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Levi raises his brows and looks at his brother. Liam winks and wraps his arm around Tessa's shoulders.

"Alex is on the phone with Cooper," he says. "Apparently the baby's fine—sleeping. But he and Ruthie can't find Bennett's wubby anywhere. It's a whole thing."

Tessa quickly shakes her head, her forehead creased. "No, no. It's on top of the fridge. I moved it when they got to the house so Sammy didn't try to steal it before bedtime." She looks over his shoulder and rubs her forehead. "I'll go tell her."

Levi blows out what looks to be a grateful breath.

Liam nods. "We'll go with you," he says. He turns to Jace and I. "You two have fun."

"It was good to see you," I say. "And nice to meet you, Levi."

Before the hockey coach can respond, his face is blocked by Tessa's long blonde hair as she throws her arms around my neck. "You're a lifesaver," she gushes, hugging me tightly. "First baby, ya know?" She pulls away, her hands lingering on my wrists, her cheeks slightly pink as she swallows hard. "Alex swore it'd be fine, but… I don't know. I was nervous. And Brooke and Nellie, well—they don't get it yet." She tightens her grip. "We're lucky to have a friend now who actually knows this stuff."

She giggles sweetly, and I try to join her, but the sudden emotion in my throat keeps my laugh shallow.

"I get it," I say, grateful to be so easily included.

She smiles and turns to leave, but I stop her. "Wait," I say quickly.

I twist to pull the handkerchief from Jace's jacket pocket and hand it to Tessa. "Here. Tuck this inside your bra so you don't leak through to your dress." I tip my chin toward Liam. "Steal his for the other side."

Her shoulders fall as she drops her head back and drops her hand onto my shoulder. "You're an angel, Lenny. Thank you." She locks eyes with Jace, her voice hardening quickly. "Never let her go."

Jace lifts a brow and looks to Liam, who holds his hands up in surrender.

"Don't worry," Jace laughs. His gaze finds me, and his smile softens as he continues speaking without looking away. "I don't plan to."

I feel them leave, but I don't watch them go.

Instead, I press onto my tiptoes—less than I normally need to without heels on—and kiss his lips.

When I try to pull away, Jace wraps his hand around the back of my head and keeps us together for an extra beat. When we finally break apart, he rests his hands on my hips, and I keep mine wrapped around his neck.

"Are you all packed?" he asks, his voice low, his eyes searching my face like he's thinking about more than luggage and toiletries.

"Mostly," I admit. "I still have to grab my headphones from my locker at work."

"Plan to do a lot of running around the tundra?" he quips.

I roll my eyes. "For the plane," I correct as he pulls me closer. "Besides, I don't plan to run anytime soon."

Jace gives me a knowing look. "I hope not," he says, his voice quiet.

I drag my thumb along the links of his chain at the base of his neck. "I would never," I say.

His mouth curls slightly.

"Too cold." I wink.

Jace drops his chin and sucks his teeth, grinning. I huff out a laugh before my face grows more serious.

"Are you sure you're okay with this trip?"

He nods. "It's the perfect time to go. This is the only real downtime I'll have, and the hospital was cool enough to give you the time off between your temp job and the new one."

Much like earlier, when my body remembered that Jace and I won't be separating anytime soon, a wave of relief rushes over me.

Just a few days into taking Dylan's position, which was really no different than the one I had before, something happened that I thought was impossible.