Alexandra never moved them.
Once Nora asked:
“If you and Dad get married, will Mom’s pictures come down?”
Ethan nearly dropped his fork.
Alexandra answered first.
“No.”
Nora looked at Ethan.
He seemed unable to speak.
Alexandra continued:
“She is part of this family.”
“Marriage doesn’t rewrite before.”
Nora nodded.
“Okay.”
Then:
“Are you getting married?”
Alexandra choked on water.
Ethan coughed.
Nora smiled.
“Interesting.”
They were not.
Not yet.
But the question lingered.
One winter evening, Ethan and Alexandra drove to Denver together after Nora stayed overnight with a friend.
They had dinner.
Not a date.
Both said that several times.
At the restaurant, Alexandra wore black.
Ethan wore a jacket he had borrowed from a friend.
She noticed.
“You borrowed that.”
“How?”
“Shoulders.”
“What?”
“It doesn't fit.”
“Some people can’t identify tailored clothing by touch.”
“I’m sorry for your limitations.”
He smiled.
“You're terrible.”
“Yes.”
Dinner was easy.
Too easy.
Afterward snow began.
They walked toward parking garage.
Alexandra slipped slightly on ice.
Ethan caught her waist.
Both froze.
The world seemed to narrow.
“Thanks.”
she whispered.
“Yeah.”
Neither moved.
Alexandra looked at his mouth.
Then immediately at his eyes.
Ethan stepped back.
“Sorry.”
“For what?”
“I don’t know.”
They stood in falling snow.
Alexandra said:
“Do you still love Hannah?”
“Yes.”
No hesitation.
Alexandra nodded.
“Good.”
Ethan stared.
“Good?”
“If you said no, I’d think you were lying.”
He looked away.
“That’s the problem.”
“No.”
“It isn’t.”
“How could it not be?”
Alexandra stepped closer.
“I loved Emilia for eight years when I believed she was dead.”
“That love didn’t prevent me from loving Nora when I met her as the person she is now.”
Ethan looked at her.
“That’s different.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe not.”
He said nothing.
Alexandra continued.
“Love doesn't have to vacate one room before entering another.”
Ethan laughed softly.
“That sounds rehearsed.”
“It isn’t.”
“I’m just annoyingly articulate.”
“I noticed.”
Then he kissed her.
He regretted it instantly.
Not the kiss.
The timing.
He pulled away.
Alexandra’s eyes were still closed.
Then she opened them.
“Don't apologize.”
“I—”
“Do not.”
Ethan looked terrified.
Alexandra laughed.
“Ethan Cole.”
“What?”