It didn't seem real, thought Hannah. The quiet, peaceful path, the dim blue of the sky overhead, her mother's hand linked with hers as they walked together behind Rio. For years, she'd had dreams of her family together like this, but now that it was happening, it felt bizarre, like walking backwards, wading back to a place she'd actually gotten relieved to leave behind. She wasn't sure why, but going back to Chell now, she felt tense. Was it because of Kurt and the Averys? Or the thought of seeing her old home once again?

"Are you nervous?" she asked her mother.

Her Ma turned slightly, smiling at her. "Nervous? Dear, why should I be nervous?"

"Well, no one knows that you're ... you know."

"Alive?"

She paused, taking in a deep breath. "A lot has changed."

"I know. That's why I wanted to come back. We might change, but the village doesn't."

"That's not true. People are marrying, having children. Soon, they'll grow up, and there'll be all these new faces."

"I can't imagine having children," Rio commented, peeping over his shoulder.

"I can't imagine you having children either."

"I'm too short."

"That's not the reason I was thinking of."

"But I am."

"Well, then you'll find a short girl, and have short children."

"They'd better not outgrow me. How do you discipline a child if he's taller than you?"

"You make them sit."

"That's a good idea," he mulled. "You know, you might not make a bad mother."

"If I ever am a mother."

Their Ma glanced between them, shaking her head. She decided to pretend like she hadn't heard their nonsense. "Maybe faces change, but the feeling of having people around you, close at hand, the homes, the land, the river ... all that, it's special."

Hannah said nothing, but she was surprised at how sentimental her Ma sounded. She'd never realized just how important Chell was to her. Up until about a year or so ago, she had thought she was the same way.

"We're here," Rio's voice broke into her thoughts. He stood by the crude turn into Chell, waiting as the two of them came up.

Donna Iver gazed into the pocket of houses, clustered by trees and uneven lands, a section of the river glimmering nearby. "My goodness," she murmured, sighing to herself. She started inside, moving quickly, studying every house as if seeing them for the first time. Hardly anyone was outside, with the sun setting and the air losing warmth rapidly. Fires were starting up behind windows, tossing up curls of smoke.

Hannah and her brother followed cautiously, knowing where they were headed. Before long, the trio stood together in front of the house that had once been their own, sharing a moment of nostalgia.

Hannah looked over the mottled stone roof, the unpainted fence, the same four trees she counted in the yard. She'd come back to Chell before, but somehow, with her mother there, everything seemed that much more ... meaningful. She was remembering things she didn't use to – kisses between her parents, afternoons cooking with her mother, waking up in the morning as a little girl and checking the farms to see if anything had grown overnight.

"Look," her mother said, cocking her head towards the front of the house. There were people in the hall – Tom Avery sitting in a chair, while his wife stood with her back to the window, talking about something. Someone was coming from the bedrooms, and as she turned her eyes up, she and Hannah saw each other directly – it was Melanie. She said something, and then everyone turned, seeing them there.

There was a quick blur as Tom Avery leapt up, then the door swung open quite hard. "Donna? You – and your kids?" He barreled down the steps, coming up and taking her hands in his. "You're ... you're alright."

"Yes," their mother answered.

"And you're here. But how?"

She breathed in, giving him a look that seemed to say, It's a long story, and I'm not about to tell it standing out here.

"Come, come, it's cold, let's get you all inside."

Gratefully, they shuffled inside after his bulky back, hovering in the hallway for a moment, not sure where to stand or what to do.

"Donna," Mrs. Avery greeted, giving her a polite hug. "It's so good to see you back safe."

"I know."

"Are you all hungry? We still have some oats left."

"I wouldn't mind." She followed Tom's wife into the kitchen, and Hannah sensed her mother's displeasure almost immediately. Melanie was not as a good keeper of the house as either of them had been. But of course, her Ma said nothing of that. They were acting more like polite strangers than old friends of the Averys, she thought, as they sat down and watched Mrs. Avery serve the last of dinner.

"I still can't believe you're here," Tom Avery said, shaking his head. "Gave me the fright of my life. I thought you were a ghost or something."

"I almost was."

"Ma," Hannah said, frowning a little.

"Where did you find her, Hannah?"

"I had help," she replied, not liking to be reminded of Macks. "A friend found her."

"You didn't know your kids were in Dalen?"

"Of course not."

"All this time ... ?"

"I was ill," she explained, getting raised brows from everyone. "For some months."

"Oh," Tom Avery went. "I'm so sorry."

"Yes, well, I recovered. Thanks to the two of them. Didn't think I would come out of it, but I did. So I knew I had to come back to Chell, see how things are."

"A lot's happened," he stated, pulling out a chair to sit across from her. "But we're doing alright. We've been more worried over here about your two kids. Going off to Dalen on their own like that – practically unthinkable. But Hannah did a good thing for my son, leaving them this house."

"We're indebted to her," Kurt agreed, from his place standing behind Hannah.

She did a nervous smile here, sensing trouble.

"So I heard," her mother said, starting to rub the back of her neck. "You must know, I never knew this would happen."

"I know," Tom Avery sympathized. "You've been through so much, all of you."

"I still remember when we first came here, my husband and I. All the way from Irey. And we had the house built, you came over to help us with the farm ... "

"Mmm, I remember."

"It was a harsh year."

"But you survived."

"And then I had Hannah, right here in this house. And Rio a few winters later."

He nodded, smiling faintly. He didn't say anything for a while, and neither did any of the Averys. Kurt had his eyes down, while his wife seemed to be watching tensely. "You want to come home, don't you?" Tom Avery murmured.

To Hannah's amazement, she nodded in answer. "Ma!" she cried.

"Quiet, Hannah. I'm doing this for the family."

"Which is me and Rio, and we're both happy in Dalen."

"Well, I'm not," she retorted. She turned away, looking back up. "Tom, you understand."

He paused, looking reluctant as he eyed his son. Hannah knew he was torn between helping him or them, the family of his closest friend. "Donna, I ... "

"Kurt and Melanie have had their time. But this is Iver land. My husband's buried here."

Tom Avery didn't say anything, but he didn't need to. Kurt held up his hands, putting on the bravest smile he could manage. "She's right, Father. The house was never given. I told Hannah we would only take care of it until she returned and ... well, that time has come."

Melanie wasn't as understanding about it though. "But we live here!" she exclaimed. "You don't even need it!"

"Mellie." He grabbed her arm, quieting her. "Please." He led her outside into the main room, presumably to talk to her and calm her down.

Hannah sank in her chair, hating herself. This was all her fault. No ... wait, it wasn't. This was her mother's fault, for allowing them to believe she had died. "Ma, can't you let them stay? The Avery house is too small for them."

"And where would I stay?"

"What's wrong with Magda's?"

"It's not my home," she answered, as if it was as simple as that. In her mind, it probably was.

"So you want to stay here alone?"

Her mother stared at her for a minute. "Yes. It's where I'm supposed to be. And sooner or later, one of you will come back to it too."

"Well ... couldn't Kurt and Melanie stay here too for a while?"

"Share?"

"Just until they've set themselves up?"

"That would be very kind," Tom Avery couldn't help putting in.

She seemed to think about that. "I suppose they can stay for a few days."

"Thank you," Tom Avery nodded. "I'm sure they will appreciate it. I think I'll go outside and tell them." He nodded at his wife, who followed him quietly.

By now, it was only the Ivers left, and Hannah immediately turned to her mother. "I can't believe you did this."

"And I can't understand why you think it strange that I'd want to come home."

"Melanie was right. We don't need the space. They do."

"You care too much for your friends, Hannah," her mother told her. "You'll thank me someday."

"I remember how hard it was for me to leave, so I know how they feel."

"How they feel? They didn't grow up here, you did. And this is where your children should be growing up too, if only you could just put your feelings aside and think ahead for once."

"Alright, alright," Rio spoke up at last. "Let's not argue anymore, it'll get us nowhere. Kurt already agreed to give up the house."

"He has to," Hannah muttered.

Before either of them could say anymore, Tom, his wife and Kurt appeared in the doorway. Hannah could sense the strain in his smile as Kurt spoke to her mother, "Thank you for letting my wife and I stay a little longer, Mrs. Iver."

"Not at all," she replied, and Hannah balked at how gracious she sounded. Yes, she knew this was rightfully their house and all. She understood. But still, it seemed so cruel to have to turn the young couple out, especially after what they had been through this year.

"I would much like to sit down for a drink before heading back ... if that's alright with you, Donna?"

She waved an arm mildly, signaling that she didn't mind. The men took some seats, while Mrs. Avery silently got to work making tea. Everyone stared at each other for an awkward moment, before Tom Avery started asking about Dalen, and how her mother had been – polite-sounding questions that seemed to be digging for something deeper. Why had Donna Iver stayed away so long? Why had she never sent word to her children all this time? All the same questions that she and Rio wondered, but still did not have real answers to. Somehow, after all this time apart from her mother, Hannah felt like she didn't understand her at all.

For the most part that evening, Hannah kept quiet, too uncomfortable to join in the already-odd conversation lobbing back and forth between the Averys and the Ivers. She sensed that there were many things their old friends wanted to say, but now did not seem the time. So once all the food and tea was gone, and the hour growing late, Tom Avery and his wife took their leave – no hugs for any of them this time, she noticed, just small smiles and a wave from the path.

And so they were gone, and the three Ivers were left with Kurt and Melanie for the night.

"It's been a long day," her mother remarked, leaning against the doorframe. "All I want is to drop into bed and close my eyes."

"Um," Kurt started. "Melanie is working on clearing out our things."

"Oh?" She blinked at him, and Hannah felt obligated to explain.

"He and Melanie ... took your room, Ma."

"Oh," she went, in a colder tone this time. "I see."

"We were thinking we'd bring some blankets and things out into the hall ... "

"Yes, that sounds fine to me. And you'll be quite warm by the fire."

Hannah glanced at the floor, frowning. She couldn't believe how patient and humble Kurt was being through all this. Although, then again, his wife was reacting just the opposite.

"Thank you," he said, cocking his chin.

"Well," she piped up. "You'll be like our guest, Kurt. If there's anything we can do for you ... "

"We'll be fine. I'll just go and help Melanie. We should be finished very soon." He hurried off, and Hannah shot an unhappy glance at her mother behind his back.

"Now, don't give me that look. I'm sure they didn't disturb your room."

"Actually, they did. Speaking of which, I think I'll turn in now. Like you said, it's been a long day. Longer than I expected."

Her mother made a dismissive sound, not responding. Hannah headed down the hall, pushing open her door. It took her a minute to get her candles burning, and as she looked around, she wondered – what if the baby had lived? Would her mother still have thrown them out?

She heard footsteps just outside, and turned, watching as Melanie brushed past with some blankets. Even though she must have seen Hannah, she would not meet her eye. Right behind her came Kurt, a pillow tucked under each arm. At least he stopped to talk, shrugging as he lingered in her doorway. "So," he started, raising a brow at her. "How does it feel to be back?"

"Kind of strange."

"Hmm. But you have your family back together now. Mostly. Isn't that good?"

"Things are different now," she told him quietly.

"They are, aren't they?"

"Kurt, I'm sorry. I had no idea she was going to do this."

"No, don't apologize," he told her, shaking his head in that earnest way of his. "I knew we couldn't stay here forever."

"How's Melanie?" she asked, nodding outside. "Is she upset?"

"A little. But she'll be fine. We both will."

"You sound so sure."

"Because I am sure. You were good to let us stay as long as we did."

"Yes, well, in the end, what my mother says goes."

"That's how it is," he murmured knowingly. He turned his head away, nodding down the hall. "Well, time for sleep. I'll talk to you in the morning?"

"Yes. Tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Hannah."

"Goodnight," she whispered, as he moved off to return to his wife. Hannah stood there for a moment, listening to a blurred drone of voices. Her mother and brother soon appeared – though Rio just mumbled something and disappeared into his room.

"Everything alright?" her mother wanted to know.

"Yes," Hannah answered, not wanting her to see how they'd rearranged her room. "I'm tired, Ma. We should be getting to sleep."

"We'll talk in the morning then," she said, and Hannah had a feeling that she had more waiting for her tomorrow. What else was her mother planning, now that she was back? She didn't like to think about it.

"Fine," she mumbled, and her mother took off towards her bedroom.

Sighing, Hannah shut her door and looked around again. It was still the same as when she'd last been here, as if it had not even been touched since then. No matter what her mother might think, she did not see this room as hers anymore. She dug up a nightdress from her bag, getting herself changed before laying down in her old bed.

She missed Dalen. She missed her room at the tower, the tailor's, the sound and feel of the city streets. She missed her friends (Alyssa, Shelby) and her sort-of-friends (Christopher, Judy). She missed, more than any of them however, Captain Macks Droy. And she had not a clue just what to consider him at this point.