The scent of sizzling bacon drifted through the apartment, winding its way into every corner. Sophie stood at the stove in one of the pyjamas she keeps at Amy's place incase of unintentional sleep overs, humming off-key to whatever song was in her head as she flipped pancakes with the confidence of someone who absolutely should not be trusted with a spatula.
She glanced toward the hallway just in time to see a door creak open.
Out stepped Amy first, hair mussed, cheeks flushed, Jace close behind her in his black singlet. Sophie's lips curved slowly into a grin, her spatula frozen midair.
"Well, well, well." She drawled, arching one brow. "Look who decided to finally leave the room. Together."
Amy froze, her face turning crimson. "Sophie..."
Jace rubbed the back of his neck, looking everywhere but at Sophie. "Morning."
"Morning?" Sophie repeated, her grin wicked. "That's what you're going with? Not 'good morning, best friend, thank you for playing Cupid and basically saving our love story'? Honestly, I'm hurt."
Amy groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Please tell me this is just a bad dream."
"Oh no, sweetheart." Sophie flipped the pancake onto a plate with a flourish. "This is very real. The walk of shame look you're both rocking is the highlight of my morning."
Jace coughed, muttering, "We didn't...."
"Don't. Even. Finish that sentence," Sophie cut in, sliding the plate onto the counter. "I don't need details. I've got imagination, and unfortunately for both of you, it's very vivid."
Amy threw a dish towel at her. "You're so annoying."
"And yet here I am, feeding you breakfast." Sophie winked, setting out plates. "You're welcome, lovebirds."
Jace shook his head, fighting a smile as he reached for mugs. "She's never going to let us live this down, is she?"
"Not a chance," Amy muttered, but her lips betrayed her, curving into a smile.
They all settled around the small table, steam rising from pancakes and mugs of coffee. For a few minutes, the room was filled only with clinking forks and quiet laughter, the storm outside the night before replaced by a soft, golden calm.
"So," Sophie said at last, cutting into her pancake. "Now that I've successfully reunited you two, I suppose my work here is done." She looked far too pleased with herself.
Amy narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare act like some fairy godmother."
"If the shoe fits…" Sophie sang under her breath, sipping her coffee.
After breakfast, Sophie stretched, sliding her chair back. "Alright, I'm heading home before I choke on all this love. My bed misses me."
She leaned down to hug Amy, whispering just loud enough for Jace to hear, "Don't screw this up again, okay?"
Amy swatted at her, but her eyes softened. "I won't."
Then Sophie turned to Jace, jabbing two fingers toward her eyes before pointing at him. "And you hurt her, and I'll make you regret it. Got it?"
Jace gave a solemn nod, though amusement flickered in his eyes. "Crystal clear."
"Good." Sophie smirked, grabbing her bag. "Try not to ruin the couch while I'm gone."
"Sophieeee" Amy groaned.
"Sophie out" Sophie laughs.
With that, she breezed out the door, leaving Amy and Jace in the sudden quiet of the apartment.
Amy glanced at him, cheeks still pink. "I swear, she's impossible."
Jace leaned back in his chair, eyes warm as they lingered on her. "She's not wrong, though."
Amy tilted her head. "About what?"
He reached across the table, threading his fingers through hers. "About us. I don't want to lose this again."
Amy's chest tightened, but for the first time, the ache wasn't fear. It was hope. She squeezed his hand, her voice steady. "Then we don't."
A week later....
The Prescott mansion's dinning room glowed with late morning light. The room enriched with the smell of fresh rosemary drifted from the kitchen. Elizabeth had insisted on setting the table herself: white linen, crystal glasses, a spread of seafood risotto, fresh greens, and delicate pastries she knew Rebecca loved.
Elizabeth reached for her daughter's hand across the table. "Darling, thank you again for those gifts you and Nick sent from Santorini. That silk scarf was exquisite. And the olive-oil soaps smell like heaven."
Rebecca smiled, cheeks still sun-kissed from her travels. "You don't have to thank me, Mom. That trip wouldn't even have been possible without you. The post-wedding gift was more than generous. Nick still hasn't stopped talking about the sunsets and the cliffside cafés."
Elizabeth's eyes warmed. "Santorini does have a way of spoiling people. Did you try that tiny bakery near the square?"
"Oh yes." Rebecca laughed. "We practically lived there. The owners treated us like old friends. Nick even tried to learn a few Greek phrases. You should've seen him mangling the words.....very hilarious"
Elizabeth laughed too, the sound echoing softly off the high ceilings. They poured wine into their glasses and Rebecca couldnt stop gushing on how exquisite the red wine tasted.
"Uh.....dad.....how is he?" She asked suddenly after setting her glass down.
"He's okay. Just the usual but he's been....making plans."
Rebecca set down her fork. "Plans?"
"He's thinking of handing the company over to Jace."
Rebecca blinked. "Really? Well…that's a surprise...but a good one."
Elizabeth tilted her head. "You're not upset? You'll still have your share, of course."
Rebecca shook her head. "Mom, I'm not worried about shares. My own projects are doing fine. I'm just…surprised. Jace has never shown the slightest interest in the family business, what about cousin Ryan?"
Elizabeth set her glass down, her voice softening. "This is your father's way of laying himself bare to him. They've been at odds since Emma…" She trailed off briefly, then sighed. "He's hoping this will start to heal things."
Rebecca reached across the table, squeezing her mother's hand. "Well....i certainly hope it does....but if it doesn't,dad should know that money and wealth doesnt fix everything"
Elizabeth nodded with a small smile. "Speaking of your brother.....when was the last time you heard from him?"
"Back in Santorini," Rebecca admitted. "It's been a while."
Elizabeth glanced at her phone. "I miss that boy. Let's video-call him."
Rebecca grinned. "Go for it."
Elizabeth tapped her phone screen, and the call rang once, twice.....then connected. Jace's face filled the screen, his hair tousled, a hint of a smile breaking through.
"Hi, Mom. Becca," he said.
"Hi yourself," Rebecca teased. "You've been off the grid."
"Yeah, work," Jace said, rubbing the back of his neck. "How was Greece?"
Rebecca lit up. "Magical. We brought you and Amy a few things. I'll mail them this week."
"You didn't have to Becca" Jace smiled. Elizabeth cut in, eyes dancing. "You look good but not too good sweetheart. Have you been eating?"
Jace gave her a sheepish grin. "Trying."
Rebecca cocked her head.
"And Amy?, hope you've been treating her well after the whole Gina shenanigans?"Elizabeth asked lightly.
"Yh, we're good mom"
Rebecca's eyes widened, then shone. "Oh, Jace! That's wonderful....cant believe th whole Gina thing is in the past and you and Amy are back together again."
"Well....i do, they're basically meant for each other just like you and Nick" Elizabeth winked.
"Mom....stop" Rebecca blushed.
Elizabeth's eyebrows shot up in delighted surprise. "Is Amy there?"
Jace turned slightly. "Amy?"
A moment later Amy stepped into view, shy but smiling. "Hi, ma'am.....uh, sorry, Elizabeth."
They all laughed.
Elizabeth leaned closer to the camera. "I've missed you, Amy. It's been nearly seven months since you were here."
"I've missed you too," Amy said warmly. "I still think about that apple pie you made."
"Oh, you'll get more of it when you come back," Elizabeth promised. "You two must come to Virginia again."
Jace gave a small, noncommittal shrug. "We'll think about it."
Rebecca wagged a finger at him. "Convince him for us, Amy. You're better at it."
Amy laughed, glancing up at Jace. "I'll try. He can be stubborn."
"I get that from Mom," Jace teased.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Excuse me?, take that statement back young man"
They all laughed again. For a few minutes they slipped into easy chatter. Rebecca describing the sea caves they'd kayaked through, Elizabeth recommending a new exhibit at the Virginia Museum she thought Amy would love, Jace talking about a gallery opening he was preparing for. Amy chimed in about the bookstore's summer reading program and the parents who kept asking for her own story. Each time she spoke, Elizabeth and Rebecca listened with genuine interest, asking follow-up questions, smiling at the way she and Jace glanced at each other off-screen.
Eventually Elizabeth said, "You both look happy. It does my heart good."
Amy's cheeks pinked. "We're trying."
Rebecca leaned closer to the camera. "Just don't wait too long to visit. We miss you."
Jace met their eyes through the screen. "Well I can't say the same from over here" They laughed again.
For a moment it felt less like a video call and more like they were all gathered around the same table, a family laughing and talking, the distance between them shrinking with each shared story.