Persuasion belongs to Jane Austen. It's not mine.

In June, I spent most of time over at Mary's or helping Dad and Elizabeth move stuff out of the house and help set up their new apartment. The last of Dad and Liz's things were still at the house when the Crofts moved in.

I wasn't sure how Sophie would treat me. She had always been nice to me and so had her husband, but Sophie was very protective of her youngest brother. They were seven years apart in age, but close to each other. Sophie probably only thought of me as the bitchy ex-fiancé who broke her brother's heart.

When I rang the doorbell, Sophie Croft answered the door. She had a crying baby in her arms and looked tired. She smiled when she saw me. "Hi, Anne," she said.

"Hi."

"Come on in." I followed Sophie into the house. Boxes littered the hallway and the other rooms I could see.

"Sorry about the mess. We're not completely moved in yet. We've been busy with Gracie for the past week." Sophie started rocking the baby and Gracie's cries became quieter.

"Where's the rest of the stuff?" I asked.

"Upstairs," Sophie answered.

"Adam's in the shower, and when he's dressed, he can help you with the boxes," Sophie said.

"No, I should just get the boxes and leave."

"Anne, just stay for a little while and we can catch up."

"Okay." Sophie, Gracie, and I walked into the living room and sat on the couch.

"So, Anne, how have you been?"

"I've been doing good. I teach high school English."

"Seeing anyone?"

"No," I said.

"Hmm." Sophie looked down at her daughter. Gracie had fallen asleep. She had dark hair like her mother and uncle. Sophie looked a lot like Rick with the black hair and dark eyes and classic features. Even though she'd just had a baby, she was still thin and athletic-looking. I wished I hadn't gone up to a size ten when I used to be a size six in college.

"I'll go put Gracie down really quick. I'll be right back." Sophie stood up with the baby and went upstairs. I wondered which room was Gracie's. Maybe it was Elizabeth's old one, which had the best view of the backyard.

Seeing Sophie with her daughter made me think of Rick. We would talk about how many children we would have. We both wanted at least two children, both biological and adopted. I knew I wouldn't have any children because I had always wanted to be married before starting a family. Rick was the only one I could marry. I guessed I could adopt or foster when I was older, but I would only consider it if I had enough money. Teachers in Missouri aren't exactly on the highest pay scale for education in the country. Though I love my nephews, they aren't my children and they know I'm not their mother. But they were the closest I could get to having children.

I heard someone coming down the stairs and saw Adam Croft come into the living room. "Anne, long time, no see."

"Hi, Adam. Congratulations on your daughter."

"She's a lot of work, but she's already my little princess. We're going to have a lot of fun when Sophie goes back to work. I'm taking a few online classes so I can start my own home business."

"What are you going to do?"

"Engineering consultant."

"Are you glad you retired from the Navy?"

Adam laughed. "I can definitely say that I'm ready to take on new things after twenty-five years in the Navy."

The sound of a car in the driveway made me jump up. Adam looked at me. "That would be Sophie's mom and brothers. They're visiting for a couple of weeks."

I knew I had to get the rest of the boxes, but I didn't want Rick to see me. "I should go upstairs," I said.

Adam opened his mouth, but the front door opened. "We have lunch," Alice Wentworth called.

"Great," Adam said.

Alice and her older son, Danny Wentworth, walked in and stared when they saw me. "Hi," I said.

Alice and Danny looked at each other. Rick followed them and stopped when he saw me. "Uh, Anne, what are you doing here?"

"I'm just, uh, picking up the last of my dad's and sister's stuff." Rick was as gorgeous as ever. His hair was shorter, but still thick and wavy. Getting older had improved and matured the classic features of his face. Life isn't fair.

"It's nice to see you all again." I could feel Rick's eyes on me, but I couldn't look at him.

"Well, then," Adam said. "I'll go get the boxes for you, Anne." Adam left the living room just as Sophie came back down. She looked at her mother and brothers.

"Anne, would you like to stay for lunch?" Sophie asked.

"No, thanks. I should leave soon."

"Okay," Rick answered. I looked at his face. I couldn't tell what he was thinking; he was trying to keep his expression blank.

Adam came down with two cardboard boxes. "Could you show me out to your car?" he asked me.

"Yeah, come on." I walked into the hallway. "Bye everyone."

"Bye," everyone echoed. I walked out the front door and Adam followed me. I pressed the unlock button and went over to my car to open one of the back doors.

Adam put the boxes onto the back seat. "There are five more boxes. I can get them on my own."

"Thanks. I know today was awkward, but -"

"But there are no hard feelings. At least not from me and Sophie."

"Thanks again. I think I'll just wait out here."

"Of course. You're welcome to visit us anytime you want."

I nodded and smiled. I opened the driver door of my car and got into it. As I waited for Adam to bring the rest of boxes, I tried not to cry. Rick couldn't even say three words to me. Not that I didn't blame him for being pissed at me, but it wasn't how I thought our seeing each other again would be. I decided I wouldn't visit the Crofts for the next few weeks. But my plans never work out how I want them to.