Run, Girl (If You Can)

Aaron ended up speaking to the care center directors about making funeral arrangements since Keeley was still sobbing in the corner. She may have run out of tears but that wasn't going to stop her from crying.

A weight settled in his heart the moment she came back from that phone call. Everybody knew Robert's time was limited but he had hoped it could be put off as long as possible. He was a vital member of their family.

He would miss his father-in-law too. Robert had always been so kind to him and made sure he felt included even before they were related by marriage. He had been an example to Aaron for what kind of father he wanted to be with his own children.

But of course his pain at losing the only decent father figure in his life was nothing compared to Keeley's, who had now lost her entire family twice. He wished there was something he could do to make her feel better.

Last time she fell into a deep depression. It was partly because she knew that it was Lacy Knighton's doing though. And partly because Aaron was stupidly trying to avoid her to keep her safe so she had to deal with it all alone.

Keeley wasn't alone this time. She had a family and friends who loved her and would help her get through this. He really, really hoped she didn't get too depressed again.

Trying to deal with that when she lost their first baby and the ability to have children had been nearly impossible. Even now that he was much better at knowing how to comfort her he still worried he wouldn't be able to get through to her through that haze of grief again.

"Sweetheart? We should get home," Aaron said gently as he helped his wife out of the chair she was sitting in.

Keeley nodded mutely, clutching his hand as if it was her lifeline. Nathan quickly sidled up to her and took her other hand, which put Oliver out a little bit. He had wanted to hold her other hand.

When they got home, Aaron put on one of her favorite movies—making sure it wasn't one that she had watched with her dad—and wrapped her up in blankets. Both of their sons curled up next to her and snuggled close, needing comfort of their own.

He joined them but didn't pay attention to the movie at all. He needed to call the funeral home in the morning and get all of that taken care of so they could hold the funeral the following weekend.

Rubbing his forehead wearily, he realized someone would have to break the news to the twins when they got home. What a way to ruin prom night.

Would it be possible to keep it from them until the next day? Aaron didn't want to spoil their moods. If he made sure everyone else was in bed before they got home it could work.

Turns out that wasn't even a problem. His wife and children all feel asleep on the couch, worn out from crying, before the movie was even over. All he had to do now was move them to their beds.

===

Prom wasn't nearly as fun as Violet had hoped it would be. The music was mediocre and overplayed, the food was good but not terribly filling, and it was too loud in the ballroom to even hold a conversation.

At least Kaleb seemed to be having a good time. It was obvious he really liked that cheerleader. Not only had he been over the moon when she accepted his invitation, he was talking a lot faster than usual as they interacted.

He always talked fast when he was nervous or excited. He'd had this habit from the time he could speak as a toddler. Violet could read her twin like a book.

At least Dustin was a somewhat attentive date. He frequently ended up refilling Violet's punch for her. He tried initiating conversation every once in a while but would give up after she yelled "what?" too many times from not being able to hear him properly over the music.

The dancing had met her expectations exactly—she figured that nobody else here knew how to dance so she would end up moving in a tiny, awkward circle and that was exactly what happened.

Violet sighed. If Noah were old enough to come to the prom, he would have been able to dance with her properly. His mother was a dancer and she had taught both of her sons how to be able to whisk a girl off her feet. After all, it was how she and Cameron first met.

Now that was a love story! She never got tired of hearing Jennica retell the magical moment they met where she was skating backwards and fell into his arms. Their eyes met and they both felt a cosmic connection, which was enhanced by skate dancing together right afterwards.

When she asked her mom if it was true, she rolled her eyes. "Jennica wouldn't stop freaking out all weekend until she finally broke down and texted him. They've been attached at the hip ever since."

Violet had inwardly swooned over how romantic it was while outwardly only letting a soft smile be seen. If only something like that could happen to her!

Dustin was nice but she really wasn't feeling the romance. How disappointing.

She had been right about Noah not having anything to worry about. At this rate, she would never get a boyfriend and would be living out her days in her parents' house forever, withering away under the weight of their mushiness.

Maybe Noah was onto something about wishing he was older. If they were in the same grade, they could have just come together and at least had fun dancing. Since her prom dreams hadn't turned out to be that romantic after all, it would be better being with someone who could make it less boring.

Violet accepted Dustin's offer to go dance the next time a slow song came on but she really wasn't feeling it. She was a dancer! Turning in a tiny circle didn't cut it for her.