The airport terminal buzzed with morning activity around them. Harmony shifted her weight slightly, adjusting her prosthetic leg - the morning's rush to get ready had left her socket a bit uncomfortable. Jeremy noticed immediately, his hand tightening on hers.
"You okay?" he murmured, concern etching his features.
"Just the usual morning stiffness." She attempted a smile. "Don't change the subject. You're still leaving."
Jeremy's free hand came up to touch the key resting against her collarbone. "Three weeks."
"And four days," she added, blinking back tears. "And approximately thirteen hours. Not that anyone's counting."
A passing crowd jostled them, and Harmony stumbled slightly. Jeremy's arms were around her instantly, steadying her with practiced ease.
"I can still cancel," he whispered against her hair. "The board can wait."
"No, they can't." She pressed her face into his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. "Go be brilliant in London. Just... come back to me."
"Always." He pulled back just enough to look at her, his eyes suspiciously bright. Without warning, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. When they finally parted, both breathing heavily, several nearby passengers quickly looked away.
"Well," Harmony managed, straightening his slightly askew tie. "That should give them something to gossip about."
"Let them talk." He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Take care of my heart. I'm leaving it here with you."
She watched him walk through security, memorizing everything - the way he ran a hand through his hair after removing his shoes, how he turned back twice to look at her, the final wave before he disappeared around the corner. Only then did she let the tears fall.
The drive home took longer than usual - morning traffic and her aching leg making her extra cautious. When she finally pulled into her family's driveway, she sat for a moment, gathering herself.
Inside, she found Mara and their father in the kitchen. Her sister took one look at her red-rimmed eyes and abandoned the coffee she was making.
"Come on," Mara said, grabbing her hand. "Emergency sister meeting. Sorry, Dad!"
"Don't forget lunch!" their father called after them. "I'm making my famous lasagna!"
Harmony followed Mara upstairs more slowly, each step carefully measured. Her sister waited patiently at the top, a habit formed years ago.
In Mara's room, Harmony sank gratefully onto the purple beanbag chair while her sister dug through a mini-fridge.
"Rocky road or cookie dough?"
"Is both an option?"
"For heartache? Both is mandatory." Mara handed over a spoon before settling cross-legged on her bed. "So... he's really gone?"
Harmony nodded, stabbing at the ice cream. "He gave me a key to his London flat."
"Wow." Mara's spoon paused halfway to her mouth. "That's... serious."
"Yeah." Harmony touched the key through her shirt. "What about you? Excited about tonight?"
A blush crept up Mara's neck. "I don't know if I should still go. It's just dinner..."
"At the most romantic restaurant in Boston." Harmony grinned. "Come on, tell me what you're wearing."
"I was thinking that blue dress? The one with the-" Mara's phone chimed. She grabbed it, then smiled.
"Alex?" Harmony teased.
"Maybe." Mara's blush deepened. "He's just checking if we're still on for tonight."
"And?"
"I don't know..." Mara hugged a pillow to her chest. "What if I'm reading too much into this? What if-"
"Stop right there." Harmony pointed her spoon accusingly. "You're amazing, and any guy would be lucky to date you. Alex would be crazy not to see that."
"You think?"
"I know. The way he looks at you when you're not watching..." Harmony smiled. "Trust me, he's interested."
A crash from downstairs cut off Mara's response, followed by the sound of breaking glass.
"Dad?" Mara called out. Silence.
The sisters exchanged worried looks. Mara was already moving, but Harmony struggled to get up from the low beanbag chair.
"Go!" she urged her sister. "I'll be right there!"
By the time Harmony made it downstairs, Mara was already kneeling beside their unconscious father, phone pressed to her ear.
"Yes, 47 Maple Street," Mara was saying, voice steady despite her shaking hands. "Our father... he's collapsed... no, not responsive... yes, he's breathing..."
Harmony gripped the doorframe, her prosthetic threatening to buckle under her. "His medication-"
"On the counter," Mara nodded toward the pill bottle. "He took it this morning, I saw him."
The next few minutes were chaos. Paramedics arrived, asking questions they answered in tag-team fashion. Yes, he'd seemed fine earlier. No, no previous incidents. Yes, regular blood pressure medication.
"We're taking him to Mass General," one paramedic said as they loaded him onto a stretcher. "One of you can ride with him."
"Go," Harmony told Mara, already fishing out her car keys. "I'll follow you there."
"But your leg-"
"Is fine. Go with Dad. I'll be right behind you."
In her car, Harmony tried calling Jeremy, forgetting he'd be on his flight. Her message went straight to voicemail: "Jeremy, it's me. Dad's... he collapsed. We're heading to Mass General. I... I love you. Call when you can."
The drive to the hospital felt endless. Every red light was torture, every slow driver an obstacle. By the time she parked and made her way inside, her leg was screaming in protest.
She found Mara in the waiting room, phone in hand. "Alex is coming," her sister said, helping her to a chair. "I texted him about canceling dinner and he insisted..."
"Of course he did." Harmony squeezed her sister's hand. "Any news about Dad?"
"They're running tests." Mara's voice wavered. "God, Harm... what if-"
"Don't." Harmony pulled her sister close. "Remember what Dad always says? No borrowing trouble."
They sat in silence, with Mara remembering the last time her and Dad waited in a hospital like this - the night that had taken their mother and changed their lives forever.
"Mara? Harmony?"
They looked up to find Alex rushing toward them, still in his work suit, concern etched across his features. Without hesitation, he pulled Mara into a tight hug.
"I came as soon as I could," he said softly, one hand rubbing circles on her back as she finally broke down. Over Mara's shoulder, he met Harmony's eyes. "Any news?"
Harmony shook her head, throat tight at watching her sister find comfort in Alex's arms. She touched the key around her neck, wishing Jeremy was here too.
"Miss Carson?"
All three looked up as a nurse approached.
"The doctor would like to speak with you both."
Mara pulled back from Alex, wiping her eyes. "Will you...?"
"I'm not going anywhere," he promised, squeezing her hand.
Harmony started to rise, but her leg had stiffened from sitting. Both Mara and Alex moved to help her.
"Let us," Alex said gently, offering his arm while Mara supported her other side.
Together, they followed the nurse through the swinging doors, the key around Harmony's neck catching the fluorescent light - a reminder that even in the darkest moments, love found its way to them.