Somewhere during "Just Around the Riverbend," Mel falls asleep on Abbie's thighs, so she carries her upstairs. She watches her sleep. Plays in her hair. Kisses her forehead. Counts the number of colors on her tiny fingernails before she sleeps herself.

It is late afternoon when Abbie wakes. Mel is still asleep, so she leaves her be as she walks downstairs for a glass of water and a snack. Perhaps those Rainier cherries she saw earlier.

Crane's in the kitchen, too. Bent inside the fridge, sliding round containers and gallons of juice for an item that's far in the back.

"Looking for a snack, too?" Abbie says.

He jumps, bumps his head. The fridge light flickers.

"Bloody hell."

She laughs. "You scare too easily."

He faces her, with the cherries in his hand. "It is quite unfortunate for my sake."

"Is your head okay?"

He massages a patch of his hair. "It is fine. Thank you. Would you like some cherries?"

She smiles. "It's what I wanted actually."

"They're your favorite, I know." He returns her smile and opens the pack of cherries for them to dig into. They bit around seeds and place them on a napkin Crane sits between them. It's quiet for a while.

She shouldn't question it, but she does. "You still remember that?"

His eyebrows question her. "Why wouldn't I?"

She shrugs, picks in the bag. "We've been fighting since Mel got sick. I guess I feel like I've pissed you off so much that maybe…."

Her throat tightens as she shields her eyes away from him, so he doesn't see her cry. He holds her cheeks in his palms, kisses her forehead.

"Treasure. Abbie. I will always love you with all I am.

She wonders if he's lying to her. He could have cheated on her with Sophie, yet here he stands, proclaiming a love for her that hasn't died out. And yet, here she stands, resting her hands against his beard and proclaiming the same.

"I still love you, too."

Despite all their shit. Despite her infidelity. Despite the ways he's hurt her and the ways she's hurt him. She remembers how wild and determined they were for each other and their relationship. They were more than happy.

"What else do you remember?" She says.

Abbie remembers how he likes his tea. Kettle-boiled. Three sugar cubes. Peppermint or chamomile. A splash of rum. Maybe lemon. He has the teeth and tongue for sweets, particularly doughnuts. His antique boots and military jacket are his prized possessions. He's picky about ties. Can read century-old books for hours by candle light. Enjoys quill-penned letters. She remembers he likes to be seduced, teased, toyed with until he's stuck on the syllable of her name. She remembers everything.

"You enjoy singing, particularly the soulful tunes of Billie Holiday and Etta James. You'd live on the beach if you could. The waves bring you peace. You despise raisins. Leather jackets and boots are your favorite accessories, not to mention those snug skinny jeans you sport. Romance movies make you cry, specifically the 'Titanic.' Lastly, I know how you like to be held. Kissed. Fucked."

"Show me."

He sits her on the counter. Her legs open for him, curl around his waist. His tongue dips in and out of her mouth. Ash flashes behind her lids. There's that throbbing guilt. But there's mostly want and desire for Crane, for them. She wonders if he has this same feelings. He nips her bottom lip, squeezes her ass. She moans. Again, how long has it been? She misses all he is. Mumbles it into his neck. He misses her, too. Her hands slide under his shirt. His lips suck a weak point on her neck. They are sloppy and breathe heavy when they kiss again. Hands are everywhere. Before she can snatch his shirt off, she hears her little girl's voice.

"Mama, Daddy?"

Mel stands in the kitchen, watching them with her head titled.

They quickly right themselves. She's somewhat embarrassed to be caught this way. Abbie walks over to her.

"You okay, baby girl? You're done with your nap?"

She nods.

"Hungry?"

She nods again. "Can we go to Carly's? We go there with Miss Sophie."

"You do, do you?"

Abbie isn't too tickled about going to a restaurant that Sophie, Crane, and Mel go to without her, where they order their favorite meals, probably get free dessert for being frequent customers, share inside jokes with the waiters, and stay until closing. She isn't a part of that loop.

"Yeah. Miss Sophie always gets the double bacon burger."

Her green wants to show, but she puts it in check.

"Sounds good. What do you get?"

"The grilled cheese with extra cheese."

"I'll have to try that with you, sweet pea."

"Can you eat with us daddy?"

He kneels in front of her, glances at Abbie. "I do not want to intrude on mother-daughter time—"

"Come with us, Crane."

He nods.

She wants them to try again, to get back to them.