Alena tapped her fingers against the bench as she listened to the ringing on the other end of the phone.

"Hyperion Heights Hospital. How can I help you?"

"This is Alena Swan-Jones. I'm calling about my daughters, Emma and Lily. I had a routine check-up done on them about a week ago. I just wanted the results."

"Okay. I'll see what I can find out. Can you tell me which doctor treated them?

"Dr. Sage."

The line went silent. The nurse then said, "That makes things a little difficult."

Alena furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?"

"Dr. Sage is…out of the office at this time. We're currently sorting through files to locate any recent results."

"Oh, okay," Alena offered. She then questioned, "How long until I get them?"

"As soon as possible."

The nurse paused before she apologized, "I'm sorry I can't be more concise."

"I understand. Thank you for letting me know."

"Of course. I hope you have a nice day."

"Thank you. You as well."

Alena then hung up the phone. Though she remained worried over those blood test results, no one had mentioned it – she sure as hell wouldn't bring it up.

She let out a deep breath. "My girls are - in all likelihood - perfectly healthy. That's all that matters."

Her phone beeped. She picked it back up and read the text message from Sabine.

"Wanna come check out the food truck before tonight?"

Alena smiled as she sent a reply. She then grabbed the box of files next to her and headed to the lot.

Headphones in her ears, Sabine steadily worked at the front counter of Rollin' Bayou. She placed the newspaper aside and grabbed beignet ingredients.

Jacinda and Lucy approached, sharing a laugh. The former complimented, "Wow! I gotta say, I'm impressed, Sabine."

She then banged on the counter to get her attention. Sabine turned to face her as she pulled out her earphones. "Oh!"

As she finished taking out the headphones, Jacinda repeated her name. She then apologized, "J? I'm sorry."

She laughed before she explained, "I was just listening to Henry's podcast. He just dropped the first episode with the interview you did."

Lucy chimed in: "Oh, "H-Town". How was it?"

Sabine rolled up her earphones. "I gotta admit, he's cooking up a pretty good mystery." A grin appeared on her face as she teased, "And just so you know, you two are some of the main ingredients."

Lucy nudged her mom's shoulder. "Cool. Isn't that cool, Mom?" Jacinda returned her daughter's teasing: "Yeah, baby, it is."

She then kissed her head as Lucy let out a laugh. Jacinda then turned her attention back to Sabine, who picked the beignet ingredients back up.

"And speaking of cool…Taste of the Heights is happening."

They both laughed as excitement crossed their features. Lucy then marveled, "A food fair in an abandoned skate park? Oh, that's so cool!"

"Yeah, it's definitely different," Sabine began as she prepared the dough. "I mean, I can't argue with the hipsters, though. They love their niche marketing. And also beards, for some reason."

"Well, you're gonna blow them away," Jacinda encouraged. She smiled.

Lucy placed her hand on her aunt's arm as she offered, "Look, are you sure you don't need our help?" as she glanced around the food truck.

"Lucy, Aunt Sabine is a bit of a…" Jacinda started as she placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders.

"Perfectionist," Sabine finished – only for her best friend to contend: "Control freak."

"Whoa, hey! Whoa," she protested as Lucy laughed. Jacinda then told her, "It's true."

She resigned, "Look, okay, it's not that I do not trust you two." Jacinda only hummed as she defended, "I just...I know how I like things."

Her best friend shook her head. Sabine then offered, "And anyway, you...you two, you have all this time to make up for, right? You should be spending it together." She gestured with her shoulder toward them. "Maybe curled up on a couch, playing some board games?"

The pair exchanged a smile as she finished, "Couldn't you both use a nice, quiet day at home?"

"What do you say, Lucy, huh? Family day, just the two of us?" Jacinda asked as she gripped her daughter's jacket.

"Why not make it three?" Lucy suggested.

"Three?" she repeated as she exchanged a look with Sabine. She smirked as she continued making the beignets.

Lucy told her, "Henry…come on, he never left my bedside. And don't you think it's time maybe we invited him over so we can thank him?"

"I mean, Lucy's right, J," Sabine added, receiving an exasperated look. "The man did step up. What more are you waiting for?"

She resigned, "Let me think about it." With a laugh, Lucy surmised, "That means yes."

Jacinda then began, "And hey, you are gonna be great tonight," an encouraging smile appearing, "By tomorrow, you are gonna be crowned the Food Truck Queen of the Heights."

She faced the outside of the truck as she mimed putting her friend's name up in lights.

"Ooh, "Queen"? I like the sound of that." Sabine then laughed as Jacinda and Lucy bowed to her.

"Did I hear something about a Food Truck Queen? Because I can't think of anyone better," Alena chimed in as she stepped into the truck.

Lucy noticed the box in her hands. "What's all that, Alena?"

She and Jacinda shared a look. The latter offered a nod before she took her daughter by the shoulders.

"Hey, baby, remember when you asked if Alena's job would be okay since Grandma died – and I told you nothing bad would happen?"

The dark-haired girl bobbed her head. With a deep breath, Jacinda then explained, "Well, another way Alena makes sure of that is by helping other businesses. And those papers are for her new business."

Lucy furrowed her eyebrows. "So, Alena has her own business now?"

"I do, Lucy," she began. She took a breath of her own before she continued, "It started because I wanted to help your mom and Aunt Sabine…"

"Help I'm going to pay back," Sabine interjected as she planted her hands on her hips.

Alena shook her head. "And I now want to help more businesses and help this town."

Lucy nodded. She furrowed her eyebrows once more. "What about my Grandma's business?"

Alena and Jacinda - along with Sabine - exchanged another look. The blonde then released a breath.

"I know that you understand Victoria wasn't always the nicest person, and I wanted to do more to help this community and this town. But her business will still be here."

Lucy hummed. She then tilted her head. "Will you still be working with Ivy?"

Alena returned with a head tilt of her own, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.

"For right now, I will be – at least until ELJ is ready to open. But I'm gonna wait a little longer to tell this to her – I know she needs time since her mom died."

Her expression changed to one of sympathy. "And I am sorry about Victoria. I…know it's been hard."

"Thank you," Jacinda replied as she rubbed Lucy's arm. She looked up at her mom as she moved closer to her side.

She then took a deep breath and nodded toward the box. "Do you want to set that down? It looks heavy."

"Yeah, actually. Where should I put it?" Alena then glanced around the truck. Sabine motioned toward the freezer.

"I don't think I'll need to get back in there - at least not right now - so you can just put it on top of there."

The blonde lugged the box over and placed it on the lid. She wiped her hands on her jeans before she drew her attention back to her friends.

"The truck really does look great. I can't wait to see you in action tonight, Sabine."

She smiled. "Thanks. I really am looking forward to it." She then continued working on the beignets as she nodded toward the bowl.

"And with any luck, these will help me get the word out so I can give you the money back."

"Sabine - you and Jacinda are my friends. I wanted to help you guys out. The money was never meant to be paid back."

"You might as well give in, Alena. She will have her way," Jacinda chimed in, a teasing lilt to her voice. Lucy giggled.

Sabine shook her head before Jacinda pointed out, "But she is right. This food truck wouldn't have happened without you – this is our way of saying thanks."

Alena couldn't help but smile. "Alright, you guys have convinced me. I only wanted to help – but I see why this is so important to you."

They returned her smile. Sabine then looked up from the batter. "How is everything coming? The building's ready to open, isn't it?"

With a nod, she said, "Almost. There was only a little work to do, and it should be done in the next couple weeks or so."

"That's great news," Jacinda offered. She then nodded toward the box. "And how is the paperwork coming?"

"Also great – but a little time consuming," Alena told them as she made the gesture with her fingers. She then tilted her head.

"But I did everything myself, so I could probably use a lawyer's help to make sure it's all in order."

"Nick is a lawyer – he could help you, Alena," Lucy offered, a grin spreading across her face. She - and Jacinda - shook their heads.

"Luce, maybe you should stick to ballet, hmm?" Jacinda nudged her daughter's arm. She only persisted.

"But he did get me out of that awful group home. I know he'd help Alena with her business papers."

"I'm sure he would, baby – but she probably has someone in mind."

"If only I did," she thought as she twirled her hair around her fingers. When three sets of wide eyes turned toward her, her eyes grew wide as well.

"I said that out loud, didn't I?"

She then sighed and ran her fingers back through her hair. Jacinda and Sabine exchanged a look before the former ran her fingers through her daughter's hair.

"Hey, I left my phone in the car. You think you can get it for me?"

Lucy crossed her arms over her chest. "You want me to leave, don't you?"

Jacinda shook her head. "You are way too smart for your own good." She only giggled.

She then backed toward the door. "I'll go get your "phone", Mom." As she hopped down, she added, "I think I'll get my leftovers from breakfast, too. I'm getting hungry."

"Baby, with everything Nick said you ate, I'm surprised you even want a snack."

Lucy only shrugged before she sprinted out of sight. Jacinda shook her head once more.

Alena then tilted hers. "Those two have been hanging out together?" She then cleared her throat and clarified, "Um, only because she's so adamant about Henry being her father."

With a wave of her hand, Jacinda said, "Trust me, I know. And she still is." She then planted her hands on her hips.

"Well, I really think she likes Nick – but she also has another reason for hanging out with him," Sabine interjected as she worked with the batter.

Alena furrowed her eyebrows. As she looked back and forth between her friends, she closed her eyes and shook her head.

"She's playing matchmaker with us, too, isn't she?"

"Yep," Sabine confirmed with a chuckle. "I mean, you gotta give the kid credit for wanting everyone to be happy, at least."

Jacinda dropped her forehead in her hands. When she looked back up, she apologized, "I'm sorry for all this, Alena. But you know how Lucy is – when she gets an idea in her head, it's so hard to talk her out of it."

"Oh, it's really okay, Jacinda. I do know how she is – and I probably should have seen this coming," Alena reassured her. She couldn't help the chuckle that escaped.

Precocious was probably an understatement when it came to Lucy. Everything was so complicated when it came to Nick, but knowing her niece was so determined - and so much like her brother - brought a little humor to the situation.

"It really is okay, though. I mean, she really does just want everyone to be happy."

Sabine hummed. She then raised her eyebrows. "But what is happening with you two? Are you still just gonna be friends?"

"Yeah, we are. I…can't think about anything else." Alena then let out a breath and plastered on a smile.

"Besides, I really think we're better as friends. We can just talk…and hang out. It's really nice."

Sabine raised her eyebrows once more while Jacinda tilted her head. The latter then ventured, "But is that what you really want?"

Alena sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "It's just what's best for everyone."

With a deep breath, Jacinda then offered, "I know you have your girls to think about. I mean, when I was trying to get Lucy back, I broke a date with Henry – I just had to make sure I was seen as a good mom."

The blonde hummed as a frown settled in across her features. She then took a breath of her own. "And you are an amazing mom – anyone can see that."

Jacinda smiled. She then took another deep breath. "And doing what's best for your child doesn't mean you can't also think about yourself."

A small smile crossed Alena's features. "I know." She then leaned against the freezer and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I just…haven't dated since Emma and Lily's father. I don't know if I'm ready."

She then dropped her head, the tears threatening to spill. Would this ever get any easier?

She then shook her head and brought her eyes back up to her friends, who watched with sympathetic expressions.

Sabine placed down her spoon, planting her hands on her hips. She then waved one of them.

"We're really not trying to push you two together – but it's easy to see how you guys feel about one another. And Nick actually is a good guy now, and he's way more responsible. Which is surprising to say the least."

Jacinda ran her hands up and down her arms. "It is surprising – and Sabine is right. But if you just want to be friends, I know he'll understand."

"Honestly, he'd probably listen to anything she told him," Sabine commented as she resumed stirring the batter.

Alena couldn't help but chuckle. Jacinda rolled her eyes before she did the same.

The blonde then rested her arm on the box. She then waved her hand around the food truck.

"So, all this is great, but I should probably get back at it. Make sure everything is settled and sorted."

"Good luck – I somehow think you'll need it with that armload," Sabine told her before she continued preparing the beignets.

Alena and Jacinda both chuckled. The former then grabbed the box, adjusting it in her hands.

"And…I should probably give Nick a call a little later. I could really use his help."

As she adjusted the box once more, Jacinda ran her fingers through her hair.

She then let out a breath. "Before you go, there's something, uh, I wanted to tell you."

Alena furrowed her eyebrows, a look of confusion spreading across her face. "Uh, sure. What is it?"

Jacinda wrung her hands together. She then shook her head. "It really isn't that big of a deal –

but we're friends, so I thought you should know."

Alena's eyebrows remained furrowed as she waited for her to continue.

"You see, after Nick looked over those custody papers from Victoria, and confirmed Lucy was mine, we just got caught up in the moment and in the excitement."

She released a breath. "And we kissed."

Alena's mouth fell open. "You what?" She and Sabine's voice rang in unison.

The blonde then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She slowly released it through her nose.

"Sorry. I'm just, uh, surprised. I wasn't sure what you were going to say, but it definitely wasn't that."

"I know – I didn't want to freak you out, but I just thought you should know."

At Alena's nod, Jacinda added, "And I also want you to know that it didn't mean anything," as she waved her hand.

Alena couldn't help but smile. In that moment, all that mattered was that this curse couldn't break apart true love.

"Thank you for telling me."

She then released a breath and focused on the box still mercifully in her hands. "I really do have to go. But I'll catch you guys later."

They both bid a "see you later" before Alena headed out of the truck, tossing one final wave over her shoulder.

She stepped down just as Lucy bounded over. "Are you leaving, Alena?"

"Yep. I gotta finish all this stuff for my business."

The dark-haired girl nodded. "So, I'll see you later? You'll have to tell me what you think about the food fair."

Alena hummed, a smile making its way across her face. "I can't wait – and the girls are excited, too."

Lucy smiled. "They're gonna love Aunt Sabine's beignets. They really are the best."

She adjusted her beanie as she spoke, "I know my mom didn't really need her phone, but I'm gonna give it to her anyway."

With a shrug, she then stepped onto the truck when Alena stopped her. "Not so fast. I want to talk to you for a minute."

Lucy faced her aunt and sighed. "This is about me hanging out with Nick, isn't it?"

Alena nodded. She then set down her box and bent down on her niece's eye level.

"Don't get me wrong, it's great that you two are hanging out, but it's...complicated, Lucy. And I told you why."

"But he's my uncle," Lucy insisted, "And he's pretty cool after he stopped being so nervous and freaked out."

Alena couldn't help but laugh. When she sobered, she gently explained, "I know he's your…uncle – but it's not as simple for us to be together. And I don't want you to get hurt."

"I know," Lucy resigned, her eyes falling downcast. She quickly perked up, a wide smile breaking out.

"But he still really likes you – and he loves the twins."

The corners of Alena's mouth quirked upwards, her heart swelling in chest. She then shook her head.

"Your belief really is amazing. I can't fault you for that."

With a shake of her head, she then offered, "Just give the matchmaking a rest, okay? Just enjoy being with everyone."

Lucy rolled her eyes. She then sighed and resigned, "Fine – but I'm not giving up on breaking the curse."

"I wouldn't expect otherwise."

Alena then rose to her feet and picked up her box. She smiled.

"I'll see you later, Lucy." "See you later, Alena." The dark-haired girl then hopped in the food truck and back to her mom and aunt.

Alena watched them for a few moments before she headed off to do some work.