Fifteen

Wrapped in the Familiar

It had only been two days since Valentine’s Day, and the quiet that followed felt like a gift. A soft landing. They’d gone wheels up right after the second show in Toronto, flying straight to Montreal for a few days of downtime before the tour picked up steam again. The band had been told to do whatever the hell they wanted. Matt, Cliff, Doc, and Jeanie had taken up residence at the St. James Hotel, indulging in room service, spa robes, and a merciful lack of obligations.

Jon and Ari?

They went to the loft.

She needed the grounding—the stillness, the familiarity, the comfort of knowing exactly where the light would fall through the windows in the morning. She never said it out loud, but he knew. And if he was being honest with himself, he needed it too. Something real. Something still.

Outside, February howled against the city like it had something to prove. Bitter wind slashed at the windows, the kind of cold that dared you to step outside. No way was he going for a run in that. So, he hit the treadmill instead, feet pounding in the small private gym, the low thud of each step steady and dull. The repetition should’ve emptied his mind.

It didn’t.

His thoughts looped in restless spirals. Ari had told him not to feel guilty—said it wasn’t his fault. That the surprises had been beautiful. They had been. Thoughtful, tender, full of heart. But also… too much. Valentine’s Day. Lily’s first show. That song. The one with too many ghosts stitched between the notes.

She said she was fine.

And he believed her. Mostly.

What had knocked him sideways was how fast she’d rebounded. She’d been grounded ever since. Steady. Eating full meals again—desserts, even—with no hint of the old struggle creeping back in. Not a single skipped bite. Not even a rogue Froot Loop. She was over at Petit SoHo now, covering Max’s shift so he could have some long-overdue family time. Steph and Lily were with her, no doubt running poor Gabriel ragged.

Shame she hadn’t taken the drool-slinging, couch-hogging beast Romeo called a dog with her.

Nope. Meatball was still here. Stretched out like some shaggy nightclub bouncer, stationed just off the treadmill, watching Jon like he owed him rent.

Let’s go, pal. I got things to sniff and squirrels to intimidate, his eyes practically barked.

Jon exhaled sharply and checked the timer.

Suck it up, buttercup. Still five miles to go.

Then the console flashed—an incoming call from Matt.

Jon jabbed his earbud. “If this is work-related, call Jeanie.”

“Hello to you too, dickhead,” Matt replied, voice as dry as sawdust.

Jon huffed a breath, half laugh, half wheeze. “What’s up?”

“What the fuck are you doin’? This better not be you and Ari bumpin’ uglies.”

“You’re an idiot. I’m on the treadmill.”

“Well, thank God for that. Quick question—did you happen to mention to Ari that I asked Des if she knew any nannies?”

Jon’s pace slowed just enough to signal a shift. “No. Why?”

“Because Des just called me. Said Ari texted her asking if she knew anyone who works with kids. You know. Like a nanny.”

“You gotta be shittin’ me.”

“Nope. Des played it cool—pretended she didn’t know a thing. But I figured I’d better give you a heads-up before this turns into a full-blown ‘you went behind my back’ situation.”

Jon dragged a hand down his face, wiping sweat and regret in equal measure. “I can’t believe she’s actually thinkin’ about it. I mean, we talked about it…”

Matt cut him off. “You talked about it? You mean you brought it up, she told you to drop it, and then you went behind her back to crowdsource a solution?”

“Jesus, would you shut up?”

“I’m just sayin’! You know she hates being told what to do. Especially by you.”

Jon rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. “You’re a real goddamn help, Matt.”

Matt chuckled. “Hey, I didn’t call to referee your domestic drama. I just don’t wanna get caught in the crossfire when she finds out I’m the middleman in nannygate.”

Jon grunted. “So what, I’m supposed to play dumb now?”

“Exactly. She brings it up, you nod. Blink a lot. Maybe gasp. Think you can manage that?”

“I’m hangin’ up now.”

Jon ended the call before Matt could get in another dig. He glanced at Meatball, who now had one massive paw dangling dramatically over the edge of the mat like a medieval king awaiting tribute.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Jon muttered, jabbing the stop button on the treadmill. “You’re next.”

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

Ari couldn’t believe how much she’d already accomplished—and it wasn’t even noon. After leaving the loft that morning, she and the kids had gone straight to the St. James Hotel for her appointment with Dr. Cummings. Aside from that one rough night, things had been going remarkably well. They both agreed the IVs had made a world of difference—so much so that she was officially scheduled to have her port removed at her next appointment with Dr. Laurent in just a few days.

One less tether to the past. One more step forward.

When her saline bag was empty and breakfast had been finished, they'd made plans to meet at Petit SoHo later for round two—and lunch.

Next stop: the bar.

Since they were staying in town for the week, she’d insisted Max take a few well-earned days off to spend with his family. She and Jon would manage just fine—especially with reinforcements arriving Friday. The whole crew was descending for winter break and Jesse’s birthday. Desiree was bringing her two kids, and Jesse, Jake, and Romeo were all coming in as well.

The quiet wouldn’t last, but she was looking forward to the noise.

While she worked in the office, Steph had taken over babysitting duties out front. Jon had discovered Lily crawling backward the other day, and she hadn’t stopped since. It was like she’d unlocked a cheat code and was now on a mission to reverse-engineer every square inch of the loft. Watching her scoot under tables and around corners like a tiny escape artist was equal parts hilarious and heart-melting. It probably wouldn’t be long before she figured out how to go forward—God help them when she did. The crew had even started a betting pool on which show Lily would make her official debut as a full-fledged runner.

God help me, Ari thought with a smirk.

When she finally looked up from her screen, the clock read eleven. Nic would be arriving soon, and Lily was overdue for her nap. She slipped out of the office and into the comforting clatter of the kitchen. Stephanie was at the counter, expertly chopping vegetables, while Gabriel waltzed around the room with Lily in his arms. Her daughter squealed with delight, patting his cheeks with sticky, chubby fingers as he spun them in lazy circles.

“My, how things have changed since I was a kid,” Ari said with a laugh, scooping Lily from his arms and planting a kiss on Gabriel’s cheek.

“Chut, mon papillon. J’ai fait pareil avec toi.”
(Hush, my butterfly. I did the same with you.)

She smiled and gently brushed his cheek with her hand. “I’m going to put her down for her nap, then we can have some lunch.”

“S’alright,” Steph replied, eyes never leaving the cutting board.

Ari carried Lily up the back stairs to the apartment above. Even after all this time—eighteen months and change—it still smelled like her grandmother. Lavender and cedar. Warm bread and old books. That comforting hush hadn’t faded, and Ari prayed it never would.

She followed the familiar path through the living room, past the old photos on the wall, down the narrow hallway, and into the room that had once been hers. Reaching for Lily’s plush monkey and well-loved blanket, she gently placed her daughter in the pack-n-play by the bed. Lily curled onto her side, clutching both objects under her chin without protest.

Ari smiled softly, picked up the baby monitor from the dresser, and pulled the door closed behind her.

Back down the hall, she grabbed her favorite blanket from the back of the sofa, stepped out onto the porch, and descended the steps. The cold air bit at her cheeks as she followed the cobbled path, the quiet crunch of her boots pressing into patches of old snow. When she reached her destination, she bent to sweep aside the remnants of winter, then wrapped the blanket tighter around herself and slowly sank to her knees.

 

Sault, Mémère.

It’s been a minute since I’ve been here. I have so much to tell you.

Let’s start with Lily—she’s getting so big. Started crawling this week. Backwards, but it won’t be long before she’s going the right way. I found her under the pool table earlier and thought of Pépère—how he used to find me and Cara under there.

The crew even has a pool going on what show she’ll be running all over the place. I’m not sure I’m ready for that.

Which leads me to my next bit of news…

I’m pregnant.

I hope Daddy didn’t ruin my surprise. Lily and I talk to him in the stars every night before she goes to bed.

Can you believe it? Two babies under a year old. I’m due in July again, too. It’s crazy. Jon is over the moon. He swears this one’s a boy—thinks he’s some kind of baby whisperer. It’s still too early to know for sure, but either way, we both just want a healthy baby. The first few months were rough, but I think I’m finally coming out the other side.

Thank God.

The new tour started this month. It’s not as long as the last one. They’re playing the Bell Centre this week. The kids are coming for winter break before we head back to the States. We’re celebrating Jesse’s birthday downstairs with a full-blown family karaoke competition. He’s invited a few friends to come along, too.

I wish you were here for all of this. I feel you around me all the time, but still—I miss you. I know you’re watching over us.

I should get back before Gabriel comes lookin’. Next time I’ll bring Lily—she’s napping in my old room.

Je t’aime jusqu’aux étoiles et retour
(I love you to the stars and back.)

 

Ari lingered a moment longer, her hands still resting on the smooth, cold stone. The quiet wrapped around her like an old friend, equal parts comfort and ache. She bent forward and pressed a soft kiss to the engraved letters, her breath fogging in the chill. With one last brush of her fingers along her grandmother’s name, she whispered goodbye.

 

Then she stood, slowly, drawing the blanket tighter around her shoulders as if to carry a piece of that closeness with her. The air bit at her cheeks as she turned back toward the path, boots crunching softly on the cobblestones. Behind her, the stillness held steady—but in her chest, something warm flickered to life.

 

Home was waiting. And so was Lily.