When I woke up this morning, Reid was already up and in his office downstairs, and after last night's events I decided against going down to check on him. That and the fact I wasn't allowed in his office, I opted to send him a quick text asking if he needed anything before I took Ava to preschool. He replied the same way he usually did.

Me: Need anything before I take Ava to preschool

Reid: No

With a frustrated breath, I go to slip my phone in my purse only to stop when it pings with another text.

Reid: Thank you

Thank you? I stare down at my phone and can't help but smile. The shift in his attitude is welcome. So, I reply.

Me: You're welcome

* * *

Hearing the doorbell, I look up from the stove where I'm cooking Reid his breakfast. I don't bother answering. I know Reid saw whoever it is before they were at the door. Seconds later Nikolai walks through the door. Nikolai is Logan's brother. Their looks are very similar only he has black hair and not brown like his brother. The trait that stands out the most is his eyes. Nikolai and Logan both have one green eye and one blue, just like their father. I watch as he comes striding in. He's wearing old faded jeans and a black t-shirt paired with boots. Typical attire for someone who works in construction. I prefer a guy who works with his hands over a polished suit and tie kind of man. But looking at Nikolai, I realize even though I find him attractive, he does absolutely nothing for me. Not like the grumpy ass biker downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, he helps himself to some coffee before casually leaning against the counter. "How you doing today, Krasavitsa beautiful"? he asks.

"I'm doing okay, how about yourself?" I return and mentally remind myself to look up what Krasavitsa means. I haven't been around Nikolai much, only when Bella has invited me over to the clubhouse for family gatherings. He's always sweet and respectful. Just when he opens his mouth and is about to respond, a loud booming voice comes over the intercom. "Nikolai, get your ass downstairs." That voice is Reid's. I still haven't gotten used to all the cameras Reid has in and around his home. And I know he is watching us this very moment.

With a warm smile, Nikolai places his coffee mug in the sink. "I better get my ass down there. It was good seeing you, Mila."

"You too." I return.

Just as he goes to turn away, I call out to him, "Would you mind taking Reid's breakfast down to him since you're heading that way?" I asked, picking up a serving tray with a plate of scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast, along with some orange juice.

"No problem, Krasavitsa beautiful."

"Thanks."

After striping the sheets off Reid's bed and starting a load of laundry, I go about cleaning the bathroom, sweeping, and mopping the floors and washing the dirty dishes from breakfast. Before I know it two hours have passed, and I haven't seen Nikolai come back up from downstairs. When I look out the window, I see his car is gone. He must have left from the ground entrance. Since it seems like Reid is going to spend most of the day working, I decide to visit my Grams. Once I'm finished preparing lunch for Reid, I place it in the microwave that way all he has to do is warm it up. I pick my phone up off the counter to send a text to Reid, then quickly decide I'm tired of texting him when we need to communicate. We're in the same damn house for Christ sakes. I know his office is off limits, but the texting is ridiculous. Walking over to the front door, I pick up my keys and purse. Tossing my phone into my bag and slinging it over my shoulder, I proceed to make my way down to Reid's office. When I make it to his office, the door is closed. The only sound I hear is the clicking coming from his typing away on his computer. Without a second thought, I knock.

"Come in," Reid calls out.

Opening the door, I see him sitting behind a desk. Looking up from his work, Reid regards me. "I'm going to go see my grandmother. I won't be gone long. Your lunch is in the microwave. And I know you said your office is off limits, but it's ridiculous to have to text you when we are in the same house." I finish, sounding a little exasperated. When I'm done, I notice Reid looks a tad amused at my frustration.

"You're welcome to come down here anytime, Kitten. The day I said that I was having a bad day." Not knowing what else to say, I nod my head and go to shut the door when he stops me.

"Mila?"

Lifting my gaze I look at him, "Yes?"

"I'm glad you’re here."

I nod my head once again before closing the door because what do I say to that? Reid's attitude has done a complete turn-around. And men say women are confusing.

I'm walking down the hall of the nursing home towards my grandmother's room when I hear several raised voices. One of them I recognize as Grams. She sounds frantic and scared, and that has me picking up my pace. The closer I get to her room there is another voice I recognize. It's been four years since I've laid eyes on her. Rushing into my grandmother's room, I come face to face with my mother and standing on the opposite side of the room, my father.

What in the hell are they doing here?

Ignoring my parents, I rush over to my grandmother and the nurse who is trying to calm her down. My grandmother is hysterical, and she keeps repeating the words, "Leave her alone! Leave her alone! You can't have it!"

Can't have what?

I hate this disease. It breaks my heart seeing my grandmother like this. She gets so confused sometimes and works herself into hysterics. And the sudden appearance by my parents has no doubt triggered her current reaction. Feeling my blood boil, I turn away from my grandmother and come face to face with my mother again. "You need to leave, now," I demand through gritted teeth, ignoring the fact that this is the first time I have seen or spoken to her in four years. Nothing about my mother has changed. She is still the same polished and put together woman she was the last time I saw her in my hospital room after I gave birth to Ava.

"I think you have forgotten who you're speaking to." She snaps, narrowing her eyes at me.

"Oh, trust me mother; I know exactly who I'm talking to. Now, I will say it one more time. Get the hell out of this room before I have security remove you." I enunciate each word. Just when she's about to argue my father cuts in.

"Come on, Susan. Nothing more can be done right now. Not when she's in this state."

What is he talking about?

Huffing, my mother turns and walks out of the room alongside my father. I don't give them a second glance. Instead, I turn my attention back to my grandmother who has suddenly stopped fighting the nurse. "Come on Grams, let's get you back in bed, okay?"

Once we get her settled back into bed, I can tell the fight she just gave us has worn her out. I turn towards the nurse, "She's okay now. I'll stay with her until she falls asleep. Can you please alert the staff that those two people are not allowed back in here? I'll sign whatever paperwork is necessary before I leave."

After the nurse has left, I pull a chair up close to the bed and take my grandmother's trembling hand in mine as I began to stroke her hair. Several minutes later her eyes close and her breaths even out. Her good days are coming fewer and farther between. I want more than anything to walk in here one day and have my old Grams back, but the reality is that is never going to happen. Some days when I visit there are brief moments when she looks at me, and I see her, the real her, and she'll smile at me, but then as quickly as those moments come they soon vanish. One thing I know for sure, I will not let this disease take away who my grandmother is and how I will remember her because she lives inside of me. I am the woman and mother I am because of her.

I'm on my way back to Reid's after stopping and picking Ava up from preschool. My mind is reeling from today's events. When I left my grandmother's room my parents were already gone. The nurse at the nurse's station informed me they tried to access her medical records but were denied. I am her appointed Power of Attorney; they would need my permission. The nurse said they left after a brief argument. I bet my mother just loved that, she hates to be told no. I let out a snort and shake my head at the vision of my mother in all her sophisticated snobbery as she demanded a nurse break the law and hand over Gram's file. Knowing my parents, that is exactly what they thought was going to happen. It's ridiculous when you think about it, considering they are both lawyers. My parents are very well known and respected in New York, but Polson is a far cry from the big city and people here don't have a clue who Richard and Susan Vaughn are.

Now my biggest question is, what do they want? Why show up after so many years? Even growing up, my mother never came to visit Grams. And I'm pretty sure the only calls she received from my mom was when she needed a place to dump me during the summers. I have a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that my parents are up to no good. No way is my mother here out of the goodness of her heart or out of love. Richard and Susan Vaughn don't know the meaning of the word. The only people they look out for are themselves. Always have, always will. Something is up with them; I just need to figure out what and keep them away from Grams in the process. I refuse to have what went down today happen again.

I abandon my thoughts as I pull up in front of Reid's place. Unbuckling, I turn to look in the back seat to see my little girl fast asleep. A pang of sadness washes over me when taking in her blonde curls that partially cover her face. She looks so much like him. I'm sad she will never know her father. I'd like to think he would have made a fantastic dad. Ava asked me once why she didn't have a daddy like the kids at preschool. I told her she had a daddy, but he went to heaven when she was still in my tummy. I don't even have a picture of him, but I don't need one because all I need to do is look at Ava and I see him.

A loud rapping on my driver side window brings me out of my fog and causes me to jump. Looking to my left, I see Reid at my window. With my hand still clutched to my chest, I let my window down.

"Sorry, babe. Didn't mean to scare ya. You've been sittin' out here for awhile, and I wanted to see if you were okay."

Closing my eyes, I try to get my rapidly beating heart under control. When I reopen them, I'm met with Reid's green ones. Lord this man is gorgeous. Even with his disheveled hair and a weeks worth of stubble on his face, he's still a sight.

After a few moments, I'm able to find my voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. Ava fell asleep on the way home, and I didn't want to disturb her just yet. That and it's been a long day. I needed a breather myself." With a look of understanding on his face, Reid gives me a slight nod before he moves his chair over to the back passenger door of my car, then proceeds to open it. I watch as he leans in, unbuckles Ava from her car seat, hoists her out and brings her to his chest. Once she is securely in the grasp of his right casted arm he shuts the car door. The whole time my daughter never rouses from her sleep.

"You comin'?" Reid questions over his shoulder as he makes his way inside. Meanwhile, I'm still sitting in my car with a shocked expression, telling myself not to let the sight in front of me go to my head. There is a reason I stay away from getting involved with a man and not let myself get swept up in silly moments like this one, and that reason is my daughter. Ava is my number one priority, and my grandmother is my second. Being here is just another job—nothing more. Besides, Reid is only being kind, and it would be silly of me to go all gaga over seeing him holding my little girl. Like how he picked Ava up and carried her close like it was something he did every day. Nope, not going to let it get to me. Liar.

Sucking in a deep breath, I grab my purse from the seat beside me and step out of my car. "What have you gotten yourself into Mila?" I mutter to myself. I wouldn't have a single clue what I would do with a man like Reid.

When I got pregnant with Ava, I was only nineteen. That was almost five years ago. It was also the only time I have been with a guy. The night I spent with Ava's father was my attempt to let go and be free even if for just a moment. But look where that got me. Pregnant at nineteen. Not that I regret my decision. I never regretted having my daughter. She is the best thing to ever happen to me. But I've learned what hardships come from the choices we make. I can't let myself slip ever again.

Later that night after putting Ava to bed I'm standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes and staring out the window in front of me lost in thought. Thinking about my parents being in town still me on edge. I can't shake the feeling something terrible is coming.

"Want some help, Kitten?" Reid's deep voice asks from behind me.

Startled, I whip around and the glass in my hand slips from my grip falling to the floor and shatters into dozens of little pieces. "Shit! I'm so sorry," I rush to say as I bend down and start picking up the glass off the floor. "I'll buy you a new one. I promise I'm not usually this jumpy." I explain.

"Mila?" Reid calls out my name.

Looking up at him from my crouched position on the floor, he has a look of concern on his face. "It's just a glass, babe. It's not a big deal."

As I use the broom to sweep up my mess, Reid not once takes his eyes off me. His intense stare causes my skin to prickle and my hands to shake. Why is he just sitting there watching me? After the glass is cleaned up, I go to walk past him to the sink to finish my task when he reaches out and grabs hold of my wrist. Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I look to Reid and wait for him to speak.

"You want to talk about what has you on edge? Is it me? Am I doin' something to make you uncomfortable?"

His last question has me quick to react. Does he think he was making me feel uncomfortable? "What? No! Reid, nothing about being here with you is uncomfortable. A little weird? Yes. But uncomfortable? Never," I affirm looking him straight in his eyes so that he can see my sincerity.

Reid studies my face for a minute. Satisfied with what he sees he continues, "You want to tell me what's got you so upset then?"

Waving my hand in attempts to play off my frazzled state today, I reply, "It's nothing really, just some family stuff. I'm sure everything will be fine." At my last statement, I go to step away from him, but he refuses to release his hold on me.

"Is it your grandmother? Is she alright?" His show of concern for my Grams warms my heart.

"Yeah, Grams is okay. As good as to be expected anyway. Seriously, I'm fine." I lie. By the look on Reid's face he knows it, and by the grip he still has on my wrist I don't think he is willing to let it go.