Thank you for the reviews! I appreciate every one of them. And thank you Johanna-002 for helping me outline a direct plan for this story. Your notes made writing this chapter so much easier.

Nobody's night seemed to be going the way they had hoped, and Nicky was no exception. It was nearing twelve that same night when Nicky began making her way home alone. Dressed only in a faded blue t-shirt and a pair of flannel pajama pants that had been washed so many times that the fabric was worn and no shield from the cooler breeze blowing off of the lake. The bright moon and shimmering stars were her source of light as she treaded down the dirt road, past Healy's house, until she reached the foot of her family's long driveway. She knew her mother would kill her if she discovered her walking by herself at this late hour, but Nicky had decided not to call for a ride anyway. She wanted some time to think.

Nicky switched to a light jog up the driveway. The place was dark. Nobody had left the porch light on for her since they weren't expecting her until morning. Nicky noticed the absence of either of her parents' vehicles and had to beam at the significance. Pop had told her he'd planned a little getaway for her mother and himself, but Nicky had been skeptical that he'd actual follow through or that her Ma would even concede to go. Nicky had to take this as a positive sign.

The front door creaked open as she stepped over the threshold into her family home. Nicky quietly set her backpack down on the bench and then slipped out of her shoes, placing them carefully on the mat like she was always nagged by her mother to do. Panting slightly from her sprint, Nicky tiptoed down the hall towards the kitchen without flicking any of the lights on. She didn't want to disturb any of the house's sleeping occupants or have to offer an explanation for what she was doing back at this hour.

"Gloria?" Nicky jumped back and clutched her hand to her heart in surprise. Gloria had fallen asleep sitting upright at the table. Her right hand was supporting her chin and her left was wrapped around a mug half-filled with tea that had long ago turned cool. She was still wearing the clothes she'd had on earlier that day when Nicky had seen her before work.

"You scared me," Nicky breathed. Gloria twitched in her sleep but her eyes stayed firmly closed. Nicky wasn't sure if she should wake her to go to bed, so that she wouldn't have a stiff neck in the morning, or if she should just let her be.

"Pregnant women need a lot of rest," her mother had explained before. "Not that your father would ever dream about helping out so I could get more rest, but it's hard work to grow a whole person."

Galina never seemed to be able to resist the impulse to get a little dig in at Dmitri wherever she could, but Nicky found her insights into pregnancy pretty interesting. She had no memory of when her mother had been expecting Vasily, being barely out of babyhood herself. Gloria was the first pregnant woman Nicky could really remember being that close to, and even though her small bump just looked like she recently had enjoyed a big meal, Nicky was eager to watch it grow.

She reached into the cabinet for a water glass and then headed over to the refrigerator. They kept a pitcher in there for the water they drank from their own well. She filled her glass to the brim and then gulped half of it down. The light from inside the ridge shone through the kitchen when she opened it a second time to refill her glass.

"Nicky?"

Nicky turned back around to see Gloria blinking over at her in confusion.

"Hey," she greeted. Shutting the refrigerator door, Nicky carried her glass of water over to the table and sat down in the seat opposite Gloria.

"Hi, mija," Gloria greeted her, covering her lips with the back of her mouth to stifle a yawn. "How long was I out for?"

"I'm not sure," Nicky shrugged, "I just got here."

"You did?" Gloria glanced at the time glowing in digital green lights on the stove. 12:04. "I thought you were spending the night with Lorna?"

"We got into a fight," Nicky said simply, the corners of her mouth curving down sadly. "My mom isn't home?"

"I don't think so," Gloria shook her head. "She went out with your dad tonight, right?"

"Yeah…" Nicky sighed. "At least one thing is going right tonight then, I guess. Pop told me he wanted them to stay in the city for some alone time. I'm the one who told him not to be cheap and to get them a suite with a pool."

"Sounds nice," Gloria said, smiling at the memory of how displeased Galina had been that evening to go out with him at all. It was a little bittersweet to see how invested her daughter seemed to be in her parents' night out. "Is that something they do often?"

"Practically never," Nicky rolled her eyes. "When I asked her about it, Ma said there was never any time between work and raising four kids."

"That certainly complicates things," Gloria replied. "Julio never gives me a moment's peace and I can't imagine juggling four of him. I'm already nervous about two…" she patted her stomach soothingly.

"Yeah, but we're bigger now," Nicky argued. "We can take care of ourselves for one night while they go have fun."

She knew her family wasn't perfect. Her parents spent a lot of time apart and sometimes went days without even speaking to one another. When they were talking, it was difficult for them to refrain from slipping in snide comments about each other. They seemed to thrive on provoking one another. Yet they'd stayed together all this time and that counted for something. They weren't like the Chapmans, where Piper's father's mistress had been an open secret in town for years. The Reznikovs were a united front, a committed and happy family, even if any romantic notions appeared to have been thrown out the window long ago.

Nicky was thankful for that. She'd seen what unhappy homes were like up close. Lorna's home was nearly always in a state of turmoil. In fact, the only reason Nicky had been allowed to stay over there in the first place was because Lorna's Dad was out of town for work. Mr. Morello didn't like children or noise, often stating that his own three kids annoyed him enough and he didn't need their friends hanging around causing extra chaos. Lorna's mother wasn't a well woman. She used to work down at the grocery store until various health ailments had forced her to quit her job. Now she rarely left her bedroom, was often depressed, and Lorna and her siblings were usually expected to fend for themselves.

"That's' true" Gloria agreed, silently offering up a silent prayer that Galina and Dmitri's night was going as well as their daughter seemed to hope it was. She stood up and walked over to the sink to dump her cold tea down the drain. She rinsed out the mug and set in on the drying mat. "So, you and Lorna had a fight? Are you okay?"

"I don't know," Nicky said vaguely.

"You don't want to talk about it?" Gloria asked, leaning against the counter and wrapping her hands around her small belly.

"Not much to say," Nicky shrugged.

"Well, how about a midnight snack, then?" Gloria offered. "Are you hungry?"

"As long as you don't make something weird like pickles and ice cream."

"I don't have those kinds of cravings," Gloria replied. She was pleased to see the girl crack the smallest hint of a smile. Nicky was usually so talkative and jovial, but right now she seemed solemn and caught up in her own thoughts.

"How about a PB and J?" Nicky suggested.

"Sure," Gloria replied, "I think I'll make one for myself as well."

She went to the bread box and took out four slices setting them down on the gleaming countertop before she went searching for the jam and peanut butter. She felt comfortable in this kitchen, in this home entirely, in fact. She was more Galina's roommate now, than guest. She bought groceries, cooked, and helped with the household upkeep. While she worked on their sandwiches, Gloria kept watch on Nicky out of the corner of her eye. The girl looked positively beat down and ready for bed. It may have been in part due to the late hour, but it was obvious that Nicky's fight with Lorna was weighing heavily on her.

"Here you go," Gloria set down a diagonally sliced sandwich down in front of Nicky. "Do you want something else to drink?"

"Thanks," said Nicky. "I'm good with water."

Gloria poured herself a glass of orange juice and then joined Nicky back at the table. "I've got to enjoy this while I can," she said, taking a sip from her glass. "Soon the heartburn is going to start to kick in."

"My Pop has to take pills for that," Nicky shared, picking up her sandwich with both hands. "When Ma is mad at him, she cooks spicier things." Snickering to herself, Nicky took a big bite.

"How passive aggressive of her," Gloria smiled. "Must be where you and Vasily learned it when I see the two of you picking at each other."

"Better than aggressive aggressive," Nicky said, sounding slightly defensive as she gave her a pointed look. Gloria subconsciously rubbed her hand over her cheek. The bruising had long ago healed, leaving no trace of anything ever happening on her tanned glowing face.

"Yes," Gloria agreed, lowering her hand and attempting to keep her voice steady. "I didn't mean anything by it…" It surprised her to hear how protective Nicky was about her parents, since she always was making cracks about their relationship behind their backs and even to their faces.

"That's okay. I know they're weird," Nicky shrugged. "I wouldn't want to end up in a relationship like them. Although, so far, I don't seem to be having any better luck."

"Are you having boy troubles?" asked Gloria.

"Puh-lease!" Nicky rolled her eyes.

"Just asking," Gloria smiled.

"I just had to endure hours of non-stop boy talk from Lorna, most of which revolved around my brother," Nicky shuddered in revulsion. "My biggest problem is trying to figure out how to get her to shut up about boys!"

"Ah, so that's why you left the sleepover!" Gloria exclaimed.

"Pretty much," Nicky muttered. "She's obsessed with Yuri. Which doesn't even make sense. He's not even good looking and his room smells like we let a horse live in it!"

If she was being honest with herself, Nicky would admit that she had overreacted. Lorna certainly thought she had, and by now had probably called both Piper and Alex to complain about Nicky going crazy on her for no real reason. Nicky knew she shouldn't have snapped at her, she never had before. Usually she had an abundance of patience when it came to listening and entertaining every fanciful whim that Lorna concocted in her brain. However, once they started revolving around her brother, Nicky decided that her friend had crossed a very clear line in more ways than one.

"I think Yuri is a pretty handsome guy," Gloria replied. "All your brothers are, just like you're a beautiful girl."

"Yeah, if you're looking for the Yuri fan club, it's over at Lorna's house," Nicky retorted. She exhaled a deep breath and then carried her empty plate and glass to the sink.

"I wouldn't worry, Nicky," Gloria said soothingly. "She'll get over it soon enough. I doubt your brother has an interest in a thirteen-year-old friend of his sister."

"He doesn't," Nicky agreed. "But I threatened to punch him in the throat if he encouraged her, just to be safe."

"How very aggressive-aggressive of you," Gloria said, with a knowing look.

Nicky flushed. "I wouldn't actually do it, you know."

"I know," Gloria nodded.

"It's just...Lorna is my best friend, and now she barely notices me," Nicky said softly. "She wants to stay over here all the time and I don't even think it's about me anymore. She just wants to get away from her own house and try to get Yuri to notice her."

"That's rough," Gloria said sympathetically. "I don't think she is doing any of this to intentionally hurt you. Maybe you should tell her how you feel. Or take a break from her so she learns you won't tolerate being used like that."

"Yeah, I guess," Nicky sighed. "I already decided I'm going to call Alex and see if she wants to hang out with me tomorrow instead-"

She broke off as a pair of headlights flashed through the kitchen window and a truck pulled into the driveway.

"Is that them?" asked Gloria nervously. She noticed herself gripping tightly to the edge of her seat as struggled to make out the vehicle parked out front.

"What are they doing back already?" Nicky wondered aloud, sounding disappointed.

She hurried to the front door to switch on the porchlight for them. Gloria used her few seconds alone to take some calming breaths to steady her racing heart. Of course, it was Dmitri and Galina coming home. Yet, when Gloria had first seen Dmitri's truck pull up in the middle of the night her first thought had been that Arturo had somehow managed to figure out where she was calling from. That he had driven all night to come confront her in person about daring to ask for a divorce.

"Nicky, just let me get in the door first, will you?" Galina's thick accent could be heard saying. Gloria watched through the window as Dmitri backed up his truck and then drove off the way he had come. Clearly, he wasn't staying the night, and the pair of them had opted not to stay together in the fancy suite they had booked after all.

"But why are you home already, Ma?"

"Why are you home, Nicky?" Galina asked, a touch of impatience in her tone. "I thought you were staying over at Lorna's?"

"Eh, I decided not to," Nicky said vaguely. "I always feel really awkward at her place." It wasn't what she had told Gloria, but also not untrue either. She just didn't feel like getting into it all again for a second time that night. She was more concerned with why her parents had decided to cut short their date night in the first place.

"I understand," Galina said softly, wrapping her arm around her daughter and pulling her into a gentle embrace.

"I've been hanging out with Gloria," Nicky shared. She led her mother around the corner into the kitchen where Gloria was still seated.

"Oh, so it's been a fun night without me," Galina teased.

"No, I missed you," Nicky conceded, nuzzling her head against her mother's shoulder.

"I missed you too," Galina replied, kissing the top of Nicky's head affectionately.

She glanced over Nicky's head to catch Gloria's eye, who was watching the two of them with a smile on her face. Gloria was so glad to see her too and relieved to know that it wasn't Arturo. It was absurd to even think that he would be able to figure out where she was, but it had been Gloria's primary concern since she had left him. Asking for a divorce, over the phone, from a secret location felt almost like taunting him. She didn't even want to think about Arturo's fury right now.

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" Nicky asked.

"Of course," Galina replied, raking her hand through Nicky's hair. "Why don't you go warm up the bed for me?"

Nicky knew that was her cue to leave. She uttered a hurried 'goodnight' to Gloria and then headed off to bed, leaving the two women behind in her wake. Silence fell between them. Gloria quietly stood up and walked over to the sink. She put the stopper in the drain and then turned on the tap. Adding a dash of dish soap, she filled the sink with soapy water.

"You don't have to do those," Galina said, sinking down into her seat at the head of the table. "They can wait until morning."

"Nonsense," Gloria said dismissively. She stole a glance at the sitting woman. Galina was rubbing her hand over her face and looking positively drained.

"You okay?" Gloria asked gently.

Galina shook her hand. "No…"

"You didn't enjoy your night out?" Gloria asked.

"Not at all," Galina said shortly. She ran her fingers through her hair. "I told you I wouldn't."

Gloria nodded silently behind her back. Calmly she began to wash the few dishes that she and Nicky had generated. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No... I…" Galina's voice cracked. "I don't know."

She slumped back in her chair and sighed. Gloria finished rinsing off the final plate and then began to drain the water. The kitchen was back to it's clean and orderly state. Just the way Galina liked it to be for her to prepare breakfast in in the morning.

"Yeah, I feel you," Gloria said sympathetically. She sat back down in the chair directly beside her friend. "I was having a good night until I came home."

Home. The word flowed so naturally from her lips and the smallest smile from Galina's told Gloria that she had noticed it too. Galina had always wanted to make this place like a home for anybody who stayed here. She went above and beyond to make all of her guests happy and her children's friends came in and out like they belonged there, and she rarely minded, even when she pretended to. It meant even more to hear Gloria call it that though. She'd grown so fond of having her and Julio stay there. It was so refreshing and a curb to the loneliness most people would be surprised to learn she harboured, to have another adult in the house who she actually wanted to talk to.

"What happened when you came home?" Galina asked, suddenly growing worried. "Were the kids acting up?"

"No, nothing like that," Gloria shook her head. "Your kids are always so well behaved." She pushed her hair back and steadied herself for her confession. "I called my husband."

Galina's eyes immediately widened. "How did that go?"

"Badly," Gloria replied simply.

"They have a way of ruining everything don't they?" Galina sighed. She held out her hand to stare at her ring. Even after the way they had argued she hadn't been able to bring herself to take it off. Perhaps in the morning, when all of this felt more real.

"I told him I wanted a divorce," Gloria said confidently. The idea was sounding better and better the more she said it. "So, now I need to make good on my promise and get in contact with a lawyer." She sounded almost excited. The first step to her freedom and she had never felt surer about any decision in her life. She just had to hope that Arturo wouldn't make things difficult for her.

"Not before you get in contact with a doctor," Galina reminded her. "Promise me you'll call on Monday?"

"Yes," Gloria nodded. "I told you that I would."

Silence fell between them once again. In the background they could hear the gentle hum of the television coming from Galina's bedroom. Nicky foregoing sleep while she waited up for her. She'd be okay to wait a little longer though. Galina turned her focus back to Gloria. After the night she had just endured she knew she would never be able to sleep right now and needed somebody to talk to.

"Dmitri took me to a fancy hotel," she announced glumly. She sounded as if she had just gotten back from the funeral of a dearly beloved friend. Not an impressive hotel and a night of luxury which she rarely got to experience.

"I guess there is more to this story?" Gloria asked in confusion. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to say. If there was something obvious that her friend wanted her to criticize Dmitri for alongside her.

"It was a dream," Galina said dramatically, tilting her head back. "Like something out of a movie and all I could think the entire time was 'I would enjoy this so much more if I were alone!'"

A look of bemusement flashed across Gloria's face. "You didn't say that, did you?" she asked in amazement.

Galina bit her lip, looking positively guilty, non-verbally answering Gloria's question. "We fought all night long and on the drive home," she admitted.

"Galina…" Gloria sighed. She wanted to be supportive, she really did. Unless there were some details her friend was withholding, it appeared that Dmitri's only crime was planning a special night for a woman who appreciated none of it. Gloria watched in distress as her friend's eyes welled up with tears. She didn't know what to say.

"I can't help it," Galina said, her lip quivering. "I'm so unhappy, Gloria. You have no idea. I'm miserable...the very thought of him touching me…" She let out an ugly sob as her shoulders shook. Leaning over the table, she buried her face in her hands.

"Shhhh," Gloria murmured. She rested a gentle hand on her back, while she craned her neck to stare anxiously down the hallway. She knew it would be insensitive to ask Galina to handle her grief more quietly. It was just that Nicky was still obviously awake and had had such high hopes for her parents that night. There was no part of this that she needed to hear.

"It was just one thing after another and I couldn't stop," Galina sniffled. Sitting back, she used her fingers to brush the tears from her eyes. "It all came out."

"Wow," Gloria sighed. "I don't even know what to say."

"He wants a divorce," Galina said sadly. "I want to feel relieved but I think I feel even more miserable now than I didn't think was possible."

Gloria squeezed the top of her shoulder tightly. She could feel years of stress and tension built up in the muscles. "If you're not happy then why punish yourself?" she asked. "You both deserve to be happy. Why would you want to limit yourself?"

"I guess I'm just not understanding," Gloria said gently. She released the tight muscles in Galina's shoulders and trailed her fingers slowly down her back. "If he's giving you an out, and you want out, why don't you just run with it?"

"Because now it feels as if my whole life was a waste!" Galina exclaimed. "I've wasted almost twenty years with that man...for nothing. I feel like God is laughing at me."

Xxx

"Finally!" Nicky exclaimed. She was sitting wide up in bed. The television was turned off but Nicky still looked as alert as ever.

"What are you still doing awake?" Galina whispered in shock. It had been over an hour since she had sent Nicky off to bed. She and Gloria had sat up for awhile, she'd taken a hot shower, and now was ready to collapse into a much-needed sleep. She was bone tired. Worn down from the emotional upheaval of her night.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"Nicky," Galina sighed. "Honey, it's so late…." she pulled back the covers of her bed and slipped in beside her daughter. Reaching for her daughter's hand, she tugged Nicky closer to envelop her in a warm embrace.

"I thought you and Pop weren't coming back until the morning," Nicky said softly, leaning her head back to rest against her mother's chest. "I helped him plan a nice night and everything. What went wrong?"

"Nicky…"

"Do you hate him that much?"

"Of course not," Galina said, squeezing her tightly in reassurance.

"Then what?" Nicky asked impatiently.

"Don't you think it's weird that Papa doesn't stay here?" Galina sighed. "You know we've never been truly compatible. It has nothing to do with hate. I could never hate him."

"Well, then figure it out," Nicky snapped. "I don't want to wind up like Alex!"

"Nicky-"

"Her Dad ran off and her mom has to work like four different jobs just to get by and Alex hardly ever gets to see her!"

"Nicky!"

"I don't want us to be like that!" Nicky exclaimed. "And then her mom is always bringing different guys home and Alex hates them…"

"Honey, I would never-"

"Pop can be a tool," Nicky snapped. "I get why he annoys you. But at least he stuck around! A lot of men don't."

"That's true…"

"Gloria's husband beat the crap out of her. That's an okay reason to get a divorce. You don't destroy your kids' family just because someone gets on your nerves a little bit."

"I never said anything to you about wanting a divorce-"

"Yeah, but I heard you and Gloria talking just now," Nicky snapped. "You think I don't have ears, Ma? And Pop only told you he wanted to break up out of anger. Who wouldn't be angry after you made him feel like an idiot for trying to do something nice for you? How ungrateful can you be?"

"Nicky-"

"I think I want to sleep in my own bed after all," Nicky said. Pulling away from her mother she leapt to the floor and headed out of the room without another word. In lieu of her daughter, Galina pulled her pillow close to her chest as fresh tears rained down on it. She was too exhausted to do anything else and fell asleep within seconds.