Toys 'R' Us store. I'm never too old for toys. How 'bout you?"

His face lit up. "I haven't been there, but I bet they have a ton of Legos."

"Legos are for little kids," Luna drawled. It lacked bite, though, and Yael tried again, aiming for the girl's heart.

"As long as when we're done with the toy store we can hit Sephora. I'm in desperate need of new lip gloss."

Luna had a harder time disguising her interest, and as they walked over to catch a cab, Yael prayed she was making headway by including them in things they might like. Staying active meant less time to dwell, for all four of them.

As predicted, Times Square turned out to be crowded and chaotic. Even in daylight, the neon signs flickered, competing for the attention of visitors, and a jolt of excitement filled the air. Yael normally hated places catering solely to tourists, but for some reason, she got caught up in craning her neck in an effort to take in everything at once.

The giant toy store circled the block, exhausted parents and over-stimulated kids spilling onto the sidewalk. Yael grinned at the tall giraffe guarding the entrance, confident in her suggestion, and Miles and Luna wandered in as she stayed by Haustin's side.

"I hope this is okay?"

He smiled at her contentedly, and her stomach did a slow roll as he linked his fingers with hers. "I never would have thought of this."

His voice trailed off as they entered the store, and Yael couldn't help gawking. The place was massive. An endless sea of toys greeted them and, in the back, an actual working Ferris wheel for customers soared through three stories of glass walkways. The constant din of excited voices, electronic beeps, and laughter drifted throughout, mixed with the sweet scent of candy.

Luna's face held the most wonder. "This is nuts."

"Let's split up." Yael rolled with another idea. "I enjoy looking at dolls and teddy bears and pink, glittery things. I'm sure the boys aren't interested in My Little Pony. Haustin, you take Miles to the boring, guy stuff. Luna and I will go be girls. We can meet at the Ferris wheel in an hour."

Hesitation flashed across Haustin's face, and she squeezed his hand in encouragement, hoping he agreed. He needed to spend time with his son, find some common ground. The kid was hungry for it. It showed in the way his eager eyes latched onto his father, thirsting for love and attention.

Luna shrugged a shoulder, followed by a barely audible nervous sigh.

After the guys wandered in the direction of a giant dinosaur and the escalator, Yael led Luna towards a huge pink dollhouse, which turned out to be a display filled with every kind of Barbie accessory and doll imaginable. Her heart, a restless beast in her chest, beat furiously, and her mouth dried up. Alone with the girl, she scrambled for something to talk about as they browsed.

"What was your favorite toy growing up?" she asked Luna.

"Barbie. She had the best clothes." She slid a sly look in Yael's direction. "You kind of remind me of her."

Yael laughed and fidgeted with her ponytail. "Is that good or bad?"

"It's not bad. I like your outfit," she admitted before blurting, "Dad's different with you. He gets all nervous and smiles. It's totally weird."

"It goes both ways. He helps me, too."

"Yeah." Luna frowned. "He's really good at helping other people."

Her unsaid words hung in the air, meaning Haustin took care of everyone except his family. Yael sighed, wishing for some words of wisdom.

"Tragedy changes a person, more than you can ever imagine. I've learned to enjoy the good days, like today, and not dwell on the hurt." Yael lightened her tone. "Come on, there's a lot more to explore."

She and Luna got waylaid in an area called Candy Land, loading up on fudge and gummy bears and chocolate. Even for an adult, Yael found new wonders around every corner while they ventured into other levels, towards where Haustin and Miles disappeared, the themes flowing from Star Wars to Hot Wheels to sports.

"Oh my gosh," Luna gasped.

Yael followed her gaze and spotted Haustin and his son in front of a giant television playing a football video game. Both wore matching grins, and Haustin's relaxed, comfortable stance spoke volumes. After all the time he spent complaining about Miles' gaming and lack of interest in sports, they may have found some common ground. Leaning over to joke with Luna, she stopped short of speaking when she saw tears glistening in the girl's eyes. Words failed her, so she settled on a one-armed hug. Then she ambled towards Haustin and Miles.

"Here I thought you didn't like video games," she said in greeting.

Haustin flashed her a killer smile, softening the rough edges of his face. "I guess not, based on how well I'm dominating."

"You are too old, Dad. And you suck. You keep forgetting which team you're on!" Miles glanced at Yael. "We're already planning a tournament for one weekend." Luna joined them, and Miles spied the treats she carried, abandoning his game. "Where'd you find candy?"

"Don't worry, dweeb. I got your favorite." She shoved him playfully in the arm.

"Awesome. I'm starving."

"You're always starving."

Haustin watched them with bright eyes and a look of love that reminded Yael of her father and the connection she missed in her own life. She clenched her teeth together, locking down the lump of grief forming in her chest.

Haustin cleared his throat and said, "Let's eat."

"What about the Ferris wheel?" Miles asked. "It's Toy Story-themed."

"Well, if it's Toy Story, how can I refuse? I can't ride with you, though. Not after you called me old. I have to sit with my beautiful daughter." Haustin rushed towards Luna and picked her up, slinging her over his shoulder like the fireman he was. The girl's annoyed squeals became giggles as they passed out of sight.

"Thank you," Miles whispered.

Yael peered over at him, uncomfortable with his misplaced gratitude. "For what?"

"This is how I wished he would be. He's my dad again, even if it's only for the day." He sniffed.

"I haven't done anything, Miles."

"You're the only difference, so it has to be you."

"It's not me." She stared at him hard. "He's always been there, deep down. He just needed a nudge, a fun place to come and not dwell on the other stuff. Your father loves you, even when it might seem like he's forgotten."

Miles nodded solemnly. "I hope it lasts."

"Me too, sweetie. Come on. Let's catch up. You can ride with me."

Though she was touched both Miles and Luna considered her partly responsible for Haustin's transformation, a tremor of fright rippled through her and the weight of it dangled over her head. If something happened and she and Haustin stopped dating, would he fall into old habits and the kids suffer again? The pressure it put on her was daunting.